Full Breakdown
CBS News Atlanta Mornings Launches to Enhance Local Journalism
1/30/2026, 1:10:19 PM
Introduction of CBS News Atlanta Mornings
Paramount’s CBS News & Stations is set to launch a new morning show titled “CBS News Atlanta Mornings” on February 2, 2026. This program will air on WUPA (Channel 69) and precede the national morning show “CBS Mornings.” The newscast will be anchored by Jobina Fortson-Evans, with traffic updates from Alexa Liacko, weather forecasts by meteorologist Troy Bridges, and field reports from Kaley Fedko. Tom Canedo, the President and General Manager of WUPA, emphasized the show's goal to provide meaningful local journalism that connects with viewers in their communities.
Background and Context
CBS Atlanta, which began operations on August 16, 2025, took over the CBS affiliation from Gray Media’s WANF (Channel 46). The launch of CBS News Atlanta Mornings marks the first time the CBS-owned station has offered its own morning news program since its affiliation switch. The programming has reportedly seen a 150% increase in viewership since the transition.
Key Features of the Newscast
CBS News Atlanta Mornings will feature a one-hour format that includes hyper-local reporting, immersive weather coverage, and national headlines, all produced from a state-of-the-art augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) studio. This facility is the first of its kind in the Southeast and the second fully immersive AR/VR-enabled studio within the CBS Station group. The show aims to cover a range of topics, including neighborhood developments, public safety, transportation, education, politics, health, and economic impacts.
Official Statements & Responses
Tom Canedo stated, “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.” He highlighted that the morning show reflects CBS's commitment to local journalism, enhanced by the resources available through CBS News.
Criticism & Opposition
While the launch has been met with enthusiasm from CBS executives, there may be concerns regarding competition with existing local news programs. The previous CBS affiliate, WANF, had its own morning news program, and it remains to be seen how CBS News Atlanta Mornings will differentiate itself in a crowded market.
What's Next
As CBS News Atlanta Mornings prepares for its debut, additional team members, La’Tasha Givens and Jamal Goss, are expected to join the program in the coming weeks, further expanding the show's capacity to deliver comprehensive local news coverage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Tom Canedo, President and General Manager of WUPA.
