Yamiche Alcindor, an award-winning White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour, was hired as a Washington correspondent for NBC News.
Alcindor starts the job in March, according to a Tuesday staff memo from NBC News Washington bureau chief Ken Strickland. Variety was first to report Alcindor’s new role.
In the memo, Strickland said Alcindor will cover “the Biden administration, the impact of federal policies on communities across the country, and issues at the intersection of race, culture and politics.”
Alcindor has appeared on MSNBC since 2013. She has been a political contributor to NBC News and MSNBC since 2016, appearing on programs including Meet the Press and Morning Joe.
“This feels like coming home to family,” Alcindor said on Twitter.
Alcindor, who joined NewsHour in 2018, will give up her role with the public television program. She will remain moderator for the Friday-night political roundtable Washington Week, a role she took on this year.
In a staff memo, NewsHour EP Sara Just said Alcindor’s last day with the program is in mid-January.
Before NewsHour, Alcindor worked for The New York Times, USA Today and Newsday. Her reporting has focused on civil rights and inequality, including topics such as policing and immigration policy.
She won the White House Correspondents’ Association’s Aldo Beckman Award and the National Association of Black Journalists Journalist of the Year honors last year. She has also won the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Gwen Ifill Award, named after one of Alcindor’s mentors.
Alcindor’s departure follows news of change at NewsHour Productions, a subsidiary of WETA in Washington, D.C. The organization took over management of Washington Week and is also preparing to solely operate NewsHour Weekend with Geoff Bennett as host. Bennett, who most recently worked as a White House correspondent for NBC News and a fill-in anchor for MSNBC, will remain a contributor to both outlets.
This story has been updated with the date of Alcindor’s departure from NewsHour.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly said Alcindor joined NewsHour in late 2018. She started in January 2018.
“This feels like coming home to family,”
Birds of a feather…
Yamiche Alcindor is fantastic and the epitome of professionalism, brains and poise. Been watching and admiring her for years
For sure. So genuine.
Yes she is an incredible journalist. Congratulations!
We wish her well, but we are sad to lose her.
I have grown so fond of Yamiche and her reporting. She is smart and personable. I am happy she has the job with Washington Week, which I watch regularly. Congratulations!!!
She was great, a wonderful professional reporting the capital. I will miss her reporting but when you have the opportunity to move on take it. I wish her the very best with her new assignment.
Congratulations to Yamiche! I will miss seeing her on PBS NewsHour.
My husband and I also enjoy Yamiche’s professional reporting and her knowledge of what she is reporting. Good luck on your promotion, we will still be watching!
I am not a fan of Yamiche. She speaks too fast, is not elegant or articulate in her speech and sometimes smiles inappropriately when reporting serious news. On Washington Week she takes too much of the spotlight when we should be hearing from the guest reporters. She is basically in over her head
I really find this comment offensive. Yamiche is one of the true journalists we have in the United States who is more than qualified to provide news and insights to the public in these more than troubling times in a fight to keep our democracy.
Barbara Ruether
New York City
I agree with you, Barbara, that the first comment is offensive. Yamiche is highly qualified, ethical, and equally passionate in her pursuit of journalism, truth, and justice.
I totally agree. Yamiche is a total professional and one whom I have relied upon to report the truth.
While the statement made may accurate or inaccurate it is not offensive.
I agree with you and the other people here who appreciate Yamiche for her intelligence and excellent reporting.
I agree with Barbara R. The comments by Lynn Kinlan were inappropriate. Yamiche is a wonderful journalist. I am excited to continue watching her on Washington Week.
There’s ALWAYS a HATER.
Yes, she does speak too fast at times.. Her mind moves fast and her knowledge and insight give her a lot to say. I think she will slow down over time and, with her talent, she should be given all the time in the world. Congratulations, Yamiche! Glad I will still see you on Washington Week!
I have a different point of view.
So sad you can’t recognize her excellent broadcasting.
Perhaps you might reconsider and see
If your views might be racist. Just a thought.
Thank you for considering my suggestion.
