CBS News begins new major round of layoffs: ‘This is really hard and really tough’ CBS News announced it is laying off dozens of employees and ending its nearly 100-year-old radio service, CBS News Radio, as part of a strategic restructuring. The decision was communicated in a memo to staff from editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and president Tom Cibrowski, who informed employees by the end of the day whether their positions were affected. The cuts are expected to impact approximately 6% of the roughly 1,100-person staff, though earlier estimates had suggested a higher percentage. The radio service will cease operations on May 22, 2026, with the CBS News Radio team and about 700 affiliated stations notified of the closure. Weiss and Cibrowski acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, emphasizing that the layoffs were not a reflection of employees’ performance but a response to evolving media trends and economic challenges. They described the changes as necessary to adapt to a shifting industry, noting that new audiences are emerging in different regions and that the network must invest in growth to remain competitive. “New audiences are burgeoning in new places, and we are pressing forward with ambitious plans to grow and invest so that we can be there for them,” they wrote. “That means some parts of our newsroom must get smaller to make room for the things we must build to remain competitive.” The announcement followed an earlier round of layoffs in late October, which had been described as a “blood bath” by some staff. Weiss was more directly involved in planning the latest cuts, which come amid ongoing restructuring efforts. The network has also faced departures of key staff, including justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane, who left earlier this month.#paramount #cbs_news #tom_cibrowski #bary_weiss #warner_bros_discovery
CBS News shutters its storied radio news service after nearly a century, ending an era CBS News announced on Friday that it is shutting down its radio news service after nearly 100 years of operation, marking the end of a long-standing tradition. The decision comes amid a series of layoffs and reflects broader challenges facing the industry, including shifting radio programming strategies and economic pressures. The network confirmed the closure of the service, which will cease operations on May 22. The radio news service, launched in September 1927, played a pivotal role in the early development of CBS. It served as a platform for William S. Paley, who later became the network’s founder, and featured iconic broadcasts such as Edward R. Murrow’s war coverage from London during World War II. Today, the service provided news content to approximately 700 radio stations nationwide, known for its top-of-the-hour news roundups. CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and president Tom Cibrowski acknowledged the decision in a memo to staff, stating it was “a necessary decision” but one they found difficult. The closure underscores the declining influence of radio as a primary news source, a role it once held alongside newspapers from the 1920s through the 1940s. Radio’s prominence waned with the rise of television in the 1950s and has since diminished further in the digital age, where online platforms and podcasts dominate audio consumption. The network’s website did not prominently feature the news of the shutdown on its front page. Weiss, who has become a central figure at CBS News, has emphasized the need for the network to adapt its strategies. She has called for stories that “surprise and provoke,” including internal critiques of the newsroom.#cbs_news #tom_cibrowski #bari_weiss #william_s_paley #edward_r_murrow
CBS News is shutting down its radio division and cutting approximately 6% of its workforce, with executives citing the need to reallocate resources amid shifting industry trends and economic pressures. The layoffs, which affect dozens of employees, mark the second round of reductions since David Ellison took control of Paramount last summer. The decision signals the end of a 99-year-old service that once delivered live news updates to millions of listeners. The radio unit, which will cease operations on May 22, will leave its 700 affiliated stations with two months to find a replacement. In a memo to staff, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and president Tom Cibrowski acknowledged the closure as a difficult but necessary step. They noted that changes in radio programming strategies and financial challenges have made sustaining the service unsustainable. “CBS News Radio served as the foundation for everything we have built since 1927,” they wrote, adding that the decision reflects broader shifts in the news industry. The layoffs come amid a period of significant transformation for CBS News. Paramount is awaiting regulatory approval for its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, including CNN, which could lead to a future merger between CNN and CBS News. However, sources confirmed that the potential integration of CNN did not influence the current cuts. Regulatory approval for the deal is expected to take at least six months, and the companies must remain separate until then. Weiss and Cibrowski framed the cuts as part of a larger effort to adapt to a rapidly evolving media landscape. They emphasized the need to invest in new platforms and audiences while streamlining operations.#paramount #cbs_news #david_ellison #tom_cibrowski #bari_weiss
