Poynter is reporting that "60 Minutes," the long-running CBS News program, has announced several new hires, including New York Times conservative opinion columnist Ross Douthat as a full-time correspondent. The news comes after a summer of significant turmoil for the show, which saw firings and departures, reducing its full-time correspondent roster from seven to three. CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss reportedly fired executive producer Tanya Simon, who was replaced by Nick Bilton. Veteran correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi were also fired, and Scott Pelley departed after a contentious meeting with Bilton. Norah O’Donnell, a former "60 Minutes" contributor, has also been named an official correspondent, an expected move.
Bilton, who has limited TV news experience, praised Douthat in a memo to staff, calling him a "preeminent public intellectual" and a "journalist of deep empathy." Critics, however, are expected to scrutinize Douthat's conservative perspective and his transition from newspaper opinion columnist to TV reporter. Douthat previously hosted a New York Times podcast, "Interesting Times," where he interviewed figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. His hiring is being examined by those who fear Weiss will push CBS News and "60 Minutes" to the right, given their past collaboration at The New York Times.
"60 Minutes" also added three contributors: author and documentarian Sebastian Junger, former Vice News correspondent Gianna Toboni, and British journalist Trevor Phillips. The New York Times reported that the stakes are high for "60 Minutes" to prove its journalistic integrity, noting claims from fired correspondents that CBS News executives attempted to inject political bias into segments, which CBS News denies.
Poynter is also reporting on CNN's Kaitlan Collins, highlighting her composure when facing hostility from President Donald Trump. Trump has frequently insulted Collins, calling her "fake news" and comparing her to a trans influencer. Collins, appearing on "The Daily Show," stated she was "not surprised" by Trump's attacks, which she said happen regularly. She emphasized that her focus remains on asking direct questions for a broad audience, not on her reaction to insults.
Collins' professionalism has earned her respect from fellow journalists. She is close friends with CNN colleague Wolf Blitzer, who presented her with a White House Correspondents' Association award for reporting under deadline pressure for her coverage of a 2025 Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Blitzer publicly praised Collins' reporting and even jabbed at Trump, saying Collins has a "truly beautiful smile."
In other media news, LateNighter reported on Byron Allen's late-night ratings, The Wall Street Journal covered Paramount's stalled Warner deal, and The New York Times detailed how AI books are entering stores. The New York Post, Mediaite, and Awful Announcing all covered the controversy surrounding the reporting of a car crash involving San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. The Athletic reported that former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly will be Netflix's new No. 1 game analyst for its upcoming five-game season. The Atlantic featured an article on "The Unmaking of Anthony Fauci."
Pew Research Center data, from the Pew-Knight Initiative, examines how Americans engage in public life, including news consumption, politics, religion, and civic activities.