The Senate voted late last night to invalidate the FCC's controversial December decision to loosen the newspaper broadcast cross-ownership rule. Senator Byron Dorgan sponsored the resolution and says he thinks he has the votes to get the bill through both the Senate and the House despite the fact President has threatened to veto it.

You may recall it was Senator Dorgan who just a few weeks ago specifically criticized Rupert Murdoch's then plan to purchase Newsday. No word yet on whether this current resolution will effect Cablevision's takeover of the paper. Meanwhile, one imagines news of any strengthening of local media will be welcomed by tornado watchers everywhere.