CINCINNATI, Ohio – The E.W. Scripps Company announced today that Lawrence A. Leser, its chairman and chief executive officer, has informed the board of directors that he plans to step down as chief executive officer effective June 1.Mr. Leser, who will turn 61 on May 15, will continue as chairman of the board.The Company said that William R. Burleigh, president and chief operating officer, is expected to be elected CEO.Mr. Leser has served as CEO since 1985, adding the duties of chairman in 1994. A Cincinnati native and certified public accountant, he joined Scripps in 1968 as secretary-treasurer and has been a board member since 1977. For 10 years he served as financial vice president.Mr. Burleigh, 60, has worked for Scripps since joining the Company as a high school sports reporter in Evansville, Ind., in 1951. He has been a reporter, editor and corporate vice president over his 45-year career.