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                                                        EXHIBIT 10.31



                     SPLIT DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE AGREEMENT


     This Agreement made and entered into between PULITZER PUBLISHING COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and Doris D. Ridgway and Boatmen's
Trust Company, Trustees of The Ronald H. Ridgway Insurance Trust (collectively,
the "Trustee").

     WHEREAS, the services of Ronald H. Ridgway (the "Employee"), the Employee's
experience and knowledge of the affairs of the Corporation, and the Employee's
reputation and contacts in the business are extremely valuable to the
Corporation;

     WHEREAS, the Corporation desires that the Employee remain in its service
and wishes to receive the benefit of the Employee's knowledge, experience,
reputation and contacts;

     WHEREAS, the Corporation is willing to encourage the Employee's continued
service to the Corporation by joining with the Trustee for the mutual benefit of
the parties hereto in an investment in life insurance on the life of the
Employee so as to provide life insurance protection for the Employee's family;

     WHEREAS, the Trustee will be the owner of the Insurance Policies (as
defined below) on the life of the Employee acquired pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement, and the Corporation's Investment (as defined below) in each
Insurance Policy will be represented by an assignment from the Trustee to the
Corporation of certain ownership rights in the Insurance Policy; and

     WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to qualify as a life insurance employee
benefit plan as described in Rev. Rul. 64-328, 1964-2 CB 11.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained, the Corporation and the Trustee hereby agree as
follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  Definitions

     A. "Agreement" means this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to
time.

     1.2 "Corporation's Investment" means the interest of the Corporation in an
Insurance Policy, as defined in Section 4.1 of the Agreement.

     1.3 "Insurance Policies" means the policy or policies shown on the attached
Exhibit A, together with any other policies that may be added to this Agreement.

     1.4 "Insurer" means the insurance company issuing an Insurance Policy
subject to this Agreement.


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     1.5 "Trust" means the trust or trusts created by that certain instrument
dated December 20, 1996, between Ronald H. Ridgway, Grantor, and Doris D.
Ridgway and Boatmen's Trust Company, as Trustees.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               Insurance Policies

     2.1 The Trustee has purchased insurance on the life of the Employee, for
the benefit of the Trust, under the Insurance Policies and in the amounts shown
on Exhibit A.

                                  ARTICLE III

                      Premium Payments and Death Benefits

     3.1 Subject to the provisions hereof, the Corporation shall pay the actual
premium required to keep each Insurance Policy in force on or before the due
date of the premium payment.  The Corporation, in its discretion, may make a
premium payment with respect to each Insurance Policy in an amount greater than
the required amount, provided that such payment will not result in the Insurance
Policy's failing to meet the definition of a life insurance contract under
Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     3.2 The Trustee will elect Death Benefit Option 2 for each Insurance Policy
and may not change the election without the prior written consent of the
Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                            Corporation's Investment

     4.1 The Corporation's Investment in each Insurance Policy shall be the
greater of (a) the cash surrender value of the Insurance Policy or (b) the sum
of the amounts paid by the Corporation as premiums on the Insurance Policy
reduced by the sum of any withdrawals from the Insurance Policy by the
Corporation; provided, however, that the Corporation's Investment as determined
by this section shall be reduced by the sum of (i) the amount of any
indebtedness which may exist against the Insurance Policy and
(ii) the amount of any unpaid interest on such indebtedness.

     4.2 The Trustee will collaterally assign each Insurance Policy acquired
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to the Corporation as evidence of the
Corporation's Investment.  Each collateral assignment will be in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and will not be altered or changed without
the prior written consent of the Corporation.

     4.3 The Corporation is prohibited from taking any action with respect to
each Insurance Policy which would endanger either the interest of the Trustee
therein or the payment of proceeds in excess 

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of the Corporation's Investment to any beneficiary designated by the Trustee
upon the Employee's death.  The Corporation is specifically prohibited from
surrendering the Insurance Policies for cancellation except as provided in
section 6.2 hereof.  However, the Corporation is specifically authorized to
borrow against or pledge the Insurance Policies, to direct the investments of
the cash values of the Insurance Policies in accordance with the provisions
thereof and to withdraw funds from the Insurance Policies; provided, however,
that if the loans or withdrawals from the Insurance Policies result in the
Trustee's being liable for income taxes, the Corporation shall pay to the
Trustee the amount of such income taxes.

