Abrand new anchor is joining the fold of NBC’s TODAY: Nikki Battiste!

Nikki shared the news on her Instagram page, explaining that she will be leaving CBS News after contributing to several of their primetime and morning shows after nearly a decade.

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“I’m thrilled to share that I will be joining NBC News as anchor of Early TODAY. I will also contribute to TODAY,” she penned alongside a snap of herself with an NBC baseball cap and a TODAY mug.

“I’m honored, humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to work with the extraordinary teams at @nbc_earlytoday @todayshow and @nbcnews,” she continued, noting that going to NBC represents a full circle moment as well.

“This is special for me… a true homecoming. I began my journalism career as an NBC Page and then a production assistant at TODAY,” Nikki revealed. “NBC has always been near and dear to me. This next chapter is a dream come true.”

“Thank you @nbc_earlytoday, @todayshow and @nbcnews – and to my family for their continued support and love. I’ll see you on the air the week of August 10th on @nbc @nbcnews and @nbcnewsnow!” The week of August 10 will mark her debut as an anchor for Early TODAY, although her first day with the network is Monday, August 3.

She received the support of several colleagues, both past and present, with CNN’s Paula Reid commenting: “This is wonderful news, congrats!” and CBS Mornings’ Vlad Duthiers writing: “The best news ever! Congratulations Nikki!”

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Fellow CBS anchor Errol Barnett added: “Congratulations Nikki! So well deserved,” with ABC News’ Rachel Scott also gushing: “Love love love this.”

Who is TODAY’s newest anchor, Nikki Battiste?

Nikki’s career began with NBC as a page, working on Saturday Night Live and TODAY before being promoted to a production assistant. Her longest tenure then came at ABC News as a producer and reporter.

She extensively worked with properties like Good Morning America, 20/20, World News Tonight and Nightline, also co-producing several specials for Diane Sawyer and 20/20 especially. Some of her most notable stories include coverage of the Amanda Knox trial, the missing Malaysian Airlines 370, the Orlando nightclub shooting, and the 2016 presidential election.

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She then joined CBS News in 2017, first as a freelance correspondent for CBS Newspath, working for shows and properties like CBS Mornings, CBS Evening News, 48 Hours, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Some of her most notable stories for CBS include coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and the Covid-19 induced lockdowns, the El Paso shooting, the New Zealand mosque shooting, and most notably, the 2018 Catholic church sexual abuse scandal. She has multiple Emmys and a Peabody Award.

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Nikki is currently based in New York City, where she resides with husband Dean Simpson and their two kids, a son named Beau and a daughter named Viviana.