Bari Weiss led a CBS News town hall event with Erika Kirk last week. She says to expect similar events more frequently in the future.
To begin the event with the Turning Point USA CEO, Weiss shared the reasoning for why the network was hosting the discussion in the first place.
“We live in a very divided country,” Weiss said. “A country where many people feel that they can’t speak across the political divide. Sometimes they feel they can’t even speak across their own kitchen table.”
Weiss, who was named Editor-in-Chief of CBS News following the acquisition of her digital outlet — The Free Press — by the network’s parent company Paramount Skydance, said that a new focus of the network is fostering discussions and debates about issues important to American TV viewers.
“One of the goals of the new CBS News is to change (the political discourse),” Weiss said. “This town hall is just the beginning. This is going to be the first of many conversations and debates on CBS News about the things that matter most, which are often the hardest to talk about.”
In the wake of the event with Erika Kirk, Variety’s Brian Steinberg noted that there was a lack of “blue-chip” advertisers involved in the broadcast of the town hall. The broadcast of the conversation between Bari Weiss and Kirk — which was pre-recorded — aired at 8 PM ET on Saturday.
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CNN has announced plans for its New Year’s Eve coverage, with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen returning for the festivities.
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will begin at 8 PM ET and last until 12:30 AM ET. The network has lined up plenty of celebrity and comedic guests, including Stephen Colbert, B.J. Novak, Oz Perlman, Sarah Sherman, and more.
Additionally, musical performances from Robyn, Shakira, Brand and Monica, Bryan Adams, Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, and Patti LaBelle are scheduled for the primetime event.
Throughout the day, more than two dozen CNN anchors and correspondents will feature live reports from cities around the world, like Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, London, and Paris, among others, beginning at 7 AM ET.
In advance of the New Year’s Eve special, CNN will feature a behind-the-scenes conversation with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen discussing their favorite moments of the past eight years together hosting the show, while previewing this year’s special. That discussion will be released on the network’s YouTube channel and will also be made available to CNN All Access subscribers.
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Less than a month after announcing a potential lawsuit, Jordon Hudson, the 24-year-old girlfriend of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, has yet to take formal legal action against sports journalist Pablo Torre. Hudson, a former college cheerleader, first made public her intention to sue Torre, who has extensively reported on her relationship with Belichick and her role at the University of North Carolina.
Torre’s reporting has included claims that Hudson had been “banned” from UNC’s football facilities. A claim the university later refuted, stating that she was indeed welcomed on campus. Hudson has repeatedly criticized Torre’s reporting, including wearing a necklace referencing the “banned” claim while on the sideline.
Despite Hudson’s public statements and social media posts, Torre toldAwful Announcing that no legal action has been formally initiated as of yet.
“I have been waiting for anything resembling a formal legal notice, and nothing has happened,” Torre said. “I have found out that the University of North Carolina is not only not involved in any of her threatened litigation, but they are also the subject of public records requests that Jordon Hudson has been filing. So I can’t speak to her deliberate legal strategy here, only to say that I am eager to find out.”
In May, Torre reported on Pablo Torre Finds Out that Hudson had been barred from the University of North Carolina football facility, where Belichick now works as head coach. He cited two sources inside the athletic department who claimed administrators decided Hudson was no longer allowed in the football building or on the practice field.
“Don’t think you’ll be hearing much from Jordon moving forward,” one source told him, according to the report.
The UNC segment was one of several Torre stories that drew widespread attention. Particularly as Belichick’s relationship with Hudson became more visible following his departure from the New England Patriots. Torre also reported on a hot mic exchange between Hudson and Belichick. In it, the two appeared to criticize staffers on COACH, the football strategy show featuring the former Patriots coach.
In the audio, Hudson questioned how the production team operated. “I don’t know how they have four full-time graphics people,” she said. Belichick responded, “They can’t do sh*t.” Hudson then added that she could replicate the graphics work quickly. “‘If somebody puts on a clock, I could create this in five minutes,’” she said. “‘Would you give me two grand to do that?’”
Torre, meanwhile, has stood by his reporting.
At this time, there is no indication that Hudson’s threatened lawsuit is progressing. Both parties remain publicly engaged with Torre continuing to report on Hudson and her connection to Belichick. While Hudson continues to contest the coverage.
