CBSNewYork.com Launches

Web surfers who type cbsnewyork.com into their browser are now redirected to newyork.cbslocal.com, the website that combines the resources of CBS 2 News with CBS Radio stations WCBS, WINS and WFAN. The same also happens when you type in wcbs880.com and 1010wins.com while wfan.com redirects to the sports page.

Until this morning, cbsnewyork.com redirected to wcbstv.com despite the new (well, old) web address being promoted on television since last week.

It is interesting to note that Kate Sullivan's bio is no longer on the website. It had been reported that Sullivan's last day at CBS 2 News would be last Friday but no indication was made on the morning or noon newscasts of her leaving. Cindy Hsu has been anchoring alongside Maurice DuBois this week with no mention of her being "in for" Sullivan. Promos for the morning newscast featuring the entire team have also stopped airing.

WBBM Introduces Sullivan as Anchor

WBBM in Chicago today announced its new weeknight anchor teams, which includes Kate Sullivan. This would be why she's been off since anchoring CBS 2 News This Morning yesterday.

Here's what Sullivan had to say of her new assignment as co-anchor of the 5:00 and 10:00 newscasts starting September 13th:

While I have thoroughly enjoyed my four years in New York ... I am excited to return to the Midwest and do what I love for the people of Chicago. Joining Rob, Bill, Walter and the rest of the CBS 2 news team is a tremendous honor.

Sullivan's last day at WCBS will reportedly be tomorrow.

(By the way, WBBM last week adopted the graphics that CBS 2 recently premiered as the look spreads to other CBS O&O stations.)

Update: CBS2Chicago.com posted video of Kate Sullivan speaking with her new colleagues here.

Sullivan Leaving CBS 2 News

Apologies for being late in reporting this...

Robert Feder blogged Wednesday night that morning and noon co-anchor Kate Sullivan is headed to WBBM in Chicago to co-anchor the evening newscasts there. According to Brian, the print edition of the Daily News reported that Sullivan's final day is this Friday. The New York Post says Lisa Daniels, who was once a reporter and weekend at CBS 2, is among the possible replacements being interviewed, then reported the next day that weekend anchor Mary Calvi was the leading candidate to replace Sullivan.

Sullivan joined the station and a retooled CBS 2 News This Morning with Maurice DuBois in April 2006. The pair also took over the noon newscast last year.

KYW Pays Off Bet With CBS 2 News This Morning

Start spreading the news.

Before the World Series began, the morning team at KYW-TV in Philadelphia bet the crew of CBS 2 News This Morning that the Phillies would win. If they were right, Maurice DuBois, Kate Sullivan, John Elliott and Katie McGee would have to sing Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" live in New York and Philly.

Last night, the Yankees beat the Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 of the Fall Classic, bringing home the Yankees' franchise 27th ring. That meant the CBS 3 Eyewitness News This Morning team of Ukee Washington, Liz Keptner, Maria LaRosa and Bob Kelly had to sing Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York." CBS 2 rubbed it in a little more by showing video of the champagne celebration in the Yankees' clubhouse during the early morning performance. At the end, both teams said they were hopeful to be at it again next year.

If you want your ears to bleed, check out the simulcast from CBS 2 and KYW.

World Series Wager with KYW

The CBS 2 News This Morning crew has a lot at stake in the outcome of the World Series, which begins this evening. Maurice DuBois led the team in some trash talk with Ukee Washington and KYW Philadelphia's CBS 3 Eyewitness News This Morning. If the Yankees win, CBS 3 will have to sing Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York." CBS 2 will have to sing Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" if the Yanks somehow lose to the Phillies.

Check out video from the 5:40 simulcast this morning from the CBS 2 perspective and the KYW perspective.

Oh, and someone please tell the KYW anchors that her name is Katie McGee.

Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" Special

Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan host an hour-long special about breast cancer this weekend.  "Race for the Cure" airs tomorrow night at 7:00.  For more information about Susan G. Komen, including next weekend's race, go to wcbstv.com.

CBS 2 News Covers Deadly Upper East Side Crane Collapse

CBS 2 News broke in at 8:25 during its regular cut-in during "The Early Show" to report news of a crane collapsing on a 20-story building on 354 East 91st Street by 1st Avenue at around 8:00 (watch the initial report here on wcbstv.com). Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan handled the breaking news coverage, which lasted for the rest of the morning into the noon news. Initial reports said that two people were dead but that was later revised at 9:27 to at least one dead with several others injured. WCBSTV.com's breaking news text message alert was sent at 8:20 while the website streamed the live coverage.

Most of the pictures came from Reggie Harrison (a former NYPD cop) and Chopper 2. Sean Hennessey began reporting from the ground via phone but was later seen on camera at around 9:13 interviewing many witnesses of the collapse. Jay Dow also reported via his phone at around that time and was first seen on camera at East 91st and 2nd at 9:53. At 9:37, the first video from the scene was fed in as DuBois explained to viewers that it was difficult to get a live truck any closer. Katie McGee came on several times to talk about the traffic conditions and the bus detours. At 10:14, Chris Wragge reported from the 92nd and 2nd began interviewing witnesses and later spoke with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. Magee Hickey, who said it took her and her crew nearly an hour to get from another story in Brooklyn, joined the live coverage from the ground at 10:56. Additional reporting was sourced to Tony Aiello and John Slattery.