     4.4 The Trustee specifically has the power to assign all rights of the
Trustee in the Insurance Policies and under this Agreement, change the
beneficiary designations of the Insurance Policies and exercise settlement
options under the Insurance Policies.  In the event of an assignment, the
assignee shall possess all of the rights and obligations of the Trustee in the
Insurance Policies and under this Agreement.  The Trustee has all rights to the
Insurance Policies not specifically granted to the Corporation by this
Agreement, except that the Insurance Policies may not be surrendered nor the
death benefit option be changed without the prior written consent of the
Corporation.

     4.5 The Trustee shall have the right, exercisable from time to time without
the consent of the Corporation, to reduce the death benefit of the Insurance
Policies, provided that any reduction shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of each Insurance Policy, including, without limitation, the
requirement that the face amount of the Insurance Policy which remains after the
reduction shall be equal to or greater than the minimum face amount determined
in accordance with the Table of Minimum Face Amount Percentages set forth in the
Insurance Policy.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                  Termination

     5.1 This Agreement shall terminate only upon the happening of any one of
the following events: (a) mutual consent of the Corporation and the Trustee; (b)
termination of employment of the Employee for any reason other than (i)
retirement on or after age 65, (ii) retirement on or after age 62 upon at least
four months prior written notice to, and with the prior written consent of, the
Corporation, (iii) disability, or (iv) death; (c) delivery by the Trustee to the
Corporation of written notice of termination; (d) surrender of all of the
Insurance Policies with the consent of both the Corporation and the Trustee; and
(e) payment in full to the Corporation at any time of the Corporation's
Investment in each Insurance Policy, and upon such payment the Corporation shall
release the collateral assignment(s) and deliver the Insurance Policies to the
Trustee.

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                                   ARTICLE VI

                    Termination of Corporation's Investment

     6.1 Upon the death of the Employee, the Corporation shall receive from the
proceeds of each Insurance Policy payable upon such death the full amount of the
Corporation's Investment in such Insurance Policy.  The balance of the proceeds
of such Insurance Policy shall be paid (a) to the beneficiary or beneficiaries
designated by the Trustee, or (b) if no such beneficiary has been designated, to
the Trust.

     6.2 In the event of the termination of this Agreement under Article V
(except as provided in section 5.1(e) of Article V), the Trustee shall have 90
days in which to pay to the Corporation an amount equal to the sum of the
Corporation's Investment in each Insurance Policy.  Upon the payment of such
amount, the Corporation shall release the collateral assignment(s) of the
Insurance Policies.  If the Trustee does not pay such amount to the Corporation
within the 90 day period, (a) the Corporation may surrender such Insurance
Policies without the consent of the Trustee or (b) the Trustee may transfer
ownership of the Insurance Policies to the Corporation, in either event
discharging in full the obligation of the Trustee to pay to the Corporation an
amount equal to the sum of the Corporation's Investment in each Insurance Policy
and terminating all rights of the Trustee to the Insurance Policies under this
Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                                    Insurers

     7.1 The Insurer issuing an Insurance Policy shall not be deemed to be a
party to this Agreement for any purpose or responsible in any way for its
validity or enforcement.  The Insurer shall not be obligated to inquire as to
the distribution or application of any monies payable or paid by the Insurer
under the Insurance Policy if the Insurer makes appropriate payment or otherwise
performs its contractual obligations in accordance with the terms of the
Insurance Policy.  The Insurer shall be bound only by the provisions of, and
endorsements to, the Insurance Policy.  Any payments made or actions taken by
the Insurer in accordance with the Insurance Policy shall fully discharge the
Insurer from liability.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                         Amendments and Binding Effect

     8.1 This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except by a written
instrument signed by the Corporation and the Trustee.  This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the assigns and the successors of the
parties to this Agreement.

     8.2 The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and enforced
according to the laws of the State of Delaware.


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                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 Miscellaneous

     9.1 The Corporation is the named fiduciary of the plan established by this
Agreement (the "Plan") for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended, and shall have the authority to control and manage the
operation and administration of the Plan.

     9.2 The funding policy of the Plan will be through premium payments to the
Insurer pursuant to this Agreement.

     9.3 The basis of payments from the Plan will consist of payments by the
Insurer in accordance with each Insurance Policy.

     9.4 If for any reason a claim for benefits under the Plan is denied, the
Corporation shall deliver to the claimant a written explanation setting forth
the specific reasons for the denial, pertinent references to the Plan section on
which the denial is based, such other data as may be pertinent and information
on the procedures to be followed by the claimant in obtaining a review of his
claim, all written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant.  For
this purpose:

          (a) the claimant's claim shall be deemed filed when presented orally
     or in writing to the Corporation.

