Tribune reports on recent redistricting lawsuit developments.

New Albany redistricting deal in the works, by Eric Scott Campbell (News & Tribune).

A group of New Albany residents claimed headlines in May 2006 when they sued the city to redraw its voting districts to more equivalent populations …

... “There’s no urgency to it at this point,” said (6th district councilman Jeff) Gahan, a candidate for re-election in November. “I think the ball is going to be in the next council’s court.”

The prospect of the council — rather than a special panel appointed by a judge — drawing up the new district boundaries did not appeal to Randy Smith, a plaintiff and owner of Destinations Booksellers downtown.

The proposal “would be less than a slap on the wrist. ... I doubt seriously that we’re going to accept this,” said Smith, who added that at least four other plaintiffs feel the same way.

Fellow plaintiff Jeff Gillenwater said the 18 plaintiffs planned to convene soon to discuss Beardsley’s proposal, which Gillenwater has read in part.

“I’m not sure what the response is going to be,” Gillenwater said.

Now we know, although I’m not yet at liberty to disclose it. Sorry about that.

But stay tuned, and be sure to attend the coming Monday’s city council meeting. We’re hearing eerie tales that recently strange bedfellows just keep getting stranger when it comes to the time-honored ritual of “full investigations.”