As is often the case during breaking news coverage, the anchors spoke with politicians, experts and witnesses via the phone. Among the phone interviews were: Councilman Tony Avella, Buildings Committe - NYC Council; Jessica Lappin, (D) NYC Council - Manhattan; Bo Dietl, retired NYPD detective; Ann Marie Kross, 60 Minutes producer/witness; James Pritchett, crane collapse expert in Mobile, AL; Phillip Shiffman, lives in building/witness; Erik Dilan, Chairman of Buildings Committee - NYC Council; Mary Jo Gillis, who lives nearby and was woken up by the sound of the crash; and Ira Goldman, Red Cross spokesperson. Audio and then video of Mayor Michael Bloomberg calling the accident "unacceptable" on his weekly WOR radio show ran a few times.

At 9:51, pictures that viewer Victoria Pericon e-mailed in to wcbstv.com came on the screen. The series of three shots showed the crane as it fell.

A new conference with Mayor Bloomberg, Governor David Paterson and Acting Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri began at 11:21. They provided some new information, including the fact that the one fatality and the two seriously injured were construction workers, and took questions from reporters.

Sullivan and DuBois signed off at the top of the hour as Don Dahler anchored CBS 2 News at Noon from the ground. He tossed to Hickey, Dow, Slattery, Wragge, Harrison in Chopper 2, and McGee in the studio with traffic updates. The station took its first break in almost four hours at 12:18. When Dahler returned 90 seconds later, he tossed to Sullivan in the studio with a brief look at the other stories making news before turning to John Elliott with the weather. Sullivan then tossed back to Dahler and then Harrison with some final comments before saying goodbye and closing just before 12:28.

Here are some snapshots of the coverage:


























Updated news on this story is available at wcbstv.com.

Update: CBS 2 News broke in again at 3:00. Don Dahler, reporting from the scene, reported the news that a second victim had passed away. He also provided the identities of the two fatalities. The special report lasted just over 90 seconds. Dahler returned at 4:00 with a quick update and said that one of the victims who had died was in the taxi cab that the crane fell onto.

New Round of Still Photos Promos

CBS 2 is now airing what looks to be a second round of those still photos promos. Reporters Mary Calvi and Lou Young are featured as well as the morning team of Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan.

"Reporting What Matters"


"Knowledge and Experience"


"Start Your Day with a Smile"

DuBois and Sullivan Host Folios

CBS 2 News This Morning anchors Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan were on hand earlier today to host the Folio Awards ceremony in Woodbury. The awards are given out annually by the Fair Media Council as a way to promote increased media coverage of Long Island. DuBois and Sullivan were joined on this busy news day by veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas, who gave the keynote address, as well as their colleagues from the other New York stations.

Special "Eye on the Storm" Coverage

CBS 2 News is on the air right now with a special "Eye on the Storm," with live coverage of the biggest snow storm to hit the tri-state all season. Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan are anchoring the broadcast, which opened at 8:55 and will continue until 10:00. John Elliott and Lonnie Quinn are providing team weather, forecasting six-to-nine inches for the city, while Katie McGee is updating viewers on the traffic and transit. A team of reporters are out in the snow, including Magee Hickey in Woodside, Queens; Jay Dow in Paramus; Deborah Garcia in Yonkers; Pablo Guzman at LaGuardia Airport; Tamsen Fadal at Penn Station; and Steve Bartelstein in Jericho, Long Island.

Sullivan Q&A in "Gothamist"

Lee sends in this "Gothamist" interview with morning anchor Kate Sullivan. She talks about how she balances having to go to sleep early (because she wakes up at 3:00 a.m.) and taking advantage of being in New York, being a Red Sox fan (she's from New England) and what she'd do to change New York (hint: it has to do with a famous city rodent).

Sullivan to Appear on "Guiding Light"

Michael Starr in the New York Post reports today that morning anchor Kate Sullivan will appear on "Guiding Light" today. She won't have to act too hard as she will be playing the part of a news anchor. The CBS soap airs at 10:00 this morning.

10:24 A.M. UPDATE: Sullivan was the first person seen and heard as the show opened, anchoring fictional station WSPR's election night coverage as the results trickled in.

Bartelstein Makes CBS 2 Debut

The newest addition to the CBS 2 News team made his debut at 6:22 this morning. After a Dr. Max Gomez "Health Watch" piece on testicular cancer, Steve Bartelstein joined Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan at the desk to talk about his experience in dealing with the disease. He looked noticeably different, having shaved his head so that he would not have to watch his hair fall out as a result of the chemotherapy.

When asked about his prognosis, Bartelstein said, "I think everybody thinks it's pretty good." The chemo, which he does Mondays through Fridays between two-week breaks, makes him feel tired. He said that he looks forward to the new job because "it gives me a place to go in the morning. Coming here gets my mind off -- I've been laughing all morning." He added "CBS has been great throughout all of this," saying that they understand if he needs to stay home on his bad days.

