CBS News has begun seeking an unspecified number of buyouts at the CBS Evening News, specifically targeting non-union editorial staff. The offers were communicated by Executive Producer Kim Harvey just 24 hours after Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss rallied the newsroom around a new digital-first vision. This pivot includes the recent hiring of niche podcasters intended to capture younger demographics who, according to Weiss, trust individuals more than institutions. During a recent town hall, one staffer publicly described a "chilling effect" within the newsroom, stating that employees fear retaliation for offering constructive criticism. While Dokoupil’s tenure has stabilized on-air operations and delivered modest initial viewership gains, the program’s overall audience continues to suffer significant year-over-year erosion.