CBS 2 drops anchors Rob Johnson, Marissa Bailey

Rob Johnson

Languishing in last place and facing historically low ratings, WBBM-Channel 2 cut evening news anchor Rob Johnson and morning news anchor Marissa Bailey in an overhaul of talent announced today at the CBS-owned station.

“We have made the decision not to renew Marissa Bailey and Rob Johnson’s contracts,” Derek Dalton, president and general manager of CBS 2, said in a statement. “We thank them for their professionalism and contributions to CBS 2 and we wish them well.

Marissa Bailey

“We look forward to having Brad Edwards join Irika Sargent as co-anchor of our evening newscasts and Mike Puccinelli joining Erin Kennedy on our morning newscasts.”

CBS 2 officials did not respond to requests for further comment. Johnson declined to comment.

“It’s been a great eight years at CBS Chicago and in the most amazing city in the country," Bailey said. "I took a leap of faith coming here, and it was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been lucky to go from a general assignment reporter to sitting on the anchor desk every morning with colleagues and friends. I’ve had the honor of meeting amazing people, telling their stories and, most importantly, working alongside the best, most fun and professional staff and crew out there.

"For now, I’m going to enjoy staying up past 7:30 p.m., sleeping in and eating breakfast with my little guy Beau . . . until I start the next chapter.”

Johnson joined CBS 2 in 2006 as 5 p.m. news anchor and was promoted the following year to 10 p.m. news anchor. He added the 6 p.m. newscast in 2013. Johnson previously worked eight years as weekend news anchor and reporter at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

Bailey joined CBS 2 as a reporter and weekend morning news anchor in 2012 and was promoted to weekday morning co-anchor alongside Kennedy in 2017.

Edwards joined CBS 2 as an investigative reporter in 2012. Puccinelli joined CBS 2 as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor in 2004.