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Michael Jordan’s presence on NBC Sports’ NBA coverage has been met with high approval from the network, according to NBC Sports President Rick Cordella. Speaking on The Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch, Cordella highlighted the positive impact of Jordan’s segments while leaving the door open for more appearances in the future.
“I think it’s been positive for Michael and his team. He’s able to have an outlet that’s out there,” Cordella said. “Certainly it’s been positive for us. [He’s been able] to sit down with Mike Tirico and talk about various topics that interest him. It’s been fantastic.”
Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history, has appeared in a series of segments on NBC Sports this season. The former Chicago Bulls star sat down for a longform interview with NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico. The network has presented the interview in segments over the past months of coverage. Topics range from basketball culture to personal insights, giving fans an uncommon glimpse into his perspective off the court.
While reaction from the network has been positive, sports media reaction has been mixed. Many have asked if the network will release more or even a different interview featuring Jordan.
“I don’t have anything to announce right now. All I’ll say is stay tuned,” hinted Cordella. “We hope to be in business with Michael for a long time.”
Cordella emphasized that Jordan’s involvement has been mutually beneficial, providing content that resonates with viewers while allowing the NBA legend to connect with audiences in a more personal way.
Looking ahead, Cordella suggested that Jordan could remain a fixture in NBC’s NBA coverage. This could include appearing during marquee playoff events. When asked specifically about Jordan being part of NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2026 Western Conference Finals, Cordella offered a broad endorsement.
“I think you can assume that we love to have Michael any way, shape or form, that he wishes to be part of our coverage,” he said.
Jordan joined NBC Sports this season as a “special contributor” as NBA games returned to the network. NBCUniversal signed an 11-year agreement with the NBA to return to broadcasting games beginning this season.
While Cordella did not provide specific details about potential upcoming appearances, his comments reflect NBC’s enthusiasm for maintaining a relationship with Jordan. The network aims to leverage his star power for high-profile events. NBC has consistently sought to elevate its NBA broadcasts, and Jordan’s segments have become a key element in that strategy.
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106.1 BLI has announced plans to welcome Santa Claus and The Grinch to its studios this weekend in advance of the Christmas holiday.
On Saturday, December 20th and Sunday, December 21st, Santa and The Grinch will be in the studio playing both Christmas music and their usual Top 40 music as Long Island listeners make their final preparations for the holiday.
“This is the very first time we’re handing the mic over to Santa and The Grinch,” said 106.1 BLI Director of Operations, Branding, and Programming Chris Lloyd. “We have no idea what to expect — but we know it’s going to be unforgettable!”
The shifts hosted by The Grinch and Santa Claus will be heard from 10 AM to 4 PM on those days. The duo will also be giving away passes to see the Magic of Lights event at Jones Beach State Park to keep “listeners fully immersed in the holiday spirit.”
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ESPN has appointed veteran journalist Roxanna Scott as its new Senior Vice President, Editor in Chief, the company announced. In the newly created role, Scott will oversee ESPN’s Digital Editorial, Investigative & Enterprise Journalism, and News Desk teams, shaping the network’s editorial strategy across platforms and guiding its coverage of breaking news, investigative reporting, and sports storytelling.
Scott, who will be based at ESPN’s Bristol headquarters and report to David Roberts, ESPN Executive Vice President and Executive Editor of Sports News and Entertainment, officially assumes the position January 5.
“Roxanna has had a distinguished career in journalism and has established herself as a strong and successful leader,” Roberts said in a statement. “Her experience and knowledge will make her a tremendous asset to our journalism, and we look forward to having her voice in our building.”
Scott brings more than two decades of experience in sports journalism. Most recently, she served as managing editor and executive editor at USA Today. There, she led the sports department from 2020 until July 2025. During her 18-year tenure at the national newspaper, she assigned reporters and collaborated across newsroom teams in news, politics, visuals, and entertainment. She also oversaw coverage of nine Olympic Games and 11 in total.
“It’s an honor to lead the newsroom at ESPN, the global leader in sports news,” Scott said. “I’ve long admired the talented and dogged reporters who break news, covering the biggest stories in all of sports. I look forward to serving ESPN’s massive audience with coverage that is exclusive, informative and innovative while continuing to raise the standard for excellent journalism.”
