CNN's Kyra Phillips Digs for Dirt

CNN afternoon anchor Kyra Phillips is in Alaska to dig up what she can on Sarah Palin. In this report, Phillips was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She had run down a rumor (false) that Palin had faked her last pregnancy on behalf of her daughter. Phillips had found several people willing to talk about the fact that Palin’s 17 year-old daughter is currently pregnant, and Phillips had gathered support from the National Association for Reproductive Rights for her belief that Palin’s endorsement of abstinence-only sex education had in effect led to Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy. Finally, Phillips was enthusiastic about what she called “troopergate” (a term originally used to deal with Arkansas state troopers who protected then-Governor Clinton’s extracurricular activities--isn't it fun to turn the Republicans' witch hunts back against them?), the investigation of whether Palin attempted to fire a state trooper involved in a custody battle with Palin’s sister.

It all seemed inappropriate for a major news organization, particularly Phillips’ obvious excitement. Three stories: one false, two true, zero new.