Norah O’Donnell bid an emotional farewell as anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News on Thursday, January 23, marking the end of her tenure that began in 2019. Reflecting on her time leading the broadcast, O’Donnell described the role as “the honor of a lifetime” and expressed deep gratitude to viewers and colleagues.

In a heartfelt sendoff, Oprah Winfrey highlighted O’Donnell’s achievements over nearly 1,300 broadcasts, emphasizing her dedication to presenting stories with “grace and compassion.” Winfrey noted the lasting impact of O’Donnell’s work in informing the nation and connecting with audiences through her empathetic approach to journalism.

During her final sign-off, O’Donnell thanked the CBS team for their tireless efforts and praised the legacy of CBS Evening News, the longest-running evening newscast in America. She reassured viewers that the network’s commitment to quality journalism would continue, emphasizing the vital role of trusted news in today’s world.

As her colleagues applauded her final broadcast, O’Donnell expressed her love and gratitude, saying, “I will miss you too… I owe it all to everyone I work with. Seriously. Love you. Good night.”

O’Donnell’s departure doesn’t mark the end of her career at CBS; she will transition into an expanded role focusing on long-form reporting and interviews for CBS’s primetime specials, Sunday Morning, and 60 Minutes.

Beginning January 27, John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois will take over as co-anchors of CBS Evening News, with the studio moving back to New York from Washington, D.C. DuBois, a longtime CBS New York anchor, acknowledged the viewers’ essential role, promising, “We’ll keep going at a different time.”