Susan Carlson

Veteran Chicago newswoman Susan Carlson has been named a full-time reporter and fill-in news anchor at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

Her promotion from part-time status, effective April 28, was confirmed Tuesday by Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5.

“I’m extremely delighted that Susan will be joining us full-time,” Whittaker told me. “She’s a born and bred Chicagoan who knows our city and suburbs well. Her years of local reporting will be a great addition to our staff.”

Carlson joined NBC 5 last July — two months after her release as morning news anchor at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2, where she had been a reporter and anchor for more than 10 years. She began her television career at Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9 and also worked at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

At NBC 5, Carlson will continue as part of the anchor rotation on the station’s weekend morning newscasts. Since Kim Vatis left in December, the Saturday and Sunday morning anchor seat alongside Anthony Ponce has been filled alternately by Carlson, Michelle Relerford, Lauren Petty and Emily Florez. Whittaker said that arrangement will continue for the time being.

Since last July, Carlson also has been working as news anchor for Roe Conn and Richard Roeper’s afternoon show on Cumulus Media news/talk WLS AM 890. She succeeded the legendary Jim Johnson on his retirement after 45 years at the station. No word yet on who will replace Carlson after she relinquishes her radio gig.

A south suburban native, Carlson holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Loyola University and a master’s in journalism from Roosevelt University.