As we noted earlier this week, the sad case of Trayvon Martin has become a national story. For crime and justice-centric HLN, it would appear to be right in its wheelhouse. Indeed, the Martin case has been discussed on nearly every HLN show, with host Jane Velez-Mitchell sporting a hoodie on her program in solidarity:

But while most of HLN has made the Martin case a priority, its most popular host has been silent on the subject: Nancy Grace.

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The coverage of the death of Whitney Houston continues on TV today. The latest news coming from WNBC is that Houston’s funeral will be later this week in Newark, NJ.

On “Good Morning America” Diane Sawyer talked about her 2002 interview with Houston — which drew 21 million viewers to ABC as well as Houston’s shaky 2009 concert carried on GMA when Sawyer was co-anchor of the broadcast. At one point during that Central Park concert, Houston hugs Sawyer, telling the crowd: “One of my dearest friends is right here next to me.”

“It was really her talent as her torment,” Sawyer told Robin Roberts this morning. “She had to come out and tear a hole in the sky with her voice and she wasn’t always sure it was going to be there.”

Sawyer will play extended portions of her 2002 interview with Houston tonight on “World News.”

HLN’s Robin Meade, who attended the Grammys last night, reported on the mood at the Staples Center during “Morning Express.”

All of HLN’s preimtime will originate from Los Angeles tonight. Jane Velez-Mitchell will be live from Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Nancy Grace, who has been anchoring from LA since last week, will have a report from the Beverly Hilton hotel, and LA-based Dr. Drew Pinsky, who was a part of CNN’s coverage Saturday night, will look at those who enable celebrities, including doctors.

> Earlier: 39 Million Watch Grammy Awards, with Tribute to Whitney Houston, on CBS

Think HLN will be forgoing political coverage in 2012? Think again.

“We are definitely focused on that story, because that is going to be driving the news water cooler in this country in 2012,” HLN executive VP Scot Safon tells TVNewser.

HLN is planning to cover the 2012 elections from a decidedly different angle than the other cable news outlets however. The channel is planning to focus on the people behind the politics, by telling viewers more about the politicians themselves, as well as their families and staff.

Safon points to the recent interview Herman Cain gave to Robin Meade, as well as the follow-up stories from the channel, as what they were looking to accomplish:

As an example, Safon mentioned HLN’s 9 PM host Dr. Drew Pinsky, and how he might approach coverage of politicians:

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In June and July, HLN saw record ratings as it covered the Casey Anthony trial. HLN’s strategy was to have essentially every show cover it, from its dayside programming to Nancy Grace to Dr. Drew Pinsky and Joy Behar.

Now the cable channel is looking to repeat that success with across-the-board coverage of the Dr. Conrad Murray trial. Murray is the man accused of causing the death of Michael Jackson.

Every one of HLN’s signature shows will feature Murray trial-related programming starting next Tuesday, September 27. HLN will also debut a two-part documentary “The Death of Michael Jackson: Dr. Conrad Murray on Trial” on Saturday September 24, hosted by Grace and featuring her HLN colleagues.

The move is part of a plan by HLN to “own” coverage of events and trials that are in its wheelhouse. By having every program cover the event at least in part, it ensures some flow between programming. In the case of Casey Anthony, it broke ratings records for the network.

More information, including full coverage plans, after the jump.

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In news about entertainment TV news: NBCUniversal’s Maria Menounos, who has been a regular correspondent for “Today” and “Access Hollywood,” has inked a deal with Telepictures. Menounos will become co-host of entertainment news show “Extra,” and will become a contributor to Dr. Drew Pinsky‘s upcoming talk show on The CW, “Dr. Drew’s Lifechanger.” Menounos will also develop and host new show concepts for Telepictures.

HLN, which dedicated nearly all of its programming to the Casey Anthony trial in recent months, is trying the same tactic with a much more immediate story: the death of pop star Amy Winehouse.

“Showbiz Tonight” will speak to former child star and addict Danny Bonaduce about his experiences, as well as actor Val Kilmer, who played Jim Morrison in the movie “The Doors.” Kilmer will talk about the supposed “27 Curse” that is said to afflict talented musicians. Dr. Drew Pinsky will also appear.

On Dr. Drew’s show at 9 PM, the host will put together a panel of former addicts, counselors and music industry insiders to discuss the incident. On “Joy Behar” at 10 PM, the subject will be comedian and actor Russell Brand‘s letter about Winehouse, and whether the music industry enabled her addiction.

Update: The term “exclusive” may not apply, as Palin was on FNC’s “Hannity” three weeks ago. Original: Former Alaska first daughter Bristol Palin is out promoting her book, and she is giving an exclusive cable news interview to HLN’s Dr. Drew Pinsky to talk about it, according to the channel. Sarah Palin‘s daughter has been making the rounds, though her only national TV appearance in recent weeks was on NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” Palin and Drew will discuss “what she considers her biggest regret, how she betrayed her family, her relationship with her mother, her new look, and if she thinks abstinence can really work.” The interview will air Thursday, July 21.

HLN’s Dr. Drew Pinsky gets profiled by GQ this month. The author, Natasha Vargas-Cooper, follows Pinsky as he prepares for his HLN show, hangs out with Adam Carolla and tapes an episode of “Loveline,” the long-running radio show that first put him on the map.

Soon he will have an even busier schedule, when his daily talk show on The CW debuts late this year.

Suffice it to say, there is lots of color in the piece:

Unlike Dr. Phil, with his bootstrappy southern straight talk, or Sanjay Gupta, with his numbing self-seriousness, Drew’s persona has always been that of reluctant participant, a kind of “Well, since you asked me, I’ll answer” stance.

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CNN parent company Time Warner has sued Haiti Live Networks over the use of its acronym: HLN.

Time Warner of course has an HLN of its own, a sister channel to CNN.

The Hollywood Reporter‘s Hollywood, Esq. blog has the details:

CNN has doubts whether Haiti Live Networks was established in good faith. According to a complaint filed late last week in Georgia federal court, CNN says the domain name, HLNTV.com, as well as an affiliated Twitter feed, were registered with the intention to profit by creating confusion in the marketplace. CNN alleges the “deception” caused by use of a HLN logo is causing “irreparable harm” to its HLN brand.

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Tonight, a new primetime show debuts on the cable news dial, as Dr. Drew Pinsky joins the HLN lineup. Pinsky’s program will premiere at 9 PM on HLN, in between Nancy Grace and Joy Behar.

In his first episode, he talks to rocker Sammy Hagar, check out a preview below: