Fox News Investigative Journalist Catherine Herridge Joins CBS News

Catherine Herridge is departing Fox News for CBS News, both networks announced on Thursday.

While Herridge’s contract expired last summer, she was working at the network in good faith and her leaving was in the works “long before” fellow journalist Shepard Smith left, an individual with knowledge of her departure told TheWrap.

She will begin at CBS News in November as a senior investigative correspondent based in Washington D.C. There, she will report original investigations and cover national security and intelligence matters that impact the country, according to CBS News. She was with Fox News since 1996.

Also Read: Fox News Off the Hook in Former Anchor's Discrimination Suit

Last week, her national security reporting for Fox News was recognized by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society with the “Tex” McCrary Award for excellence in journalism. During her remarks, she noted, “The medal of honor recipients have taught me even more about public service through the character development program. That inside each one of us is the potential to do great things, it just needs to be ignited.”

Thursday, Fox News Media president Jay Wallace said, “As a founding employee, over the last 23 years, Catherine Herridge has been an asset to Fox News. From her breaking news headlines at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to her reporting after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the investigation into Princess Diana’s death, she has always been at the forefront of every beat she has covered.”

Also Read: CNN Boss Jeff Zucker Calls Fox News 'Akin to State-Run TV,' Says He's 'Open' to Hiring Shepard Smith

He added staff at Fox News are “grateful for Catherine‘s many contributions to the network” and “wish her continued success.”

“Catherine Herridge is a skilled investigative correspondent who has consistently brought depth and originality to her reporting. We are very excited that she will be joining the outstanding team at the Washington Bureau,” said Christopher Isham, CBS News vice president and Washington bureau chief.

Also Read: Fox News Temporarily Filling Shepard Smith's Time Slot With Rotating Group of Anchors

Herridge herself released a comment, too, saying: “CBS News has always placed a premium on enterprise journalism and powerful investigations. I feel privileged to join a team where facts and storytelling will always matter.”

Her departure comes after that Smith, another high-profile founding member of Fox News’ news division. An individual with knowledge of her departure told TheWrap she didn’t even know Smith was stepping down while she was making her exit plans.

The Evolution of Roger Ailes, From 'The Mike Douglas Show' to Fox News Innovator (Photos)

The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.
Fox News
Born and raised in Ohio, Roger Ailes attended Ohio University as a young man, majoring in radio and television. During his time there, he served as station manager for the university's WOUB radio for two years.
Ohio University
Ailes worked his way up to executive producer on the syndicated daytime talk show "The Mike Douglas Show," which began as a local program in Cleveland before expanding nationwide.
Westinghouse Broadcasting Company
In 1968, Ailes got an Emmy nod when "The Mike Douglas Show" was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming, ultimately losing to NBC's "Today" show.
After first meeting Richard Nixon on the set of "The Mike Douglas Show," Ailes was hired by the then-presidential candidate to be his media advisor during the campaign, which marked his first professional foray into politics.
Ailes continued consulting on presidential campaigns, serving as media consultant for three successful Republicans: Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Ailes produced the famous "revolving door" ad for Bush, which painted Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis as soft on crime. The piece was widely regarded as the most influential ad of the political cycle.
In 1988, Ailes co-authored a self-help book with Jon Kraushar. "You Are the Message" shared Ailes' tips for effective communication and public performances.
Simon and Schuster
In 1992, Ailes served as executive producer on a syndicated late-night talk show hosted by right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, which ran for four years before coming to an end in 1996.
Ailes Productions
Ailes was named president of CNBC in 1993, where he launched the new cable network America's Talking, which was shut down and replaced with future Fox News competitor MSNBC.
America's Talking
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch hired Ailes to serve as founding CEO and Chariman of the Fox News Channel in 1996, which soon grew to become the most popular cable news network in the country.
Getty Images
In 2016, Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by ousted Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. In July, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, claiming years of inappropriate behavior and sexual advances.
Getty Images
On July 20, 2016, Ailes was forced to resign from Fox News amid the growing outcry over the sexual harassment allegations.
Getty Images
Ailes died on May 18, 2017 at age 77.