Science in Peril

Now extinct at CNN, the Cable News Network: The entire science, technology and environment news staff. “Now that the bulk of our environmental coverage is being offered through the Planet in Peril franchise, which is produced by the Anderson Cooper 360 program, there is no need for a separate unit,” said CNN spokesperson Barbara Levin. The Planet in Peril programs may be entertaining–with exotic locales, buff adventure-style reporters, and “sexy” topics like gorillas, sharks and rare diseases, it’s like a super-hyped version of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. But it’s going to leave the network without the resources to cover some of the most important issues of our times. Hello? Have they heard about Obama’s plans to stimulate the economy, just to name one small thing? Somebody give these people a newspaper.