New York City doesn’t sleep, and honestly, neither do the people telling you what's happening on the BQE at 5:00 AM. If you've lived in the tri-state area for more than a week, those CBS New York news anchors start to feel like family members you actually like. They’re the ones who explain why the subway is delayed again or how a nor'easter is about to dump eight inches of slush on your driveway. It’s a tough gig. You have to be empathetic when reporting on a tragedy in Queens but sharp enough to grill a politician on live TV without blinking.
The lineup at WCBS-TV (Channel 2) has seen some shifts lately, but the core remains built on a foundation of local legend status. Think about the legacy. We are talking about a station that has been a training ground for some of the biggest names in broadcasting history. Today, it’s a mix of seasoned veterans who have seen every mayoral administration since the 90s and fresh faces who bring a different energy to the digital-first era.
Who is Leading the Desk at WCBS Right Now?
Kristine Johnson and Cindy Hsu are basically institutions at this point. Kristine has been a steadying force on the evening news for years. She has that rare ability to deliver heavy news without sounding like a robot. It’s authentic. Then you have Cindy Hsu, who is arguably one of the most beloved figures in local news. Her transition to the 9:00 AM hour and her openness about mental health and adoption have created a bond with viewers that goes way beyond just reading a teleprompter.
On the morning side, Mary Calvi and Chris Wragge have a chemistry that you just can't fake. It’s 6:00 AM. You’re caffeinating. You need people who aren't annoying but are awake enough to tell you if you need an umbrella. Wragge has this sports-background energy that keeps things moving, while Calvi is a literal historian—seriously, she writes historical novels—which gives her a depth of perspective you don’t always get in local TV.
The Power of Local Experience
Why does it matter that these anchors have been around for decades? Because NYC is a hyper-local town. When an anchor mentions "The Cross Bronx," they need to say it with the specific tone of voice that conveys they know exactly how much that commute sucks. CBS New York news anchors like Dick Brennan or Doug Williams (who carries a heavy broadcasting lineage) understand the geography of the soul of this city.
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It isn't just about the Manhattan skyline. It’s about the commuters in Edison, New Jersey, and the families out in Suffolk County. The station’s "Better Together" branding isn't just a marketing slogan; it's a reflection of how these anchors try to bridge the gap between the five boroughs and the suburbs. They cover the local school board fights just as intensely as the New Year's Eve ball drop.
The Evolution of the Newsroom
The industry is changing. Fast. You’ve probably noticed that the anchors aren't just on your TV anymore. They are on CBS News New York, the 24/7 streaming service. This has changed the way people like Maurice DuBois work. Maurice is a powerhouse. He’s smooth, authoritative, and has handled some of the biggest breaking news events in the city's history with total composure. In the streaming age, anchors have to be "on" for longer stretches, often pivoting from a traditional broadcast to a live stream where the tone is a bit more relaxed and conversational.
I think people underestimate how hard it is to fill three hours of live streaming content without losing your mind. The anchors at CBS New York do it by leaning into their personalities. You see them interacting with the weather team—Lonnie Quinn or John Elliott—in a way that feels less like a script and more like a real conversation. Lonnie, with his sleeves rolled up in front of the green screen, is a vibe all on his own. It’s part of the theater of local news that New Yorkers secretly love.
Breaking Down the Evening Lineup
If you tune in at 5:00 PM or 11:00 PM, you're usually seeing the heavy hitters.
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- Kristine Johnson: The anchor-desk veteran.
- Maurice DuBois: The voice of reason during a crisis.
- Dana Tyler: Though she stepped away from daily anchoring recently after a legendary 34-year run, her impact on the station's culture is still felt everywhere. She was the gold standard for many of the younger reporters coming up.
The departure of someone like Dana Tyler was a huge deal. It marked the end of an era. But it also opened up space for others to step into those prime slots. The "Changing of the Guard" is a delicate process in local news. If you change too much too fast, viewers get grumpy. New Yorkers hate change. We still complain about the subway tokens being gone. So, CBS has been smart about integrating newer talent slowly while keeping the "anchors" (pun intended) in place.
The Weather and Sports Connection
You can't talk about news anchors without the people who stand next to them. The weather team at CBS New York is basically a group of amateur scientists who have to deal with the most fickle climate on the East Coast. Lonnie Quinn is the "Showman." He gets into the physics of the atmosphere. Then you have John Elliott, who is like the friendly neighbor who tells you to wear a coat.
Sports is another beast. Otis Livingston has been holding it down for a long time. In a city with two of every sports team (and fans who are famously difficult to please), Otis manages to stay objective while sharing the genuine excitement of a playoff run. It’s a balance. You have to be a fan but also a journalist.
What Most People Get Wrong About News Anchors
A lot of people think anchors just show up, put on makeup, and read a script. That is a total myth. These people are often in the building hours before the show, writing their own copy, making phone calls to sources, and sitting in editorial meetings where they argue about what stories should lead the broadcast.
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Many of the CBS New York news anchors also serve as "Special Correspondents." They go out into the field. They do the deep-dive investigative pieces. They aren't just "teleprompter readers." They are journalists who happen to be very good on camera. When there’s a massive storm or a transit strike, they are often working 12-hour shifts, fueled by bad coffee and the adrenaline of the news cycle.
Impact Beyond the Desk
Community involvement is where these anchors really cement their status. You’ll see Cindy Hsu at a charity walk for animal adoption or Mary Calvi at a historical society event in Westchester. This isn't just PR. In a city as big as New York, these personal connections make the news feel less like a "big corporate broadcast" and more like a community service.
They also handle the "New York-ness" of the job with grace. You know, the hecklers on the street during a live shot, the technical glitches when a satellite feed goes down in a tunnel, or the sheer chaos of a parade broadcast. They make it look easy. It is not easy.
Practical Advice for Following Local News
If you want to stay informed without getting overwhelmed by the 24-hour cycle, here is how to actually use the resources these anchors provide:
- Download the CBS News New York App: This is where the anchors do their "extra" work. You get the push alerts for the big stuff, but you also get the longer-form stories that don't fit into the 30-minute evening broadcast.
- Follow the Anchors on Social Media: If you want the "behind the scenes" look or real-time updates during a storm, Twitter (X) is where most of them are most active. They often post updates there before the "official" news hits the wire.
- Watch the 9:00 AM Hour: If you want a break from the "doom and gloom," the 9:00 AM slot with Cindy Hsu is usually more focused on community, wellness, and positive stories. It's a great palate cleanser.
- Check the "Better Together" Segments: These are specifically designed to highlight local heroes and small businesses. If you’re tired of hearing about politics, these segments are where the "real" New York lives.
The role of a news anchor in 2026 is vastly different than it was in 1980. They have to be influencers, journalists, streamers, and community leaders all at once. The team at CBS New York has managed to evolve without losing that specific, gritty, professional New York vibe that makes them credible. Whether you're watching on a 65-inch OLED or a cracked iPhone screen on the 4 train, they are the ones telling the story of our city.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
To get the most out of your local news coverage, start by setting your DVR for the 6:00 PM broadcast once a week to see the full "A-team" lineup in action. Alternatively, subscribe to the CBS New York YouTube channel to catch individual segments on local politics and transit—this allows you to skip the fluff and focus on the issues that actually impact your daily commute and taxes. If you have a specific neighborhood concern, use the "Report It" feature on their website; the anchors often pick up stories directly from these viewer submissions.