The Rundown

After Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested for his involvement in a protest at a church, both his former network and his attorney have responded to the clown show that is Trump.

“Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards. Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work. Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case. This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”

Lemon livestreamed a demonstration against Trump’s immigration war earlier this month that interrupted a church ‌service in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Lemon is charged with conspiring to deprive others of ‌their civil rights and ‍violating the FACE Act by allegedly obstructing access to a ⁠house of worship, according to a ⁠Justice Department official. FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested him in Los Angeles, the source said.

Lemon said he was at the demonstration as a journalist. He said he was tipped off ahead of time but did not ‍know the activists would disrupt the service. He can be seen arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement.

Trump’s folks accused protesters of intimidating Christian worshippers.

CNN has also responded:

Scripps will take a closer look at what’s happening in Minneapolis.

Scripps News anchor Del Walters and co-anchor Maritsa Georgiou will anchor a live one-hour special in Minneapolis, where ICE’s weeks-long siege has led to the killing of two American citizens and injuring dozens of residents. 

Scripps said “The team will separate lies from truth and examine what is happening in the city. In addition, Scripps’ investigative team is tracking whether the violent detentions are subsiding following the killing of Alex Pretti last weekend and the change in federal leadership in the city.”

• Georgiou will interview a middle-schooler and look at how children are responding to seeing their classmates detained and disappeared—one in four students are missing.  
• Patrick Terpstra will speak with anti-ICE demonstrators at the Whipple Federal building, which has been at the center of the protests. 
• Kadia Tubman speaks with faith leaders about what they’ve seen and why they’re using their pulpits to push back. 
• The team will also be investigating the millions of dollars going to private companies to build detention centers for immigrants. 
• Gun law expert Megan Walsh of the University of Minnesota Law School and Claire Finkelstone, the director of the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, will appear as guests. 

Viewers can tune in live on all major streaming platforms and online at scrippsnews.com at 5 p.m. EST Thursday, January 29, 2026. The show will also be simulcast in select cities, including Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and West Palm Beach. 

Click here to watch the trailer.

CBS Atlanta has launched a new weekday morning newscast, CBS News Atlanta Mornings.

The one-hour morning newscast will feature a team of anchors, journalists and meteorologists presenting hyper-local reporting, immersive weather reporting including a detailed 7-day forecast, and national headlines, with a 24/7 monitor look of live feeds from all CBS stations and bureaus around the country.

CBS said the new show “News Atlanta Mornings “is designed to deliver local news that truly reflects the communities it serves, with a focus on county-by-county coverage across the Atlanta metropolitan area. Using advanced mapping technology and on-the-ground reporting, the team will cover stories that matter most from neighborhood developments to public safety, transportation, education, politics, health and economic impact.”

“Our goal is to meet viewers where they are in their communities and deliver news that helps them start their day informed, prepared, and connected,” said Tom Canedo, president and general manager of CBS Atlanta. “This morning show reflects our commitment to meaningful local journalism, paired with the unmatched resources of CBS News.”

The CBS News Atlanta Mornings team includes:

• Jobina Fortson-Evans, Anchor 
• Alexa Liacko, Traffic Anchor 
• Troy Bridges, Meteorologist 
• Kaley Fedko, Reporter

Additional reporters and contributors including journalist and reporter La’Tasha Givens and Jamal Goss will join the CBS News Atlanta Mornings team in the coming weeks.

Over the past year, CBS has expanded its newsroom, launched a groundbreaking AR/VR studio, accelerated hiring across editorial, production, and digital teams, and rolled out new local news and weather operations – all designed to build a modern, community-rooted newsroom for one of the nation’s most dynamic media markets. CBS Atlanta’s AR/VR news studio is the first of its kind in the Southeast, the ninth in the CBS Station group, and only the second fully immersive AR/VR-enabled studio to deliver all the news in the format, transforming traditional news delivery into a dynamic, visually rich experience, enhancing viewer understanding of complex topics.

Since launching its local news and weather operations in August, CBS Atlanta has quickly gained traction with viewers, surging with more than 150% in year-to-year growth.

