Natalie Morales joins 'Rock Center'

NEW YORK, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- "Today" news anchor Natalie Morales has signed on as a correspondent for "Rock Center with Brian Williams" in New York, NBC News said Tuesday.

Morales joins anchor and managing editor Brian Williams and his cast of correspondents, which includes Harry Smith, Kate Snow, Ted Koppel, Meredith Vieira, Richard Engel, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Matt Lauer and Ann Curry.

"A familiar face at NBC News, Natalie brings a breadth of experience to 'Rock Center with Brian Williams,'" Steve Capus, president of NBC News, said in a statement. "Not only has she been in the trenches with her award-winning reporting, she brings curiosity and compassion to the stories that she tells, and we're thrilled to have her on board with this new broadcast."

In addition to her new role as a correspondent on "Rock Center with Brian Williams," Morales will continue as the news anchor of "Today" and as co-host of the show's third hour, a position she's held since March 2006, NBC said.