New Chapter Begins for Adam Verdugo

CBS News is facing another significant departure. Adam Verdugo, the executive producer of “CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell,” has announced he will be leaving the network. This news comes during a broader restructuring of the flagship news program, marking a period of considerable changes for one of America’s leading news organizations.

Verdugo’s exit, scheduled for September 6, was first reported by Puck and later confirmed by CBS News. In a memo to his colleagues, Verdugo expressed the difficulty of his decision, stating, “The time is right for me to move on to the next chapter. This was not an easy decision to make, but as we know in this business, there is never a ‘right’ time.” Verdugo’s departure concludes his decade-long tenure with CBS News, a period in which he played a critical role in shaping the network’s news coverage and programming.

The announcement of Verdugo’s departure coincides with other significant changes at CBS News. Current anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” Norah O’Donnell, recently revealed her plans to step down from her position post-2024 election. John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois are set to take over as the lead anchors. Additionally, Bill Owens, the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” will extend his responsibilities to include overseeing the evening newscast.

These changes also bring a geographical shift for the program. After spending five years in Washington D.C., the “CBS Evening News” will return to its original home base in New York. Verdugo has been actively involved in this transition, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities.

During the interim period leading up to the 2024 election, Carolyn Cremen will serve as the temporary executive producer. Cremen joined CBS earlier this year as a senior broadcast producer in New York and brings 15 years of experience from CNN.

Verdugo’s journey with CBS News began in 2013 when he joined as a senior producer for “CBS This Morning” in Los Angeles. His career trajectory saw him move to New York in 2017 to oversee talent bookings, eventually becoming a key figure in the launch of “CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell” in 2019. His contributions to the network have been extensive, including the development of popular segments like “Profiles in Service,” which showcases ordinary Americans and military members dedicated to serving their communities.

Throughout his tenure, Verdugo has been at the forefront of CBS News’ coverage of major events, including presidential elections, the January 6 insurrection, and exclusive interviews with world leaders and newsmakers. His work has earned accolades, especially for investigative reporting on sexual assault in the U.S. military.

Verdugo’s impact extends beyond the evening news. He played a crucial role in securing exclusive access for the Emmy Award-winning CBS primetime special “39 Days,” which documented the aftermath of the Parkland shooting. He was also instrumental in producing Gayle King’s high-profile interview with R. Kelly in 2019.

Before joining CBS, Verdugo honed his skills at NBC News. He covered a wide range of events, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the royal wedding in London. He also served as a senior producer on “Meet the Press.”

In his farewell message, Verdugo shared his gratitude and pride in his team’s accomplishments. “Being the Executive Producer of the CBS Evening News has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” he wrote. “I’m so proud of this team and what we’ve accomplished together. I want to thank each of you for your hard work, dedication, and collaboration while juggling a relentless and historic news cycle.” He extended a personal note of appreciation to O’Donnell, saying, “I also want to thank Norah for her partnership and friendship over the years – and her leadership atop the masthead as anchor and managing editor of this broadcast.”

Source: CBS News, Puck, Deadline