ABC's "World News Tonight" (6:30 p.m., WTAE) will look a little local today as anchor Peter Jennings broadcasts the national evening news from Pittsburgh. It's part of a swing through four cities this week -- Cincinnati, Cleveland and Kansas City were the others -- to gauge the mood of the country as the presidential election draws near.

"You're in an important state, and you're an American city and environs with an important history," Jennings said in a phone interview last week.

Visiting ABC affiliates is also part of Jennings' job, and he likes to travel. Before landing in the "World News Tonight" chair, Jennings said he spent 75 percent of his time on the road as a reporter.

"I was a guy who didn't learn very much in school but seemed to learn quite a lot as I traveled," he said. "I think, to that extent, travel is in my blood."

ABC staffers wold not divulge where "World News Tonight" will broadcast from tonight, but a city skyline backdrop seems likely. Jennings said he hopes to do a report that shines a light on the region. He'll also appear on WTAE's evening news.

At 7 p.m. he'll anchor a one-hour panel discussion with WTAE's Sally Wiggin. "Town Hall Meeting: Battlefield Pennsylvania" will explore issues that affect Western Pennsylvania, and it will look at how the media cover the elections and the potential for media influence in the election's outcome.

Panelists will include WPTT (1360 AM) talk show host Jerry Bowyer, Post-Gazette columnists Ruth Ann Dailey and Tony Norman, WTAE news director Bob Longo and former "NightTalk" host John McIntire.

Jennings said the town hall meeting was his suggestion, and it's something he does regularly when visiting ABC affiliates. He said the focus is often local politics, but he thought exploring the media and politics made sense given the current climate in the country.

"The thing I hear most often that distresses me is that we're all biased," Jennings said. "A town hall meeting is really an opportunity to have conversations with people, to explore people's notions of bias. The 24/7 media racket we have in the country is often confusing to people, and I think if they stop and think for a moment, are they really quite sure where they're getting the real goods?"

With right-wing partisans going after CBS's Dan Rather and left-wingers up in arms about Sinclair's allegedly anti-Kerry program (8 p.m. tomorrow on WPGH), some have wondered whether the era of objective journalism is coming to an end.

"I hope not," Jennings said, recalling the advice of his father, one of the founders of public broadcasting in Canada. "He said, 'You try to be objective, but it's more important you be fair.' Objectivity is hard. [As a journalist] you train yourself to put your biases over there on the side, but let's never pretend we don't have them."

McIntire back on cable

In addition to tonight's WTAE news special, former PCNC "NightTalk" host John McIntire can also be seen on Comcast's On Demand service.

McIntire, an outspoken liberal, taped two 30-minute public affairs shows with outspoken conservative Bill Green. The pair discuss the upcoming presidential, state and local elections.

One program was taped before the presidential debates, the other was taped after. The shows will be available to Comcast customers under the "Our Town" section of On Demand until Nov. 5.

New graphics on WPXI

Viewers woke up yesterday morning to discover new, streamlined, subtler graphics on Channel 11's newscasts. At first I thought maybe some equipment had broken and they were on a backup system because the look was so simple as to be reminiscent of public access.

But after watching for a while, I came to appreciate the cleaner, less obtrusive new style. The graphics -- predominantly blue with yellow highlights -- appear to take up less space on screen, and they're more translucent.

The "11" logo in the lower left is now stacked atop "News," and that emphasis carries over to a tweak in the station's brand slogan; "Coverage You Can Count On" has become "News Coverage You Can Count On."

News director Pat Maday said it's an effort to create a more contemporary look for the station.

"With respect to the newscasts, having the graphics take up less of the screen while still being clear and easy to understand was a goal," he said. It was also a way to create a more consistent look so that "whenever you turn on Channel 11, you know you're watching Channel 11."

In time, the new look will also extend to PCNC and WPXI's Web site.

'King of Queens' waits again

Because of last night's seventh game in the baseball playoffs, CBS again delayed the season premiere of "The King of Queens," the series premiere of "Center of the Universe" and a new episode of "CSI: NY." They will air next week.

WB, CBS make changes

The WB will wisely swap promising drama "Jack & Bobby" with its drab soap "The Mountain." The move allows "Jack & Bobby" to get out of the way of ABC's new hit "Desperate Housewives."

"Jack & Bobby" moves to 9 p.m. Wednesday beginning next week, and "The Mountain" moves to Sunday at 9 p.m. beginning Oct. 31.

CBS's "Clubhouse" has one foot in the grave with the network's decision to move it to 8 p.m. Saturday beginning Nov. 6. Saturday is a way station to cancellation on CBS.

The sixth edition of "The Amazing Race" will take up residence at 9 p.m. Tuesday beginning Nov. 16 with a two-hour premiere.

'The 4400' renewed

USA Network's summer hit "The 4400" will return in June with 13 new episodes.

TV Q&A

This week's online-only TV Q&A answers questions about weather forecasts on KDKA-TV, "CSI" theme songs and "The X-Files."