CNN chief biz correspondent Velshi gets more duties

Kevin Allocca of TVNewser is reporting that Ali Velshi, the chief business correspondent at CNN, will also start handling a 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. general news timeslot on the cable network.

Allocca reports, “In a note to staff, CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein said that Velshi will remain chief business correspondent and continue to co-anchor ‘Your $$$$$.’

“Velshi has been reporting out of the New York bureau, but the new gig will broadcast from CNN’s Atlanta HQ. Velshi, who’s best known for his business reporting and field reports, has become increasingly visible on the network over the past year, providing coverage of the financial crisis. He’s also filled in for Campbell Brown and Rick Sanchez. Most recently, he anchored the network’s coverage of the Christmas day attempted terrorist attack.

“Klein wrote, ‘Ali brings the expertise and passion that viewers expect from CNN, as he recently demonstrated when he so deftly handled the Christmas day breaking news about the attempted terror threat.’

“The announcement goes hand in hand with news of anchor Heidi Collins departure from the network.”

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