Wow. Because someone politely shared an opinion about Yamiche’s quick rate of speech, they might be racist? How have we gotten here? I have a lot of respect for her and her thorough journalism but she does does speak too quickly and is often a bit inarticulate in how she fumbles through her statements, when compared to the other members of the PBS Newshour staff. Amna Nawaz and Jonathan Capeheart for example, are two people of color on that show who are far more articulate in their communication. Love Yamiche and wish her well on her new role, but it’s not racist to say that she should work on her rate of speech to continue improving herself, as all true professionals strive to do.
I agree. She is an excellent journalist and very smart and knowledgeable. But I did have to frequently rewind a bit to make sure I absorbed all the info she was reporting.
Not much different from many others in the business but thank you for pointing out her flaws. Do you point out all journalist’s flaws?
Lynn, I am no less than grateful for the dedication and extreme talent of Yamiche Alcindor as she brings to light the stories that inform us over these challenging years. As an older woman with a communications background, I’ve been curious about the younger generation of reporters who would take up the gauntlet, so to speak, in these troubled times. Yamiche is one of those whose talent is startling. Her delivery is-clear, and highly informative—it speaks to the dedication of a caring reporter who shares research, facts and perspective as few can do. She makes it personal in the best of ways.
As for your comments, I invite you to watch the wonderful Washington Week which Yamiche hosts. Look at the highly efficient job she does, and the genteel and knowledgeable way she encourages her guests to bring us the best reporting on any nestowrk program. Yamiche is a gift and I will be thankfully catching her reporting whenever I can.
Eileen in Portland
I couldn’t agree more
Lynn, perhaps given her knowledge, skills, awards and peer group support, you might try understanding the pressure of timing during most live shows. She is indeed articulate, focuses equally with her guests and steers her show in the right direction. We look forward to seeing her every Friday evening.
I agree, Lynn. There is no passion in her words, and she rambles and fumbles on and on. I do wish her all the best. I’m sure she’ll flourish. In the meantime, so thankful we still have Judy Woodruff on the News Hour. And I do miss watching Gwen Ifill, when she was Moderator for Washington Week. She had so much heart and thoughtful poise.
I agree with one thing – she does talk too fast. However, I find her professional, informative and I trust what she reports.
I am so sorry your are leaving I will never watch NBC.
Ya Moche—good luck in your new position. We have enjoyed watching you grow into the excellent journalist you have become.
Good Luck Yamiche in your new job.
Yiu are truly a wonderful professional. PBS is losting a excellent reporter.
The next Gwen
I really enjoyed Gwen Ifell. She was an outstanding reporter. I am really not too fond of Yamiche. She seems to constantly feel the need to inject her personal opinions into her reporting.
I like to reach my own conclusions, and thus have little use for either Fox or MSNBC. I have no doubt Yamiche will be right at home if she ends up spending more time on MSNBC. In the meantime I would really like to see an objective moderator take over Washington Week.
I was excited when she joined News Hour. Her White House reporting is top notch, but she was not the best pick for Washington Week. Amna Nawaz and Weijia Jiang were far better moderators. You don’t have to insert yourself into the story to be relatable. Robert Costa and Gwen Ifill never would have added dashes of personal commentary. I also wish she would slow down speaking and give her guests equal time. There have been episodes when she asked one journalist the bulk of questions while leaving others – most recently, Peter Baker – just sitting there. It’s become a source of frustration, watching.
I really like and respect Yamiche’s reporting. I only wish her well in her next endeavor.
Onward and upward, will watch you wherever and whenever you appear ?
I will miss your animated reporting on essential issues. Wish you well in your endeavours.
I am glad that she has slowed down her speech. When she starts off slower, she sometimes picks up speed. Too 😥 bad. Hard to keep up.
Congratulations on your next best endeavor. Will miss your insights and concise reporting on PBS. Glad you will continue Washington week. You consistently present accurate reporting as well as using the insights of the reporters who join you on Friday night.
Go get them Girl!!!
Yamiche, God bless you and congratulations on your new position at NBC news. Glad to see that you continuing to moderate Washington Week and provide your viewers with professional and accurate reporting of the week’s events in our Nation’s Capitol.
Congratulations to you Yamiche- I am very sorry to see you leave the Newshour but will continue to watch you on Washington Week. I appreciate the perspective you bring to the news and your professional but also your fighting spirit. You are a gem. Best of luck.
Her coverage for the News Hour has been passable. Her work as moderator of Washington Week is poor. She does not have the gravitas to act as moderator of this program. She is ill suited for this role and is is well over her head. NBC will suit her well.
