CARBONDALE - Des Moines Register political columnist David Yepsen is likely to be announced as the next executive director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Wednesday.

A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Yepsen was one of three finalists recommended to SIU President Glenn Poshard by a search committee. State Rep. Art Turner, D-Chicago, withdrew himself from consideration Monday, indicating a desire to stay directly involved with state politics.

Yepsen could not be reached for comment at the newspaper Tuesday, and his answering machine indicated he would be out of the office until next week.

William Freivogel, director of the SIUC School of Journalism, said Tuesday he had still not been offered the position and did not expect to be. He said he could not verify that Yepsen would be selected but noted the process of elimination.

"I think he'll be a terrific director, and I hope we can get him involved over here at the School of Journalism like Mike Lawrence used to be, and Paul Simon before him," Freivogel said.

Lawrence retired as the institute's director in November.