Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                           [Times Mirror Letterhead]

April 7, 2000

Roger H. Molvar
c/o Times Mirror Company
220 W. 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA  90012

Dear Roger:

                       EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

The Times Mirror Company ("Times Mirror") has entered into an agreement dated as
of March 13, 2000 with Tribune Company ("Tribune") under which Times Mirror will
merge into Tribune (the "Merger Agreement") and on the date of the completion of
the merger ("Effective Date"), Times Mirror will cease to exist as a corporate
entity. If, as provided below, your employment continues beyond the Effective
Date, you will be employed by Tribune or the Times Mirror subsidiary or division
by which you are now employed that will then be owned by Tribune. This agreement
(the "Agreement"), which is effective as of the date hereof, will set forth (i)
the terms of your employment; (ii) the enhanced severance benefits that you will
receive if your employment is terminated under the terms of, and within the
Severance Protection Period as defined in, the Severance Attachment to this
Agreement; (iii) certain compensation and benefits as set forth in the Certain
Compensation and Benefits attachment; and (iv) certain employee benefits to
which you are entitled as set forth in the Certain Employee Benefits attachment.

However, it is important that Times Mirror and Tribune retain your services as a
key employee in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement to ensure the continuing and orderly conduct of business affairs.

1.  Continued Service.

    (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1 (d) of this Agreement, Times
        Mirror agrees to continue your employment and you agree to remain in
        your present position on the terms contained in this Agreement. If your
        active employment status is terminated prior to the Effective Date for
        any reason other than as set forth in paragraph 1 (d), you will remain
        as an inactive employee on a paid leave of absence until, and
        termination will become effective on, the Effective Date to enable you
        to receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement.

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April 7, 2000
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    (b) This Agreement and all the obligations of Times Mirror to you hereunder
        will terminate if and at such time as Times Mirror informs you in
        writing that the merger with Tribune will not take place. In the event
        of such termination, you will remain in the employ of Times Mirror, or
        its division or subsidiary, under those terms and conditions which
        presently apply to your employment.

    (c) Upon the Effective Date, this Agreement and all the obligations of Times
        Mirror hereunder, shall be assigned to and assumed by Tribune.

    (d) All rights and obligations of any party to this Agreement, including but
        not limited to, those set forth in any Attachment to this Agreement
        (except to the extent you are fully vested in or otherwise entitled to
        any employee benefit after the termination of your employment in
        accordance with the terms of the relevant benefit plan), will terminate
        immediately in the event (i) you voluntarily resign from your position
        prior to the Effective Date for any reason which is not within the terms
        of paragraph (b) of the Severance Attachment or (ii) you are terminated
        for cause. For the purpose of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean any
        material breach of your obligations to Times Mirror or Tribune, the
        commission by you of any criminal act (except for traffic or any other
        minor offences), or any act of dishonesty or abuse of office.

2.  Duties and Benefits.

    (a) While you are employed under the terms of this Agreement during the
        Severance Protection Period:

        (i) You will continue to serve as a key employee and continue to fully
            perform those functions, duties and responsibilities which are
            assigned to you as of the date of this Agreement or which may
            reasonably be assigned to you in the future;

        (ii) There shall be no change in your salary or bonus opportunity and no
            change in the employee benefit programs or perquisites in which you
            now participate except to the extent that any such changes are
            permitted under the provisions of Section 6.1 (p) of the Merger
            Agreement, a copy of which section of said agreement is attached to
            this Agreement, or are determined by Tribune after the Effective
            Date. As of the Effective Date, the terms of your employment with
            Tribune will be subject to the provisions of Section 6.9 of the
            Merger Agreement, a copy of which section of said agreement is
            attached to this Agreement. However, your employment shall remain
            subject to the terms set forth in the Severance Attachment and in
            the event of any conflict between the terms of Section 6.9 of the
            Merger Agreement and the provisions of the Severance Attachment, the
            provisions of the Severance Attachment shall at all times control.

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Roger H. Molvar
April 7, 2000
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    (b) After the Effective Date, you will be entitled to a bonus incentive
        award under the Executive Incentive Plan at the time and in accordance
        with the terms of the attachment to this Agreement entitled "Certain
        Compensation and Benefits".

3.  Enhanced Severance Benefits.

    (a) You will be entitled to receive the enhanced severance benefits upon the
        satisfaction of certain conditions precedent as set forth in the
        Severance Attachment to this Agreement. In order for you to be eligible
        to receive these enhanced severance benefits, the following conditions
        must be satisfied: (i) the merger of Times Mirror into Tribune must be
        completed; and either (ii) your employment must be terminated by Times
        Mirror or Tribune prior to the end of the Severance Protection Period;
        or (iii) you terminate your employment after the Effective Date for the
        limited good reasons included within the terms of the provisions of the
        Severance Attachment. Upon the satisfaction of said conditions
        precedent, you will receive the enhanced severance benefits set forth in
        the Severance Attachment to this Agreement. However, (i) in the event
        that the merger of Times Mirror into Tribune is completed but your
        employment is not terminated in the manner set forth above within the
        Severance Protection Period as defined in the Severance Attachment, or
        (ii) your employment is terminated under the provisions of paragraph 1
        (d), you will not receive the enhanced severance benefits.

    (b) Since the occurrence of the merger of Times Mirror into Tribune, and the
        resulting enhanced severance payments, were totally unexpected and
        therefore you had no opportunity at any earlier date to make any
        decision with respect to how such payments, in the event that the
        conditions precedent which apply to them are satisfied, may be made to
        you, the enhanced severance payments will be paid to you in cash or
        deferred under the terms of the Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan
        for Executives, or some combination thereof, in accordance with your
        deferral election, made and delivered in accordance with instructions
        sent to you.

4.  Stock Options and Restricted Stock. The provisions relating to any Times
    Mirror stock options or restricted stock, if any, are set forth in the
    attachment to this Agreement entitled "Certain Compensation and Benefits".

5.  Certain Employee Benefits. Certain other employee benefits for which you
    are eligible and in which you are, or on the Effective Date will be, vested
    or otherwise are entitled to receive are set forth in the Attachment to this
    Agreement entitled "Certain Employee Benefits". You will be entitled to
    receive such certain employee benefits in accordance with their respective
    terms and provisions. However, if this Agreement is terminated under the
    provisions of paragraphs 1 (b) or 1 (d), you will be entitled to receive
    only those Certain Employee Benefits in which you are vested or would

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April 7, 2000
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    otherwise be entitled to receive in accordance with the terms and provisions
    of said benefit plans.

6.  Taxes and other Withholding. Except as provided in the Severance Attachment
    with respect to payments to compensate you for any applicable excise taxes,
    all payments made to you under this Agreement shall be subject to any and
    all applicable withholdings, including all withholdings for any related
    federal, state or local taxes. You shall be solely responsible for any and
    all income taxes incurred by you as a result of your receipt of any payment
    contemplated or described in this Agreement. Subject to limitations imposed
    by Times Mirror employee benefit plans, these payments may also be reduced
    by any withholdings, contributions or deductions previously authorized by
    you.

7.  Death. In the event of your death, when amounts or benefits owed to you by
    Times Mirror or Tribune under this Agreement or any attachments to this
    Agreement remain unpaid or unreceived, any such amount or benefit shall be
    paid to your surviving spouse or, if said spouse does not survive you, to
    your estate, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and in
    accordance with the terms of any applicable employee benefit plan.

8.  Company Information. You acknowledge that in the course of your employment
    with Times Mirror and/or Tribune, certain information has been disclosed to
    you in confidence that was for the use of Times Mirror and/or Tribune or any
    of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates ("Company Information"). You
    understand and agree that unless such Company Information is placed into the
    public domain by a person other than yourself, you will keep such Company
    Information confidential at all times during and, after your employment by
    Times Mirror and/or Tribune, will not disclose or communicate Company
    Information to any third party and will not make use of Company Information
    on your own behalf or on behalf of any third party. The undertaking set
    forth in this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

9.  Restrictive Covenants. In the event that the Enhanced Severance Benefits
    described in paragraph 3 are payable to you, then:

    (a) You agree that for a period of 24 months following the date on which
        your employment with Times Mirror or Tribune is terminated by Times
        Mirror or Tribune, you shall not become employed in a comparable or
        higher level position of any entity or business which is engaged in any
        business activity which constitutes direct competition with Times
        Mirror, Tribune or any significant subsidiary or division of either of
        them, without the prior express written consent of the Chief Executive
        Officer of Times Mirror or Tribune, whichever is applicable.

