Famous former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton embarked on her new career as a NBC News correspondent last night (here's the video of her segment about Annette Dove, who runs an Arkansas tutoring program). And the NY Times' Alessandra Stanley was not impressed. more ›

With the city on higher alert due to a credible, though unconfirmed, terrorist threat, the NBC News Twitter account was hacked by The Script Kiddies, who decided to send out Tweets such as "Breaking News! Ground Zero has just been attacked. Flight 5736 has crashed into the site, suspected hijacking. more as the story develops," "Flight 4782 is not responding, suspected hijacking. One plane just hit Ground Zero site at 5:47. #groundzeroattacked." and "This is not a joke, Ground Zero has just been attacked. We're attempting to get reporter on the scene. #groundzero attacked." before finally sending "NBCNEWS hacked by The Script Kiddies. Follow them". Now the NBC News Twitter account has been suspended. more ›

So much for that unpaid suspension: The Daily Beast reports that feisty MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was actually paid for the days he was suspended, after not following NBC News policy regarding political contributions (employees are supposed to tell their supervisors; Olbermann claims he had no idea). The article adds that Olbermann is, shockingly enough, a diva—"his staff leave[s] notes outside his door rather than speaking to him"—but Gawker suggests that MSNBC is also a diva and both parties "need to get over themselves." more ›

After his two-day unpaid suspension for making political donations without alerting his superiors, Keith Olbermann was back on MSNBC hosting Countdown. It was, as ever, a Keith-fest. He seemed awed (or smug) about the reaction, saying, "You know, when there is a petition supporting and it winds up being signed by 300,000 people, you get 21,000 Tweets in a 72 hour period, and you are invited to be on television because you aren't on television because they want you on 'Good Morning, America,' and 'Larry King' and 'Letterman' and you break records on the Huffington Post and you're on the front page of the New York Times without being dead or in jail or Charlie Sheen or something. For me, it was a surprise. All I can say is I'm stunned and greatful and it still feels like a universal hug." more ›

This morning, Politico revealed that MSNBC star Keith Olbermann made campaign contributions to three Democratic candidates...and now the cable network has suspended him without pay. (NBC has a strict policy about that.) Olbermann confirmed the donations, adding, “I did not privately or publicly encourage anyone else to donate to these campaigns, nor to any others in this election or any previous ones, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level." This comes on the heels of (Olbermann's criticism) of News Corp. donations to Republican causes, but as Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf told WNYC's Azi Paybarah, "Who did people think [Olbermann] was going to give money to....the tea party?" more ›

NBC News' White House correspondent David Gregory was officially named moderator of "Meet the Press." When moderator Tim Russert died of a heart attack over the summer, former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw was tapped as interim moderator as the network deliberated on a replacement. Those rumored to be on the list included NBC News' Gregory, Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd, as well as PBS's Gwen Ifill, but in recent days, it was leaked that NBC News was leaning towards Gregory. The 38-year-old, who appeared on MTP this morning, said, "I’m honored and deeply humbled as I take on this role. I’m filled with a great sense of purpose as I join a superb team to cover Washington and the world from a treasured platform in our country. Above all, I want to make Tim proud.” Gregory will continue on as a Today Show contributor and back-up dancer. more ›

The Observer considers the future of NBC reporter David Gregory, since "lame-duck presidents create lame-duck White House correspondents." more ›

NBC News just announced that retired Nightly News anchor and eminence grise Tom Brokaw will moderate "Meet the Press" through the 2008 election. NBC News president Steve Capus said, "A lot has been said in recent days about what 'Meet the Press' means to NBC News and to the nation. To have someone of Tom's stature step up and dedicate himself to ensuring its ongoing success is not only a testament to his loyalty to Tim, but his enduring commitment to NBC News and our viewers." more ›

The weekend was filled with tributes to the late NBC News journalist, Tim Russert. New York State lawmakers, including Senators Schumer and Clinton, announced yesterday that they are going to introduce a resolution to rename part of U.S. Route 20 after Russert. The section they want to rename runs in front of the Buffalo Bills' stadium--Russert grew up in Buffalo and was an unabashed fan of the Bills, as well as the Sabres. more ›

The sudden death of Tim Russert, NBC News Washington bureau chief and Meet the Press moderator, shook the media and political communities as well as the many faithful viewers of Meet the Press yesterday. Last night's NBC Nightly News was completely about Russert's career and legacy, as a journalist, friend and family man. MSNBC spent the evening remembering Russert; Fox News and CNN also spent considerable time remembering him. Tomorrow's edition of Meet the Press will be a special one dedicated to Russert's "extraordinary life," anchored by Tom Brokaw and with many guests, including James Carville, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Gwen Ifill, Maria Shriver, and Mary Matalin. more ›

Reports say that NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and host of Meet the Press Tim Russert has died. It's believed he had a heart attack. A source told the NY Post he collapsed in the Washington Bureau. NBC News now confirms Russert's death and says he was recording voiceovers for Sunday's Meet the Press. more ›

After early results put John McCain and Mitt Romney in a "too close to call" race, McCain won the Florida primary. Rudy Giuliani, who once led national polls, looks like he'll finish in third place (though Mike Huckabee is a close fourth as of 10PM), which is actually his best finish after the primaries and caucuses in New Hampshire, Iowa, Wyoming, Michigan, Nevada and South Carolina. more ›

The NY Times' editorial board has made its endorsements for the upcoming primaries. While the Times' selection of Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama is interesting (the Times cites experience), we're very taken with the editorial about the Republican candidates. more ›

