Journalist Robert Novak passed away in his home this morning after being diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago. He was 78. The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak, one of the nation’s most influential journalists, who relished his “Prince of Darkness” public persona, died at home here early Tuesday morning after a battle with brain cancer.

“He was someone who loved being a journalist, love journalism and loved his country and loved his family,” Novak’s wife, Geraldine, told the Sun-Times on Tuesday.

CNN, where Novak spent 25 years as a host and analyst, reported the news on-air at 11:59amET, followed by Fox News at 12:05pmET and MSNBC at 12:13pmET.

> Update: CNN has put together this special piece on Novak’s life.

Embedded video from CNN Video

The Chicago Sun-Times reports political columnist and Fox News Channel contributor Robert Novak has announced his immediate retirement.

Novak was diagnosed last week with a brain tumor. The prognosis, says Novak, is “dire.”

Novak had spent 25 years at CNN before leaving in December 2005. He joined Fox News immediately after as a contributor.

Human Events reports FNC contributor Robert Novak has been hospitalized with a brain tumor, and was admitted to a Boston hospital.

In a statement given by Novak’s book publisher, he says:

On Sunday, July 27, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I have been admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where doctors will soon begin appropriate treatment. I will be suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period.

• Earlier: The 77-year-old Novak involved in hit-and-run accident in Washington, D.C. last week.

While reporting on Robert Novak‘s hit-and-run charges last night on FNC’s Special Report, Brit Hume was interrupted by one of the the All-Star panel members, Mort Kondracke. As he walks behind Hume, the anchor says, “We’re in the middle of a segment here, excuse me.”

Maybe this blooper will make the final clip played on Special Report tonight — a spot usually reserved for a highlight from a late night talk show. This would probably be as funny:



Click continued to see the clip (via Johnny Dollar)…

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That’s the question today after longtime CNN-turned-Fox News contributor Robert Novak called himself a freak, then branded MSNBC’s Tucker Carlson with that label too. Pushing his new book, “The Prince of Darkness:…,” Novak said, “you and I are freaks to go in as journalists. Conservatives like to be investment bankers and engineers and doctors…”

The Politico’s Anne Schroeder has more…