Katie Couric took rumors into her own hands this morning on the Today show today. As predicted by Rebecca Dana, Couric announced her departure right around 7:30.

"I wanted to tell all of you out there … that after listening to my heart and my gut … I've decided I'll be leaving 'Today' at the end of May," she said. "I really feel as if we've become friends through the years."

It is Couric's 15th anniversary at Today, and the announcement that she's leaving for CBS, though not a surprise, is surely going to put a damper on the media industry … now all the papers are going to have to find something new to write about.

Everything is pretty much the same as yesterday (and the day before, and the day before) except for Couric breaking her vow of silence. Oh, and the Times did choose to include Meredith Vieira in their replacement possibilities today.

NBC has nearly concluded an agreement with Meredith Vieira of ABC to replace Ms. Couric as co-host of the "Today" morning show.

Under the terms of the deal, which was expected to be resolved by week's end, Ms. Vieira would sign a four-year contract worth at least $10 million a year and would take up her morning assignment on NBC just after Labor Day, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversations were continuing.

Now we just wait to find out how many millions everyone will get and for Vieira to go blonde. Let the guessing games for the new Who Wants to be a Millionaire? host begin.

Couric Announces Departure From 'Today' Show [Bill Carter, New York Times]
Katie Couric Leaving NBC's 'Today' for CBS [David Bauder, AP News]