The NY Times' article about presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's superclose relationship with a young, attractive female lobbyist (more about her here) has drawn a lot of criticism, especially from McCain himself. His campaign seized the moment to raise money for his campaign. Campaign manager Rick Davis' fundraising letter read, "With John McCain leading a number of general-election polls against Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, The New York Times knew the time to attack......

The headline for the above-the-fold NY Times story about presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk, doesn't quite prepare readers for the juicy insinuations waiting for them in the second paragraph. The first sentence notes that during McCain's 2000 presidential campaign advisers were worried because... A female lobbyist had been turning up with him at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate......

The NY Times announces that its print edition will be 1.5" narrower and a printing plant in NJ will be closed. With this change, a total of 1050 jobs will be lost and most of the regional printing will be moved to the College Point, Queens plant. The Times notes, "Several other American broadsheets reduced their size a few years ago, and many are planning further shrinkage to cut costs as the price of newsprint......

- Judith Miller leaves the NY Times; Gawker has the email from boss Bill Keller - indieWIRE's Undiscovered Gems series starts today at the IFC Center - JustJared shows that Mary-Kate is looking healthy! - Glass (windows?) fell from a midtown building on East 55th Between Park and Madison - A barber in Staten Island was gunned down out his store, in front of his 11 year-old stepson - Crazy taxi fire on East 57th......

- Suddenly under a storm of bullets, a 13-year-old Brooklyn boy threw himself over a 10-year-old girl in an attempt to keep her safe (he got shot twice in the back, she was hit on the arms). The kids, who were getting their hair braided on a stoop at 2 a.m. when the shooting occurred, are in stable condition and security tapes are being reviewed. - Newsday has a nice piece on a general manager......

The Politicker momentarily becomes The Mediator with some good media scoop: Tom Scocca reports that NY Times executive editor Bill Keller sent a memo saying stories had to get leaner and meaner - and any stories over 1800 words need to be approved by certain editors first. From the Politicker:Mr. Keller described the move in an internal memo as part of a campaign against endemic "bloat" or "flab"--stories that "sometimes feel slack or padded." Though......