Kelly Hodgson grew up across the river from Lambeau Field and now calls the Driftless Region of Wisconsin her home. She is a keeper of bees, herder of monkeys and writer of things. She is also a columnist and co-host of the podcast Out of the Pocket. Both can be found at PackersTalk.com.
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Kelly Hodgson
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Nick Michalski
Writer Nick Michalski is a Milwaukee native who has been a big fan of the Brewers since childhood. He majored in English at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, with a minor in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature.Nick writes for The Brewers Bar and other publications.
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Chris Lempesis
WIsports.com writer Chris Lempesis is a native of Marquette, Michigan who now resides in suburban Milwaukee. He has been an intense Packers fan since childhood. He majored in journalism at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, with a minor in sociology.
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Wayne Larrivee
Wayne Larrivee's tenure as 620WTMJ's voice of the Green Bay Packers now reaches into part of three decades, as he and Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Larry McCarren have called Packers games together since 1999. Wayne has called NFL play-by-play on radio since the late 1970's. Wayne grew up in Lee, Mass. as a Packers fan. After attending Emerson College (where he has received an Alumni Achievement Award and serves on the board of directors), he started his NFL career as the radio voice of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1978. WGN hired him as the voice of the Chicago Bears in 1985, and he called a Super Bowl champion in his first season there. He stayed in Chicago through 1998.After the retirement of the legendary Jim Irwin that year, Wayne began his tenure in the role of Packers play-by-play voice, bringing the excitement and tradition of Packers football to a radio audience in six states and a global audience who hear Wayne and Larry's call on the Internet.Wayne's resume includes
- NFL football, NCAA basketball and golf's major tournaments on Westwood One radio
- TV voice of Big Ten football and Big Ten/Big East basketball on ESPN, the Big Ten Network and Fox Sports 1
- NBA basketball as radio voice of the Kansas City Kings and TV voice of the Chicago Bulls
- MLB as TV voice of Chicago Cubs on WGN-TV
- Radio voice of University of Iowa football and University of Missouri basketball
- Radio voice of Quad Cities Angels (minor league baseball)
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Jesse Ritka
Jesse Ritka joined TODAY’S TMJ4 and Storm Team 4 in February 2011 as the “Live at Daybreak” weekend meteorologist.Growing up in Prior Lake, Minnesota, Jesse has always been fascinated by storms. Whether it’s a massive snow storm like the Halloween Blizzard of 1991 or just a regular thunderstorm, she would sit on the family’s front steps and watch the weather play out in front of her eyes.Knowing in middle school that meteorology was the subject she wanted to study for the rest of her life, she received a mentorship with the National Weather Service in high school. She continued her studies at Iowa State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in meteorology with a minor in journalism. She was an active student member of the American Meteorological Society and fell in love with giving weather talks to elementary school children.During college Jesse worked for a private forecasting firm, predicting the weather for companies in Iowa, Europe and Japan. That perhaps gave her the idea to study meteorology abroad in Australia. But it wasn’t until Jesse interned at WHO-TV in Des Moines, Iowa that she finally decided broadcast meteorology was the route she wanted to pursue.After graduating from Iowa State, Jesse was offered the weekend meteorologist and weekday reporter position at KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She learned to not only do the weather, but to report, be a photojournalist, edit stories and anchor the news. She then became the morning meteorologist, tracking daily weather events and even providing coverage on the largest hailstone to fall in North American history in Vivian, South Dakota.When she’s not forecasting, Jesse likes to run. She’s completed two marathons so far and hopes to finish more in the future. She enjoys live theater as well as watching movies on the silver screen. And when the weather cooperates, you most likely will find her outdoors taking advantage of it.Jesse and her husband Jason are incredibly excited to call Milwaukee home. Despite growing up in Vikings territory, Jesse follows in her mother’s footsteps (she grew up in Manitowoc) and fully supports the Packers. Jesse and Jason both have family in Wisconsin and are thankful to be a little closer to them.
