A federal judge ruled that Nexstar Media Group violated a court order requiring it to keep TEGNA Inc. operating as an independent company while a multistate antitrust lawsuit challenging the merger proceeds. The court found that Nexstar installed its own executives on TEGNA's board, failed to disclose the appointments, and lacked candor with the court. The court ordered Nexstar to comply immediately, file status reports, respond to discovery, and turn over board and financial documents, with a special master to oversee compliance.
The court ordered Nexstar to come into compliance immediately, file a status report within 10 days, respond to outstanding discovery requests within 7 days, turn over TEGNA board meeting minutes, budget and forecast changes, financial reports, and any changes in directors or officers on a monthly basis. The parties have 14 days to propose a special master to oversee ongoing compliance.
In-house legal teams should review any merger or acquisition agreements to ensure they include robust independence and non-interference clauses that prevent the acquiring company from exerting control over the acquired entity's board or management. They should also verify that any contractual provisions align with court orders and antitrust requirements, and include mechanisms for compliance reporting and oversight, such as special master provisions. Additionally, agreements should address disclosure obligations and cooperation with regulatory or judicial inquiries to avoid findings of lack of candor.
Entity
Nexstar Media Group
Industry
Media & EntertainmentOfficial Press Release
https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/ag-rayfield-wins-federal-court-decision-over-nexstar-violating-merger-order/
2026 08 06 Order Granting Motion for Clarification
https://www.doj.state.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-06-Order-Granting-Motion-for-Clarification.pdf
Oregon Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/
"Nexstar Media Group violated a court order"
"violated a court order requiring it to keep TEGNA Inc. operating as an independent company"
"installed its own top executives – including its CEO and CFO – on TEGNA’s five-member Board of Directors"
"The court’s order requires Nexstar to come into compliance immediately and to file a status report within 10 days detailing the steps it has taken to do so."
"the 12 other states that sued"
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, joined by a coalition of 23 other states, the District of Columbia, and two governors, sued the Trump administration to block a new policy by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) that would allow federal officials to access private records of millions of TANF recipients. The coalition argues the policy illegally shares sensitive personal data, including Social Security numbers and immigration status, with other federal agencies and private organizations, violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the Spending Clause. The lawsuit seeks to declare the policy illegal and block it from taking effect.
Attorney General Dan Rayfield and 49 other state attorneys general sent a letter to the FCC urging stronger 'Know Your Customer' rules to combat illegal robocalls. The coalition requests that phone companies verify customer identities and business practices to prevent scammers from using the network. The letter is part of Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup.
Attorney General Rayfield and a coalition of 49 other attorneys general sent a letter to the FCC urging it to strengthen its Know Your Customer (KYC) rules to combat illegal robocalls. The coalition recommends requiring providers to understand customers' business, applying KYC standards to all providers, and collecting additional information on high-risk customers. No monetary penalty was imposed.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield secured a temporary restraining order blocking Paramount Skydance Corporation's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The lawsuit, joined by 11 other state attorneys general, alleges the merger would harm Oregonians through higher prices, lower content quality, and reduced competition in film and television distribution.
$29.6M
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and a bipartisan coalition of states reached a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer accused of conspiring with other pharmaceutical companies to inflate prices and limit competition for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement requires Glenmark to cooperate in ongoing multistate litigations and implement internal reforms to ensure fair competition and antitrust compliance.
Oregon Attorney General Rayfield and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable television licensing, which would lead to higher prices and reduced content quality for consumers.