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NBC's Whitaker to Washington (TVNewser)
NBC News senior VP Mark Whitaker has been named chief of the network's Washington bureau. The position has been vacant since the death of Tim Russert. Whitaker joined NBC News in May of 2007 from WashingtonPost-Newsweek Interactive, the digital division of the Washington Post Company where he was VP and EIC of new ventures. Before that, he was editor of Newsweek. WaPo: "Mark's got all of the components that will assure his success -- a commitment to journalistic integrity, political savvy, a keen eye for the future, and a management style that is inclusive and fair," NBC News President Steve Capus said in a statement. "He is exactly what the bureau needs."

Robert Novak Says He Has Brain Tumor (Chicago Sun-Times)
Columnist Robert Novak said today he has been diagnosed with a brain tumor but says that, "God willing," he plans to be back at work soon. Novak said he was diagnosed Sunday with a tumor and will soon begin treatment at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Novak is alert and talking but in intensive care. WaPo: Novak has had cancer diagnosed at least three times, and in 2003 underwent surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his kidney.

Despite Reports of Internal Objections, L.A. Times Readies Relaunch of Monthly Magazine (Folio:)
The Los Angeles Times announced yesterday that LA, its new monthly Sunday magazine with an unusual operating arrangment, will debut on September 7. LA will be distributed only within the Sunday Los Angeles Times and is a standalone editorial operation, separate from the newspaper. FishbowlLA: Press release. AdAge: The distinction between a newspaper's magazine and a magazine's magazine lies at the heart of a growing strategy for newspapers all over the country.

Clear Channel Unveils Online Radio Network (AP)
Clear Channel Communications Inc. said Monday it will launch an online radio network that offers more than 900 stations, including independent online stations. Clear Channel, the nation's largest owner and operator of radio stations, said its Clear Channel Radio and Katz Media Group units will be collaborating to form the network.

Sirius and XM Shares Drop as Merger Nears (Hollywood Reporter)
Sirius and XM, finally set to merge, watched their respective shares plummet Monday, probably Wall Street's reaction to the hoops through which they are jumping to get their finances in order. Sirius said Monday that it was offering $375 million in stock tied to a $550 million debt placement from XM, designed to refinance XM's big debt load.

No Longer Young, Nick at Nite Plans to Show It Can Be Nimble (NYT)
Nick at Nite, the Nickelodeon's prime time and overnight block of programs for adults, has gradually replaced nostalgic shows like I Love Lucy with programs like The George Lopez Show. The current-classic programming is working, but in the next year the network will start to look even more contemporary. LAT: Michael Eisner plans to announce today that he has sold his first animated series, Glenn Martin DDS, to the Viacom Inc.-owned cable channel. The program, about a dentist who takes his family on a road trip across the country, is expected to debut next summer.

Oprah, Vogue Among Major Newsstand Losers (Portfolio)
The official semi-annual magazine circulation report won't be out until next month, but thanks to the Audit Bureau of Circulations' new Rapid Report system, this year we'll get an early look at how top monthly titles sold in the first half. And the answer is ... not well, for the most part.

Couric to Lead CBS News' Convention Coverage (B&C)
As expected, Katie Couric will lead CBS News' coverage of the political conventions later this summer. She'll be joined by Bob Schieffer, chief foreign correspondent and anchor of Face the Nation, and senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. CBS plans to have three hours of live primetime coverage for each convention.

Fox Business Just Seven Decades From Victory (Portfolio)
Rupert Murdoch is a patient man. But is he prepared to wait another 69 years to see his plans come to fruition? That's how long it will take his new Fox Business Network to catch CNBC in the ratings on its present trajectory. Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported that FBN averaged 8,000 viewers during daytime programming and 20,000 viewers in primetime in the first three weeks of July.

Journalists Face Harassment at Olympics (Guardian)
Journalists are having trouble going about their work in advance of the Beijing Olympics. Several reporters, photographers and TV camera operators have suffered harassment, from both police and citizens. The incidents have heightened concerns that local police and security officials have failed to grasp the freedoms promised by the Chinese Government and the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG).

Mario Lopez to Host Extra (Variety)
Mario Lopez will be the host of Extra when the syndicated entertainment show begins its new season on Sept. 15. A former weekend co-host, Lopez will jump to the weekday edition as solo emcee. He replaces current co-hosts Dayna Devon, who will become a correspondent, and Mark McGrath, who leaves the show to return to a music career.

Citizen Journalists Make New Inroads into Political Reporting (CSM)
Stuck with rising competition from Internet-mediated news, traditional media have been reaching out to web-savvy citizen journalists to expand their online audiences. But only this year have major television networks and their web affiliates begun carving out reporting slots for nonprofessionals on one of their marquee topics: the presidential election.

John Donnelly Named Publisher of Money (Mediaweek)
John Donnelly was named publisher of Time Inc.'s struggling Money magazine, becoming the third to lead sales at the personal finance title in the past year. He starts in his new role Aug. 4. Donnelly, formerly associate publisher for the Fortune Money Group, to which Money belongs, succeeds Brett Wilson, who left in June after just 10 months in the position.

10 That Do it Right: Newspaper Innovators (E&P)
The "10 That Do it Right" feature, now in its eighth year, has never been about the 10 "best" newspapers. It focuses instead on how some are performing in one particular aspect -- from marketing to online video -- that merits consideration and maybe even emulation by their peers.

CW Experiment to Boost Gossip Girl Broadcast Ratings Proved Inconclusive (TV Week)
When Gossip Girl went broadcast-only for its five final fresh episodes after returning from the production stoppage created by the writers strike, viewers were determined to get their Girl online, legally or not. "When The CW experimented with not streaming Gossip Girl at the end of last season, the passionate fans found other digital outlets and web sites to watch their favorite show online," said a rep.