    (b) You agree that for a period of 12 months after the date on which
        your employment is terminated, you will not directly or indirectly
        (either on your own behalf or on

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Roger H. Molvar
April 7, 2000
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        behalf of any other person or entity) attempt to persuade or solicit any
        current or prospective customer of Times Mirror or Tribune or any
        subsidiary or division of either of them with whom you had contact
        during your employment (i) to cease to do business or to reduce the
        amount of business which any customer of Times Mirror or Tribune, or any
        division or subsidiary of either of them, has customarily done or
        contemplates doing with Times Mirror or Tribune, or (ii) to do or expand
        business with a competitor of Times Mirror or Tribune, or any division
        or subsidiary of either of them.

    (c) You further agree that for a period of 12 months after the date on which
        your employment is terminated, for any reason, you will not, directly or
        indirectly, either on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person
        or entity, solicit any person who is considered to be a management
        employee of Times Mirror or Tribune, or any division or subsidiary
        thereof, to terminate such employment, without the prior express written
        consent of the Chief Executive Officer of Times Mirror or Tribune,
        whichever is applicable.

10. Release. In exchange for the additional benefits to be provided to you under
    this Agreement, you, or yourself and your heirs, executors, administrators
    and assigns, hereby release Times Mirror, Tribune and their respective
    affiliate and subsidiary companies, and their respective directors,
    officers, associates, employees, partners and agents from any claims,
    liabilities or causes of action whether known or unknown, which you ever had
    or now have to the date of this Agreement, for or by reason of any matter or
    cause arising out of or related to your employment by Times Mirror or
    Tribune, or the termination thereof, including without limitation, any
    claim, liability or cause of action arising under any federal, state or
    local statute, rule or regulation, including any claim of discrimination
    under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, except that you do not
    release Times Mirror or Tribune and their respective affiliate and
    subsidiary companies from any obligation under the terms of this Agreement,
    the Merger Agreement or from any vested benefit under the terms of any
    employee benefit plan.

11. Revocation Period.

    (a) You acknowledge that you have been given a period of at least twenty-one
        (21) days to review and consider this Agreement before signing it. You
        further understand that you may use as much of the 21-day period as you
        wish before signing it.

    (b) You also understand that you may revoke this release of your rights
        and claims within seven (7) days after signing this Agreement.
        Revocation may be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to
        James R. Simpson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Times
        Mirror. For this revocation to be effective, Mr. Simpson must receive
        written notice no later than the close of business on the

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April 7, 2000
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        seventh day after you have signed this Agreement. However, if you elect
        to revoke this release, the rights and obligations of both you and Times
        Mirror (and Tribune, if applicable) under this Agreement shall in all
        respects terminate, it will not be effective or enforceable, and you
        will not receive the benefits and payment described in this Agreement.

    (c) Provided that you have complied with all of the terms and conditions of
        this Agreement, and provided further that you have not exercised your
        revocation rights, it shall become effective on the day which
        immediately follows the expiration of the above seven-day revocation
        period described in the preceding paragraph.

12. Disputes. In the event any disputes arise under the provisions of this
    Agreement, which disputes cannot be amicably resolved between the parties,
    either party may seek to resolve such dispute by filing a legal action in
    any court having jurisdiction over the matter. In such event, Times Mirror
    or Tribune, whichever is named as a party to such action, shall pay your
    reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in such proceeding, provided
    that any legal action commenced and/or defended by you was in good faith and
    that you prevailed in any such legal action. In the event of any conflict
    between the provisions of this paragraph 12 and the provisions of any other
    document which may be involved in the subject matter of this Agreement, the
    provisions of this paragraph shall control.

13. Assignment. In the event that any other person or entity shall acquire all
    or substantially all of the assets or stock of Times Mirror or Tribune, or
    any subsidiary or division of either of them, whether by a sale, merger,
    consolidation, reorganization or any other means, the provisions of this
    Agreement shall be assumed by and be fully binding upon any such successor
    person or entity, unless such obligations are retained by Tribune. In the
    absence of any such sale, merger, consolidation or reorganization, this
    Agreement shall not otherwise be assignable by Times Mirror, Tribune, or any
    such subsidiary, division or affiliate.

14. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written
    amendment executed by the parties.

15. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be found, held,
    declared, determined, or deemed by any court of competent jurisdiction to be
    void, illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or
    controlling law, the legality, validity, and enforceability of the remaining
    provisions will not be affected and the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable
    provision will be deemed not to be a part of the Agreement.

16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
    accordance with the laws of the State of California.

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Roger H. Molvar
April 7, 2000
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Please execute both copies of this letter and return one signed original copy to
me. By signing this Agreement, you confirm and acknowledge that you have read,
understand and agree to the terms set forth herein. Further, you acknowledge
that you have been advised to seek legal and financial advice regarding these
terms.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me.

Sincerely,

/s/ JAMES R. SIMPSON
--------------------------------------
James R. Simpson
Senior Vice President, Human Resources

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

/s/ ROGER H. MOLVAR
-------------------------------------
     Roger H. Molvar

Attachments
        Severance Attachment
        Certain Compensation and Benefits attachment
        Certain Employee Benefits attachment
        Section 3.4 of Merger Agreement
        Section 6.1 (p) of Merger Agreement
        Section 6.9 of Merger Agreement

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                              SEVERANCE ATTACHMENT
                ATTACHMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
                    FOR TIMES MIRROR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS

This attachment to your Employment and Severance Agreement describes the
Enhanced Severance Benefits and terms under which they will be paid if you are
a Senior Vice President of The Times Mirror Company as of the Effective Date.

a)   Enhanced Severance Payments. If your employment is terminated as of the
     Effective Date or within the severance protection period after the
     Effective Date, you will be eligible for the following amount of severance:

          two and one-half times the sum of your current salary plus your
          highest bonus within the last three years (not including any special
          bonus payments)

b)   Eligibility For Severance. Enhanced severance payments will be paid, if,
     during the severance protection period, you:

          1)   are involuntarily terminated on account of the change of control
               for other than cause or

          2)   voluntarily terminate employment for good reason which includes
               the following:

               (a)  experience a substantial reduction in the nature or scope of
                    the authorities, powers, functions of your current position
                    (which would not include changes in title or reporting
                    relationship);

               (b)  are required to relocated your principal office more than 50
                    miles from the current site; or

               (c)  suffer a reduction in either your base salary or bonus
                    opportunity or in the aggregate value of your long-term
                    incentives, benefits and executive perquisites during the
                    severance protection period which is not remedied within 30
                    days after receipt by Tribune Company of written notice from
                    you.

c)   Severance Protection Period.  Severance will be payable in event your
     employment is terminated on account of the change of control during the
     following period of time after the change of control in a manner so as to
     cause severance to be paid:

          24 months after change of control

d)   Severance Deferral. You may elect to defer all or a portion of any
     severance payments that may become payable under the provisions of the
     Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives. You must complete
     the special deferral election form and return it to Human Resources in
     accordance with instructions sent to you.

e)   Outplacement. If you are eligible for enhanced severance benefits, you will
     receive outplacement as follows, or you may receive the indicated value in
     a cash payment:

          Receive outplacement for a period of one year after termination of
          employment up to a maximum of $15,000
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Severance Attachment
For Times Mirror Senior Vice Presidents
Page 2

f)   COBRA reimbursement payment. If your employment is terminated within the
     severance protection period, you will receive a payment equal to 18 months
     times the COBRA premium for the managed care program at the time of your
     termination of employment.

g)   Executive Perquisites. Any company-paid or reimbursed executive
     perquisites for which you are currently eligible, including financial
     counseling, executive physicals, and club dues and memberships, will be
     continued by Tribune after your termination of employment for the period
     represented by your severance payments, if any.

