Scott Pelley may have lost his job after publicly blasting CBS management. But for many workers, he lived out a fantasy. In a staff meeting this week, the longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent questioned the qualifications of top executives and accused them of undermining the storied news program. While his bosses dismissed him, saying he exhibited “remarkable incivility and contempt," many others are cheering Pelley, saying it was like watching a fantasy play out after years of biting their tongues around bosses they viewed as clueless.
CBS News has fired longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley. It came a day after he reportedly said Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss was “murdering the show” and accused its new producer of having “slender qualifications” for the job. The move deepened the turmoil at the nation’s most influential TV news program and the news unit that oversees it. Pelley had criticized the program’s leadership during an introductory meeting Monday between the show’s staff and Nick Bilton, the new executive producer named by Weiss last week. That was reported first on the Status website. In a termination notice obtained by The Associated Press, Bilton accused Pelley of carrying out an “ambush” against him.
The Defense Department has declared its press office a classified space, barring journalists from entry. It was yet another move restricting journalists' access to Pentagon officials. Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez confirmed the move on X, stating it was due to speechwriters handling classified material in the space. Valdez emphasized there was "nothing controversial" about the decision. This change comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. media and the second Trump administration. Last October, many reporters turned in access badges over new restrictions. The New York Times has sued the Defense Department twice, arguing these restrictions violate the First Amendment.
Reports say Scott Pelley has accused CBS head Bari Weiss of "murdering" the hugely successful “60 Minutes.” The longtime correspondent made the remarks during a tense meeting with the newsmagazine's staff and new producer Nick Bilton. The Status website reports that Pelley grilled Bilton about the firings last week of Bilton's predecessor Tanya Simon, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Pelley reportedly also told Bilton, a former technology journalist, that he had slender qualifications for his job. Weiss, a polarizing figure, has called for a "new approach" to keep the show thriving. She did not attend the meeting.
WAND News sat down with the Hughes family in Springfield who lost their daughter to suicide last June after years of severe cyberbullying.
Illinois Senate Republicans hope to see lawmakers pass multiple bills in the coming weeks to protect children on social media.
