Irika Sargent Named CBS 2 Co-Anchor With Rob Johnson

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Irika Sargent has been named co-anchor of the CBS 2 Chicago (WBBM-TV) weekday evening news. Beginning October 19, Sargent will join Rob Johnson behind the station's anchor desk at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.

The announcement was made today by CBS 2 Vice President and News Director Jeff Kiernan, who said, "Irika is a talented broadcaster who possesses great experience as a journalist and additional insights that were developed during her time as an attorney. We look forward to welcoming her back to the Midwest and having her share her many talents with her colleagues and our viewers."

Sargent, who grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, said, "As a proud Midwesterner who embodies the core values of our region, I am curious, fair-minded and inherently connected to the people and places that make up the heartland of our country. I am thankful for this wonderful opportunity to live in Chicago and be a part of a news team that is committed to providing original reporting."

Sargent is joining CBS 2 Chicago from WFOR-TV in Miami, where she has co-anchored the station's weekday early evening and late newscasts since May 2014. She has also hosted WFOR's weekly public affairs show, "Focus on South Florida," and contributed a weekly news segment called "Legally Speaking."
Prior to that, Sargent was an anchor and reporter with KPRC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Houston. She has also worked at television stations in Mobile, Alabama and Columbia, Missouri.

Sargent graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She then earned a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School because she wanted to gain legal insight and expertise that could assist her in news coverage.

Sargent practiced law for four years in New York City at the Greenberg Traurig LLP law firm, where she represented clients in New York federal and state courts, as well as before the New York Division of Human Rights and National Labor Relations Board. Additionally, Sargent set aside time to provide free legal services to non-profit groups and underserved communities.

Throughout her career, Sargent has supported several non-profit organizations, including the United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization and the American Cancer Society. Sargent is a member of the New York Bar.