Just before 5pmET, the cable news channels reported the news that Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of former Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, had died. Edwards, 61, had been battling breast cancer since 2004.

Fox News was first with the news at 4:57, and has been running “Glenn Beck” in its entirety since. CNN was next to report the news and has been in continuing coverage during “Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer“. MSNBC covered the news for the first segment of  “Hardball with Chris Matthews.”

ABC News’ Diane Sawyer anchored a network special report at 4:59pmET.