Top of the Ticker: CNN’s Saturday morning program First of All with Victor Blackwell celebrated its 100th episode this past weekend. To mark the occasion, the staffers of the weekly show, which is also available via podcast, treated themselves to a celebratory cake.
Launched in 2024, First of All covers national headlines affecting communities of color, with some of the subjects recently covered including Anti-ICE protests, a racist video posted on Donald Trump’s social media page depicting the Obamas as apes, environmental justice in Alabama, and disappearing DEI initiatives.
Blackwell, on the show’s milestone, said, “Every week, the news cycle reaffirms why an hour that focuses on communities of color is necessary.” He added, “I think what we do best is find the unique angles and approaches to the big stories everyone is talking about—and elevate the stories and voices that should be part of the national conversation.“
First of All’s executive producer, Sidney Wright IV, said, “When so much of the conversation focuses on the loudest voices, this show speaks to those communities that aren’t being heard. I believe that’s our biggest strength. Communities of color are impacted just as much as everyone else. We try to find voices in those communities and give them a chance to weigh in on the conversation.”
Job cuts: CNBC this week laid off less than a dozen personnel as part of a reorganization that brings together its digital and TV news operations.
“The changes made today are to align CNBC’s newsroom structure for the future. They are not driven by cost-cutting,” said a CNBC spokesperson to TVNewser. “We expect to hire more than 40 new editorial roles over the next year across TV, digital, and direct-to-consumer platforms.”
Reuters reports that these layoffs are part of an overhaul led by David Cho, the network’s editor-in-chief, who is preparing to introduce a paywall on its website.