Before her time at USA Today, Scott worked at The Dallas Morning News as a sports copy editor, night editor, and deputy sports editor. She began there as an intern after graduating from the University of Iowa. At Iowa, she served as sports reporter and editor for The Daily Iowan. A Davenport, Iowa, native, she started in journalism at age 16 as a part-time sports reporter at the Quad City Times.
Scott has also held leadership roles in the broader journalism community. A former president of the Association for Women in Sports Media, she currently serves on the professional advisory board for the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. She also sits on the boards of the Associated Press Sports Editors Foundation and The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland.
Roxanna Scott (@roxscott) joins ESPN as Senior Vice President, Editor in Chief
This newly created position will lead ESPN's journalism & editorial strategy across platforms
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Premiere Networks has announced it will be adding Murphy, Sam & Jodi to its roster of nationally syndicated shows.
Beginning on Thursday, January 1st, the show will be made available by Premiere Networks. The show is already heard on nearly 90 stations around the nation on AC, Hot AC, and Classic Hits stations, among others.
The program is a fully customizable, five-hour weekday and Saturday program that can be used in multiple dayparts.
“We’re super excited and appreciative of Premiere Networks for embracing the show’s current success and future growth.” Jodi added, “I’m pinching myself!” and Sam responded by adding, “What she said!”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Murphy, Sam & Jodi to the Premiere Networks family,” said Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott. “They’ve built a powerful brand rooted in genuine chemistry and connection, making them a proven winner for affiliates and advertising partners alike. We look forward to expanding their show to even more stations and listeners across the country.”
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Erika Kirk sat down for an in-person meeting with Candace Owens to address comments she’s made in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination. Tomi Lahren says she wouldn’t have taken the meeting.
While appearing on Fox News on Monday, Lahren said that she could understand why Erika Kirk would want to meet with Owens, “because she wants to put it to rest,” but said she wouldn’t have given Candace Owens the time of day.
“If I were her, I wouldn’t do the meeting,” Lahren said bluntly. “I wouldn’t give this other person any content because that’s what this person is going to use it for — content … You need content, and you need to use other people for your content because you’re a vulture! So I wouldn’t give that person any content. I would ignore them, and I would not feed the beast. Now, I understand wanting to do it and wanting to put it to rest, but I think it’s never going to be for some people because they will just continue, continue, continue to feed off that carcass. And I would hope that at some point it ends and some people would find some decency.
“But I think they’re making way too much money,” Lahren continued of Owens. “And that’s the unfortunate part about social media. There used to be a time in media where if you said horrible, disgusting things, you didn’t have much of a platform anymore because nobody would touch you. But then social media happened and YouTube happened, and suddenly you can say awful, horrible things and you can still have an audience and you could make a lot of money.”
Tomi Lahren concluded by saying that it’s “really disgusting” that Owens could profit from her comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Lahren’s comments came in advance of both Erika Kirk and Candace Owens calling their meeting — which Owens revealed lasted for 4.5 hours — “extremely productive.”
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104.5 The Zone has secured a familiar and trusted voice for its morning lineup, announcing a multi-year contract extension with Ramon Foster, co-host of the station’s flagship morning show, Ramon & Will. The deal ensures Foster will continue anchoring weekday mornings from 6–10 a.m. alongside Will Boling, both on-air and across the Zone Podcast Network.
Foster, a Vol For Life and former NFL standout, has been a staple of Nashville’s sports radio for five years. His blend of professional football insight, humor, and relatability has helped make Ramon & Will one of Middle Tennessee’s most consistent and recognizable morning programs.
“This long-term renewal reinforces our commitment to being the region’s premier sports authority,” the station said in announcing the deal, emphasizing its focus on authentic conversations that connect fans, athletes, and partners throughout Tennessee.
Since joining 104.5 The Zone, Foster has played a key role in shaping the station’s morning identity. His perspective as a former University of Tennessee star and 11-year NFL veteran brings credibility to daily sports conversations. His approachable style resonates with listeners beyond box scores and headlines. As part of the renewed agreement, the station plans to expand game-day coverage. It will also feature more special guests and continue developing community-focused programming.
