Going Solo   

In the face of sagging ratings, Chicago's WBBM-TV appoints special projects and investigations reporter Carol Marin its solo anchor at 10 p.m.

In the face of sagging ratings, Chicago's WBBM-TV shakes things up a bit, appointing special projects and investigations reporter Carol Marin its solo anchor for the 10 p.m. news. Marin, also a correspondent for CBS' "60 Minutes II," replaces the anchor team of Lester Holt and Linda MacLennan, who will still anchor the 4, 4:30 and 5 p.m. newscasts. Marin, 51, is a Chicago journalism icon: She joined the CBS affiliate in 1997 after 19 years as a reporter and anchor at the city's WMAQ-TV. WBBM, which has had low ratings in that 10 p.m. slot for the past few years, will let the news of the day determine what format the lone-anchor newscast takes. Though Marin will be busier‹"this will be a hard juggle," she says‹she's pleased with her new senior editor and reporter title, one that gives her some editorial control over the newscast. "I have really what I think is the best of both worlds," Marin says, citing her "60 Minutes II" gig paired with local news in Chicago. And Marin should have plenty of room to maneuver: "The good news with bad ratings," says WBBM News Director Pat Costello, "is you can try new things."