First on TVNewser: TVNewser has confirmed that dayside anchor Heidi Collins will not have her contract renewed by CNN, and that she will leave the network on Friday, January 15.
A CNN spokesperson tells TVNewser: “After seven years of dedicated service to CNN, Heidi Collins will be leaving the network on January 15. We thank Heidi for her contributions to the network and wish her the best.”
Collins joined CNN in July of 2002 as an anchor for then-Headline News. Previously she was an anchor/reporter for stations in Denver; Colorado Springs; and Wichita Falls, Texas.
No word yet on Collins’ future plans. She had been anchoring CNN’s dayside 9-11amET newscast. Ali Velshi will now anchor the 1-3pmET “CNN Newsroom” while Kyra Phillips will move to Collins’ spot.
This story was co-reported by TVNewser’s Alissa Krinsky.