Source: ABC News

December 2nd, 2003--Tamala Edwards has been named anchor for "World News Now," it was announced today by David Westin, president of ABC News. Ms. Edwards started her assignment at the overnight news anchor desk on Monday, December 1. She will be based in New York City.

"We are delighted Tamala's role at ABC News has continued to develop," said Mr. Westin. "She's a gifted journalist, and this is a wonderful opportunity for her to continue to grow as a broadcaster."

"World News Now" is the overnight news program for ABC News, airing from 2:00-4:30 a.m. ET, Monday - Friday. Sharon Newman is the executive producer. David Muir is the co-anchor.

Ms. Edwards has reported for ABC News across all programs since she joined the network in October 2001. She covered the Bush White House, and she was embedded with the Air Force during the war in Iraq, reporting from the Tallil air base, near Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Ms. Edwards has covered a range of social issues for ABC News, including the contentious election of Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, and the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action in the University of Michigan case. Ms. Edwards reported for TIME magazine before joining ABC News. She served as a correspondent in the Washington bureau of TIME, where she covered Congress, the 2000 presidential election and Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaigns. She was a staff writer based in New York from 1997 - 2001. She reported for the international edition of TIME from 1993-1995.

The Education Writers Association awarded Ms. Edwards first prize for her contribution to TIME's 1999 cover story, "What Makes a Good School." In its August 2000 issue, Vogue magazine named her a journalist for "The Next Establishment," and in November 2000 she was featured in Folio magazine's "30 Under 30" list.

Born in Georgia and raised in Texas, Ms. Edwards graduated from Stanford University with an honors bachelor of arts degree in International Relations.