Sinclair Names ‘National Desk’ P.M. Anchors

The National Desk, Sinclair Broadcast Group’s national news program, today announced that Meagan O’Halloran and Eugene Ramirez will anchor The National Desk’s late news, launching on Sept. 27.

O’Halloran will return to Sinclair to anchor the evening edition of The National Desk, and Ramirez will serve as the live desk anchor, weeknights from 10 p.m.-midnight ET/7-9 p.m. PT, providing viewers with a comprehensive, commentary-free look at the most impactful national and regional stories.

Sinclair said that harnessing the power of its “expansive local news footprint, The National Desk will continue the mission of delivering news for a national audience from a local perspective, with reporters living in the communities they cover.”

As The National Desk expands its in-depth, by-the-minute coverage in evening news hours, audiences across the country will be able to watch the newscasts on 64 stations in 60 markets (including all MNT and CW channels owned or operated by Sinclair); STIRR, Sinclair’s free OTT streaming platform; as well as Sinclair’s news websites, giving viewers even more real-time news coverage throughout the day.

“We are thrilled Meagan and Eugene, acclaimed journalists with proven track records of making a difference in their local communities, will be leading the newscast as we expand our reach and content across additional dayparts,” said Mike Garber, director of content, The National Desk.

O’Halloran previously worked at Sinclair’s WZTV Nashville where she was honored with several awards for investigative and consumer reporting. While there, O’Halloran also produced and anchored entertainment specials that aired across the U.S. on Sinclair’s Fox stations. O’Halloran was most recently an anchor at KDVR Denver, where she led the FOX31 Morning News each weekday. O’Halloran began her media career at St. Petersburg Times and the Florida State Capitol, later moving to WJHG Panama City. She holds a degree from Florida State University.

Ramirez joins The National Desk after working as a public affairs consultant and as the City of Miami’s director of communications. He previously worked as a reporter and anchor in Miami, Tampa and Orlando, and has contributed reports to CNN, Fox News Channel, HLN, MSNBC and Telemundo. He has received Associated Press Awards for breaking news coverage and for his special reports from Cuba following U.S. policy changes. Ramirez began his career in news at Spanish-language WTPH Fort Myers, Fla. He holds a degree in communications from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.

The National Desk’s p.m. newscast will be led by Executive Producer Ryan Minnaugh, who launched The National Desk’s five-hour, national morning show earlier this year.

In the coming weeks, The National Desk will be also launching a new website and app, giving audiences immediate access to local and national news.