ABC just confirmed that Charles Gibson will interview Sarah Palin - her first one since becoming the GOP VP nominee.

This column by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak is definitely worth reading. The same doctor who operated on Sen. Ted Kennedy’s brain tumor this past summer removed Novak’s tumor Aug. 15.

Novak writes that Vicki Kennedy urged him to have the surgery at Duke University Medical Center and said their conversation filled him “with hope.”

Slamball player Ivan Lattimore - the man accused of beating Channel 7 sports reporter Julie Donaldson - retained a new lawyer today and won’t be heading to court tomorrow.

Lattimore’s new attorney is former Suffolk County prosecutor Timothy Bradl of Denner Pellegrino. Bradl told me today that Lattimore retained him “for trial or resolution purposes.”

Lattimore was scheduled to appear in Boston Municipal Court tomorrow (Friday) and was set to go to trial on Monday for allegedly assaulting Donaldson and two other women after his booze-fueled birthday bash turned ugly.

His next court date - a status appearance - is set for Sept. 15 and the trial is set to begin Sept. 26.

As for the alleged sex tape…

“As far as the existence of any sex tape, I can’t imagine that would ever become public and if it does in fact exist, that is something that will always remain between Julie and Ivan and it won’t be something that is a factor in resolving this matter,” Bradl said.

“I’m very optimistic that all of the parties concerned, from the complaining witnesses to the Commonwealth to Ivan, are all in a state of mind that is conducive to a resolution of the case that is in everyone’s best interest,” Bradl said.

Bradl said Lattimore “wants only the best for Julie.”

I’m told a sports reporter at the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, a long-time New Hampshire reporter, two copy editors, the publisher of the weeklies and two switchboard operators were among those cut yesterday.

Read more about the cuts in today’s MediaBiz.

Sadly, the owner of the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune cut more than 50 jobs yesterday, most of them at the daily newspaper.

You can read my full story on the cuts in today’s MediaBiz column in the business section.

I’ve got memo the publisher sent to his staff Wednesday morning. It’s posted below.

This week’s MediaBiz also includes an interview with former WBZ-TV anchor Sara Underwood , now at FOX 25.

Here’s the memo:

To: Eagle-Tribune and Shared Services Staff

From: Al Getler

Re: Company Restructuring

Throughout this year I have communicated the efforts required to weather the current economic conditions. I have asked you to innovate, to launch new products and save on expense items everywhere possible and you have responded. In addition, we have had a hiring freeze in place (with the exception of sales and mailroom positions).

Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to overcome the present business climate. And, like many other newspaper companies, we are now forced to address our present staffing levels.

Between now and 3 PM today, Wednesday, September 3, we will restructure the company. This restructuring will include the elimination of 52 full-time and part-time positions.

This is by far the most difficult decision to make. We will say goodbye to friends and colleagues who work alongside us each day and we will miss them. The ultimate outcome will be a smaller team that will work to assure our future.

This restructuring is difficult for everyone. I will inform you once it is complete.

Al Getler

Publisher