Hey news watchers! CBS has been keeping busy and making news both on and off air. We're diving into two big stories hitting the network right now: a scary health situation with beloved meteorologist Lonnie Quinn and a complex discussion around Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) that's got some political angles.
Weather Watchers Worry: CBS Meteorologist Lonnie Quinn Takes Leave After On-Air Health Incident
If you're a CBS New York viewer you might have noticed chief meteorologist Lonnie Quinn missing from your screens. Turns out there is a serious reason why. Lonnie himself shared some concerning news during a recent broadcast . He is taking a break for a few weeks to recover from a concussion and a pretty frightening health scare.
Lonnie explained that he had bumped his head pretty hard and went to the hospital to get checked out. A CAT scan came back clear which was good news. He thought he was on the mend but then things took a worrying turn just before a live 11 PM news broadcast.
He was walking to the set and suddenly he couldn't see out of his left eye. Imagine that happening right before you're supposed to go on air! Thankfully it only lasted about fifteen minutes and then his vision came back. True to his professional nature Lonnie went ahead and did the broadcast anyway. Anchor Kristine Johnson pointed out that nobody on staff even realized anything was wrong that night because Lonnie is such a pro.
After that incident Lonnie was sent back to the hospital and had more tests. Everything still came back normal which added to the mystery. He met with a neurologist and decided it was best to take some time off to really recover and figure things out. He is stepping away from his weather duties on the 5 6 and 11 PM weekday newscasts and his weather segment on the CBS Evening News .
Kristine Johnson and the whole CBS team are being super supportive . They told Lonnie they understand and that everything will be waiting for him when he is ready to return. We are all wishing Lonnie a speedy recovery and sending good vibes his way!
DEI in the Spotlight: CBS Parent Company and VP Vance's Mother-in-Law at Center of Debate
Switching gears a bit CBS News ' parent company Paramount is also in the news related to Diversity Equity and Inclusion policies. This story has a bit of a family connection too making things even more interesting.
Vice President JD Vance has been vocal about his opposition to DEI initiatives. Turns out his mother-in-law Lakshmi Chilukuri is actually a provost at the University of California San Diego's Sixth College and a big supporter of DEI in education. Talk about dinner table conversations!
Chilukuri has even helped create courses on race ethnicity and gender in biology and medicine and her university highlights its diversity efforts a lot. She wrote a letter to students emphasizing the school's "steadfast adherence to principles that drive equity inclusion and an embrace of diversity." This is pretty much the opposite of what VP Vance and the current administration are pushing for.
The Trump administration has been actively targeting DEI programs in universities threatening investigations and funding cuts. They sent a "Dear Colleague" letter warning schools they could lose federal money if they consider race in scholarships hiring or any part of campus life.
Interestingly CBS News' own parent company Paramount Global has also made changes to its DEI policies recently. In late February Paramount stopped using hiring goals related to race ethnicity sex or gender. This is part of a wider trend of corporations and institutions pulling back on DEI in response to political pressure .
VP Vance in a statement said he is not a fan of DEI and is "proud" of his administration's actions against it. However he also said he loves his mother-in-law and respects her views even if they differ. He joked he will "get over it" like most families do when they disagree. He also suggested that CBS News is highlighting this story to attack President Trump which adds another layer to the situation.
It is a complex situation with family politics university policies and corporate decisions all tangled up. It raises questions about the future of DEI in education and corporate America and how these issues are playing out even within families.
CBS News Highlights: Key Takeaways
- Lonnie Quinn Health Scare: CBS NY meteorologist Lonnie Quinn is taking a leave of absence after experiencing a concussion and temporary vision loss just before a live broadcast.
- Professionalism On Air: Despite the health scare Quinn still went on air and delivered the news showcasing his dedication.
- DEI Debate Connection: Vice President JD Vance's mother-in-law a UC San Diego provost is a DEI advocate while Vance's administration actively opposes DEI programs.
- Paramount Global's DEI Shift: CBS News' parent company Paramount Global has ceased using race or gender-based hiring goals reflecting a broader trend.
- Family Disagreement: Vance downplayed any family tension over DEI differences with his mother-in-law.
What's Next for CBS News and These Developing Stories?
These two stories show different sides of what's happening at CBS News right now. On one hand you have a personal and concerning health story with Lonnie Quinn highlighting the pressures and dedication of broadcast professionals. On the other hand you have a broader societal issue playing out with the DEI debate and CBS's parent company caught in the middle of it through a family connection to VP Vance.
It will be interesting to see how Lonnie Quinn recovers and when he returns to air and how the DEI discussion continues to evolve both at CBS and across the country. Stay tuned for more updates as these stories develop!