D.C. Circuit Dismisses Standard/Tegna Appeal, Expedites Mandamus Petition

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit dismissed the Standard/Tegna broadcasters appeal of the FCC’s hearing designation order (HDO) but said it will expedite their petition for writ of mandamus, said an order late Monday. An appeal filed after a bureau decision but before “resolution by the full Commission” is “subject to dismissal as incurably premature,” said the brief order. The Standard/Tegna broadcasters had argued that the HDO was a final decision and that the mandamus petition to compel the FCC to act on the applications was a last resort. The FCC and the union and public interest group intervenors must file a response to the mandamus request by April 11, and the broadcasters must reply by April 14, the order said. The Standard/Tegna broadcasters have said their deal will irretrievably break up May 22.