Trump says Iran 'war is very complete,' talks to Putin President Donald Trump told a CBS News reporter on Monday that the war against Iran could be nearing its end, describing the conflict as "very complete, pretty much." According to CBS senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, Trump claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been severely diminished, with the country lacking a functional navy, air force, and effective communication systems. He added that Iran’s drones were being destroyed in large numbers and that its manufacturing capacity for such weapons had been crippled. "If you look, they have nothing left. There's nothing left in a military sense," Trump stated. The president also claimed the U.S. was "very far" ahead of his initial estimate that the war could last four to five weeks. Trump further asserted that he had someone other than Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in place to lead the country. When asked about his stance toward Khamenei, Trump said, "I have no message for him. None, whatsoever." Separately, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call, according to the Kremlin. Russian foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told Reuters that Putin proposed ways to quickly end the war. The Kremlin did not specify the details of the proposals but emphasized that the conversation focused on de-escalation efforts. Trump’s comments came amid rising U.S. stock market indices, which surged following reports of his remarks. Analysts noted that the market reaction reflected optimism about a potential resolution to the conflict. However, the situation remains volatile, with global energy markets fluctuating as tensions in the Middle East continue to impact oil prices. The war has also drawn significant attention from international leaders and analysts.#iran #donald_trump #vladimir_putin #khamenei #cbs_news
U.S. Immigration Crackdown The Department of Homeland Security has launched an internal probe into allegations that Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol commander, made derogatory remarks about the Jewish faith of the top federal prosecutor in Minnesota during an immigration operation. The investigation follows reports that Mr. Bovino, a central figure in the government’s recent crackdown in the state, expressed frustration over the difficulty of contacting U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen during a phone call in January. According to multiple individuals with knowledge of the call, Mr. Bovino criticized Mr. Rosen, an Orthodox Jew, for being unreachable over the weekend due to his observance of Shabbat. Shabbat, a 25-hour period of rest beginning at Friday sunset, typically involves abstaining from electronic devices and other activities. During the call, Mr. Bovino used the term “chosen people” to describe Mr. Rosen, sarcastically questioning whether Orthodox Jewish individuals refrained from breaking the law during the weekend. The New York Times first reported the details of the call in late January, citing anonymous sources who described the conversation. CBS News later corroborated key aspects of the account. The Times declined to comment on its reporting when contacted by Mr. Breckenridge, a representative involved in the investigation, who sought assistance in reaching the anonymous sources. Mr. Breckenridge did not confirm whether the investigation extended to other alleged misconduct by Mr. Bovino. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the conduct of Border Patrol officials and the potential for religious discrimination within federal law enforcement.#new_york_times #cbs_news #department_of_homeland_security #gregory_bovino #daniel_n_rosen
U.S. Immigration Crackdown The Department of Homeland Security has launched an internal investigation into remarks made by Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol commander, during an immigration operation in Minnesota. The inquiry follows reports that Mr. Bovino, a key figure in the government’s recent crackdown on immigration, made disparaging comments about the Jewish faith of Daniel N. Rosen, the U.S. attorney in Minnesota. According to multiple individuals with knowledge of the incident, Mr. Bovino expressed frustration during a phone call in January over the difficulty of contacting Mr. Rosen, who is an Orthodox Jew. The call occurred during a weekend when Mr. Rosen was observing Shabbat, a 25-hour period of rest that begins at sunset on Friday and typically involves refraining from using electronic devices. Mr. Bovino used the term “chosen people” to describe Mr. Rosen, sarcastically questioning whether Orthodox Jewish individuals avoided breaking the law during the weekend. The New York Times first reported the details of the call in late January, based on anonymous accounts of the conversation. CBS News later confirmed key aspects of the exchange. During the investigation, Mr. Breckenridge, a representative of the Department of Homeland Security, contacted The Times to seek assistance in contacting the individuals who provided information about the call. The Times declined to share details of its reporting, adhering to its standard policy on such requests. Mr. Breckenridge did not confirm whether the investigation extended to other alleged misconduct by Mr. Bovino.#new_york_times #cbs_news #department_of_homeland_security #gregory_bovino #daniel_n_rosen
