FIRST CUTS: Weather Channel’s ratings soar; big news month boosts Fox News, CNN

Our list of stories that should be on your morning media menu:

• Jeremy Peters on the new breed of campaign reporters: "It is not so glamorous anymore." (New York Times)

• Jeff Bercovici asks: "Could Bill O'Reilly drag Fox News into the hacking probe?" (Forbes)

• In a massive news month, Fox News finished third in all of cable prime-time while CNN cruised past MSNBC. (The Wrap)

• The Weather Channel, meanwhile, saw a ratings surge thanks to Hurricane Irene. (NYT/Media Decoder)

• Erin Burnett has unveiled the first promo for her forthcoming CNN prime-time show. (CNN)

• Bernie Madoff seems to have found a confidante in Charlie Gasparino. (ABC News)

• "Why was a Beverly Hills paparazzo staking out Carl Bernstein?" (Gawker)