Latest Today Stories

If it's Sunday, it's "Meet the Press," as Tim Russert said so many times in his unmatched 16 { years as moderator of network television's longest-running show. Yet, without Russert, who died Friday at age 58, Sundays, "Meet the Press," broadcast journalism and, certainly, NBC this political season won't be quite the same. "He was, without question, the most important, influential reporter in Washington, print or broadcast," Chris Wallace, a "Meet the Press" alumnus who now anchors rival "Fox...

POWER BROKER, Journalist, Commentator And -- most importantly -- a father and son, television lost a leading figure in Tim Russert, leaving an industry struggling to absorb a huge loss. Russert revived one of the most indelible brand names in all of television -- "Meet the Press" -- and became a driving force in American political life as a result. According to reports on NBC, he had just returned from a trip to Italy, where his family had remained behind. Of his death, MSNBC...

NBC "Today" anchor, Al Roker, announced The New York Times best-selling children's novel "Chasing Vermeer" by author Blue Balliett and illustrated by Brett Helquist, as Al's Book Club For Kids next book pick. To encourage kids to read more, Al Roker selects titles geared toward children ages 8-12 years old and invites them to read along and e-mail questions for the author. Blue Balliett will appear live on TODAY in May to answer questions from viewers. For more information about Al's Book...

By Michelle Nichols NEW YORK (Reuters) - Television sweetheart Katie Couric debuted on Tuesday as "CBS Evening News" anchor and the first woman to solo host a newscast on one of the country's three major broadcast networks. Following in the footsteps of hard newsmen Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather, who separately anchored "CBS Evening News" from 1962 to 2005, Couric's debut followed three months of hype since she left NBC's "Today" morning show after 15 years. Wearing a white jacket and...

By Claudia Parsons NEW YORK (Reuters) - Burdened with a reputation for being "perky" and "fluffy," Katie Couric debuts as "CBS Evening News" anchor next week amid network hopes she can stem the tide of younger viewers fleeing to Internet and cable. After 15 years as co-host of NBC's "Today" show, Couric will fill the evening news chair vacated by Dan Rather and once occupied by Walter Cronkite, two of the best-known figures in U.S. television news. Miller Tabak media analyst David...

LOS ANGELES -- The CBS network said on Wednesday that an overzealous employee in its publicity department was responsible for air-brushing about 20 pounds off Katie Couric's figure in a recent promotional photo.A photograph taken at a network event in May, showing Couric standing on stage smiling in a pin-stripped suit, was digitally altered to give the incoming CBS News anchor a trimmer waistline, darker clothing and even a thinner face.An untouched version of the picture originally was...

By Paul J. Gough NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC and its networks will provide a full-court press of coverage on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, calling on current NBC News journalists as well as former anchor Tom Brokaw and former "Today" co-host Jane Pauley. "Today" co-anchor Matt Lauer will broadcast live from the site of the World Trade Center and will be joined by Brokaw, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, survivors of the attacks and emergency personnel...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In a high-profile interview coinciding with her debut as CBS Evening News anchor next week, Katie Couric will sit down with President George W. Bush to discuss homeland security for an upcoming special, the network said on Monday The CBS News special on the aftermath of September 11, titled "Five Years Later: How Safe Are We?," will air next Wednesday with reports examining the continuing threat of future attacks, the nation's state of readiness and how...

By Bob Tourtellotte LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CBS said on Thursday it will stream its prime-time news program with Katie Couric live on the Internet simultaneously with the newscast, a first for a major TV network that highlights U.S. broadcasters' rapid expansion on the Web. The Web casts will begin when Couric first sits in the "CBS Evening News" anchor chair on September 5 in a high-profile arrival after leaving her co-host job on NBC's "Today" morning show. Couric takes the post...

By Bob Tourtellotte LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CBS said on Thursday it will stream its prime-time news program with Katie Couric live on the Internet simultaneously with the newscast, a first for a major TV network that highlights U.S. broadcasters' rapid expansion on the Web. The Web casts will begin when Couric first sits in the "CBS Evening News" anchor chair on September 5 in a high-profile arrival after leaving her co-host job on NBC's "Today" morning show. Couric takes the post...