BREAKING NEWS: John King To Replace Lou Dobbs

John King will be replacing Lou Dobbs in the newly-vacated 7PM Eastern timeslot.

As NewsBuster Jeff Poor reported Wednesday, Dobbs announced his departure from the network during last evening's broadcast. 

The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz just reported his replacement:

CNN announced Thursday that John King, the Sunday morning host best known for his magic wall, is taking over the 7 p.m. slot left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Lou Dobbs.

The decision, described by network sources, amounts to a doubling down on straight news. King, a former Associated Press writer, is known for his reporting and neutral approach to politics, while Dobbs has grown increasingly opinionated in recent years, especially on such issues as his opposition to illegal immigration.

"The program will reflect what CNN is all about: the widest range of opinions from across the political spectrum," CNN President Jon Klein said in a statement. He said King will "share his passion and his insights about what is really going on in Washington and across the country."