Prominent Chicago Sun-Times Political Columnist Robert Novak Announces He Will Retire from His Column

Business Wire, August 4, 2008

CHICAGO -- Chicago Sun-Times syndicated political columnist Robert Novak announced he will discontinue his column of 46 years. He has decided to retire his award-winning column after he was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. Mr. Novak, 77, will undergo radiation and chemotherapy at the National Cancer Institute in Washington.

The Evans-Novak column was first distributed by Publishers Newspaper Syndicate on May 15, 1963 with the New York Herald-Tribune. When the Herald-Tribune ceased publishing in 1966, the Chicago Sun-Times became the column's home newspaper, where it has remained ever since. It became the longest running nationally syndicated political column in America after the death of William F. Buckley Jr. earlier this year.

"We are sad to lose such a treasured columnist and member of the Sun-Times family," said Cyrus Freidheim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun-Times Media Group, Inc., parent company of the Chicago Sun-Times. Mr. Freidheim is also Publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times. "We want Bob to focus on his treatment during this difficult time, and know that he will be greatly missed."

Said Michael Cooke, Chicago Sun-Times Editor in Chief: "Bob has been affiliated with the Sun-Times for 42 years. He is a brilliant columnist and we will miss his contributions to our newspaper and suntimes.com. We wish him a speedy recovery."

About Sun-Times Media Group

Sun-Times Media Group, Inc. is dedicated to being the premier source of local news and information for the greater Chicago area. Its media properties include the Chicago Sun-Times and Suntimes.com as well as newspapers and Web sites serving more than 200 communities across Chicago. Further information can be found at www.thesuntimesgroup.com.