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There hasn't technically been any confirmation of this, outside of some suspect corporate speak in the press release. I'll link to @Weeters' assessment of this from that discussion. The announcement is at the top of that thread.

WLS 10pm open from 8/13/1984 that followed an ABC Olympics highlight show. Anchoring is Mary Ann Childers... ...with new weekend anchor Mike Jackson, fresh from WMAQ. Mary Ann gets top billing, as John Drury has not yet arrived from WGN, hence the pregnant pause between names, and not an "and." Oh, and AM Chicago Oprah.

No, it's Michael.

The logo is white and the whole desk is blue, and thankfully, they removed the D-shape wings. It's perfectly acceptable.

And if any confirmation was needed, KABC posted an open weathercaster position on their jobs page. https://jobs.disneycareers.com/job/glendale/weathercaster-general-assignment-reporter-kabc-tv/391/18712598

You answered your own question. Most CBS O&O's do this for the Super Bowl, Grammys, and anything else, because their stations are generally lower-rated and understaffed on the weekend desk, so it's a great opportunity to feature the main anchor team following a large lead-in.

He closes with the personal news.

With so many other projects, and the ongoing restaurant struggles, I felt like this was coming. Glad to see an amicable split, but his work will be sorely missed. As nice as it would be, I'd imagine he won't be replaced, with any food segments being folded into Windy City Live, and especially Local-ish.

For all who didn't see. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/abc-news-names-cecilia-vega-chief-white-house-correspondent

I don't know that Karl's formal role of the This Week cycle will steal any of George's time. Martha could be looking to return to more foreign reporting, special projects, or, at almost 68, maybe even take a bit of a break, and scale back her duties.

I could see a scenario where those going out into the field stick to the first floor, leaving the main newsroom for those who remain at the station through the day. Yes, the pandemic has shown just how much can be done from home, but in many cases there's a certain convenience of having folks in the building. If it means spreading them out, so be it. They definitely have the space.

Please stop posting in the wrong threads. Consider this a warning.

It's a perfectly acceptable package, but I still can't forgive how the 2 shades of blue clash so badly.

The red live bug is also notable. I don't recall that when they introduced these new L3's within the last couple weeks. The word I've gotten is that WGN won't get the NewsNation look, in any form, but I doubt this is a part of a larger rollout. It still is odd, though, that they'd debut any new stuff if things are gonna be blown up within a few months.

WMAQ, Saturday morning news, 2006, featuring baby Ginger Zee, soon after her arrival in Chicago.

Longtime Chicago weatherman, host, pioneering airline pilot, and aviation expert Jim Tilmon passed away at 86. His decades-long career included stops at WTTW (PBS), WMAQ, and WBBM. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/jim-tilmon-longtime-nbc-5-forecaster-dies-at-86/2417684/ https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/01/16/jim-tilmon-longtime-chicago-meteorologist-and-aviation-expert-dies-at-86/

I like the new dark on light logo treatment, and I understand the purpose of the wings to better hide the end anchors' legs, but this ain't it. The blue tabs are fine, but the gold parts are way too eye-catching. Honestly, I don't know why they're making such a change now, as I can't imagine they want the anchors sitting THAT far apart forever. They could've just relocated the upstairs desk, which is the same shape, but not so wacky.

And even more rare, a WLS weekend newscast from that same weekend in 2001. This open has never been seen on YouTube.

I did a little digging in the past, and while he's not there, Walter had debuted as co-anchor at least a couple months before this broadcast.

'Eyewitness Forum' was ABC 7's weekly news/politics show for decades, and it evolved into 'NewsViews' when a Sunday morning newscast debuted in the 90's, lasting about 15 minutes at the end of the broadcast. As of November 22nd, it was rebranded as 'Our Chicago,' the name used for several segments this past year, mostly regarding race, but now expanding to cover community causes, action, and awareness. Judy Hsu remains host. https://abc7chicago.com/society/our-chicago-feeding-those-in-need/8129496/

I noticed this the last few weeks. It's recent, but not unique to tonight.

Home. https://www.instagram.com/p/CJUahYGhIgC/

@Weeters can surely answer this, but I'm fairly certain CBS was only leasing the 1st floor space. Even if they do own it, they're sure as hell not gonna move back in just because no one is biting on it. That would be expensive and stupid.

And I counter your argument with... $$$ Nobody here is thrilled by such a possibility, but the fact is that the pandemic has shown just what's possible, especially on weather coverage.

It looks like they're finally using a more true to size version like the original KTLA package. The small version always looked weird, so good riddance.