After 20 years of reporting for CNN, correspondent Stephanie Elam spent her final moments on the network with her longtime colleague and friend, “CNN News Central” co-anchor Sara Sidner. On April 17, 2026, — a week after Variety first reported Elam’s impending departure — she connected via satellite with Sidner, who gave her a touching farewell on-air.
A video of their sweet exchange, posted on Elam’s Instagram feed, was captioned, “After more than 20 years in CNN’s orbit – first in NYC and then in LA – Stephanie’s time at the network is coming to a close. Naturally, her last time on the air was with Sara.”
Sara Sidner Tells Stephanie Elam She Has Been a ‘Sister to Me’
After Elam’s final report for “CNN News Central,” on the “Michael” biopic, Sidner took a moment to acknowledge her friend and colleague for helping her on and off the air, including being a supportive friend through her recent breast cancer journey.
“Stephanie, I know you have some news of your own,” she began. “You are leaving us. Everyone here is sad to see it. From your exuberant coverage of the eclipse to the difficult coverage of the fires and the protests that we have been in throughout the years together, I want to say thank you for being my friend, helping me through cancer, and being a sister.”
“Really, like, you have been a sister to me,” Sidner emotionally told Elam. “CNN brought us together, but ain’t nothing gonna tear us apart. Thank you. Thank you for all your hard work.”
Beaming, Elam replied, “Oh, you’re not getting get rid of me. I love you. I love all you guys on ‘Central.’ Every stage manager, everyone there, I love you guys. It’s been a joy working with you all.”
“Alright,” Sidner sighed, clearly sad to see Elam go. “You know we’ll be hanging. Thank you, Steph.”
Sara Sidner & Stephanie Elam Have Reported on Various Stories Together, Including Ananda Lewis’ Cancer Battle
The previous night, on April 16, Elam also reported on the “Michael” movie during Jake Tapper’s CNN show. At the end of her report, Tapper noted that it was “sadly, the last piece of journalism for ‘The Lead,’ because Stephanie, I’m told this is your last day.”
“And I just have to say,” Tapper continued, “I first met you covering the tornadoes in Oklahoma (in) I think 2013? 2014? And I saw you in Ferguson; you and Sidner were, just like, two of the gutsiest reporters I’d ever seen, during all that craziness. We’re really gonna miss you. I do not know what’s going on, but when I take over the company, I will bring you back.”
Elam replied, putting her hand on her heart, “Thank you, Jake. I appreciate all of you at ‘The Lead.’”
“We really are gonna miss you,” he reiterated. “Best of luck and stay in touch.”
From 2003 to 2011, Elam was based in New York, where she served as a business news correspondent for CNN, HLN and CNN International, per Variety. She rejoined the network in 2013, covering major news events including the eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, the death of music icon Prince, and heartbreaking coverage with Sidner of their dear friend and former MTV personality Ananda Lewis’ breast cancer battle and 2025 death.
Elam has not revealed any next steps, but said in a statement per Variety, “I’m so proud of my CNN career. Live or taped, writing packages or doing a show-and-tell, I’ve done it all — and having a front row seat to document history has been a gift.”