In your perplexing Wednesday media column: Mort Zuckerman's eying Newsweek, movie stars are creeping off our magazine covers, the owner of the Cubs knows news, and people at People are out the door.

  • Keith Kelly says that Mort Zuckerman, he who must be in all discussions of possible media acquisitions, is considering a bid for Newsweek. Sources say he might want to combine it with USNWR. Let the fight for the listicle beat begin!
  • Have you noticed that movie stars' monopoly on celebrity magazine covers is slowly eroding, and they're being upstaged by athletes and models and other non-movie stars? We haven't noticed that either, but apparently it is so. The reason, according to Jacob Bernstein: people are finally burned out on seeing movie stars everywhere. Hm. Could America really tire of STARS? Will we never be a true nation of Jackie Harvies? We're disappointed.
  • Joseph Ricketts, the billionaire owner of the Chicago Cubs, thinks that the future of news is in hyperlocal, online neighborhood reporting. Maybe so, Mr. Ricketts, maybe so. But the future of your outfield sure isn't Alfonso Soriano, amirite?
  • People editor Larry Hackett sent out the staff email below today to bid farewell to veteran staffers Maggie Murphy and Sara Williams. But that's not all; we hear that a slew of high-level People employees have left the mag recently, including senior editor Galina Espinoza, senior writer Lisa Ingrassia, and senior write Bob Meadows. Are you People people unhappy for any particular reason? Email us to vent.

  • Subject: Staff announcements

  • It is with regret, but also the warmest best wishes, that I announce the
    departures of Maggie Murphy and Sara Williams from People magazine.

  • Maggie is leaving to become editorial director of Parade magazine. A 17-year
    veteran of Time Inc., Maggie spent 10 years at Entertainment Weekly before
    stints at In Style and the resurrected Life (hey, wasn't that a Sunday
    supplement? Hmm...) before joining People in 2007. While here, in addition
    to enduring chants of "that's too EW," she brought a steady hand to our
    entertainment coverage, took the helm and raised the game of the People
    Country, and found time to help improve the work/life balance for the People
    edit staff. Her last day is June 3.

  • Since taking over the art department in late 2007, Sara has led her
    team with confidence, contagious energy and steady grace. She has guided the
    magazine through ambitious enterprises like Country, and crafted many
    stunning and successful covers: The Michael Jackson Tribute, Barack Obama's
    election and inauguration, assorted bundles of superstar twins and, of
    course, the recent Sandra Bullock blockbuster.

  • Having relished those professional triumphs, Sara wants to achieve new
    goals. After talking things over with me, she has decided to leave her post
    as Design Director at the end of the month.

  • The enthusiasm Maggie and Sara bring to their jobs is viral and their
    dedication humbling. We have been very fortunate to have them both as
    colleagues. Join me in wishing them all the best.

  • Larry