Stephanie Elam Departs CNN After Two Decades

Stephanie Elam, a prominent correspondent for CNN, has announced her departure from the network after more than twenty years of service across two separate tenures. Elam has primarily served as a Los Angeles-based correspondent in recent years, covering a wide range of topics including environmental issues, entertainment, business, and breaking news.

Variety Magazine

Elam's journalism career began in New York, where she worked as a copy editor for Dow Jones Newswires before joining Bridge News. During her time at Bridge News, she reported on corporate earnings for PBS’s “Nightly Business Report” and anchored “Market on the Close,” a program focused on stock market activity. She also hosted “First Business” and co-hosted “Black Enterprise Report,” which emphasized business and financial education.

Variety Magazine

Elam first joined CNN in 2003, where she reported on significant events such as market downturns and the death of Michael Jackson. After a brief stint at KNBC, she returned to CNN in 2013, covering notable stories including the eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano and the death of musician Prince.

Variety Magazine

In her farewell remarks shared via social media, Elam expressed pride in her career at CNN, stating, “For more than 20 years I’ve been in the CNN orbit developing and delivering news stories... I’m so proud of my CNN career.” CNN acknowledged her contributions, stating, “Stephanie brought clarity, credibility, and heart to every story she touched... We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her continued success in her next chapter.”

Variety Magazine

While there has been widespread acknowledgment of Elam's contributions, some industry observers have noted the challenges faced by CNN in retaining experienced journalists amid a rapidly changing media landscape. The departure of Elam, alongside that of Rahel Solomon, who announced her exit in March, raises questions about the network's future direction and staffing stability.

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As of now, Elam has not disclosed her next career steps following her departure from CNN. Her extensive experience and established reputation suggest she may pursue opportunities in other media outlets or related fields.

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• “For more than 20 years I’ve been in the CNN orbit developing and delivering news stories on everything from the environment and entertainment to business and breaking news of all kinds,” — Stephanie Elam

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• “Stephanie brought clarity, credibility, and heart to every story she touched over her two decades at CNN.” — CNN Statement

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Elam's exit marks a significant moment in CNN's history, reflecting both her personal journey and the broader shifts within the media industry.

Variety Magazine