Also

* Fresno-based Apparel retailer Gottschalks Inc. said its third-quarter loss widened slightly on higher distribution costs and sluggish sales. The loss was $1.6 million, or 12 cents a share, compared with $1.5 million, or 12 cents, a year ago. Sales increased 2.3% to $151.3 million. Sales at stores open at least a year fell 0.5%.

* Knight Ridder Inc., the newspaper publisher that is considering a sale of the company, had its credit rating cut to Baa1 from A3 by Moody’s Investors Service because of concern the company may take on more debt.

* Former Gemstar-TV Guide International Chief Financial Officer Elsie Leung has agreed to a tentative deal with federal regulators to settle charges that she inflated the company’s revenue by nearly $250 million. The Securities and Exchange Commission still must sign off on the proposed deal, which would close civil charges against Leung.