TVNewser pointed us to the creation of CNN's new "America Bureau," which will combine the network's Justice, Homeland Security and national security beats into a new coordinated unit.

The American Bureau "will strategically integrate sources, information and contacts to pursue short-term investigations, piecing together comprehensive news stories to examine the state of security in the United States," CNN's in a press release said. Kelli Arena (Justice), David Ensor (national security) and Jeanne Meserve (Homeland Security) will staff the unit, and former acting CIA director John McLaughlin "will offer exclusive analysis" about security issues.

"CNN is fundamentally changing the way we gather and report security news," explained David Bohrman, CNN's D.C. bureau chief. "As government agencies strive to become more interconnected and open to information sharing, so, too, will our Justice Department, national security and homeland security beats. It allows us to use our award-winning journalists and newsgathering capabilities more strategically, putting together more comprehensive stories with more substantial background information."

Shirley Hung will serve as executive producer for the America Bureau.