Celebrity News

Long consigned to the evening news ratings basement, CBS News figures it can't hurt to take some chances. The first was the appointment of a new anchor, Norah O'Donnell, who takes over Monday. The second comes in November, when the "CBS Evening News" leaves New York for Washington, D.C.

CBS News President Susan Zirinsky is bullish on the advantages the moves will offer and says CBS will guard against any temptation to become Washington-centric. The "CBS Evening News" has been behind ABC and NBC in the ratings for decades, through anchors Dan Rather, Katie Couric, Bob Schieffer, Scott Pelley and Jeff Glor. This season, ABC's "World News Tonight" is averaging 8.7 million viewers, NBC's "Nightly News" is at 8.1 million and CBS is at 6 million, according to Nielsen.

O'Donnell, 45, spent seven years on "CBS This Morning," but her roots are in Washington reporting. She covered the White House for both CBS and NBC and got her start following Congress at Roll Call.

On Tuesday, O'Donnell is set to travel to Florida, marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch. CBS hopes that will neatly tie her in the audience's mind to network history, since many Americans experienced space travel through the words of legendary anchor Walter Cronkite. A mother of three, O'Donnell is the third woman after Couric and Diane Sawyer to be a solo host of a network evening newscast.

Mark Twain's historic home in Hartford, Conn., has received a $1 million gift from bestselling novelist David Baldacci. The Mark Twain House & Museum said the gift is expected to support writing programs and more author appearances. Baldacci, who's published 38 books, has served on the Twain House board of trustees since 2012. Baldacci says that he's a huge fan of Mark Twain, aka Samuel Clemens, and has read everything he ever wrote. Baldacci said the famed author made a huge impression on him not only through his writing, but how he conducted his life. Clemens and his family lived in the Hartford home from 1874 to 1891.

Barbie has had many identities over the years. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of David Bowie's iconic "Space Oddity," Mattel released a collectible version of the doll dressed as Ziggy Stardust, one of his most beloved alter egos. Barbie wears the metallic Ziggy space suit with red and blue stripes, flared shoulders and cherry red platform boots. Mattel spared no makeup, featuring the astral sphere smack in the middle of Ziggy Barbie's forehead. The doll's hair is fiery red. Bowie died of cancer in 2016 at 69.

Associated Press