NEWSMAKERS | Couric leaving anchor post, executive says

NEWSMAKERS

Couric leaving anchor post, executive says

NEW YORK

Katie Couric is leaving her anchor post at “CBS Evening News” less than five years after becoming the first woman to solely helm a network TV evening newscast.

A network executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Couric has not officially announced her plans, reported the move to The Associated Press on Sunday night. The 54-year-old anchor is expected to launch a syndicated talk show in 2012, and several companies are vying for her services.

Couric’s move from NBC’s “Today” show was big news in 2006, and she began in the anchor chair with a flourish that September. She tried to incorporate her strengths as an interviewer into a standard evening-news format, and millions of people who normally didn’t watch the news at night checked it out. But they drifted away, and the evening newscast reverted to a more-traditional broadcast.

After those first few weeks, the “CBS Evening News” settled into third place in the ratings and is well behind leader Brian Williams at NBC’s “Nightly News” and second-place Diane Sawyer at ABC’s “World News.”

No departure date has been set for Couric. Her CBS News contract expires June 4.

Gauguin painting attacked at gallery

WASHINGTON

Officials at the National Gallery of Art say a painting by Paul Gauguin is being inspected for damage after it was attacked by a visitor.

The unusual incident happened late Friday afternoon. Museum visitors told The Washington Post that a woman tried to pull Gauguin’s “Two Tahitian Women” off the wall and banged on its clear plastic covering. Witnesses said the woman was screaming, “This is evil.”

Gallery spokeswoman Deborah Ziska said the woman was restrained by the museum’s federal protection services officers and charged with destruction of property and attempted theft. She said no damage to the 1899 painting was immediately apparent but that a more thorough examination was scheduled.

Tentative deal could end symphony strike

DETROIT

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and its striking musicians said Monday that a tentative agreement reached after a weekend of lengthy talks could resolve a six-month walkout.

The deal, which was reached after discussions, is subject to a ratification vote expected this week.

Associated Press