PBS NewsHour announced Thursday that anchor Judy Woodruff will be the weeknight newscast’s solo host.
NewsHour had been searching for a co-anchor for Woodruff, also the newscast’s managing editor, since Gwen Ifill’s death in November 2016. The program tapped other public media programs for guest co-anchors, including Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep.
“Judy Woodruff rose to the occasion as our sole anchor” after Ifill’s death, said Sara Just, PBS NewsHour EP and an SVP at WETA, where the program is produced. “We couldn’t be more proud to have Judy at the helm.”
Woodruff and Ifill were named NewsHour’s co-anchors in 2013, the first time in history two women helmed a national nightly news broadcast. Woodruff began anchoring on a rotating basis in 2011.
Nawaz
She reported on Washington for the The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour from 1983–93 and anchored Frontline with Judy Woodruff on PBS from 1984–90. Woodruff also spent 12 years as an anchor and correspondent at CNN and worked at NBC News. She rejoined the NewsHour in 2007 as a senior correspondent.
“I am thrilled every day with the opportunity to work with the NewsHour team, dedicated to serious, fair and in-depth journalism,” Woodruff said in the announcement. “Also every day, I miss Gwen Ifill and I hope I carry on in a way that honors her legacy.”
Two new hires are also part of what the NewsHour is calling “a months-long re-imagination” of the anchor desk.
Schifrin
Starting April 2, Amna Nawaz, a former correspondent at ABC News and NBC News, will report, substitute as anchor and launch a podcast and digital video version of the show’s 5 Stories You Missed series.
And Nick Schifrin will begin later this spring as foreign affairs and defense correspondent. Previously he created weeklong series for NewsHour from Russia, Eastern Europe, Kenya, Nigeria and other countries.
Very interesting idea. And even @WmBrangham will be your news partner. Way to go, Judy!!! #PBSNEWS
Inskeep? Sorry but as a fan of the Newshour, I’m really happy that didn’t work out.
Congratulations Judy. You and Gwen did a great job together and you have continued to do a wonderful job. Gwen must be extraordinarily proud of you and of your making it your show. PBS is lucky to have you.
Ro Bloom
What happened to Hari Sreenivasan? Edged out?
Hi Lolita: Hari hosts Weekend NewsHour.
I was wondering the same thing Lolita. I’d love to see him at the anchor desk more often.
Why is Newshour hosted by and for viewers of ALF’S? We need some fresh faces, especially faces of color. We need reporters that are professional that can report the story without using their hands constantly ( they all Italians, extremely distracting) and are not made up to resemble “Clarabell” (LisaD). Is it the budget? Please have a survey done by the viewers and publish # of viewers. You need to change with the times.
ICan anyone address how Dallas Cop entered victims’ apartment. Was door open, did she have a key How did she get in?????????
I liked Hari
As a women of a certain age , I looked forward for many years to view the nightly news by not just a pretty young face ( male or female) but by a like minded women who is a brilliant broadcaster, recipient of numerous awards in the person of Judy Woodruff who, it seems has again been passed over for agism. Although the credits are still touting her on line , she is mentioned infrequently & featured less frequently as host on the PBS hour. I am disappointed as so many women ( Rockefeller , Sims) etc. have such influence on the network.
She’s it, the solo anchor, excrpting when she away!
what are you talking about? she’s the anchor!