Though the Olympics are important for the world unity, dramatic back stories of the athletes and tremendous feats of said athletes, I’ve been intrigued by the “fringe” stories that poke holes in some of the euphoria. I am NOT a cynic but at least it’s a sign that journalists covering the Beijing Games are telling many stories, including the unpopular ones.

Several longtime popular AJC writers also will cease publication in those pages soon, including business columnist Maria Saporta, auto editor Rob Douthit and tech columnist Bill Husted, all of whom accepted the paper’s buyout offer.

Disclosure: Angela Tuck and Maria Saporta are board members of the Atlanta Press Club.

Edwards also alluded to a memoir he’s writing, and noted that one publisher wanted him to attack National Public Radio for letting him go in 2004. He says he never will because he believes in the mission and audience of public radio. The only negative about the medium is “it lives in mortal fear of being called `liberal,’” he said. But that label should be of no concern to true journalists, he added. “We use our eyes and ears to report what we see and hear, and people’s reactions be damned,” he told the crowd to applause. “That’s our job.”

On a local front, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported on its own internal changes, including laying off 189 employees and doing away with several sections. However, Metro and Sports will expand to include news from Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb and North Fulton counties, according to Publisher John Mellott. While this news isn’t as compelling as satire’s role in presidential politics, we look forward to following the continuing changes in our city’s major metro daily.

Former WGCL-TV reporter Fred Powers died of cancer Monday. Though he had not been on the air for a few months, Powers was known for being willing to do most anything for a story, including enduring a dog attack and being Tasered. Visit his family’s website honoring Powers here. WGCL-TV has set up online memorial photos here.

On June 12, well-liked CNN executive producer Bob Coleman died after a long illness. I love what he often told his daughter, Nancy: “My favorite day is a day where I learn something new.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these well-respected journalists from our community.

Enough said.