As of June 29, 2026, Norah O’Donnell has transitioned from her prominent role as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News. After more than five and a half years at the helm, O’Donnell concluded her tenure in January 2025, moving into a senior correspondent position within CBS News. This shift marked a distinguished and impactful journalistic career driven by a broader strategic shake-up at the network.
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Departure from CBS Evening News (2019-2025)
Norah O’Donnell officially signed off from the CBS Evening News on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Her exit, announced in July 2024, fulfilled her commitment to remain with the program until after the presidential election. During her five-year run, O’Donnell was lauded for consistently delivering daily news and original reporting, consistently aiming to provide depth beyond headlines. Her tenure included notable achievements, such as a historic interview with Pope Francis and pivotal live coverage of presidential elections. She called the gig “the honor of a lifetime” as the network prepared for an overhauled evening broadcast format.
Transition to a Senior Correspondent and 60 Minutes Contributor
While Norah O’Donnell is no longer a daily anchor, she remains a vital part of CBS News, embracing a new, focused reporting capacity. Effective from 2025, she serves as a senior correspondent for the network and a contributing correspondent for the esteemed investigative program, 60 Minutes. This strategic move allows her to delve deeper into long-form investigative journalism and special reports across various CBS News platforms, without the constraints of a nightly broadcast. Her work now encompasses broader assignments, enabling her to explore major stories and develop in-depth segments, utilizing her extensive experience and journalistic acumen in a different, yet highly impactful, manner.
The Future of CBS Evening News and Recent Projects
Following O’Donnell’s departure, CBS has been preparing a significant relaunch of its evening news program. The network aims to present an overhauled version of the CBS Evening News, likely featuring a new anchor and format designed to meet contemporary audience demands and reporting styles. This ongoing evolution reflects the dynamic nature of broadcast journalism and CBS’s commitment to adapting its flagship programs. In addition to her new reporting duties, O’Donnell made a short return to CBS Mornings on February 25, 2025, co-hosting to promote her new book, “We…” (title partially known), highlighting her continued public presence and diverse contributions to media.
Norah O’Donnell’s distinguished journey at CBS News continues; From her impactful five-year run as anchor of the CBS Evening News, she has gracefully transitioned into a pivotal senior correspondent role, contributing significantly to flagship programs like 60 Minutes. Her shift marks a thoughtful evolution for both O’Donnell and CBS, allowing her to pursue profound in-depth reporting while the network strategically redefines its evening news broadcast. She remains a prominent and respected figure in American journalism, committed to rigorous and impactful storytelling across CBS platforms.
