The Ticker: Mitchell/Mahtani, Carlson…

> NBC’s Matt Lauer is interviewing Debra Lafave; it airs Sept. 13 on Today and Dateline…

> “CBS Newsies Russ Mitchell and Karina Mahtani have a secret: They’re engaged,” Page Six says. Mahtani is “an associate producer of the network’s Showbuzz celebrity segments…”

> Is this tip accurate?: “‘ABC World News with Charles Gibson‘ senior producer Deanna Lee resigns.” Update: 12:05pm: Lee is leaving on good terms; she’s becoming the vice president of communications for the Asia Society, ABC says…

> Tucker Carlson is dancing with the stars and the media. Today it’s Lloyd Grove‘s turn to mention the MSNBC host’s new gig…

> Former CNN Headline News anchor Jay Young passed away this week…

> Salon.com calls Anderson Cooper a “putative Brando of news…he needed his ‘Streetcar Named Deisre,’ and New Orleans in the wake of Katrina provided it…”