h)   Excess Parachute Payments. To the extent that any payments, including any
     bonus incentive payments, made to you are considered part of an excess
     parachute payment subject to an excise tax, those payments will be fully
     grossed up to compensate you for the amount of the excise tax. The company
     will hire an independent accounting firm to determine the calculations for
     all affected employees and will pay for the services provided by the
     accounting firm. The accounting firm's calculations will be binding unless
     an IRS ruling determines otherwise.
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Roger H. Molvar

                        CERTAIN COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
                ATTACHMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This attachment to your Employment and Severance Agreement describes how your
bonus incentive award for 2000 will be determined and describes how certain
benefits will be treated as a result of the merger.

a)  2000 Bonus Incentive Award. In the event that you remain employed through
    the Effective Date (whether on active or inactive status as provided in the
    Agreement), your bonus incentive award for 2000 under the Executive
    Incentive Plan will be payable at the maximum level payable under the plan
    (i.e., 225% of your 2000 bonus incentive target). However, no bonus award
    for 2000 will be payable in the event of your voluntary termination of
    employment before December 31, 2000 for reasons other than those included
    within the scope of the provisions of the Severance Attachment. Your 2000
    bonus award will be payable to you on the earlier of (i) the date on which
    your employment is terminated by Times Mirror or Tribune or you terminate
    your employment for the good reasons included within the scope of the
    provisions of the Severance Attachment, or (ii) on December 31, 2000. In the
    event that a bonus incentive award is payable under subparagraph (i) above,
    the bonus award for 2000 will not be prorated. Any bonus award will be paid
    or deferred in accordance with your prior election regarding your 2000 bonus
    incentive award. Any amount to be deferred will be credited to your account
    under the Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives ("Plan") as
    of the earlier of (a) the first day of the month coinciding with or next
    following the day your 2000 bonus award would be payable as described above
    or (b) December 31, 2000 and will be paid from the Plan in accordance with
    your prior election under said Plan.

b)  Matching Bonus Restricted Stock Program. If you were eligible to and elected
    to participate in the matching bonus restricted stock program for 2000, you
    will receive an additional payment equal to 25% of your 2000 bonus award,
    representing the value of an award under the matching bonus restricted stock
    program, which amount will be aggregated with your 2000 bonus award. This
    additional payment will be paid or deferred in accordance with your prior
    deferral election for your 2000 bonus award under the provisions of the
    Plan, as set forth above. There shall be no requirement for you to place on
    deposit any personally owned shares of Times Mirror stock to receive this
    additional payment.

c)  Stock Options. Prior to the Effective Date, you may exercise any of your
    options to purchase shares of Series A Common Stock of Times Mirror ("Stock
    Options") which are vested. Upon the Effective Date, or upon any earlier
    date which may be considered as a change of control as that term is defined
    under the agreement(s) regarding your Stock Options ("Change of Control
    Date"), and provided you are an employee as of such date, your Stock Options
    will become fully vested.

    In accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 3.4 of the Merger
    Agreement (a copy of which section is attached to this Attachment), Tribune
    will offer you the opportunity to cash out the value of each of your Stock
    Options at $95 per share, reduced

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Roger H. Molvar

    by the option price of each Stock Option, or to convert each of your Stock
    Options into options to purchase 2.5 shares of Tribune common stock. In
    accordance with the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Merger Agreement, you
    will be required to decide which choice you wish to select for each Stock
    Option and to proceed in accordance with the terms of the offer which will
    be extended to you by Tribune.

d)  Restricted Stock. Upon the Effective Date, or upon any earlier date which
    may be considered as a change of control as that term is defined under the
    provisions of the restricted stock program, and provided you are an employee
    as of such date, to the extent shares of restricted stock are registered in
    your name, all restrictions on such stock will lapse as of such date and
    unrestricted ownership of such shares will vest in you at that time. Any
    personal shares of stock held on deposit by Times Mirror under the Matching
    Bonus Restricted Stock Program will be returned to you at that time.

e)  Executive Perquisites. Any company-paid or reimbursed executive perquisites
    for which you are currently eligible, including financial counseling,
    executive physicals, and club dues and memberships, will be continued by
    Tribune during your active employment for the severance protection period.

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Roger H. Molvar

                            CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
                ATTACHMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This attachment to your Employment and Severance Agreement describes certain
employee benefits which will continue after your termination of employment.

a)  Qualified Retirement Plans. While you are an employee of Times Mirror or any
    of its divisions or subsidiaries (for purposes of this attachment "Times
    Mirror"), you will continue to be eligible to participate in Times Mirror's
    retirement plans in accordance with the respective terms and limitations of
    each plan. Provided you are an employee of Times Mirror as of the Effective
    Date, accrued benefits earned as of the Effective Date under Times Mirror's
    retirement plans will become fully vested. Vesting will apply to any accrued
    benefits under Times Mirror's pension plan(s) and your company matching
    account under the Times Mirror Savings Plus Plan. The retirement plans
    provide for a maximum of one year of benefit accrual service or salary
    credit for severance payments (excluding any non-qualified deferrals),
    subject to statutory limits in the Internal Revenue Code, including but not
    limited to maximum deferrals, benefits or covered compensation. After your
    termination of employment, you will be entitled to receive any vested
    accrued benefits under Times Mirror's retirement plans in accordance with
    the terms of the plans and any elections you make under the plans.
    Distributions under each plan shall be made in accordance with the terms and
    procedures of each respective plan based on your participation under the
    plans.

b)  Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. You are a participant of the Times
    Mirror Company Executive Retirement Plan for Certain Times Mirror Officers
    (SERP). In accordance with the current provisions of the SERP, your benefits
    under the SERP will be based on your total benefit service with all Times
    Mirror companies and the Times Mirror benefit formula (regardless of the
    benefit formula of the division or subsidiary where you earned your benefit
    service), less any benefits payable from Times Mirror's qualified pension
    plan(s). Under the terms of the SERP and provided you are an employee of
    Times Mirror as the Effective Date, the benefits that you have earned under
    the SERP as of the Effective Date will become fully vested. In addition,
    your benefits under the SERP will be calculated including your 2000 bonus
    incentive award, if any, in the computation of your final average
    compensation under the SERP. Further, you will receive credit under the SERP
    for any severance payments which may be payable as a result of the change of
    control.

c)  Deferred Compensation Plan. Any amounts you have deferred into the Times
    Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives will be paid to you in
    accordance with your prior elections. In addition, your 2000 bonus incentive
    award and your severance payments, if any, payable to you under the terms of
    the Agreement and its Attachments will be deferred in accordance with your
    deferral elections. With respect to amounts which are or will be credited to
    your account in accordance with the terms of the Plan, Section 6.9(c) of the
    Merger Agreement provides that Tribune shall credit 9% interest per annum
    cumulative, from the date any amount is credited to your account under the
    Plan effective with respect to all amounts credited under the Plan as of the
    Effective Date and

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Roger H. Molvar

    on all amounts which may be deferred under the Plan in connection with the
    Merger or any termination of employment related thereto, whether credited
    with respect to deferrals before or after the Effective Date until all such
    amounts are paid under the Plan in accordance with it terms. If you wish to
    withdraw any funds from the Plan on account of the change of control, the
    Plan provides that you may elect to receive an immediate lump sum payment,
    with a 10% penalty for the unscheduled withdrawal.

<PAGE>   14
                                  SECTION 3.4
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     SECTION 3.4.   Options.  (a)  Each of the stock options, if any, to
purchase Company Common Shares (each, a "Company Option") issued by the Company
pursuant to any stock option or similar plan of the Company, and any non-plan
options to acquire Company Common Shares set forth in Section 4.3(a) of the
Company Disclosure Statement issued by the Company pursuant to an option
agreement or otherwise issued by the Company, which are outstanding as of the
Effective Time shall, whether or not then exercisable and vested, become fully
exercisable and vested immediately prior to the Effective Time. Each holder of a
Company Option shall be given the opportunity, prior to the Election Deadline,
to elect either (i) to cause such Company Option (a "Stock Electing Option") to
become and represent an option to purchase Tribune Common Shares (a "Tribune
Option"), in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section 3.4, or (ii) to cause
such Company Option (a "Cash Electing Option") to be cancelled in exchange for a
single lump sum cash payment (less any applicable income or employment or other
Tax withholding), without interest (the "Company Option Cash Out Amount"), equal
to the product of (A) the number of Company Common Shares subject to such
Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) the excess, if
any, of the Per Share Cash Amount over the exercise price per share of such
Company Option, in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 3.4. To the
extent any holder of a Company Option shall not have made an election with
respect to such Company Option prior to the Election Deadline, such Company
Option shall be deemed to be a Cash Electing Option.