          (b) the Corporation's explanation shall be in writing delivered to the
     claimant within 90 days of the date the claim is filed.

The claimant shall have 60 days following his receipt of the denial of the claim
to file with the Corporation a written request for review of the denial. For
such review, the claimant or his representative may submit pertinent documents
and written issues and comments.

     9.5 The Corporation shall decide the issue on review and furnish the
claimant with a copy within 60 days of receipt of the claimant's request for
review of his claim.  The decision on review shall be in writing and shall
include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the claimant, as well as specific references to the pertinent Plan
provisions on which the decision is based.  If a copy of the decision is not so
furnished to the claimant within such 60 days, the claim shall be deemed denied
on review.

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                                   ARTICLE X

                                     Notice

     10.1 All Notices which are required by or may be given pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement must be in writing and must be delivered personally,
sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, first-class, postage prepaid,
or sent for next business day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight
delivery serve as follows:

           If to Corporation:        Pulitzer Publishing Company
                                     Attn:  James V. Maloney
                                     900 North Tucker Boulevard
                                     St. Louis, Missouri  63101

           If to Trustee:   Doris D. Ridgway, Trustee
                                     2001 Meadowbrook Way Drive
                                     Chesterfield, MO  63017
                                                  and
                                     Boatmen's Trust Company, Trustee
                                     100 North Broadway
                                     St. Louis, Missouri  63102


Any of the addresses or addresses set forth above may be changed from time to
time by written notice from the party requesting the change.  Such notices and
other communications will for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as being
effective immediately if delivered personally, or five days after mailing by
certified mail, return receipt requested, first-class postage prepaid, or one
business day after deposit for next business day delivery by a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the
30th day of December, 1996.

                                          PULITZER PUBLISHING COMPANY

                                          By /s/ James M. Vogelpohl
                                            -------------------------   
                                            Name:  James M. Vogelpohl
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                          THE RONALD H. RIDGWAY INSURANCE TRUST

                                          By /s/ Doris D. Ridgway
                                            ---------------------       
                                              Doris D. Ridgway
                                              Trustee


                                          BOATMEN'S TRUST COMPANY, TRUSTEE

                                          By /s/ F. Carl Schumacher Jr.
                                            -----------------------------       
                                            Name:  F. Carl Schumacher Jr.
                                            Title:  Vice President



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                                   EXHIBIT A

     The policy or policies covered by the foregoing Split Dollar Life Insurance
Agreement between Pulitzer Publishing Company and Doris D. Ridgway and Boatmen's
Trust Company, Trustees, include the following:


      Insurer                   Policy No.             Initial Face Amount

Massachusetts Mutual Life        0025512
Insurance Company                                         $2,810,000.00

             EXECUTED this 30th day of December, 1996

                                     PULITZER PUBLISHING COMPANY


                                     By /s/ James M. Vogelpohl
                                       -------------------------        
                                       Name:  James M. Vogelpohl
                                       Title: Treasurer


                                     THE RONALD H. RIDGWAY INSURANCE TRUST


                                     By /s/ Doris D. Ridgway
                                       -----------------------  
                                       Name:  Doris D. Ridgway
                                       Title: Trustee


                                     BOATMEN'S TRUST COMPANY, TRUSTEE

                                     By /s/ F. Carl Schumacher Jr.
                                       -----------------------------    
                                       Name:  F. Carl Schumacher Jr.
                                       Title:  Vice President

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                                   EXHIBIT B

                       SPLIT DOLLAR COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT

Issuing Company:  Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("Insurer")

Policy No.:              0025512                                    ("Policy")
                         -------------------------------------------

Insured:                 Ronald H. Ridgway                          ("Insured")
                         -------------------------------------------

Owner/Assignor:   Doris D. Ridgway and Boatmen's Trust Company, Trustees 
                  --------------------------------------------
                        under The Ronald H. Ridgway Insurance Trust ("Assignor")

Assignee:         Pulitzer Publishing Company ("Assignee")


                                    RECITALS

     A. The Assignor desires to assign to the Assignee a collateral interest in
the Policy as collateral for certain liabilities of the Assignor to the Assignee
pursuant to the Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement between the Assignor and
the Assignee (the "Split Dollar Agreement") regarding the Policy in accordance
with Rev. Rul. 64-328, 1964-2 CB 11.

