Diann Burns, veteran Chicago broadcaster, has joined CBS 2 CHICAGO as co-anchor of the station’s 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM newscasts. Burns co-anchors the newscasts with Antonio Mora. 

Most recently, Burns was co-anchor of WLS-TV’s top rated 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM newscasts, a position she held since 1994. She was Chicago’s first African American woman to serve as lead anchor of a 10:00 PM news broadcast.

“I am so thrilled to welcome Diann to CBS 2 and back to the newsdesk,” said Joe Ahern, President and General Manager of CBS 2 CHICAGO. “Diann’s winning spirit and engaging personality, both on and off the air, have made her a favorite in the city. She knows Chicago and Chicagoans know her—and they’re ready to have her back. Diann is a great addition to the team we’ve assembled here at CBS 2.”

“I am so excited to join the CBS 2 news team, working with old friends and people that I’ve known from covering Chicago all these years,” said Burns. “I’m looking forward to getting back to doing what I love. And, for me, this is ‘Hello again!’ to the viewers.”

Burns joined WLS-TV in 1985 as a general assignment reporter and was quickly promoted to weekend anchor. Previously, she worked at the Independent Network News of New York as a field producer and reporter. Before that she served as sports editor, photographer and reporter at the Cleveland Call and Post. She began her journalism career as a general assignment reporter with the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Burns is active in several community organizations. She is the spokesperson for Pediatric AIDS Chicago and is active with the Ronald McDonald House. Burns is also involved with the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Support Group, an organization that assists high school students with school work and home life by providing tutoring and social services.

Burns has an undergraduate degree in Politics and Mass Communications from Cleveland State University and a Masters degree from Columbia University in New York’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Burns, her husband Marc Watts, and their son live on Chicago’s north side.