     (b)  Each Stock Electing Option shall, by virtue of the Merger, and
without any further action on the part of any holder thereof, be assumed by
Tribune and converted into a Tribune Option to purchase that number of Tribune
Common Shares determined by multiplying the number of Company Common Shares
subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the
Common Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per Tribune Common Share equal to
the exercise price per share of such Company Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time divided by the Common Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the
nearest whole cent. If the foregoing calculation results in an assumed Company
Option being exercisable for a fraction of a Tribune Common Share, then the
number of Tribune Common Shares subject to such option shall be rounded up to
the nearest whole number of shares. The terms and conditions of each Tribune
Option shall otherwise remain as set forth in the Company Option converted into
such Tribune Option.

     (c)  Each Cash Electing Option shall, by virtue of the Merger, and without
any further action on the part of any holder thereof, be cancelled in exchange
for a single lump sum cash payment (less any applicable income or employment or
other tax withholding), without interest, equal to the Company Option Cash Out
Amount.

     (d)  The adjustment provided herein with respect to any options which are
"incentive stock options" (as defined in Section 422 of the Code), if any,
shall be and is intended to be effected in a manner which is consistent with
Section 424(a) of the Code.

     (e)  All restricted Company Series A Common Shares granted pursuant to any
equity plan or arrangements of the Company, and all individual awards of
restricted Company Series A Common Shares not granted pursuant to any such plan
or arrangement, shall become fully vested immediately prior to the Effective
Time and such Company Series A Common Shares shall be freed of restrictions and
issued to the relevant participant.
<PAGE>   15
                                 SECTION 6.1(p)
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     (p)  Employee Matters. Except as set forth in Section 6.1(p) of the Company
Disclosure Statement, except in connection with any employment offer outstanding
as of the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, and shall not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) grant any increases in the compensation of any
of its directors, officers or employees, except for increases required under
employment agreements existing on the date of this Agreement and increases for
officers and employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice that, in any event, do not increase such officer's or employee's
aggregate cash compensation at target by more than 10% over his aggregate cash
compensation at target in effect on the date of this Agreement, (ii) pay or
agree to pay any pension retirement allowance or other employee benefit not
required or contemplated by any of the existing Company Benefit Plans as in
effect on the date of this Agreement, giving effect to any modification to any
Company Benefit Plan authorized by the Company's Board of Directors prior to the
date of this Agreement and previously delivered in writing to Tribune, to any
such director, officer or employee, whether past or present, or to any other
Person, (iii) pay or award or agree to pay or award any stock option or equity
incentive awards in excess of options to acquire 50,000 shares in the aggregate
or in a manner that is inconsistent with past practice, (iv) enter into any new,
or amend any existing, employment, severance or termination agreement with any
such director, officer or employee which, in the aggregate, would obligate the
Company or its Subsidiaries to pay in excess of $1 million or (v) except as
required to comply with applicable Law, become obligated under any new Company
Benefit Plan which was not in existence on the date of this Agreement, or amend
any such plan or arrangement in existence on the date of this Agreement if such
amendment would have the effect of enhancing any benefits thereunder. The
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, provide Tribune with copies of any
amendments to any Company Benefit Plan (which shall be in accordance with the
foregoing) made after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective
Time.

<PAGE>   16
                                  SECTION 6.9
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     SECTION 6.9. Employee Benefits.

     (a)  Obligations of Tribune; Continuance of Benefits. For a period of one
year immediately following the Effective Time, the coverage and benefits
provided to employees and former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries
("Company Employees") pursuant to employee benefits plans or arrangements
maintained by Tribune or any of its Subsidiaries shall be no less favorable, in
the aggregate, than those provided to such employees immediately prior to the
Effective Time. Except as provided in Section 3.4 and 6.9(c), notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing herein shall require (i) the continuation of any
particular benefit plan or prevent the amendment or termination thereof (subject
to the maintenance, in the aggregate, of the benefits, or (ii) Tribune to
continue or maintain any stock option, stock purchase or other incentive plan
related to the equity of the Company.

     (b)  Pre-Existing Limitations; Deductible; Service Credit. With respect to
any incentive, benefits and perquisite plans and programs ("Benefit Plans") of
Tribune or any Subsidiary of Tribune in which the Company Employees participate
effective as of the Effective Time or thereafter, Tribune shall: (i) waive any
limitations as to pre-existing conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with
respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to the Company
Employees under any Benefit Plan that is an employee welfare benefit within the
meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA ("Welfare Plan") in which such Company
Employees may be eligible to participate after the Effective Time (provided,
however, that no such waiver shall apply to a pre-existing condition, exclusion
or waiting period applicable to any Company Employee to the extent that he or
she was, as of the Effective Time, excluded from participation in a Company
Benefit Plan by reason of such pre-existing condition, exclusion or waiting
period, and provided, further, that no such waiver shall apply to a pre-existing
condition, exclusion or waiting period of any Company Employee unless the
Company Employee enrolls in the applicable Welfare Plan when first eligible to
do so), (ii) in the event Company Employees are transferred to a new Welfare
Plan within the plan year beginning January 1, 2000, for purposes of
accumulating annual deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket requirements,
provide each Company Employee with credit for any co-payments and deductibles
paid prior to the Effective Time, but within such plan year, for purposes of
satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any
Welfare Plan in which such employees may be eligible to participate after the
Effective Time, and (iii) recognize all service of the Company Employees with
the Company, for all purposes other than benefit accrual, in any Benefit Plan in
which such Company Employees may be eligible to participate after the Effective
Time. Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Tribune, or an
appropriate committee of non-employee directors thereof, shall adopt a
resolution consistent with the interpretive guidance of the SEC so that the
acquisition by any officer or director of the Company who may become a covered
person of Tribune for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder ("Section 16") of Tribune Common Shares or options to
acquire Tribune Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger shall be
an exempt transaction for purposes of Section 16.

<PAGE>   17
                              SECTION 6.9 (CONT.)
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     (c)  Employment and Severance Arrangements. As of the Effective Time,
Tribune shall assume, honor and perform in accordance with their terms all
employment, severance, change in control and other such agreements of the
Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, giving effect to any amendment or
modification to any such agreement authorized by the Company's Board of
Directors prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Employment Arrangements").
With respect to the Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan For Executives and
the Deferred Plan for Directors Fees, Tribune shall credit 9% interest per
annum, cumulative, from the date any amount is credited to a participant under
any such plans effective with respect to all amounts credited under such plans
as of the Effective Time, and on all amounts which may be deferred under such
plans in connection with the Merger or any termination of any employment
related thereto, whether credited with respect to deferrals before or after the
Effective Time until all such amounts are paid under the plan in accordance
with its terms. Tribune shall pay the reasonable attorney's fees of the
individual party to the applicable Employment Arrangement in the event such
individual party files a claim in good faith to enforce Tribune's obligations
and prevails in such action. Such individual parties are hereby specifically
made a third party beneficiary of this Section 6.9(c).

     (d)  Successor Obligations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, in the event Tribune sells or otherwise disposes of any Subsidiary
of the Company coincident with or within one year after the Effective Time,
Tribune shall require as a condition of such sale or disposition that the buyer
shall assume all obligations of Tribune under this Section 6.9. In the
alternative, Tribune may elect to guarantee the payment of such obligations.<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

                           [TIMES MIRROR LETTERHEAD]

April 7, 2000

James R. Simpson

Dear Jim:

                       EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

The Times Mirror Company ("Times Mirror") has entered into an agreement dated as
of March 13, 2000 with Tribune Company ("Tribune") under which Times Mirror will
merge into Tribune (the "Merger Agreement") and on the date of the completion of
the merger ("Effective Date"), Times Mirror will cease to exist as a corporate
entity. If, as provided below, your employment continues beyond the Effective
Date, you will be employed by Tribune or the Times Mirror subsidiary or division
by which you are now employed that will then be owned by Tribune. This agreement
(the "Agreement"), which is effective as of the date hereof, will set forth (i)
the terms of your employment; (ii) the enhanced severance benefits that you will
receive if your employment is terminated under the terms of, and within the
Severance Protection Period as defined in, the Severance Attachment to this
Agreement; (iii) certain compensation and benefits as set forth in the Certain
Compensation and Benefits attachment; and (iv) certain employee benefits to
which you are entitled as set forth in the Certain Employee Benefits attachment.