     B. The Assignee, by accepting this Assignment, agrees to the terms and
conditions hereof.

                                   ASSIGNMENT

               1. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Assignor hereby assigns, transfers and
          sets over to the Assignee, its successors and assigns, a collateral
          interest in and to the Policy, subject to all of the terms and
          conditions of the Policy and to all superior liens, if any, which the
          Insurer may have against the Policy.

               2. (a) It is expressly agreed that the Assignee's collateral
          interest in the Policy shall be strictly limited to the following:

                    (1) Upon surrender of the Policy, the right to obtain the
               whole of the surrender proceeds payable under the terms of the
               Policy (taking into account any outstanding Policy loan).

                    (2) Upon the death of the Insured, the right to obtain that
               portion of the death proceeds as is equal to the greater of the
               Aggregate Premiums Paid (as hereinafter defined) or the surrender
               proceeds payable under the terms of the Policy (taking into
               account any outstanding Policy loan).

               (b) For the purposes of this Assignment, the Aggregate Premiums
     Paid at any time equals the then cumulative net premiums paid by the
     Assignee under the Policy reduced by the sum of (i) any indebtedness which
     may exist against the Policy, (ii) any unpaid interest on such indebtedness
     and (iii) any withdrawals from the Policy; provided, however, that
     Aggregate Premiums Paid shall not include premiums waived pursuant to the
     terms of any 


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          disability waiver of premiums rider to the Policy.

               3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Assignment, the
          Assignee shall have the right to make loans on the Policy, to allocate
          net premiums among the Guaranteed Principal Account (as defined in the
          Policy) and the divisions of the Separate Account (as defined in the
          Policy), to make transfers of values among the Guaranteed Principal
          Account and the divisions of the Separate Account, and to make
          withdrawals but not in excess of the then cash surrender value of the
          Policy.  If the Split Dollar Agreement is terminated at any time
          (other than in accordance with Section 5.1(e) of Article V of the
          Split Dollar Agreement) and if the Assignee is not paid an amount
          equal to its collateral interest in the Policy within 90 days
          thereafter, the Assignee may surrender the Policy without the consent
          of the Assignor.

               4. Subject to paragraph 3 above, all other rights and interests
          in the Policy, including, but not limited to, the right to surrender
          the Policy, the right to designate the beneficiary of the death
          proceeds under the Policy in excess of the Assignee's collateral
          interest and the right to reduce the death benefit in accordance with
          Section 4.5 of Article IV of the Split Dollar Agreement, shall be
          retained by the Assignor, except the Assignor shall not have the right
          to make loans on the Policy, transfers of values among the Guaranteed
          Principal Account and divisions of the Separate Account or withdrawals
          from the Policy and the Assignor may surrender the Policy or change
          the death benefit option only with the consent of the Assignee.

               5. The Insurer is hereby authorized to recognize the claims of
          the Assignee hereunder without any investigation thereof, or giving
          notice to anyone, including the Assignor, and the Insurer shall not be
          responsible for the application by the Assignee of any amounts paid by
          the Insurer.  The signature of the Assignee alone shall be sufficient
          for the exercise of its rights under the Policy assigned hereby, and
          the receipt of the Assignee for any sums received by it shall be a
          full discharge and release of the Insurer therefor.

               6. The Assignor declares that there are no proceedings in
          bankruptcy pending against the Assignor and that the Assignor's
          property is not subject to any assignment for the benefit of
          creditors.

               7. While this Assignment is in force, the Assignor directs that
          all premium notices be sent to the Assignee at the address furnished
          by the Assignee.

               8. All provisions of this Assignment shall be binding upon and
          inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
          successors and assigns.

Signed at  St. Louis, MO                     on 12/30/96   
           ----------------------------------   -----------------
                         (City and State)                         (Date)


                                           THE RONALD H. RIDGWAY INSURANCE TRUST
                                                             [Assignor]

                           By:/s/ Doris D. Ridgway
                              -----------------------   
                              Name:  Doris D. Ridgway
                              Title: Trustee

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                                    BOATMEN'S TRUST COMPANY, TRUSTEE

                                    By:/s/ F. Carl Schumacher Jr.
                                       -----------------------------    
                                       Name:  F. Carl Schumacher Jr.
                                       Title:  Vice President


                                    ACCEPTANCE OF ASSIGNMENT

                                      Date:  December 30, 1996

                                    PULITZER PUBLISHING COMPANY
                                                    [Assignee]

                                    By:/S/ James M. Vogelpohl
                                       -------------------------        
                                       Name:  James M. Vogelpohl
                                       Title: Treasurer