You can watch Bartelstein's appearance on wcbstv.com by clicking here.

Cindy Hsu Anchors From "Race For The Cure"

From 6:oo to 9:00 this morning, Cindy Hsu provided live reports from the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure. Brendan Keefe anchored the rest of CBS 2 News Sunday Morning from the studio. Hsu was joined by breast cancer survivors and their families, some of whom were featured on last night's special.




At the end of the newscast, Hsu was joined by the rest of CBS 2's team participating in the event: Maurice DuBois, Kate Sullivan, Dana Tyler, Chris Wragge, Kristine Johnson, Lonnie Quinn, Tamsen Fadal and Dr. Holly Phillips.

CBS 2 Presents "Race For The Cure"

On the eve of this weekend's Susan G. Komen New York City Race for the Cure, CBS 2 News will air an hour-long special on breast cancer. "Race For The Cure" is hosted by morning anchors Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan and airs Saturday night at 7:00. According to the press release, the "inspirational hour" "highlights the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York City and takes a positive and encouraging look at breast cancer survivors and new advances in fighting the disease." Dr. Holly Phillips, Dr. Max Gomez, Dana Tyler, Cindy Hsu, Kristine Johnson, Tamsen Fadal and Katie McGee will also provide reports.

For the third year in a row, CBS 2 is the media sponsor of the 5K race, which takes place Sunday morning at 9:00. Check out two of the spots the station has been running for the cause here.

Anchor NewsBytes

NewsByte2 is catching up with the latest on the latest apparent round of anchor changes:

- It looks like Chris Wragge is now the solo anchor of CBS 2 News at Noon. He's been anchoring it solo since shortly before Kristine Johnson took her maternity leave. The move was said to be giving her extra rest as she was in her ninth month. She returned to the 5:00 newscast on Monday but hasn't returned at noon. (Maurice DuBois mentioned that he was filling in for Wragge today.)

- Cindy Hsu and Kirstin Cole are no longer the anchors of the weekend morning newscasts. Sean Hennessey and Deborah Garcia anchored the broadcasts the last two weekends. Both Hsu and Cole seem to have added general assignment reporting to their respective parenting and consumer beats.

- John Discepolo is now the morning sports anchor. Kate Sullivan and Maurice DuBois welcomed him to the newscast earlier this week.

Kristine Johnson Returns

New mother Kristine Johnson returned from her maternity leave a little bit earlier than expected. She was welcomed back on CBS 2 News at 5:00 yesterday.

She was last seen on CBS 2 on February 28th and gave birth to a baby boy on March 5th. During that time at 5 p.m., Kate Sullivan filled in Mondays through Thursdays, with Deborah Garcia filling in on Fridays. Chris Wragge anchored the noon news solo.

"Tragedy in the Bronx" Special Report

CBS 2 News is broadcasting a special report right now on this morning's top story: A fire in the Bronx that killed eight children, one adult and injured at least ten. "Tragedy in the Bronx" is being anchored by Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan.

Magee Hickey reported live from the scene in Highbridge, Jay Dow from Lincoln Hospital in Melrose and Pablo Guzman is at Jacobi Medical Center in Pelham.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is holding a press conference that is being carried live on channels 2, 4, 5, 7 and 11.

Like most of its broadcasts, CBS 2 is streaming this one live on wcbstv.com.

Sullivan, Others to Fill in For Johnson

Another piece of news from Richard Huff in this morning's Daily News: Chris Wragge will anchor CBS 2 News at Noon solo. At 5:00, he will be joined by Kate Sullivan Mondays through Thursdays. Other anchors will sit in the chair on Fridays.

Deborah Garcia was there yesterday and today.

Friday NewsBytes

- "Weathercaster" John Elliott appeared on the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts last night. He reported on the above-average temperatures from a miniature golf course in Wayne, NJ. John Bolaris (or "Inside John," as Elliott said in a tease, as opposed to "Outside John") tossed to him in each of the three weather segments during the broadcasts. Elliott was joined by an ice sculptor who created "CBS" and CBS 2 logos out of blocks of ice.

- Speaking of Elliott, he appears in five-second IDs for the station. In one, the announcer says, "CBS 2 welcomes weathercaster John Elliott." Another says, "CBS 2's John Elliott. He makes weather fun."

- There are many variations of those new anchor promos. The new ones seem to attempt to draw a more personal connection between viewers and the anchors: Jim Rosenfield talks about growing up watching "Channel 2 News;" Dana Tyler on earning viewers' trust; Kristine Johnson explains the importance of broadcast journalism; Maurice DuBois and Kate Sullivan joke about having to wake up early; and the anchors talk about what happens when news breaks where Tyler says, "Breaking news is our bread and butter." There's also a spot where Johnson talks about Wragge and then Wragge interrupts. As some of you have noticed, I've posted a bunch of these promos on YouTube:







Feel free to comment on these posts or the videos and tell me what you think so far and what you'd like to see in the future.