New Orleans station hires Louisiana native as new evening anchor

WWL has hired Emmy Award-winning journalist TaRhonda Thomas as an evening news anchor, bringing the Louisiana native back to her home state after a career that included reporting positions in Philadelphia and Denver.

Thomas will join the CBS affiliate in New Orleans, Louisiana, in early January 2027, anchoring the station’s evening newscasts.

She arrives from ABC-owned WPVI in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she served as the station’s first race and culture reporter, covering issues involving race, identity and their effects on local communities.

Before joining WPVI, Thomas spent more than a decade at Tegna-owned KUSA in Denver, Colorado, where she worked as a reporter.

“We are thrilled to welcome TaRhonda Thomas back home to Louisiana and to WWL,” said Tod Smith, the station’s president and general manager, in a story on the station’s website. “Her return is a wonderful opportunity to bring her talent, experience and passion for storytelling to the community she knows and calls home.”

Thomas began her television career at KWBJ in Morgan City, Louisiana, before moving into larger television markets. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

Her journalism career spans more than 25 years and includes recognition from several broadcasting organizations. In addition to winning an Emmy Award, Thomas has received an Edward R. Murrow Award and honors from the Associated Press and the National Association of Black Journalists.

“Coming home to Louisiana to anchor at WWL is a dream,” Thomas is quoted as saying in the story. “This station has a legacy of serving this community through its best and hardest moments, and I’m honored to join this team and tell the stories that matter to the people here.”

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Thomas is also involved in organizations supporting military families and veterans. As a Gold Star sister, she advocates for families who have lost loved ones during military service.

WWL has not specified which evening newscasts Thomas will anchor or announced whether her arrival will result in additional changes to its existing anchor lineup.

The station produces news at 4, 5, 6 and 10 p.m. and has vacancies at the evening anchor desk. Brandon Walker left the station Oct. 2, 2026, and Charise Gibson left earlier in the year. Mike McDaniel, Devin Bartolotta and Katie Moore have holding down the desk amid the changes.