From Romenesko via LA Observed: AP's LA Assistant Bureau Chief Frank Baker tells his staff that "Now and for the foreseeable future, virtually everything involving Britney is a big deal."

He tries to qualify it, saying "that doesn't mean every rumor makes it on the wire. But it does mean that we want to pay attention to what others are reporting and seek to confirm those stories that WE feel warrant the wire. And when we determine that we'll write something, we must expedite it."

We hear the memo went on to tell reporters to be glad they weren't on the ever-dwindling staff of the Orange County Register, remind them to fill their sacks with heavy resolve and just keep moving.