Yes, it is. It is a major story when the Vice President of the United States is involved in an accidental shooting. News cycles nowadays run on minutes, not hours.
The only reason for any delay in issuing a press release would be to wait until Whittington's family is notified and he makes it to the hospital, and to notify the local police that the newshogs might be descending in force so they can start to get ready. That takes what, four to six hours? At the very latest, release it first thing the next morning.
In another article, it is claimed that Cheney wanted the ranch owner to go public with the story. That is nuts. Cheney is part of the White House. They have top PR professionals, or at least should. They should be the ones on top of the news cycle here.
Yeah - we already know your answer to my first question - how about answering my second question now?