What does Mr. Steward mean when he asks if
Norma really "knew [her] husband

Mr. Steward is asking if she truly knows who he is inside. Of course you can meet people, but that doesn't mean you know who they are or who they want to be.

the most ethic and honorable thing for the newspaper to do are:

be completely transparent in reporting about the company’s attempt to trade favors.

contact other construction companies to tell them about the situation.

these two options are the most ethic because both promote the market fair course, by telling the other competitors about the company attempt to get ahead in the market by trading favors, the market is guaranteed equality and justice in the trading of goods and services.