However, it is important that Times Mirror and Tribune retain your services as a
key employee in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement to ensure the continuing and orderly conduct of business affairs.

1.  Continued Service.

    (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1 (d) of this Agreement, Times
        Mirror agrees to continue your employment and you agree to remain in
        your present position on the terms contained in this Agreement. If your
        active employment status is terminated prior to the Effective Date for
        any reason other than as set forth in paragraph 1 (d), you will remain
        as an inactive employee on a paid leave of absence until, and
        termination will become effective on, the Effective Date to enable you
        to receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement.

    (b) This Agreement and all the obligations of Times Mirror to you hereunder
        will terminate if and at such time as Times Mirror informs you in
        writing that the

<PAGE>   2

James R. Simpson
April 7, 2000
Page 2

        merger with Tribune will not take place. In the event of such
        termination, you will remain in the employ of Times Mirror, or its
        division or subsidiary, under those terms and conditions which presently
        apply to your employment.

    (c) Upon the Effective Date, this Agreement and all the obligations of Times
        Mirror hereunder, shall be assigned to and assumed by Tribune.

    (d) All rights and obligations of any party to this Agreement, including but
        not limited to, those set forth in any Attachment to this Agreement
        (except to the extent you are fully vested in or otherwise entitled to
        any employee benefit after the termination of your employment in
        accordance with the terms of the relevant benefit plan), will terminate
        immediately in the event (i) you voluntarily resign from your position
        prior to the Effective Date for any reason which is not within the terms
        of paragraph (b) of the Severance Attachment or (ii) you are terminated
        for cause. For the purpose of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean any
        material breach of your obligations to Times Mirror or Tribune, the
        commission by you of any criminal act (except for traffic or any other
        minor offences), or any act of dishonesty or abuse of office.

2.  Duties and Benefits.

    (a) While you are employed under the terms of this Agreement during the
        Severance Protection Period:

        (i) You will continue to serve as a key employee and continue to fully
            perform those functions, duties and responsibilities which are
            assigned to you as of the date of this Agreement or which may
            reasonably be assigned to you in the future;

       (ii) There shall be no change in your salary or bonus opportunity and no
            change in the employee benefit programs or perquisites in which you
            now participate except to the extent that any such changes are
            permitted under the provisions of Section 6.1 (p) of the Merger
            Agreement, a copy of which section of said agreement is attached to
            this Agreement, or are determined by Tribune after the Effective
            Date. As of the Effective Date, the terms of your employment with
            Tribune will be subject to the provisions of Section 6.9 of the
            Merger Agreement, a copy of which section of said agreement is
            attached to this Agreement. However, your employment shall remain
            subject to the terms set forth in the Severance Attachment and in
            the event of any conflict between the terms of Section 6.9 of the
            Merger Agreement and the provisions of the Severance Attachment, the
            provisions of the Severance Attachment shall at all times control.

<PAGE>   3

James R. Simpson
April 7, 2000
Page 3

    (b) After the Effective Date, you will be entitled to a bonus incentive
        award under the Executive Incentive Plan at the time and in accordance
        with the terms of the attachment to this Agreement entitled "Certain
        Compensation and Benefits".

3.  Enhanced Severance Benefits.

    (a) You will be entitled to receive the enhanced severance benefits upon the
        satisfaction of certain conditions precedent as set forth in the
        Severance Attachment to this Agreement. In order for you to be eligible
        to receive these enhanced severance benefits, the following conditions
        must be satisfied: (i) the merger of Times Mirror into Tribune must be
        completed; and either (ii) your employment must be terminated by Times
        Mirror or Tribune prior to the end of the Severance Protection Period;
        or (iii) you terminate your employment after the Effective Date for the
        limited good reasons included within the terms of the provisions of the
        Severance Attachment. Upon the satisfaction of said conditions
        precedent, you will receive the enhanced severance benefits set forth in
        the Severance Attachment to this Agreement. However, (i) in the event
        that the merger of Times Mirror into Tribune is completed but your
        employment is not terminated in the manner set forth above within the
        Severance Protection Period as defined in the Severance Attachment, or
        (ii) your employment is terminated under the provisions of paragraph 1
        (d), you will not receive the enhanced severance benefits.

    (b) Since the occurrence of the merger of Times Mirror into Tribune, and the
        resulting enhanced severance payments, were totally unexpected and
        therefore you had no opportunity at any earlier date to make any
        decision with respect to how such payments, in the event that the
        conditions precedent which apply to them are satisfied, may be made to
        you, the enhanced severance payments will be paid to you in cash or
        deferred under the terms of the Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan
        for Executives, or some combination thereof, in accordance with your
        deferral election, made and delivered in accordance with instructions
        sent to you.

4.  Stock Options and Restricted Stock. The provisions relating to any Times
    Mirror stock options or restricted stock, if any, are set forth in the
    attachment to this Agreement entitled "Certain Compensation and Benefits".

5.  Certain Employee Benefits. Certain other employee benefits for which you are
    eligible and in which you are, or on the Effective Date will be, vested or
    otherwise are entitled to receive are set forth in the Attachment to this
    Agreement entitled "Certain Employee Benefits". You will be entitled to
    receive such certain employee benefits in accordance with their respective
    terms and provisions. However, if this Agreement is terminated under the
    provisions of paragraphs 1 (b) or 1 (d), you will be entitled to receive
    only those Certain Employee Benefits in which you are vested or would

<PAGE>   4

James R. Simpson
April 7, 2000
Page 4

    otherwise be entitled to receive in accordance with the terms and provisions
    of said benefit plans.

6.  Taxes and other Withholding. Except as provided in the Severance Attachment
    with respect to payments to compensate you for any applicable excise taxes,
    all payments made to you under this Agreement shall be subject to any and
    all applicable withholdings, including all withholdings for any related
    federal, state or local taxes. You shall be solely responsible for any and
    all income taxes incurred by you as a result of your receipt of any payment
    contemplated or described in this Agreement. Subject to limitations imposed
    by Times Mirror employee benefit plans, these payments may also be reduced
    by any withholdings, contributions or deductions previously authorized by
    you.

7.  Death. In the event of your death, when amounts or benefits owed to you by
    Times Mirror or Tribune under this Agreement or any attachments to this
    Agreement remain unpaid or unreceived, any such amount or benefit shall be
    paid to your surviving spouse or, if said spouse does not survive you, to
    your estate, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and in
    accordance with the terms of any applicable employee benefit plan.

8.  Company Information. You acknowledge that in the course of your employment
    with Times Mirror and/or Tribune, certain information has been disclosed to
    you in confidence that was for the use of Times Mirror and/or Tribune or any
    of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates ("Company Information"). You
    understand and agree that unless such Company Information is placed into the
    public domain by a person other than yourself, you will keep such Company
    Information confidential at all times during and, after your employment by
    Times Mirror and/or Tribune, will not disclose or communicate Company
    Information to any third party and will not make use of Company Information
    on your own behalf or on behalf of any third party. The undertaking set
    forth in this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

9.  Restrictive Covenants. In the event that the Enhanced Severance Benefits
    described in paragraph 3 are payable to you, then:

    (a) You agree that for a period of 24 months following the date on which
        your employment with Times Mirror or Tribune is terminated by Times
        Mirror or Tribune, you shall not become employed in a comparable or
        higher level position of any entity or business which is engaged in any
        business activity which constitutes direct competition with Times
        Mirror, Tribune or any significant subsidiary or division of either of
        them, without the prior express written consent of the Chief Executive
        Officer of Times Mirror or Tribune, whichever is applicable.

