CBS News anchor legend announces exit from network after 20 years amid Bari Weiss shakeups
Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Anderson Cooper announced his departure from the CBS News program on February 16 as the network undergoes a major leadership shakeup
By Julianna Salinas, Showbiz & TV Reporter, 18:00 ET, 16 Feb 2026, Updated 19:15 ET, 16 Feb 2026
Anderson Cooper has announced he will be leaving 60 Minutes after almost 20 years on the air.
On February 16, Anderson released a statement to Variety confirming he was leaving the popular CBS News program. The announcement began, “Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the highlights of my career. I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business.”
The 58-year-old broadcast journalist’s departure comes after newly appointed CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss continues to shake things up at the network, including making major personnel cuts.
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The father of two continued, “For nearly twenty years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they want to spend time with me.”
Since her appointment last year after Paramount Global and Skydance Media merged, 41-year-old Weiss has already cut staff at CBS Evening News and is believed to be considering a wave of layoffs that could reduce staff by 15%.
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Bari has also faced criticism over censorship claims after pulling a 60 Minutes segment about the horrifying conditions faced in El Salvadorian prisons by migrants deported from the United States titled ‘Inside CECOT.’
The move came after President Donald Trump sued the network for $16 million over the editing of a 60 Minutes segment with then-presidential candidate, former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Along with publishing Anderson’s statement, Variety also reported that multiple insiders say there’s been a push for the news magazine program to scale back on hard news coverage and investigative reporting and focus more on features and celebrity profiles to attract more online attention.
Editor’s Note: I see the changes (new slant to entertainment, not news) in CBS Sunday Morning already, and yes, 60 Minutes, and the other CBS News. They have always been my most reliable, honest, American democracy network. No longer. This is corporate Newspeak like 1984. I still will choose media that reflects the real America, of history, of freedom, of truth no made how hard, the truth. –DrWeb
Continue/Read Original Article Here: CBS News anchor legend announces exit from network after 20 years amid Bari Weiss shakeups – The Mirror US
See Also (below) – The Historic Media and Journalism Past of CBS News.. a Brief Overview… (Google Gemini)
CBS News has a long history of prominent journalists who shaped broadcast news, beginning with the pioneering radio reporting of World War II and evolving through decades of television anchors.
The Pioneers (World War II and Early TV)
The foundation of CBS News was built by Edward R. Murrow, who gained fame reporting from London during World War II. He recruited a team known as the “Murrow Boys,” which included influential figures such as Eric Sevareid, Charles Collingwood, Howard K. Smith, and William L. Shirer.
- Douglas Edwards: CBS’s first official television news star, he anchored the nightly news from 1948 until 1962.
- Robert Trout: A legendary correspondent often called the “Iron Man of Radio,” he coached Murrow and anchored early network broadcasts.
The “Voice of God” Era (1960s–2000s)
This period was dominated by anchors who became national authorities on major events.
- Walter Cronkite (1962–1981): Often called “the most trusted man in America,” he anchored the CBS Evening News through the JFK assassination, the moon landing, and the Vietnam War.
- Dan Rather (1981–2005): Succeeded Cronkite and anchored for 24 years, covering everything from the Watergate scandal as a correspondent to the 9/11 attacks as anchor.
- Connie Chung: A trailblazer who became the first woman and first Asian-American to co-anchor the CBS Evening News (1993–1995).
Modern Era Anchors (2005–Present)
Following Dan Rather’s departure, the flagship broadcast saw several notable transitions:
- Bob Schieffer (2005–2006): A veteran journalist and long-time host of Face the Nation, he served as interim anchor.
- Katie Couric (2006–2011): The first solo female anchor of a major network’s nightly news program.
- Scott Pelley (2011–2017): Known for his work on 60 Minutes, he returned the broadcast to a more traditional hard-news format.
- Norah O’Donnell (2019–2025): Anchored the program for six years before transitioning to a senior correspondent role.
- Tony Dokoupil (2026–Present): The current anchor of the CBS Evening News as of early 2026.
Notable Correspondents and Program Icons
Beyond the anchor desk, CBS is famous for long-form journalism, particularly on 60 Minutes and CBS Sunday Morning:
- Mike Wallace & Ed Bradley: Legendary tough interviewers for 60 Minutes.
- Charles Kuralt: Famous for his “On the Road” segments and as the original host of CBS Sunday Morning.
- Lesley Stahl: A veteran White House correspondent and a mainstay of 60 Minutes since 1991.
- Jane Pauley: The current host of CBS News Sunday Morning.
Source: “Research on CBS News History.” Google Gemini, 18 Feb. 2026, gemini.google.com.
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