NBC News political director Chuck Todd was first to report the news that John Edwards is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for president. MSNBC reported the news at 9:02:20amET, Fox News was next, sourcing the AP at 9:03:50. Headline News had it at 9:06 and CNN reported the drop-out at 9:08, again sourcing the AP.

Expect the nets to take the official announcement from Edwards during a 1pmET event in New Orleans. That's full circle for Edwards who announced his candidacy there in December of 2006.