National Geographic Channel has promoted Chris Albert, naming him vice president of communications and talent relations. In his new position Albert will continue to report to senior vice president of communications Russell Howard.

That was quick. Danyel Smith has stepped down as editor of TheRoot.com after just six weeks, citing issues with her commute from New York to Washington, D.C. Smith is the former editor of Vibe magazine.

Politics on MSNBC.com will now go through Carrie Dann. She has joined the web site as political editor, effective immediately. Dann was previously a reporter at CongressDaily.

Steven Mikulan is going Noir. He has joined TheWrap.com, where he will write a blog called L.A. Noir. Mikulan was most recently with LA Weekly.

Condé Nast Digital has made three promotions, naming Josh Stinchcomb publisher, Alice McKown executive director of marketing, and Jen Cole ad director for the bridal category. Stinchcomb had been executive director of the business group, while McKown was executive director of integrated services and Cole was publisher of Brides.com.

Sandra Baylis is getting away from the South and Midwest. Publishing Group of America has named her director of partner events and special services, a new position at the company. Baylis had been a regional director in charge of the South and Midwest.

National Geographic has promoted Victoria Pope to executive editor, up from her previous position as managing editor. Pope takes over for Tim Appenzeller, who has moved to Nature magazine.

Peter Johnson has been named vice chairman at Stacked Media, which publishes Stack magazine and Stack.com and runs Stack TV. Johnson has been on the company’s board of directors since 2008.

Actor Benjamin Bratt is returning to his old stomping grounds. Bratt will guest on an upcoming episode of NBC’s “Law & Order,” playing his old role as Det. Rey Curtis. Bratt most recently starred in A&E’s now-canceled “The Cleaner,” and he’s set to guest on ABC’s “Modern Family.”

Celia Chavez is moving to the Windy City. Telemundo has named Chavez president and general manager of WSNS, its Chicago affiliate. She previously held the same position at KBLR in Las Vegas and KDEN in Denver.

USA Today has added Alison Young to its staff, naming her a health reporter. Young had been an investigative reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

John Edward Woodfield Sr., a retired Associated Press bureau chief, was found dead at his home in Forest Hill, Md., last weekend. The medical examiner’s office ruled it a suicide. Woodfield, who was 80, recently had been charged with molesting two boys over a five-year period.

Mark Modesto has risen to the top. Modesto has been named president at Draftfcb North America, a new position. He was previously president of Draftfcb Chicago.