Is Norah O’Donnell back on CBS Mornings? Yes, she’s guest hosting this week

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Norah O’Donnell Makes Her Triumphant Morning Show Return
• From Evening News Anchor to Book Author and Morning Show Guest
• Meet the Current CBS Mornings Team and What This Week Means
• What “We the Women” Reveals About O’Donnell’s New Direction
• Will Norah O’Donnell Make a Permanent Move Back to the Morning Show
  • Sources

Yes, Norah O’Donnell is back on CBS Mornings this week, returning as a guest host after a long hiatus from the program. The veteran anchor is promoting her new book “We the Women” while appearing alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson.

Norah O’Donnell Makes Her Triumphant Morning Show Return

Norah O’Donnell stepped back behind the CBS Mornings desk on Monday, February 24, marking her first appearance since leaving the anchor chair at CBS Evening News in January 2025. The beloved journalist will host through Wednesday this week, creating buzz about her potential permanent role at the morning show. According to insiders, CBS brass may be testing whether O’Donnell’s chemistry with Gayle King and Nate Burleson could work for the daytime audience.

O’Donnell spent five years anchoring the Evening News before transitioning to her new position as senior correspondent. Her return to CBS Mornings is no coincidence, as she’s actively promoting her highly anticipated book about overlooked women in American history. The visit gives her unprecedented access to millions of CBS viewers early each morning.

From Evening News Anchor to Book Author and Morning Show Guest

After announcing her CBS Evening News exit in July 2024, O’Donnell completed her final broadcast in January 2025. She transitioned into a senior correspondent role, which allows her to pursue long-form investigative reporting and personal projects. This week’s CBS Mornings appearance represents her most prominent television presence since leaving the evening anchor desk.

Her new book, “We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America,” features 35 remarkable women whose contributions were historically overlooked. O’Donnell spent extensive time researching and conducting interviews, examining how these fierce fighters demanded the nation live up to its founding promises. The Ballantine Books publication hit shelves February 24, the same day her guest hosting began.

Meet the Current CBS Mornings Team and What This Week Means

Aspect	Details
Current Co-Hosts	Gayle King, Nate Burleson, Tony Dokoupil
Guest Booking	Monday, Feb 24 through Wednesday, Feb 26, 2026
Purpose of Visit	Promote “We the Women” book and test chemistry
Network Speculation	Testing for potential permanent co-host role

Gayle King and Nate Burleson have anchored CBS Mornings since 2021, building strong viewer loyalty. O’Donnell previously co-anchored the program for an extended period before her move to the evening desk. This week’s three-day guest appearance allows network management to evaluate whether a three-anchor morning show could energize viewership during competitive morning hours.

“After this year’s election, I’ve decided I will be leaving my role as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News to take on a new position at the network. We just celebrated an amazing five years together. I love what I do.”

— Norah O’Donnell, July 2024 Statement

What “We the Women” Reveals About O’Donnell’s New Direction

O’Donnell’s book project reflects a significant shift toward historical storytelling and deeper investigative work. “We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America” examines 35 women patriots who shaped American history but were largely forgotten. Through extensive research, archival photos, and personal interviews, O’Donnell uncovers the fierce determination of women demanding equality.

The book launch coincides with her CBS Mornings appearance, creating synergy between her news career and authorship. O’Donnell has spent decades interviewing presidents, princes, and leaders worldwide as a 60 Minutes correspondent. Her new senior position allows her to pursue passion projects while maintaining CBS News visibility.

Will Norah O’Donnell Make a Permanent Move Back to the Morning Show

Speculation runs rampant about whether this three-day guest hosting slot could become permanent. Sources close to CBS News suggest the network is seriously evaluating long-term anchor configurations. Some insiders believe O’Donnell’s credibility and rapport with Gayle King could strengthen morning show performance, particularly among older, loyal viewers.

However, O’Donnell has embraced her senior correspondent role, which offers creative freedom she didn’t have as an evening anchor. Her book tour and special projects will continue demanding her attention. Whether CBS can attract her back to daily morning hosting duties remains uncertain, but this week’s appearance suggests the network hasn’t closed the door on bringing her home.

Sources

• National Today: Coverage of O’Donnell guest hosting CBS Mornings February 24-26, 2026
• PBS NewsHour: Interview about “We the Women, The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America” book project
• CBS News: Official announcement of O’Donnell’s senior correspondent role and book excerpt