Tegna has launched new mobile apps across 50 markets, which it said delivers up-to-the-minute coverage of news and weather stories from local journalists and meteorologists. Thousands of original daily mobile videos in a scrolling vertical feed are personalized for users based on their individual preferences to keep them connected to the local stories that matter most to them. 

“Our audiences rely on us for credible, local coverage that helps them stay connected to their communities and make informed decisions in the moment. That’s why we’ve reimagined our newsrooms as story-first operations, built for speed and accuracy around the clock – not just fixed broadcast timeslots. This app is an expression of our local newsroom of the future, where great local journalism meets people exactly where they are, on the devices they use throughout the day,” said Adrienne Roark, Chief Content Officer, TEGNA. 

The new mobile app first launched in four beta markets – Atlanta, Denver, Indianapolis, and Seattle – and is available for download in both the App Store and Google Play Store, with other TEGNA markets launching on a rolling basis over the next few weeks.

Tegna said the new app is already delivering strong results. Video plays are up more than tenfold during the testing period, and user sessions have increased by 40%.

“By emphasizing digital design and the user experience, we’re delivering what audiences truly want: real-time, easy-to-watch video updates from trusted local reporters and weather teams,” said Dhanusha Sivajee, Chief Experience Officer. “We’re encouraged with the early audience response and plan to release new mobile features on a regular basis tied to the valuable feedback we receive from our users.” 

“To make true 24/7 news coverage across all screens possible, we had to reimagine the software powering our local teams from end-to-end,” said Kurt Rao, Chief Technology Officer.  “Employing cutting-edge technology has unlocked more time for the teams to create original content for streaming and mobile.” 

Key features of TEGNA’s new mobile app include:

• Elegant design and fast video and image load times; 

• Localized onboarding and active customization so users can quickly set location, interests, and notification preferences for the topics they care about most; 

• A personalized home feed that surfaces the most important local news and weather stories in real time, tailored to each user; 

• Story summaries that combine text, visuals, and related coverage so people can choose to skim, watch, or dive deeper into any story; 

• A social‑native vertical video player that offers an immersive, scrollable feed of short original clips from local reporters and meteorologists; 

• Best‑in‑class local weather with customizable forecasts, maps, and alerts powered by station meteorologists;

• Topic exploration hubs that highlight in‑depth coverage of key local and national priorities, including politics, public safety, education, sports, and community life; 

• Premium integrated advertising solutions that give brands new ways to reach highly engaged, local mobile audiences; 

• Profile and account tools that let users manage preferences, save stories, and receive alerts across devices. 

KBOI Chief Meteorologist Roland Steadham, has been identified as one of the two victims of a plane crash in the Payette River on Tuesday, the Boise CBS affiliate station confirmed. 

Authorities say the aircraft, registered to Northwest Registered Agent LLC, struck a power line before crashing onto an icy section of the river in the Black Canyon area.

Shortly after the crash, first responders discovered that two male passengers had died from injuries sustained in the crash. The other victim has yet to be identified. 

 It is with great sadness that we share that beloved CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Roland Steadham died in a plane crash on Tuesday. He and another person were on the plane when it crashed on the Payette River near Emmett.

Roland Steadham is a beloved member of this community, but no one loves him more than his family. Roland often talked about his wife, Erin, and his six children and grandchildren. In recent years, he and his family have enjoyed their time kayaking throughout Idaho and spending time together grilling food in their backyard. Roland loved to share about his six kids and his grandchildren. He talked about their accomplishments, their love for life, and the outdoors. Roland always looked forward to visits with his grandkids. All of us will remember him talking with great love for Erin. Rarely did he have a conversation without sharing about his love for his family.

Roland Steadham was 67-years-old. He is survived by his wife and six children.

James Beard Award-winning journalist Kevin Pang has been hired as the new “The Food Guy” for NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV).

Pang’s segments will begin airing Thursday, January 29 on NBC 5 News at 10 p.m. and across NBC 5 Chicago’s digital and social channels.

It marks a return to local food journalism for Pang, who spent 11 years at the Chicago Tribune as a restaurant writer, food critic, and documentary filmmaker. He penned the popular where-to-eat column The Cheap Eater, and in 2015 co-directed For Grace, the acclaimed restaurant documentary that premiered at South by Southwest Film Festival and was acquired by Netflix.

