MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal had news on EW Scripps (NYSE: SSP), Dell Inc (NASDAQ: DELL), Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and Congress.

• E.W. Scripps is considering splitting off its newspaper operations. It owns papers in 18 markets, which account for about 30% of company revenues.
• The head of Dell's commercial business group will retire in March and the unit will be divided into two separate businesses.
• Wal-Mart said the number of workers enrolled in its health plan increased slightly this year.
• The House of Representatives passed a $2.10 increase in the federal minimum wage, to take place over the next two years in three 70 cent increments.

• The Financial Times reported that Cerberus is considering a $36B offer for Equity Office Properties (NYSE: EOP).

• The Detroit Free Press reported that Valeo (OTC: VLEEY) will not rule out buying Visteon Corp. (VC) or parts of Delphi Corp. (OTC: DPHIQ).
• Website GameDaily.com wrote that Viacom Inc's (NYSE: VIA) MTV Networks is in talks to acquire 1Up.com from Ziff Davis Media.
• The Investor's Business Daily's "New America" column wrote that Visa's plans to go public should take some of MasterCard Inc.'s (NYSE: MA) advantage in the stock market.