Allison Warren, Vice President and Market Manager for Cumulus Nashville, praised Foster’s impact both on and off the air. “Ramon brings unmatched authenticity, knowledge, and passion — not just on air, but in our communities and in the hearts of fans and clients alike,” Warren said. “His presence strengthens 104.5 The Zone | Zone TV as the heartbeat of Middle Tennessee sports. We’re thrilled to continue this journey together.”
Programming Operations Manager Paul Mason echoed those sentiments, highlighting Foster’s connection to the audience. “Ramon is the perfect embodiment of what The Zone stands for — local sports passion, credibility, and connection,” Mason said. “His instincts, stories, and relatability make our mornings stronger and our sports brand more authentic.”
Foster’s roots in the Volunteer State run deep. Born in West Tennessee, he became an All-SEC offensive lineman at the University of Tennessee. He then carved out an accomplished NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since retiring from professional football, he has transitioned seamlessly into media. He serves as a color analyst for Vol Network football broadcasts. He has also established himself as a dependable voice on Nashville radio.
For Foster, the extension represents both professional stability and personal fulfillment. “I am thrilled to announce the extension of my media career with 104.5 The Zone for the foreseeable future,” he said. “Engaging in lively discussions about sports, life, and pop culture with our passionate listeners each morning has been instrumental in my transition from the NFL.”
“I'm excited to sign my extension here at @1045TheZone. This is an amazing feat for a second career for myself that I jumped into and not knowing what I was going to do." – @RamonFoster
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Peter Rosenberg and Ebro Darden are offering a clearer picture of how their long-running tenure at HOT 97 came to an end, with both hosts expressing frustration not over the decision itself, but over how the exit was handled by station ownership.
Speaking candidly on The Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show YouTube page, the duo reflected on the conclusion of their 13-year run and the simultaneous end of the show’s syndicated markets. While both acknowledged the realities of working in corporate radio, they described a process that felt abrupt, impersonal and emblematic of an industry slow to evolve.
“The only thing that bugged me is the way it went down was just so classic radio,” Rosenberg said. “I just didn’t expect it at this stage of my career to get the, ‘Hey, this is so-and-so, I’m here with so-and-so from legal.’”
He added that being told, “Peter, today is going to be your last day. You’ve been terminated,” felt especially jarring after nearly two decades tied to the brand. “That wording after nearly 20 joints was crazy,” Rosenberg said, comparing it to being abruptly dismissed after years of loyalty.
Rosenberg also detailed months of uncertainty leading up to the decision, noting he had been working without a contract for an extended period. “I started doing the math,” he said, pointing to stalled negotiations involving himself, and co-host Laura Stylez. With the holidays approaching and a planned three-week break looming, Rosenberg said he worried the silence signaled bigger changes ahead.
Despite his frustration, Rosenberg was deliberate in separating HOT 97’s legacy from its current ownership. “You are never going to hear me talk s**t about HOT 97,” he said. “That place is literally in my DNA. You will only hear me talk s**t about MediaCo, the company that now owns them. HOT 97 for me will always have a positive connotation”
Darden echoed that the possibility of being let go was never an illusion.
“How many times on the air have we talked about, ‘We just guys with jobs,’” he said. “They own these microphones. They own the licenses, and could walk in here tomorrow and decide they want to do something else.”
Still, Darden admitted the emotional toll ran deeper than job loss. “My biggest pain in all of this is the reason I continued to do that job,” he said, citing the show’s commitment to serving New York City through conversations about politics, voting and issues impacting local communities. He also addressed the risk of having political discussions within corporate media.
“Talking about politics and having an opinion… is always risky,” Darden said, adding that hip-hop itself is inherently political. “Being Black and having a good time is political… finding joy is political.”
Reflecting on his role, Darden said his obligation differed from other on-air personalities. Including Funkmaster Flex, who has taken over the morning daypart with the radio station.
“I had an obligation to the audience… and I had an obligation to us as a team,” he said.
Flex has been with the station for more than 30 years. It will be the second change for him this year, after moving up in the lineup to 5-10 PM ET in September. Previously, his program began at 7 PM.
Together, Rosenberg and Darden framed their exit not as a betrayal, but as a missed opportunity for transparency — closing a defining chapter in New York radio with questions that extend far beyond Hot 97 itself. As for their future, while no immediate plans have become official the show will continue to populate content on its YouTube page for the foreseeable future.
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