• Wendy McMahon has resigned as CBS News CEO after disagreements with the company's direction.
• Her departure comes amidst a $20 billion lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against CBS.
• McMahon's exit follows that of "60 Minutes" executive producer Bill Owens, signaling internal turmoil.
• Paramount Global is in talks to settle the lawsuit while pursuing a merger with Skydance Media.
• George Cheeks praises McMahon for her contributions to CBS's local news and digital expansion.

Wendy McMahon has resigned from her role as president and CEO of CBS News, citing fundamental disagreements on the organization's future direction. In her memo to staff, she stated, "It's become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward. It's time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership," highlighting her challenges in recent months ... according to Business Insider and India Times.

McMahon's resignation is particularly significant as it coincides with a looming $20 billion lawsuit against CBS by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit alleges that CBS edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris to mislead viewers. CBS has strongly denied these accusations, and the lawsuit is characterized by legal experts as "frivolous" and burdensome to press freedom ... according to CBS News and Reuters.

This leadership change follows the recent resignation of Bill Owens, executive producer of "60 Minutes," who expressed that he could no longer operate the program independently amid growing editorial constraints. The departures mark a troubling period for CBS, leaving the organization in a perplexing situation regarding its editorial integrity ... according to India Times and SFGate.

As the pending legal dispute unfolds, Paramount Global, CBS's parent company, is exploring a merger with Skydance Media while also reconsidering its approach to pressing settlement negotiations with Trump. Paramount's leadership faces scrutiny from internal staff regarding the potential implications of a settlement, raising concerns about the erosion of journalistic autonomy ... according to CBS News and Business Insider.