Tony Dokoupil, a 44-year-old Connecticut native with deep roots in Farmington, is stepping into one of television’s most-watched roles as the new anchor of CBS Evening News.
His move from the morning to the flagship evening broadcast marks a major shift not just for CBS, but for viewers across Connecticut and the nation who have come to know him as a familiar face on CBS Mornings.
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Tony Dokoupil’s Connecticut Roots and Rise in Journalism
Dokoupil’s story begins right here in Connecticut. Born in Farmington, his early years in New England helped shape the calm, measured presence viewers see on air today.
He spent much of his childhood in Florida and Maryland, but his Connecticut origins still resonate with many in towns like Hartford, New Haven, and West Hartford.
Before becoming a household name on national television, Dokoupil built his reputation the old-fashioned way: through print journalism.
He started out at Newsweek and The Daily Beast, sharpening his skills as a reporter and storyteller. Those early days set the stage for the on-air style he’s known for now—curious, conversational, and grounded in facts.
From Newsroom to Newsroom: NBC, MSNBC, and CBS
Dokoupil later moved to television, joining NBC News and MSNBC. There, he reported on politics, culture, and major breaking stories.
In 2016, he joined CBS News as a correspondent. Viewers from Stamford to New London started to recognize him more and more.
By 2019, he had earned a coveted spot as co-anchor of CBS Mornings, sitting alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson.
That role introduced him to millions of early-morning viewers across Connecticut, including commuters in Bridgeport and college students in Storrs catching the news before class.
A New Era at CBS Evening News
On January 5, Dokoupil will officially take over as anchor of CBS Evening News, one of the most prestigious posts in broadcast journalism.
He replaces John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, both of whom are departing the network. It’s a pretty big shakeup for CBS’s on-air lineup.
The evening broadcast draws about four million viewers each night. While that’s a substantial audience, the show currently trails its ABC and NBC counterparts in total viewership.
Dokoupil’s promotion looks like a strategic move to reinvigorate the broadcast and appeal to a slightly younger, more diverse audience—from professionals in Stamford’s corporate corridors to families tuning in after dinner in Norwalk and Danbury.
Leadership Changes and Internal Tension at CBS
Dokoupil’s elevation comes under the network’s new leadership, with editor-in-chief Bari Weiss strongly backing him for the top job.
Her support has been a decisive factor in the transition, even as some internal voices at CBS raised concerns. According to reports, a segment of the staff objected to the promotion, citing ideological disagreements and criticism over a past interview that executives said didn’t meet CBS’s editorial standards.
Those tensions highlight the larger debates happening across newsrooms today over tone, approach, and just how aggressively anchors should question guests. It’s something every newsroom seems to wrestle with lately.
Behind the Anchor Desk: Personal Life and Public Persona
Beyond the studio lights, Dokoupil’s personal story has long intrigued viewers.
He wrote a memoir about his father’s secret life as a marijuana smuggler—a deeply personal and sometimes painful chapter he’s discussed publicly with notable candor. That experience shaped his understanding of complex family dynamics, the criminal justice system, and the human stories behind headlines.
He’s married to MSNBC anchor Katy Tur, making them one of the most prominent journalism couples on television. Together they have two children, and Dokoupil has two more from a previous marriage.
It’s a blended family that many Connecticut viewers—from families in Middletown to retirees in New London—can relate to in one way or another.
Unanswered Questions: Salary and Morning Show Successor
CBS hasn’t shared Dokoupil’s new salary, which is pretty standard for these big network deals. What’s not so standard is the mystery over who’ll take his spot on CBS Mornings.
The network hasn’t named a replacement yet. People—from Hartford to New Britain—are left guessing about what’s next for the morning show lineup.
One thing’s for sure: a journalist from Farmington is about to step into one of the biggest roles in American news.
With January 5 coming up fast, a lot of folks in Connecticut will tune in—not just out of routine, but with a bit of hometown pride—to see how Tony Dokoupil puts his own stamp on CBS Evening News.
Here is the source article for this story: Who is Tony Dokoupil? CT native signs off from ‘CBS Mornings’ for ‘CBS Evening News’
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