“Chicago’s culinary scene has always been as vibrant as the city itself, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Kevin to our team to share his fun and insightful experiences with our viewers,” said Sally Ramirez, Senior Vice President of News, NBC 5 Chicago / Telemundo Chicago. “His unique perspective and spirited storytelling will give our audience an engaging, behind‑the‑scenes look at the flavors shaping our city today.”

“I’m enormously grateful to NBC 5 Chicago for keeping the flame of food journalism alive in our great town,” added Pang. “Telling our viewers where to find great places to eat is the least we can do. There’s no better feeling than sharing stories about people who use food as their love language — from mom ‘n’ pop businesses to Michelin-starred chefs, cooking in Pilsen taquerias and Plainfield barbecue joints to Westmont noodle shops and all points between. Food stories are Chicago stories.”

Pang is the executive producer and co-host of the Emmy-nominated late night food show Poochie & Pang: Eat Chicago. In addition, Pang is a contributing writer for The New York Times, where he project-leads “The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago” list. He and his father Jeffrey co-wrote A Very Chinese Cookbook, which reached No. 1 overall on Amazon’s bestselling books chart.

“The Marissa Mitchell Show” to debut on FOX 5 DC.

The hour-long show is hosted by FOX 5 anchor Marissa Mitchell, and will air weekdays at 11 a.m. ET and be available to stream on FOX Local, starting February 2nd.

In making the announcement, Carmean stated, “This show will be a daily spark of empowerment, authenticity and joy, where connection and community shine,” said Vice President of News and Content, Kyle Carmean. “Marissa has the innate ability to make viewers feel seen and supported and we know they will love her in this new format.”

“The Marissa Mitchell Show” will be a lifestyle program with the goal to inform, inspire, and entertain through discussions about a variety of topics, ranging from relationships, to finances, parenting, wellness, and more. Host Marissa Mitchell will insert heart and humor into each episode, exploring fitness, food, fashion, and pop culture trends as well as powerful, candid conversations with newsmakers and community leaders offering insight into real issues affecting viewers. The show will also include Mitchell’s popular franchise, “Motivation with Marissa,” which highlights people who have overcome incredible odds on the road to success as well as showcase Mitchell’s robust community involvement and appearances across the DMV. The viewers will also have a voice in segments via social media, polls, and other interactions. Executive Producer Jeff Gygax will lead the editorial content.

Mitchell joined FOX 5 DC in 2020 where she has served as anchor and reporter for “Good Day DC” and “LION Lunch Hour.” Prior to joining the station, she spent four years at WAGA, the FOX-owned station in Atlanta as anchor and reporter. Before that, Mitchell worked as an anchor and reporter at WBMA-TV in Birmingham, AL. She began her career in broadcasting as a multimedia journalist at WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, TN.

“This is a blessing beyond measure and a dream realized,” said Mitchell. “The DMV has embraced me for several years now and that hug is going to get even tighter as we explore all the colors of life together. Our goal is to deliver an hour of fun and encouragement, and fulfill our promise to make viewers and guests feel good about themselves.”  

After a KUSA viewer commented on the Denver NBC station’s Facebook that the station should replace its anchor Kyle Clark with a plastic tree, Clark ran with the gag and showed everyone what it would look like.

“Why doesn’t this station work on replacing commie Kyle Clark with a plastic ficus tree,” wrote the viewer. “I might start watching again.”

“I had the honor to introduce my replacement on 9NEWS,” he wrote on social media. Watch the gag below.

Good to know some of us don’t take ourselves so seriously. Though I think that’s the plant that took my job at Adweek/TVSpy.

Lou Canellis has been hired by NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV) as its main sports anchor.

The announcement was made by Sally Ramirez, Senior Vice President of News, NBC 5 Chicago / Telemundo Chicago.

The move comes shortly after the NBC opened station let sports anchor Mike Berman go after nine years.

