The U.S. Department of Justice plans to take more time to investigate MediaNews Group’s proposed purchase of the San Jose Mercury News and Contra Costa Times from McClatchy Co., according to a press release McClatchy posted on its Web site Wednesday (June 14). DOJ told McClatchy it also needs more information about the sale of the two papers. The release wasn’t specific about the information the government is seeking. Nor was there any mention about whether the June 27 closing date would change. However, the expansion of the inquiry would not affect the sale of Knight Ridder to McClatchy, the release said. “We are moving diligently to provide the requested additional information and are working to close the MediaNews transaction as quickly as possible,” Karole Morgan-Palmer, McClatchy vp and general counsel, said in the release. Meanwhile, McClatchy’s sale of Knight Ridder’s Philadelphia newspapers got a green light from DOJ.