CNN’s release on adding mini campaign bureaus in several key primary states…

CNN strengthens its political coverage with the establishment of three campaign “mini” bureaus in key 2008 early election states—Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. This commitment of resources adds to CNN’s unparalleled access into each state’s political happenings and insights into the candidates’ relationships with voters there.

The mini bureaus, already operational, are staffed by CNN producers and will increase their resources as the primaries and caucuses approach. They will be located at three CNN Newsource affiliate stations: Hearst-Argyle Television’s KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, and WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H.; and Raycom’s WIS-TV in Columbia, S.C. All CNN material produced in these mini bureaus will be available to each of the more than 800 CNN Newsource affiliates, augmenting the comprehensive content available to them each day.

“Our daily presence through these mini bureaus offers a local perspective to a national story that you cannot get from reporting only within the Beltway or following individual campaigns,” said CNN political director Sam Feist. “Thanks to the strong relationships with all of our CNN Newsource affiliates, we are able to extend the resources of the best political team on television even further, offering the best coverage anywhere of the 2008 presidential election.”

Equipped with state-of-the-art production capabilities and high-definition cameras, the mini bureaus will be staffed full time until after each state’s election day.