Official announcements from Arizona State University

Veteran Anchor Aaron Brown Dies at 76; Guided CNN's 17-Hour 9/11 Coverage

Dec 31, 2024, 04:15 PM

Aaron Brown, a veteran television news anchor renowned for his calm and insightful coverage of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has died at the age of 76, his wife confirmed. Brown, who anchored CNN's 'NewsNight' from 2001 to 2005, gained widespread recognition for his 17-hour continuous reporting during 9/11, guiding viewers through the unfolding tragedy with a steady hand. Known for his thoughtful writing, rigorous questioning, and signature segment 'the whip' around the world with correspondents, Brown was considered one of the greatest anchors in CNN history. Before joining CNN, he worked at ABC News and was a prominent figure in Seattle broadcasting, starting as a night assignment editor at KING 5 before becoming a reporter and anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast at KIRO 7. After leaving CNN, he profoundly influenced journalism students as a professor at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Colleagues remember him for his literary sensibility and dedication to quality journalism.