MEDIAware, PR Newswire's Audience Research Department newsletter, featuring media news and job changes in the last month, is now available. Here is a sampling of this month's edition:

Scholastic Corporation will cease the Weekly Reader. The magazine has been in classrooms since 1902. The magazine folding will result in 55 of 60 Weekly Reader employees in White Plains, New York, being let go. Earlier this year, the New York Post bought the Weekly Reader from Reader’s Digest Association Inc. The plan is to combine the Weekly Reader and Scholastic News, which a company spokesperson said they believe will result “in a better news and information experience in print and digital formats for teachers and students.” 

Erica Hill (twitter.com/EricaRHill) Co-Host of CBS This Morning (twitter.com/CBSThisMorning) has left the show. Current White House Correspondent for CBS News Norah O’Donnell (twitter.com/NorahODonnell) will be her replacement. However, she will not begin her new Co-Hosting role until the Fall. As of yet, no replacement has been named for O’Donnell’s current position. She will also continue to be the prime replacement for Bob Schieffer on Sunday morning public affairs program “Face the Nation.”

Merlin Media New York station WEMP-FM reverted back to an Alternative rock station. Its recent change to an All-News format was not able to raise its .6 rating. With this change it’s reported that practically the entire staff has been let go including new hire Terry Sheridan, who was brought in last month as Newsroom Manager from WINS-AM. The new Alternative format has no jocks for the time being.

Science Writer Jonah Lehrer has resigned from The New Yorker.  Lehrer was caught fabricating quotes by Bob Dylan in his book “Imagine: How Creativity Works.” Lehrer had also recently come under scrutiny when he plagiarized himself by recycling his old work and trying to pass it off as new material. Lehrer had only been with The New Yorker for two months. 

Time Inc. Sports Group, which includes Sports Illustrated, Golf and SI Kids, has recently announced that 16 editorial staff members will be leaving. Terry McDonnell, Editor at Time Inc. Sports Group, had previously offered staffers voluntary buyouts and 13 employees took the offer.  Among those who opted for the buyout are Golf Channel Analyst Damon Hack and Sports Illustrated’s Hockey Writer Michael Farber and College Football Editor Gene Menez. In addition, three staffers were laid off. 

Lou Kilzer of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review won the Economic Reporting Award for 2012 from the National Press Club for his story "China Syndrome" which reveals the story behind China's companies and their ambitions.

The Bluegrass State has a new magazine. Story magazine (storythemagazine.com) tells the stories other magazines don't. While the quarterly publication uses mostly freelancers for its content, behind the helm is full-time Editor/Publisher Julia Wilson. Wilson wants to focus on aspects of Kentucky living that don't usually get much print. Any suggestions should be emailed to Wilson at publisher@storythemagazine.com. Initial circulation rate is 10,000 copies.

After four years in circulation, Her Nashville magazine has ceased publication, both online and in print. The publisher, South Communications, Inc., still publishes: Nashville Scene, BusinessTN, The City Paper, LEO Weekly, Medical News Papers, Nashville Post and Kansas City Pitch.

There's good news and there's bad news regarding WMC-TV Memphis Anchor Joe Birch. The bad news is that he suffered a broken neck in a recent car accident. The good news is that, according to his doctor, the break involved will not result in paralysis nor does he even need surgery. But it is uncertain when Birch (Jbirch@wmctv.com) will return to the station. Well-wishes are pouring into the station's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ActionNews5

You can view the entire August issue of MEDIAware here: www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/medi... and view all the changes by region here: www.prnewswire.com/knowledge-center/medi...

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