The award recognizes a journalist or media figure whose reporting or commentary has had a profound impact on the public's understanding of vital national issues. It will be presented to the Countdown host in a ceremony to be held this afternoon in New York City. "I'm utterly honored," said Olbermann, "largely because I'd still like to be Molly Ivins when I grow up." To recognize Olbermann's achievement, AAN will donate $2,000 in his name to the Molly Ivins Fund for Investigative Reporting at the Texas Observer, where the Ivins served as co-editor from 1970 to 1976.

It's time for you to take control of the budget process. Whether it's budgeting from the bottom up, or top down, there are methods and analyses that can assist in this important task. Fran Zankowski will teach you how in his "Financial Management for Ad Sales Managers" seminar at the upcoming AAN Convention in Portland.

That's the question we're going to try to answer on Thursday, June 14, the opening day of the convention. In an AAN convention first, our hosts at Willamette Week have assembled a panel of lively and articulate local experts to discuss the region's unique approach to public-policy issues that have national resonance, including land-use planning, mass transit, assisted suicide, sustainable development and medical marijuana.

AAN's room block at the Portland Hilton has already sold out for the night of Wednesday, June 13. You can still reserve a room at the Hilton that evening, but you'll be asked to pay more than the convention rate of $129. (For the time being, the Hilton still has rooms available at the convention rate on June 14, 15 and 16.) For those on a tight budget, we've added a small block of rooms at $129 at the Paramount, a boutique hotel located less than two blocks from the Hilton. So if you are planning to arrive on June 13 and want to save a few dollars, call the Paramount Hotel at 503-223-9900.

Be sure to register by Friday, May 4, to save $50 on registration rates for the Portland Convention. It's quick and easy to register online. Don't forget the registration bonuses for AAN member papers: Pay for two registrations and get one free; pay for a third and get one more for free. Our online system automatically calculates each paper's freebies.

In this week's installment: reaction to and reporting from Virginia Tech, celebrating Earth Day, examining coke rap, a cop kills a man on tape, Alberto Gonzales circa 2004, and much more.

Member papers that register for the AAN convention in Portland are eligible to receive up to two free registrations, courtesy of the AAN CAN classified program that makes this association run. Take advantage of this AAN CAN-inspired largesse by registering three people for the price of two, or five people for the price of three. And to save even more money, don't forget to sign up by May 4 for the early-registration discount. You can register online or download a registration form on the convention website.