    (b) You agree that for a period of 12 months after the date on which your
        employment is terminated, you will not directly or indirectly (either on
        your own behalf or on

<PAGE>   5

James R. Simpson
April 7, 2000
Page 5

        behalf of any other person or entity) attempt to persuade or solicit any
        current or prospective customer of Times Mirror or Tribune or any
        subsidiary or division of either of them with whom you had contact
        during your employment (i) to cease to do business or to reduce the
        amount of business which any customer of Times Mirror or Tribune, or any
        division or subsidiary of either of them, has customarily done or
        contemplates doing with Times Mirror or Tribune, or (ii) to do or expand
        business with a competitor of Times Mirror or Tribune, or any division
        or subsidiary of either of them.

    (c) You further agree that for a period of 12 months after the date on which
        your employment is terminated, for any reason, you will not, directly or
        indirectly, either on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person
        or entity, solicit any person who is considered to be a management
        employee of Times Mirror or Tribune, or any division or subsidiary
        thereof, to terminate such employment, without the prior express written
        consent of the Chief Executive Officer of Times Mirror or Tribune,
        whichever is applicable.

10. Release. In exchange for the additional benefits to be provided to you under
    this Agreement, you, or yourself and your heirs, executors, administrators
    and assigns, hereby release Times Mirror, Tribune and their respective
    affiliate and subsidiary companies, and their respective directors,
    officers, associates, employees, partners and agents from any claims,
    liabilities or causes of action whether known or unknown, which you ever had
    or now have to the date of this Agreement, for or by reason of any matter or
    cause arising out of or related to your employment by Times Mirror or
    Tribune, or the termination thereof, including without limitation, any
    claim, liability or cause of action arising under any federal, state or
    local statute, rule or regulation, including any claim of discrimination
    under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, except that you do not
    release Times Mirror or Tribune and their respective affiliate and
    subsidiary companies from any obligation under the terms of this Agreement,
    the Merger Agreement or from any vested benefit under the terms of any
    employee benefit plan.

11. Revocation Period.

    (a) You acknowledge that you have been given a period of at least twenty-one
        (21) days to review and consider this Agreement before signing it. You
        further understand that you may use as much of the 21-day period as you
        wish before signing it.

    (b) You also understand that you may revoke this release of your rights and
        claims within seven (7) days after signing this Agreement. Revocation
        may be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to James R.
        Simpson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Times Mirror. For
        this revocation to be effective, Mr. Simpson must receive written notice
        no later than the close of business on the

<PAGE>   6

James R. Simpson
April 7, 2000
Page 6

        seventh day after you have signed this Agreement. However, if you elect
        to revoke this release, the rights and obligations of both you and Times
        Mirror (and Tribune, if applicable) under this Agreement shall in all
        respects terminate, it will not be effective or enforceable, and you
        will not receive the benefits and payment described in this Agreement.

    (c) Provided that you have complied with all of the terms and conditions of
        this Agreement, and provided further that you have not exercised your
        revocation rights, it shall become effective on the day which
        immediately follows the expiration of the above seven-day revocation
        period described in the preceding paragraph.

12. Disputes. In the event any disputes arise under the provisions of this
    Agreement, which disputes cannot be amicably resolved between the parties,
    either party may seek to resolve such dispute by filing a legal action in
    any court having jurisdiction over the matter. In such event, Times Mirror
    or Tribune, whichever is named as a party to such action, shall pay your
    reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in such proceeding, provided
    that any legal action commenced and/or defended by you was in good faith and
    that you prevailed in any such legal action. In the event of any conflict
    between the provisions of this paragraph 12 and the provisions of any other
    document which may be involved in the subject matter of this Agreement, the
    provisions of this paragraph shall control.

13. Assignment. In the event that any other person or entity shall acquire all
    or substantially all of the assets or stock of Times Mirror or Tribune, or
    any subsidiary or division of either of them, whether by a sale, merger,
    consolidation, reorganization or any other means, the provisions of this
    Agreement shall be assumed by and be fully binding upon any such successor
    person or entity, unless such obligations are retained by Tribune. In the
    absence of any such sale, merger, consolidation or reorganization, this
    Agreement shall not otherwise be assignable by Times Mirror, Tribune, or any
    such subsidiary, division or affiliate.

14. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written
    amendment executed by the parties.

15. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be found, held,
    declared, determined, or deemed by any court of competent jurisdiction to be
    void, illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or
    controlling law, the legality, validity, and enforceability of the remaining
    provisions will not be affected and the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable
    provision will be deemed not to be a part of the Agreement.

16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
    accordance with the laws of the State of California.

<PAGE>   7

James R. Simpson
April 7, 2000
Page 7

Please execute both copies of this letter and return one signed original copy to
me. By signing this Agreement, you confirm and acknowledge that you have read,
understand and agree to the terms set forth herein. Further, you acknowledge
that you have been advised to seek legal and financial advice regarding these
terms.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me.

Sincerely,

/s/ MARK H. WILLES

Mark H. Willes
Chairman, President and CEO

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

/s/     JAMES R. SIMPSON
-----------------------------------------------
        James R. Simpson

Attachments
        Severance Attachment
        Certain Compensation and Benefits attachment
        Certain Employee Benefits attachment
        Section 3.4 of Merger Agreement
        Section 6.1 (p) of Merger Agreement
        Section 6.9 of Merger Agreement

<PAGE>   8
                              SEVERANCE ATTACHMENT
                ATTACHMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
                    FOR TIMES MIRROR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS

This attachment to your Employment and Severance Agreement describes the
Enhanced Severance Benefits and terms under which they will be paid if you are
a Senior Vice President of The Times Mirror Company as of the Effective Date.

a)   Enhanced Severance Payments. If your employment is terminated as of the
     Effective Date or within the severance protection period after the
     Effective Date, you will be eligible for the following amount of severance:

          two and one-half times the sum of your current salary plus your
          highest bonus within the last three years (not including any special
          bonus payments)

b)   Eligibility For Severance. Enhanced severance payments will be paid, if,
     during the severance protection period, you:

          1)   are involuntarily terminated on account of the change of control
               for other than cause or

          2)   voluntarily terminate employment for good reason which includes
               the following:

               (a)  experience a substantial reduction in the nature or scope of
                    the authorities, powers, functions of your current position
                    (which would not include changes in title or reporting
                    relationship);

               (b)  are required to relocated your principal office more than 50
                    miles from the current site; or

               (c)  suffer a reduction in either your base salary or bonus
                    opportunity or in the aggregate value of your long-term
                    incentives, benefits and executive perquisites during the
                    severance protection period which is not remedied within 30
                    days after receipt by Tribune Company of written notice from
                    you.

c)   Severance Protection Period.  Severance will be payable in event your
     employment is terminated on account of the change of control during the
     following period of time after the change of control in a manner so as to
     cause severance to be paid:

          24 months after change of control

d)   Severance Deferral. You may elect to defer all or a portion of any
     severance payments that may become payable under the provisions of the
     Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives. You must complete
     the special deferral election form and return it to Human Resources in
     accordance with instructions sent to you.

e)   Outplacement. If you are eligible for enhanced severance benefits, you will
     receive outplacement as follows, or you may receive the indicated value in
     a cash payment:

          Receive outplacement for a period of one year after termination of
          employment up to a maximum of $15,000
<PAGE>   9
Severance Attachment
For Times Mirror Senior Vice Presidents
Page 2

f)   COBRA reimbursement payment. If your employment is terminated within the
     severance protection period, you will receive a payment equal to 18 months
     times the COBRA premium for the managed care program at the time of your
     termination of employment.

g)   Executive Perquisites. Any company-paid or reimbursed executive
     perquisites for which you are currently eligible, including financial
     counseling, executive physicals, and club dues and memberships, will be
     continued by Tribune after your termination of employment for the period
     represented by your severance payments, if any.

h)   Excess Parachute Payments. To the extent that any payments, including any
     bonus incentive payments, made to you are considered part of an excess
     parachute payment subject to an excise tax, those payments will be fully
     grossed up to compensate you for the amount of the excise tax. The company
     will hire an independent accounting firm to determine the calculations for
     all affected employees and will pay for the services provided by the
     accounting firm. The accounting firm's calculations will be binding unless
     an IRS ruling determines otherwise.
<PAGE>   10

