Ticker: NBC News and CNN Schedule Los Angeles Wildfire Specials

Top of the Ticker: As the California wildfires continue to wreak unimaginable destruction on the Los Angeles region, NBC News will take a closer look at the calamity with a special primetime report, Fire & Ash: Devastation L.A. Anchored by Lester Holt, the one hour special will feature the latest news on the still-unfolding disaster, with coverage from NBC News anchors and reporters on the ground, including Dylan Dreyer, Liz Kreutz, Tom Llamas, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison, Gadi Schwartz, and Jacob Soboroff. The special will pre-empt Friday’s 10 p.m. episode of Dateline, which will air at a later date. (All times Eastern.)

TONIGHT at 10 p.m. ET: @LesterHoltNBC anchors an @NBCNews Special on the California wildfires.

“Fire & Ash: Devastation in L.A.” will feature coverage from @NBCNews anchors and reporters on the ground, including @DylanDreyerNBC, @LizKreutzNews, @LlamasNBC, Josh Mankiewicz,… pic.twitter.com/v3wBeundt1

— NBC News PR (@NBCNewsPR) January 10, 2025

Meanwhile, CNN is dedicating Sunday’s episode of The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper to the L.A. fires. Premiering at 8 p.m., the episode will recap the story so far and also explore what it means for the region’s future. And ABC is airing a special episode of 20/20 at 9 p.m. on Friday led by World News Tonight anchor David Muir. Titled American Catastrophe: LA Burning, the hour-long special features Muir flying with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to get an up close look at the damage.

CNN in Court: Since Monday, attorneys from CNN have been in a Florida courthouse seeking to defend the network in a defamation case brought by former Navy veteran Zachary Young. Young has accused the network of inflicting financial damage as a result of displaying his face onscreen alongside a Nov. 2021 story that discussed a “black market” that smuggled Afghanistan citizens out of the country at high fees before the Taliban took control. One CNN attorney said on Tuesday during the trial that the network’s reporting was “tough, fair, and accurate.”

Awards Season: CNN and MSNBC were both honored with 56th NCAAP Image Awards nominations, which were revealed on Tuesday on CBS Mornings. CNN received six nominations, while MSNBC received three. On-air talent to receive nominations include CNN’s Abby Philip, Audie Cornish, Laura Coates, and MSNBC’s Joy Reid. Winners will be announced at a ceremony that airs live on BET and CBS on Saturday, Feb. 22. 

CNN celebrates (6) 56TH #NAACPImageAwards across CNN primetime programing, #CNNAudio and #CNNFilms. Congrats to all the nominees! pic.twitter.com/A0EoawcrJx

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) January 7, 2025

JUST ANNOUNCED: @MSNBC has received three nominations for the 2025 @NAACP Image Awards.

🔉 @trymainelee’s “Into America presents: Uncounted Millions: The Power of Reparations” – Outstanding News and Information Podcast

📺 @TheReidOut – Outstanding News/Information Series

🎤…

— MSNBC Public Relations (@MSNBCPR) January 7, 2025

Rest in Peace: The broadcast journalism world this week mourned the passing of Richard Cohen, a veteran CBS News journalist and husband to former NBC News anchor and host of ABC’s The View, Meredith Viera. Cohen passed away on Christmas Eve at 76 after living with multiple sclerosis for the past 50 years and successfully surviving two bouts of colon cancer. The View’s co-hosts paid tribute to Cohen on Tuesday’s episode.

“Our dear friend and original ‘View’ moderator Meredith Vieira wanted us to share with all of you that her husband of 38 years, Richard Cohen, passed away on Christmas Eve,” @JoyVBehar shares.

“Our hearts go out to our beloved Meredith, as well as Richard’s family and many… pic.twitter.com/AXMX7POn68

— The View (@TheView) January 7, 2025

Case Closed: The saga of President-elect Donald Trump‘s hush money trial essentially ended Friday morning when Judge Juan Merchan handed down his sentence following a guilty verdict last May. Appearing virtually, Trump received an unconditional discharge, which keeps the verdict in place but ensures that he’ll serve no jail time or probation. The president-elect will be the first convicted felon in U.S. history to occupy the Oval Office following Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.