Scott Macfarlane: Last News

CBS News has made a series of new assignments for correspondents in its Washington, D.C. bureau, as is typical at the start of a new presidential administration.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Alison Pepper, a longtime talent executive at CBS News who has recently been in her second run at the Paramount Global unit, will leave following the 2024 presidential election, she revealed to staffers in a memo sent Thursday. “I have had the privilege of working each day with all of you, many of whom I consider to be like family, as you navigated some of the most impactful news stories of our time with integrity, ingenuity and grit… and I have loved every minute of it,” Pepper said.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Scott MacFarlane, the CBS News correspondent, wasn’t quite sure what was going on Saturday night. He was covering former President Donald Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania when he heard noises that reminded him of firecrackers. They were gunshots.

CBS is debuting a revamped daily streaming politics show American Decides, which will feature a team of the network anchors and correspondents.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Long-time followers of Natalie Morale no doubt remember her stints on NBC News’ “Today” and “Dateline.” Going forward, they will have to look for her instead on CBS News’ “CBS Mornings” and “48 Hours.” Morales will take up new duties as a correspondent for CBS News, all the while keeping her role as the moderator of CBS’ daytime roundtable, “The Talk.” She joined CBS in 2021 after a 22-year stint at NBC News. “Natalie is one of the best in the business and a welcome addition to CBS News,” said Neeraj Khemlani, co-president of CBS’ news and stations unit, in a prepared statement. “She has excelled at the highest levels — from network morning shows to longform storytelling — and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on our team. She will be doing stories for ’48 Hours’, ‘CBS Mornings,’ ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ and others. She knows how to get to the heart of a tough story with compassion and grace.”