She does speak fast on Washington Week, but I feel that is due to the limited timeframe for that show. I wish it could expand to 60 minutes as I feel with 3 guests, there’s not enough time to cover things adequately, it’s so rushed. That would allow Yamiche more opportunity to also give more time to guests to elaborate. I think that would be a tough job to host as news changes up to the minute
Yamiche has been one of the few Newshour members that reminds us of the Halcyon years of McNeil Lehrer, and subsequently of Gwen, Jeff, David, Mark – and more recently – of William Brangham.
Losing her diminishes the Newshour even further – she will be missed.
We love Yamiche and believe she is one of the very best TV and print journalists around. NBC’s (MSNBC ?) huge gain. Happy she will continue to moderate Washington Week In Review.
Curt & Vicki Groninga
California
Yamiche has been an excellent White House reporter for the NewsHour, notwithstanding that she does sometimes talk very quickly. I wish her well!
Phil
Melbourne, Australia
There’s ALWAYS a HATER.
PBS majorly blew it in not offering Yamiche as a possibility for Judy’s eventual retirement. She is stunning!!! Articulate, whip smart,and an excellent interviewer!! Oh Yamiche!! You will be sorely missed by this NEWSHOUR fan. Blessings!!
CONGRATULATIONS, Yamiche. I will miss seeing you on PBS Newshour, but I also watch the NBC Nightly News and hope to see you there. You are doing a great job on Washington Week. Best to you.
Patricia — Peoria, IL.
Losing her is an upgrade for Newshour. I wish her well, but no tears from the Newshour team.
She checks the multiple check boxes on the diversity and yoke checklist, but is not up to par with the rest of the gang of Judy, Amna, Nick, and so on. She seems like a white house spokesperson repeating the narratives rather than reporting with an unattached but objective view. Bennett is already showing what a drag she was.
Well said. On the question of pure journalistic performance, I agree.
She was sounding very good to people who were predisposed with confirmation bias. Kind of an echo chamber of the Psaki bombs. And there are places to get your 24×7 hits regardless of your ideology if all you want to hear is limited to what you already know and believe in.
My expectation of PBS is to have balanced reporting based on factual news but juxtaposed with relevant research. I expect and respect the reporters’ personal leanings, but reporting should not be cut & paste from the media briefs or re-iteration of the corporate talking points.
So long Yamiche. I think you will be a huge crowd favorite over at NBC or MSNBC.
Sue Ann
Elk Grove, CA
I, too, find Geoff Bennett’s style of delivery to be much more pleasurable to watch than Ms. Alcindor’s rat-a-tat-tat rapid-fire delivery, which I find so displeasing that it makes it difficult for me to concentrate on what she is trying to convey. She may be a fine journalist, but she should probably stick with print media until she can smooth out her on-air presence, which simply be a matter of practice over time.
And yes, I really miss Gwen Ifill too.
I like and respect Yamiche, and wish her well in her new position. I do find her reporting to lean heavily toward the left. I may be old-fashioned, but I believe that for the news media to maintain trust and credibility in these polarized times, objectivity and even-handed reporting are more important than ever. Otherwise reporters will be reporting into an echo chamber. To be sure, there is much reporting that fails this standard, both right and left, and Yamiche is far from being the worst offender.
What does it take for people in American politics to be satisfied with a high quality, professional , intelligent woman of color. It’s always something negative. Almiche is outstanding! I already miss her, but such quality in people always is usually rewarded with such a change in career. You cannot even come.close to comparison, especially with the.Fox Clown Entertainment Network. Already people are criticizing Pres. Biden ‘s picks for the Supreme Court. Miss Alcinder, you have this white man’s full support. Go get them. .
Look for the good in all permutations, and therein lies possibilities! Stop the complaining already and remember that journalists are not cookie cut outs- rather whole people of many dimensions…I have learned much from Ms. Alcindor. PBS offers us so much and am proud to be a member. Now Yamuche will open another audience and there is plants of room at the table for her excellence!
PBS has become excessively secretive . Where is Yamiche Alcindor?? Where is the EXTRA? Why won’t PBS tell us anything?
She’s fine in the “opinion “ sector but inserts herself way too much in interviews. PBS should be more neutral and professional like Gwen was .