NABJ Congratulates Member Russ Mitchell on His Return to Local TV News

WASHINGTON, DC (December 22, 2011) – The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) congratulates member Russ Mitchell’s return to local news in Cleveland.

After nearly 20 years at CBS News as weekend anchor of "CBS Evening News” and "The Early Show," Mitchell is going to Gannett station WKYC (NBC affiliate) and will be managing editor and lead anchor at 6 and 11 weeknights. Mitchell begins his new role on Jan. 16.

"We congratulate Russ on his decision to return to local news. Russ is a dynamic journalist and the Cleveland market will be served well by his breadth of experience and his commitment to excellence,” said NABJ President Greg Lee. "In the same vein as the recent news of TJ Holmes leaving CNN for BET, this move leaves CBS with one less diverse face. NABJ will continue to advocate that network news makes diversity a top priority, and we hope that diverse talent is not limited to working weekends, like we are seeing in many of our network newsrooms.”

Mitchell worked in local television for 10 years in his hometown of St. Louis, Dallas and Kansas City before going to CBS.

"Russ is good friend to NABJ and we couldn’t be happier for him on his new role," said NABJ Vice President of Broadcast, Bob Butler. "We wish him well on this newest career endeavor".

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