Boston Mayor Tom Menino is making his first foray into the brave new world of podcasting. A podcast of the mayor announcing a gun buyback program is now available on the City of Boston's official Web site.

The segment begins with an anti-violence song performed by a local hip-hop group. Menino tells The Boston Globe that podcasts are a way to reach young people.

The mayor admits he's not the most technologically-savvy person around. He doesn't yet own an MP3 player but plans to get one so he can monitor future podcasting efforts by the city.

City officials say future podcasts could include announcements on public housing and summer jobs program, and may eventually be translated into other languages such as Spanish and Chinese.

CNN has announced the launch of six online video podcasts, regularly updated newscasts and programming produced specifically for digital video players.

The video podcasts, in addition to CNN's audio podcasting products, are available for free at www.CNN.com/podcasting and at iTunes.

CNN.com senior VP, GM David Payne says, "For the most part, the podcasting audience skews much younger than CNN's television viewers and, perhaps surprisingly, somewhat younger than even users of CNN.com.

They were raised during the age of the Internet, not that of the 6 o'clock news. They don't necessarily want to see polished newscasts, but they want to see the action and make judgments for themselves. So we have produced original podcasts in a format that appeals to their fast-paced lifestyles and varied interests."

The cream of digital media gathered at New York's Cipriani restaurant last week for the Webbys, otherwise known as the online Oscars, to see winners including Google Earth, MySpace.com and ... National Public Radio.

NPR's already a powerhouse podcaster and it plans to add broadband video in the second half of 2007.

Yes, 36-year-old NPR scooped up five awards, more than any other broadcaster, reward for sweeping changes that have transformed it from a cash-strapped public broadcaster to a bona fide digital-media force to be reckoned with. Next up? Video.

Despite its history as a publicly funded, largely commercial-free radio network, it's also one of the few traditional-media companies to figure out how to convert podcasts into ad dollars.

Podcast.com launched the first comprehensive collection of podcasts about the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now worldwide fans of both podcasts and soccer can enjoy reports from and about the world's largest sporting event with the unique perspectives of podcasters from around the world.

This Podcast.com showcase features audio and video podcasts created by and for fans of the World Cup experience, highlighting matches, celebrations, and everything in-between. The site is available at http://worldcup.podcast.com as a free service to football fans around the globe.