Breaking: The judge in Dan Rather‘s lawsuit against CBS has issued a motion to dismiss most of the case. CBS News confirms.

Developing…

> More: TVNewser has learned most of issues of the lawsuit have been dismissed. What remains is the contract dispute: whether Rather was utilized appropriately in the remaining months of his deal as a correspondent on 60 Minutes. Jim Quinn, lead counsel for CBS tells TVNewser, “We’re thrilled with the results. The core of the allegations of fraud and fair dealing have been thrown out. What’s left is a garden variety contract dispute.”

In the meantime, the contract dispute part of the case continues, perhaps for the next several months. “At the end of discovery, we’ll move again for a summary judgment” to dismiss, says Quinn.

> Update: HuffPost has more on the ruling from Rather’s lawyer: “Although not every legal theory of the case survives, as a result of the decision, the Court has permitted discovery and a trial of all of the factual issues that form the basis of Mr. Rather’s lawsuit, including his $70 million claim for compensatory and punitive damages. The defendants’ statement that all that is left is a ‘garden variety contract dispute’ is simply inaccurate.”