James R. Simpson

                        CERTAIN COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
                ATTACHMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This attachment to your Employment and Severance Agreement describes how your
bonus incentive award for 2000 will be determined and describes how certain
benefits will be treated as a result of the merger.

a)  2000 Bonus Incentive Award. In the event that you remain employed through
    the Effective Date (whether on active or inactive status as provided in the
    Agreement), your bonus incentive award for 2000 under the Executive
    Incentive Plan will be payable at the maximum level payable under the plan
    (i.e., 225% of your 2000 bonus incentive target). However, no bonus award
    for 2000 will be payable in the event of your voluntary termination of
    employment before December 31, 2000 for reasons other than those included
    within the scope of the provisions of the Severance Attachment. Your 2000
    bonus award will be payable to you on the earlier of (i) the date on which
    your employment is terminated by Times Mirror or Tribune or you terminate
    your employment for the good reasons included within the scope of the
    provisions of the Severance Attachment, or (ii) on December 31, 2000. In the
    event that a bonus incentive award is payable under subparagraph (i) above,
    the bonus award for 2000 will not be prorated. Any bonus award will be paid
    or deferred in accordance with your prior election regarding your 2000 bonus
    incentive award. Any amount to be deferred will be credited to your account
    under the Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives ("Plan") as
    of the earlier of (a) the first day of the month coinciding with or next
    following the day your 2000 bonus award would be payable as described above
    or (b) December 31, 2000 and will be paid from the Plan in accordance with
    your prior election under said Plan.

b)  Matching Bonus Restricted Stock Program. If you were eligible to and elected
    to participate in the matching bonus restricted stock program for 2000, you
    will receive an additional payment equal to 25% of your 2000 bonus award,
    representing the value of an award under the matching bonus restricted stock
    program, which amount will be aggregated with your 2000 bonus award. This
    additional payment will be paid or deferred in accordance with your prior
    deferral election for your 2000 bonus award under the provisions of the
    Plan, as set forth above. There shall be no requirement for you to place on
    deposit any personally owned shares of Times Mirror stock to receive this
    additional payment.

c)  Stock Options. Prior to the Effective Date, you may exercise any of your
    options to purchase shares of Series A Common Stock of Times Mirror ("Stock
    Options") which are vested. Upon the Effective Date, or upon any earlier
    date which may be considered as a change of control as that term is defined
    under the agreement(s) regarding your Stock Options ("Change of Control
    Date"), and provided you are an employee as of such date, your Stock Options
    will become fully vested.

    In accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 3.4 of the Merger
    Agreement (a copy of which section is attached to this Attachment), Tribune
    will offer you the opportunity to cash out the value of each of your Stock
    Options at $95 per share, reduced

<PAGE>   11

James R. Simpson

    by the option price of each Stock Option, or to convert each of your Stock
    Options into options to purchase 2.5 shares of Tribune common stock. In
    accordance with the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Merger Agreement, you
    will be required to decide which choice you wish to select for each Stock
    Option and to proceed in accordance with the terms of the offer which will
    be extended to you by Tribune.

d)  Restricted Stock. Upon the Effective Date, or upon any earlier date which
    may be considered as a change of control as that term is defined under the
    provisions of the restricted stock program, and provided you are an employee
    as of such date, to the extent shares of restricted stock are registered in
    your name, all restrictions on such stock will lapse as of such date and
    unrestricted ownership of such shares will vest in you at that time. Any
    personal shares of stock held on deposit by Times Mirror under the Matching
    Bonus Restricted Stock Program will be returned to you at that time.

e)  Executive Perquisites. Any company-paid or reimbursed executive perquisites
    for which you are currently eligible, including financial counseling,
    executive physicals, and club dues and memberships, will be continued by
    Tribune during your active employment for the severance protection period.

<PAGE>   12

James R. Simpson

                            CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
                ATTACHMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This attachment to your Employment and Severance Agreement describes certain
employee benefits which will continue after your termination of employment.

a)  Qualified Retirement Plans. While you are an employee of Times Mirror or any
    of its divisions or subsidiaries (for purposes of this attachment "Times
    Mirror"), you will continue to be eligible to participate in Times Mirror's
    retirement plans in accordance with the respective terms and limitations of
    each plan. Provided you are an employee of Times Mirror as of the Effective
    Date, accrued benefits earned as of the Effective Date under Times Mirror's
    retirement plans will become fully vested. Vesting will apply to any accrued
    benefits under Times Mirror's pension plan(s) and your company matching
    account under the Times Mirror Savings Plus Plan. The retirement plans
    provide for a maximum of one year of benefit accrual service or salary
    credit for severance payments (excluding any non-qualified deferrals),
    subject to statutory limits in the Internal Revenue Code, including but not
    limited to maximum deferrals, benefits or covered compensation. After your
    termination of employment, you will be entitled to receive any vested
    accrued benefits under Times Mirror's retirement plans in accordance with
    the terms of the plans and any elections you make under the plans.
    Distributions under each plan shall be made in accordance with the terms and
    procedures of each respective plan based on your participation under the
    plans.

b)  Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. You are a participant of the Times
    Mirror Company Executive Retirement Plan for Certain Times Mirror Officers
    (SERP). In accordance with the current provisions of the SERP, your benefits
    under the SERP will be based on your total benefit service with all Times
    Mirror companies and the Times Mirror benefit formula (regardless of the
    benefit formula of the division or subsidiary where you earned your benefit
    service), less any benefits payable from Times Mirror's qualified pension
    plan(s). Under the terms of the SERP and provided you are an employee of
    Times Mirror as the Effective Date, the benefits that you have earned under
    the SERP as of the Effective Date will become fully vested. In addition,
    your benefits under the SERP will be calculated including your 2000 bonus
    incentive award, if any, in the computation of your final average
    compensation under the SERP. Further, you will receive credit under the SERP
    for any severance payments which may be payable as a result of the change of
    control.

c)  Special Retirement Agreement. The special deferral credited to the Times
    Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives provided under the prior
    agreement with you dated March 25, 1999 shall remain unchanged. However, all
    further provisions of that agreement shall be superceded by the terms of
    this Agreement.

d)  Deferred Compensation Plan. Any amounts you have deferred into the Times
    Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives will be paid to you in
    accordance with your prior elections. In addition, your 2000 bonus incentive
    award and your severance payments, if any, payable to you under the terms of
    the Agreement and its Attachments

<PAGE>   13

James R. Simpson

    will be deferred in accordance with your deferral elections. With respect to
    amounts which are or will be credited to your account in accordance with the
    terms of the Plan, Section 6.9(c) of the Merger Agreement provides that
    Tribune shall credit 9% interest per annum cumulative, from the date any
    amount is credited to your account under the Plan effective with respect to
    all amounts credited under the Plan as of the Effective Date and on all
    amounts which may be deferred under the Plan in connection with the Merger
    or any termination of employment related thereto, whether credited with
    respect to deferrals before or after the Effective Date until all such
    amounts are paid under the Plan in accordance with it terms. If you wish to
    withdraw any funds from the Plan on account of the change of control, the
    Plan provides that you may elect to receive an immediate lump sum payment,
    with a 10% penalty for the unscheduled withdrawal.

e)  Retiree Medical. If you meet the eligibility requirements for retiree
    medical benefits as of the Effective Date, other than the requirement to
    commence pension payments, and your employment is terminated on account of
    the change of control during the Severance Protection Period, you will be
    eligible for Times Mirror's pre-age 65 retiree medical coverage and the
    post-age 65 Medigap Reimbursement program, or an equivalent or better health
    care plan provided by Tribune Company to retirees.