To plug the giant hole in the network’s schedule this Sunday, caused by the WGA not giving a waiver to Dick Clark Productions for the Golden Globe Awards, NBC has handed the whole thing over to its news division. more ›

Senator John McCain won the Republican primary in New Hampshire, with the race being called for him early on. Senator Hillary Clinton beat Senator Barack Obama by a few thousand votes in a very close race. Comebacks all around! more ›

While Six Sigma's goal-oriented blather and obsession with measuring everything was jarring, it was also weirdly familiar, inasmuch as it was strikingly reminiscent of my college Maoism I class. Mao seemed to be a good model for Jack Welch and his Six Sigma foot soldiers; Six Sigma's "Champions" and "Black Belts" were Mao's "Cadres" and "Squad Leaders." more ›

No More Bolaris in the Forecast You won’t be seeing John Bolaris anymore on WCBS. He was last seen this past weekend and his bio has been taken down from the CBS 2 website. He will be starting at Fox owned WTXF in Philadelphia next month. We should mention that before the Long Island native was basically run out of town on a rail down there after predicting a blizzard that never happened, although he... more ›

A look at some noteworthy television this week: more ›

Last week we mentioned that Brendan Keefe, late of WCBS, is now and anchor at the ABC affiliate in Cincinnati, WCPO. He started this week and he revealed to the Cincinnati Post some of his reasons for leaving New York for Ohio. He told the paper, "We wanted a place to raise a family that we could call home for a long time." more ›

Some more details about the death of the man whose body was found at 6th Avenue and 10th Street in Greenwich Village early yesterday morning. Forty-five-year-old Eric Wishnie had been a producer at NBC News, but was fired last September for alcohol and pill addiction. Additionally, he had been recently estranged with his wife, NBC correspondent Dawn Fratangelo. more ›

On Gothamist Contribute, someone wrote about an incident that occurred at 6th Avenue and 10th Street in Manhattan:

I went running at 5:15 and there were cops and detectives all over the corner by Ansonia pharmacy. The whole area was taped off. I asked a bodega owner and he said a guy jumped from a building. When the pharmacy opened I went in and asked and she said she thought it was a hit and run. She said detectives came in this morning and asked if they had cameras outside of the bldg. and told her a body was found outside. more ›

Amidst all of the iPhone hoopla there was probably more than one incident of unkind words being exchanged around the long lines. Boing Boing points out one in which a mascot for a hunger-awareness campaign named Hungrr got assaulted by the NBC News crew! This happened outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue as the mascot was handing out pins for the organization. Hungrr was there buying an iPhone to sell on eBay to raise money for the Northwest Louisiana Food bank, helping Katrina victims. more ›

As the Virginia Tech story broke last Monday, cable news, as always, took the lead with their normal oversaturated speculative coverage transferring the energy and resources normally reserved for non-story stories like the Anna Nicole Smith saga into covering a real story. more ›

Yesterday, NBC News revealed that Virginia Tech shooting gunman Cho Seung-Hiu sent them a package of photographs, writings, and video - a "multimedia manifesto." The network turned over the materials to the authorities but also shared the package's contents during the evening news last night and on its website. more ›

Update: WNBC reports that Cho Seung Hui sent a "box containing a manifesto of sorts, photographs and other material" (including videos) to NBC News. NBC News received it today and president Steve Capus turned the box over the FBI, but MSNBC says that the box was sent between the two shootings.

The package included a long, “rambling, manifesto-like statement embedded with a series of photographs,” Capus said. The material is “hard-to-follow ... disturbing, very disturbing — very angry, profanity-laced,” he said. more ›

The man who shot 32 people at Virginia Tech yesterday morning was identified by authorities as Cho Seung Hui. He is described as a 23-year-old student, a senior majoring in English, who lived in one of the dorms. He is also a legal resident from South Korea. more ›

This morning, NBC News President Steve Capus appeared on the Today show to discuss the immediate ending of radio shock jock Don Imus's MSNBC simulcast. Per TVNewser, Capus said:

There's no question that his program has had provocative conversation and interesting conversation, deep conversation with thought leaders and political leaders through the years. But it's also had the other element. At some point you have to say 'enough is enough.' This went so far over the line that it was time.

. The NBC Nightly News actually had "breaking news" about the decision, and here's the statement from NBC News president Steve Capus:

Effective immediately, MSNBC will no longer simulcast the "Imus in the Morning" radio program. This decision comes as a result of an ongoing review process, which initially included the announcement of a suspension. It also takes into account many conversations with our own employees. What matters to us most is that the men and women of NBC Universal have confidence in the values we have set for this company. This is the only decision that makes that possible. Once again, we apologize to the women of the Rutgers basketball team and to our viewers. We deeply regret the pain this incident has caused.

"Over the course of the last week many of you have reached out to me and expressed your strong viewpoints on the Don Imus situation. I've had countless conversations, e-mail exchanges and phone calls with people throughout this company. I've heard you loud and clear. Therefore, we are announcing tonight that MSNBC will no longer simulcast the Imus radio program... more ›

A look at some noteworthy television this week: more ›

Yesterday morning, Mayor Bloomberg met with the family of Sean Bell, who was fatally shot when the police fired 50 times at a car carrying him and two of his friends hours before his wedding over the weekend. The Mayor also met with black religious figures, community leaders and politicians before a press conference where he said:

It sounds to me like excessive force was used. I can tell you that it is to me unacceptable or inexplicable how you can have 50-odd shots fired... more ›