Canellis will anchor NBC 5 News sports segments Monday-Thursday at 5, 6 and 10pm, along with Sundays at 5 and 10pm, In addition, Canellis will host NBC 5 Chicago’s weekly sports highlights and features stories program, Sports Sunday, at 10:30pm.

“Lou has established himself as one of the most respected and beloved voices in Chicago sports media history,” said Ramirez. “His knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm are second to none, and we couldn’t be happier to have him join our team of all‑stars at NBC 5.”

Canellis joins the station’s primary NBC 5 News team featuring anchors Allison Rosati,Stefan Holt and chief meteorologist Brant Miller.

“As a Chicago kid who grew up in Oak Lawn, I told my dad my dream was to be a household name in my hometown — to be the next Mark Giangreco, Tim Weigel, or Johnny Morris,” said Canellis. “Joining the NBC 5 Chicago team is simply a dream come true for me. The chance to work with Chicago TV legends such as Allison Rosati, Stefan Holt, Brant Miller and Chuck Goudie, local news leaders like (President & GM) Kevin Cross and Sally Ramirez, and so many others is like joining the best All-Star team in any sport. I can’t wait to bring my loyalty to our local teams and my passion for the work I love to NBC 5 Chicago.”

In addition to his primary sports anchor responsibilities, Canellis and Rosati will co-anchor NBC 5 Chicago’s half-hour, primetime lead-in Olympics highlights and features program, Olympic Zone, throughout the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games. The show will air Monday-Saturday at 6:30 PM beginning Sat, Feb. 7. 

Canellis, one of Chicago’s most popular local media personalities throughout his 40-plus-year career, most recently spent the past 16 years as primary sports anchor at FOX 32 Chicago (WFLD-TV). Canellis also hosted the station’s nightly sports program, Chicago Sports Tonight, along with its Chicago Bears game day coverage.

Canellis also spent seven years as a sports talk host at WMVP AM 1000 (1996–2003) and eight years (2000-2008) as an entertainment reporter on ABC 7 Chicago’s (WLS-TV) 190 North. He additionally handled college basketball play‑by‑play for ESPN for 13 seasons (1998-2011) and anchored Summer Olympics programming for Westwood One (Atlanta 1996) and ABC Radio (Sydney 2000).

Boston ABC affiliate WCVB Channel 5 will partner with their local Special Olympics chapters to celebrate athletes with intellectual disabilities and raise funds to support inclusion, determination, and the power of sport.

In honor of the historic 130th running of the Boston Marathon, WCVB and Hearst Television’s New England stations will feature Special Olympics athletes, coaches, and families across on-air, digital, and social platforms leading up to the Boston Marathon and throughout Marathon Week. The collaboration will amplify the voices and stories of these athletes while promoting Special Olympics’ year-round sports training and competition programs.

“During this milestone 130th running of the Boston Marathon, we are honored to partner with Special Olympics Massachusetts to help shine a spotlight on athletes who inspire us every day by showing what’s possible when communities come together through sport,” said Andrew Vrees, WCVB President and General Manager. “This partnership reflects our commitment to sharing meaningful stories that resonate across New England while reinforcing the values that make the Boston Marathon such an empowering event in our community and around the world.”

WCVB’s partner chapter, Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA), is part of a global movement that uses the power of sport to foster acceptance, confidence, and community for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Serving millions of athletes worldwide, the organization embodies the same spirit of perseverance, resilience, and unity celebrated by the Boston Marathon. Through this shared mission, the Special Olympics Massachusetts Boston Marathon team—known as the #XtraMile Team brings together dedicated runners who raise vital funds to support athletes with intellectual disabilities, helping provide life-changing opportunities in sports and beyond.

“The Boston Marathon has become such an incredible event for rallying support, building awareness, and of course, raising critical funds to support Special Olympics Massachusetts’ athletes and mission,” said Mary Beth McMahon, President & CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. “When WCVB signed on to not only highlight the mission of Special Olympics, but bring runners to our fundraising team, we were ecstatic. As someone who grew up here and understands the importance of this race, I love what WCVB has done to further raise the profile of the Boston Marathon through their incredible storytelling and focus on the positive impact charities, like Special Olympics Massachusetts have on communities along the route.”