<PAGE>   14
                                  SECTION 3.4
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     SECTION 3.4.   Options.  (a)  Each of the stock options, if any, to
purchase Company Common Shares (each, a "Company Option") issued by the Company
pursuant to any stock option or similar plan of the Company, and any non-plan
options to acquire Company Common Shares set forth in Section 4.3(a) of the
Company Disclosure Statement issued by the Company pursuant to an option
agreement or otherwise issued by the Company, which are outstanding as of the
Effective Time shall, whether or not then exercisable and vested, become fully
exercisable and vested immediately prior to the Effective Time. Each holder of a
Company Option shall be given the opportunity, prior to the Election Deadline,
to elect either (i) to cause such Company Option (a "Stock Electing Option") to
become and represent an option to purchase Tribune Common Shares (a "Tribune
Option"), in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section 3.4, or (ii) to cause
such Company Option (a "Cash Electing Option") to be cancelled in exchange for a
single lump sum cash payment (less any applicable income or employment or other
Tax withholding), without interest (the "Company Option Cash Out Amount"), equal
to the product of (A) the number of Company Common Shares subject to such
Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) the excess, if
any, of the Per Share Cash Amount over the exercise price per share of such
Company Option, in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 3.4. To the
extent any holder of a Company Option shall not have made an election with
respect to such Company Option prior to the Election Deadline, such Company
Option shall be deemed to be a Cash Electing Option.

     (b)  Each Stock Electing Option shall, by virtue of the Merger, and
without any further action on the part of any holder thereof, be assumed by
Tribune and converted into a Tribune Option to purchase that number of Tribune
Common Shares determined by multiplying the number of Company Common Shares
subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the
Common Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per Tribune Common Share equal to
the exercise price per share of such Company Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time divided by the Common Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the
nearest whole cent. If the foregoing calculation results in an assumed Company
Option being exercisable for a fraction of a Tribune Common Share, then the
number of Tribune Common Shares subject to such option shall be rounded up to
the nearest whole number of shares. The terms and conditions of each Tribune
Option shall otherwise remain as set forth in the Company Option converted into
such Tribune Option.

     (c)  Each Cash Electing Option shall, by virtue of the Merger, and without
any further action on the part of any holder thereof, be cancelled in exchange
for a single lump sum cash payment (less any applicable income or employment or
other tax withholding), without interest, equal to the Company Option Cash Out
Amount.

     (d)  The adjustment provided herein with respect to any options which are
"incentive stock options" (as defined in Section 422 of the Code), if any,
shall be and is intended to be effected in a manner which is consistent with
Section 424(a) of the Code.

     (e)  All restricted Company Series A Common Shares granted pursuant to any
equity plan or arrangements of the Company, and all individual awards of
restricted Company Series A Common Shares not granted pursuant to any such plan
or arrangement, shall become fully vested immediately prior to the Effective
Time and such Company Series A Common Shares shall be freed of restrictions and
issued to the relevant participant.
<PAGE>   15
                                 SECTION 6.1(p)
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     (p)  Employee Matters. Except as set forth in Section 6.1(p) of the
Company Disclosure Statement, except in connection with any employment offer
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) grant any increases in the
compensation of any of its directors, officers or employees, except for
increases required under employment agreements existing on the date of this
Agreement and increases for officers and employees in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice that, in any event, do not increase such
officer's or employee's aggregate cash compensation at target by more than 10%
over his aggregate cash compensation at target in effect on the date of this
Agreement, (ii) pay or agree to pay any pension retirement allowance or other
employee benefit not required or contemplated by any of the existing Company
Benefit Plans as in effect on the date of this Agreement, giving effect to any
modification to any Company Benefit Plan authorized by the Company's Board of
Directors prior to the date of this Agreement and previously delivered in
writing to Tribune, to any such director, officer or employee, whether past or
present, or to any other Person, (iii) pay or award or agree to pay or award any
stock option or equity incentive awards in excess of options to acquire 50,000
shares in the aggregate or in a manner that is inconsistent with past practice,
(iv) enter into any new, or amend any existing, employment, severance or
termination agreement with any such director, officer or employee which, in the
aggregate, would obligate the Company or its Subsidiaries to pay in excess of $1
million or (v) except as required to comply with applicable Law, become
obligated under any new Company Benefit Plan which was not in existence on the
date of this Agreement, or amend any such plan or arrangement in existence on
the date of this Agreement if such amendment would have the effect of enhancing
any benefits thereunder. The Company shall, as promptly as practicable, provide
Tribune with copies of any amendments to any Company Benefit Plan (which shall
be in accordance with the foregoing) made after the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Effective Time.

<PAGE>   16
                                  SECTION 6.9
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     SECTION 6.9. Employee Benefits.

     (a)  Obligations of Tribune; Continuance of Benefits. For a period of one
year immediately following the Effective Time, the coverage and benefits
provided to employees and former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries
("Company Employees") pursuant to employee benefits plans or arrangements
maintained by Tribune or any of its Subsidiaries shall be no less favorable, in
the aggregate, than those provided to such employees immediately prior to the
Effective Time. Except as provided in Section 3.4 and 6.9(c), notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing herein shall require (i) the continuation of any
particular benefit plan or prevent the amendment or termination thereof (subject
to the maintenance, in the aggregate, of the benefits, or (ii) Tribune to
continue or maintain any stock option, stock purchase or other incentive plan
related to the equity of the Company.

     (b)  Pre-Existing Limitations; Deductible; Service Credit. With respect to
any incentive, benefits and perquisite plans and programs ("Benefit Plans") of
Tribune or any Subsidiary of Tribune in which the Company Employees participate
effective as of the Effective Time or thereafter, Tribune shall: (i) waive any
limitations as to pre-existing conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with
respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to the Company
Employees under any Benefit Plan that is an employee welfare benefit within the
meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA ("Welfare Plan") in which such Company
Employees may be eligible to participate after the Effective Time (provided,
however, that no such waiver shall apply to a pre-existing condition, exclusion
or waiting period applicable to any Company Employee to the extent that he or
she was, as of the Effective Time, excluded from participation in a Company
Benefit Plan by reason of such pre-existing condition, exclusion or waiting
period, and provided, further, that no such waiver shall apply to a pre-existing
condition, exclusion or waiting period of any Company Employee unless the
Company Employee enrolls in the applicable Welfare Plan when first eligible to
do so), (ii) in the event Company Employees are transferred to a new Welfare
Plan within the plan year beginning January 1, 2000, for purposes of
accumulating annual deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket requirements,
provide each Company Employee with credit for any co-payments and deductibles
paid prior to the Effective Time, but within such plan year, for purposes of
satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any
Welfare Plan in which such employees may be eligible to participate after the
Effective Time, and (iii) recognize all service of the Company Employees with
the Company, for all purposes other than benefit accrual, in any Benefit Plan in
which such Company Employees may be eligible to participate after the Effective
Time. Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Tribune, or an
appropriate committee of non-employee directors thereof, shall adopt a
resolution consistent with the interpretive guidance of the SEC so that the
acquisition by any officer or director of the Company who may become a covered
person of Tribune for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder ("Section 16") of Tribune Common Shares or options to
acquire Tribune Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger shall be
an exempt transaction for purposes of Section 16.

<PAGE>   17
                              SECTION 6.9 (CONT.)
                      of The Agreement and Plan of Merger
              Between Tribune Company and The Times Mirror Company
                           Dated as of March 13, 2000

     (c)  Employment and Severance Arrangements. As of the Effective Time,
Tribune shall assume, honor and perform in accordance with their terms all
employment, severance, change in control and other such agreements of the
Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, giving effect to any amendment or
modification to any such agreement authorized by the Company's Board of
Directors prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Employment Arrangements").
With respect to the Times Mirror Deferred Compensation Plan For Executives and
the Deferred Plan for Directors Fees, Tribune shall credit 9% interest per
annum, cumulative, from the date any amount is credited to a participant under
any such plans effective with respect to all amounts credited under such plans
as of the Effective Time, and on all amounts which may be deferred under such
plans in connection with the Merger or any termination of any employment
related thereto, whether credited with respect to deferrals before or after the
Effective Time until all such amounts are paid under the plan in accordance
with its terms. Tribune shall pay the reasonable attorney's fees of the
individual party to the applicable Employment Arrangement in the event such
individual party files a claim in good faith to enforce Tribune's obligations
and prevails in such action. Such individual parties are hereby specifically
made a third party beneficiary of this Section 6.9(c).

     (d)  Successor Obligations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, in the event Tribune sells or otherwise disposes of any Subsidiary
of the Company coincident with or within one year after the Effective Time,
Tribune shall require as a condition of such sale or disposition that the buyer
shall assume all obligations of Tribune under this Section 6.9. In the
alternative, Tribune may elect to guarantee the payment of such obligations.

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