ABC News multi-platform reporter Janai Norman has been named co-anchor of ABC World News Now and America This Morning, joining Kendis Gibson on the broadcast.
Norman replaces Diane Macedo, who is departing from ABC’s overnight news program and will become an ABC News correspondent based in New York.
Norman had been based in Washington, covering the Trump administration and other political breaking news stories for local ABC affiliates, and occasionally GMA and World News Tonight.
She will relocate to New York for the new role, which she officially debuted in this morning.
Here’s the memo ABC News president James Goldston sent this morning to staff:
Team,
I’m delighted to announce that Janai Norman will be returning to New York to join Kendis Gibson as co-anchor of World News Now and America This Morning.
Janai began her career with ABC News in 2011 as an intern with NewsOne in NY. She next moved on to work at local stations in Columbia, MO, Tulsa, OK, and Orlando where she covered a wide range of stories as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor, including the Moore tornado and the Pulse nightclub shooting.
In 2016 Janai rejoined ABC News as a multi-platform reporter in Washington, DC covering the Trump administration, Capitol Hill, and other breaking news stories for local ABC affiliates. Her work has also appeared on weekend GMA and World News.
With news breaking around the clock every day, our overnight team is more than ever a key part of our multi-platform, 24/7 line-up. Janai is a vibrant, talented journalist and she will be an incredible partner alongside Kendis. I’m excited for our overnight audience to get to know her.
Please join me in thanking Diane Macedo for her great two years on World News Now and America This Morning as well as her many contributions across all of our programs. She won’t be going far – Diane is transitioning to be a correspondent for us here in New York.
We are thrilled to welcome Janai to the anchor desk.
James