Your afternoon news, starring a good-looking politico who has had romantic affairs with blonde actresses starting his own publication who is NOT JFK Jr's ghost.

Get your news with a little bit of slap and tickle. Admittedly hot Illinois loser Jack Ryan is starting his own paper, after getting totally spanked by the Tribune.

People are getting huffier and huffier these days, according to Paul McMasters at the American Press Institute. So you might want to think twice before you do, well, anything.

Wha? Free papers? We have at least five thousand here in Chicago, sure, I'd love to read a few more.

And finally, two more ins and outs in the industry:

ALEC FOEGE has left his position as senior news editor at
STAR magazine to pursue other opportunities. (mb) (Hopefully ones that involve leaving poor Kirstie Alley alone.)

January 21, 2005: JASON BUHRMESTER has left his position as senior editor at BLENDER.COM to pursue freelance opportunities. (mb)