I was wondering how long it would take this shoe to drop. With all those Aussie editors scattered to the far corners of the Murdoch empire did anyone really think questionable practices, to put it most kindly, would be limited to the U.K. and a couple of royalty-mad tabloids? CNN is reporting that the FBI has launched an investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. “amid allegations that employees or associates may have hacked into phone conversations and voicemail of September 11 survivors, victims and their families.” CNN is citing a federal law enforcement source.

Kevin Clarke is America’s chief correspondent and the author of Oscar Romero: Love Must Win Out (Liturgical Press).