Why is Craig Melvin leaving MSNBC?

MSNBC anchor Craig Melvin announced on March 16, 2022, he will be stepping back from the station’s daily hour-long show.

Melvin’s absence will come amidst other changes to the station’s lineup, including Stephanie Ruhle, who is moving to the nighttime newscast and will be taking Brian Williams‘ place following his departure.

Who is Craig Melvin?

Craig Melvin, 42, is the news anchor for MSNBC and Today.

During his time with the station, he has reported on the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, Election Night coverage, the Asiana Airlines 214 crash in 2013, the George Zimmerman trial, the Sandy Hook school shooting, and more.

But before MSNBC, Melvin was from Columbia, South Carolina where he grew up with his parents and two siblings.

He attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, about two hours away from his hometown.

Melvin received his Bachelor’s degree in government in 2001 and right out of college, he received a news anchor position at WIS News10, NBC.

He moved to Washington, D.C. to anchor for NBC’s WRC-TV in 2008 and later took on the role for Today in 2011.

He now lives in Connecticut with his wife and son.

Why is Craig Melvin leaving MSNBC?

A spokesperson for MSNBC told the that Craig Melvin will be leaving the 11am program on the station beginning April 1, 2022, making March 31 his last day.

According to the spokesperson, Melvin will be shifting his focus to Today where he hopes to expand his role as the program’s news anchor.

When Melvin leaves the show, MSNBC will rotate a lineup of anchors until the station is able to find a permanent replacement.

Craig Melvin has been a news anchor for MSNBC and Today since 2016 and attended and reported on the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

He additionally co-hosts the Third Hour of Today segment.

MSNBC and Melvin did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment in time for this article.

Is Craig Melvin an award-winning reporter?

Craig Melvin’s journalism career kicked off in high school as an Our Generation reporter for WIS.

Melvin saw a WIS-TV ad in 1995 asking teens to apply to cover the news. “I remember thinking, ‘That would be cool,’” Melvin told the .

He went to the local shopping mall where he was accepted for the job. “I would not be where I am right now had it not been for that,” he said.

Randy Covington was the news director at WIS when Craig landed the position for Our Generation.

“I remember the first time I saw one of his stories, I thought, ‘Whoa, he’s a natural,'” Covington said.

“We had other kids, bright kids, working on Our Generation. Craig was in a different class.”

The position allowed Melvin to hone his skill set and he became the youngest person to receive the Associated Press award for a report on innovative teaching in the program.

As he advanced his career, Melvin won two Emmy Awards for his reporting at WIS and was also named Best Anchor by the South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association.

Speaking about his career progression, Melvin said, “It was hard, and it was hard for a number of years. I’m convinced that’s why a lot of guys get out of the business. But I loved it.

“I’ve always loved telling stories, and I’ve always loved talking to people, but I especially loved being able to cover the news in my hometown, because there is nothing like that.”