Norah O’Donnell, one of the most recognizable faces in American television journalism, is preparing to close a significant chapter in her career. After more than five years as anchor of the CBS Evening News, the network has confirmed that her final broadcast will take place on January 23, 2025. Originally scheduled for January 24, her departure date was moved up by one day to ensure that her last show would be broadcast nationally rather than restricted to the West Coast, which will be the case on the 24th due to CBS Sports’ coverage of the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open. The shift ensures that O’Donnell’s farewell reaches audiences across the country, marking the end of her tenure on the evening news desk with the prominence it deserves.

O’Donnell’s exit has been expected since she announced in July 2024 that she would step away after the election season. Her decision was partly driven by her desire to transition into a new role as senior correspondent, focusing on high-profile interviews and in-depth storytelling. This career move aligns with her long-standing reputation for conducting hard-hitting interviews with presidents, world leaders, and cultural figures. Her last broadcast comes just days after Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025, placing her exit at the conclusion of one of the most politically charged seasons in recent memory.

The conclusion of O’Donnell’s run also marks the end of a unique era for CBS Evening News, which relocated its base to Washington, D.C. during her tenure. Beginning January 27, the broadcast will return to its long-standing home in New York, with John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois stepping in as the new anchors. CBS has signaled that this leadership change is part of a broader overhaul of the nightly newscast and the news division as a whole. The new format will emphasize correspondent-driven storytelling and integrate content from 60 Minutes, CBS’s flagship investigative program. This ensemble approach aims to differentiate the broadcast from rivals by highlighting deeper reporting rather than a strict rundown of headlines.

The leadership structure at CBS News has also been evolving in tandem with these changes. Executive producer Adam Verdugo, who helped guide the show during O’Donnell’s time as anchor, stepped down in September 2024. Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, has since taken on added duties as supervising producer of CBS Evening News. Meanwhile, Wendy McMahon, CEO of CBS News and Stations, has outlined plans for correspondents such as Margaret Brennan to play prominent roles, particularly in coverage from Washington, while Lonnie Quinn provides regular weather updates. These changes reflect the network’s desire to strengthen its storytelling capacity and draw from the brand equity of 60 Minutes.

Additional restructuring at the executive level has seen Adrienne Roark and Jennifer Mitchell take on expanded responsibilities. Roark has assumed the role of president of editorial and newsgathering for CBS News and Stations, succeeding Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews, who stepped down from her position as president of CBS News. Roark will now oversee field teams, newsroom operations, and CBS News Radio, solidifying a leadership team tasked with steering CBS through one of the most competitive periods in the modern media landscape.

Norah O’Donnell’s career trajectory has been impressive by any measure. She joined CBS in 2011 and quickly rose through the ranks. Before assuming the anchor role in July 2019, she co-anchored CBS This Morning and served as the network’s chief White House correspondent. As anchor of CBS Evening News, she covered numerous landmark events, from global crises and natural disasters to presidential elections and historic Supreme Court decisions. Her tenure also coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging periods for any news organization.

When O’Donnell announced her departure, she described the move as both professional and personal. “It’s time to do something different,” she wrote in a memo to staff. Reflecting on her career, she noted that the 2024 presidential election was the seventh she had covered as a journalist, and she framed her career in terms of these milestone events. While stepping down as anchor, she emphasized her commitment to CBS News, promising to continue producing in-depth reports and contributing to all broadcasts, including 60 Minutes.

The decision to replace O’Donnell with John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois highlights CBS’s strategy to blend credibility with relatability. Dickerson, known for his analytical approach and political expertise, brings gravitas and a long history of political reporting. DuBois, a respected New York news anchor with years of local and national experience, adds warmth and familiarity for audiences. Together, they represent a new vision for CBS Evening News as it attempts to balance hard news with human-centered stories in a crowded media marketplace.

As her final broadcast approaches, O’Donnell’s departure represents both an end and a new beginning. For viewers, it will mark the closing of a period defined by her authoritative presence and steady leadership during turbulent times. For CBS, it represents an opportunity to reimagine its nightly news program amid changing audience habits and industry pressures. For O’Donnell herself, it opens the door to pursue her strengths in long-form interviews and special coverage, maintaining her visibility while stepping away from the daily demands of anchoring.

Her legacy at CBS Evening News will likely be remembered for her focus on accountability journalism, her ability to secure interviews with high-profile figures, and her determination to maintain the seriousness and integrity of the broadcast. Though her tenure was not without challenges—including ratings struggles and industry upheaval—she leaves the chair with her reputation intact and her influence still deeply felt within the network.

As CBS prepares to turn the page, the spotlight will remain on O’Donnell for her final broadcast on January 23, a night that will be both a farewell and a reminder of the enduring impact she has had on American journalism.