First on TVNewser: Kim Bondy, CNN's vice president for morning programming, is leaving American Morning and taking a six-month leave of absence. Bondy's New Orleans home -- the place she hoped to retire -- was flooded by Hurricane Katrina last August.

In a memo to AM staffers, Bondy said the last six months have been really challenging. "I requested and have been granted some much needed time away so I can deal with my post-Katrina life. I'm going to spend the next six months getting some 'fresh air' and putting the pieces back together," she wrote. "But life and American Morning must go on... so I'll be leaving the show permanently."

The full memo is after the jump...

> Feb. 28, 2005: Kim Bondy Named CNN Morning Programming VP




As you all know, the past six or so months have been really challenging for me. Katrina really took it out of me -- so to speak.

I requested and have been granted some much needed time away so I can deal with my post-Katrina life. I'm going to spend the next six months getting some "fresh air" and putting the pieces back together. Katrina reminded me of something I've always believed: you can always make more money, but you can't make more time… so I'm also going to spend some time doing what I promised myself I would: finish my great American novel.

But life and American Morning must go on... so I'll be leaving the show permanently.

I'll miss you all dearly... and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support during and after Katrina.

My last day will be April 7.

-bondy