KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A federal magistrate handling dozens of lawsuits that seek damages from the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal ash spill has extended deadlines for some court filings.

The suits seek damages from the huge December 2008 spill of coal ash at TVA's Kingston plant.

With the lawsuits still in the discovery phase, U.S. Magistrate Bruce Guyton has extended a response deadline for TVA from Friday to April 16. Plaintiffs have until May 28 to answer and then TVA has until June 11 to reply. A discovery status conference is set for July 13.

A hearing is set for March 25 in Knoxville on attempts by some plaintiffs to get a deposition from TVA's chief executive, Tom Kilgore.

The court has not yet ruled on TVA's contention that it was providing a government service and is immune from such lawsuits.

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