Bari Weiss Courts Scott Jennings Amid CBS Shakeup

Bari Weiss, hired in early October after Skydance/Paramount’s acquisition of The Free Press, is repositioning CBS News with a mandate to “restore balance” and has begun courting right-leaning on-air talent. She invited conservative commentator Scott Jennings — a prominent CNN contributor and former Bush administration and Mitch McConnell aide — to CBS headquarters this week as a potential hire, though reported re-signing with CNN and other contractual issues could complicate any move. Weiss also met with Fox News anchor Bret Baier about anchoring the CBS Evening News, but a switch appears unlikely because Baier is under contract through 2028 and has said he is happy at Fox. The outreach comes amid uncertainty at CBS: Paramount is expected to make cuts and longtime co-anchor John Dickerson has announced he will leave at year-end. Weiss is said to be weighing other anchor options, including a possible return for Norah O’Donnell.