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Susan Kim
Susan Kim is celebrating 20 years and counting with TODAY'S TMJ4! She started with us in 1994, working both the assignment desk on the weekends and reporting during the week. Her hard work and dedication paid off and she was moved to full-time reporting and then anchoring, shortly after she started in Milwaukee. Susan has covered many stories during her tenure, including Packers Super Bowls in New Orleans and San Diego, the Falk explosion, and the crane collapse in the building of Miller Park. Susan was recently nominated for an Emmy for her coverage of the Azana Spa Shootings in 2012.In her many years on the anchor desk of 'Live at Daybreak', she has guided the station's coverage of numerous storms and breaking news, including the giant fire that claimed the Pizza Man restaurant on Milwaukee's East Side. 'Live at Daybreak' has been recognized as the 'Best Morning Newscast' several times by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.Susan also believes in making her community a better place to live. She volunteers a great deal of time helping many organizations but one of her biggest passions is the 'TODAY'S TMJ4 Community Baby Shower' which she helped start in 2001. It's a one-day drive to collect much needed baby items for families-in-need in Southeast Wisconsin. Since its inception, the 'Community Baby Shower' has collected tens of thousands of items and helped countless babies in our area. Susan understands the need first hand, as a mother of three: Madeline, Gabrielle, and Alex. She lives in a suburb of Milwaukee with her children and husband, Patrick. You can follow Susan on Twitter @susankim4 and on Facebook. You can also join Susan with her 'Live at Daybreak' co-anchor, Vince Vitrano, every Monday through Friday from 4:30-7AM.
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Carole Meekins
Carole Meekins is the longest tenured 10:00pm anchor in the Milwaukee market. November of 2014 will be her 23rd year at TODAY'S TMJ4 since November of 1991. She co-anchors "Live at 5:00," "Live at 6:00," "Wisconsin Tonight" at 6:30 and "Live at10:00." The daughter of a US Air Force officer, Carole traveled the globe growing up. "I'm thankful for my traveling experiences. It helped me realize that life is about humanity, and we are all connected." Shortly after graduating with a degree in Music from the University of Illinois-Champaign, Carole started out far from the bright lights of television.She began as a music teacher. Her first television job was as co-host of "God's Musical World" on KTVI in St. Louis. Carole's first television news job was at KPLR-TV in St. Louis . She also worked at WAKA-TV in Montgomery, Alabama, WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia, and WEWS-TV in Cleveland, Ohio. Carole believes in giving back, and her calendar is always full with speaking engagements and emcee events throughout the Greater Milwaukee Area. Her weekly "Positively Milwaukee" reports celebrate good news and inspirational stories of people, places, and events throughout southeast Wisconsin. She explains, "It is our obligation to remind people the world is filled with ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Most people are good."
Carole is also proud to help young cancer victims through her work with the MACC fund (Midwest Athletes against Childhood Cancer). Every year, she co-hosts the Sports Auction for MACC, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer research.
Meekins was inducted into the Silver Circle by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences fall of 2014. The Silver Circle honors outstanding individuals who have devoted 25 years or who have either made significant contributions to Milwaukee broadcasting. Carole has received numerous awards for her Positively Milwaukee reports.
She's been honored by the Wisconsin Broadcasting Association, Milwaukee Press Club, and an Emmy nominations. She has also receive awards from the Virginia Associated Press, a Media Award from the American Cancer Society of Wisconsin; Induction into the Mascoutah High School Hall of Fame; "Women on the Move" award by the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.; Leadership Award Milwaukee Area Girl Scouts; Media Award of Excellence St. Vincent De Paul Society; Milwaukee Community Journal Lifetime Service Award; Milwaukee Streets of Peace Award, and Department of Veterans Affairs Meekins was also honored by the Holy Redeemer Church in Milwaukee in its salute to 100 Black Women. She also received a leadership award from Delta Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma. Meekins was selected to carry the Olympic Torch in conjunction with NBC's coverage of the 2000 Olympics During her tenure at WTMJ. She has also served as honorary chairwoman of the Aids Walk Wisconsin, and the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Walk for a Cure.
When not at work Carole enjoys music, reading, working out, and long walks. She also loves to cook, and and is always looking for healthy gluten free recipes. When she is not at work, Carole and her husband love to take long walks along Lake Michigan and quick weekend trips around the state to take in the scenic beauty that is Wisconsin.
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Lance Allan
Growing up in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Lance Allan kept a working notebook on all kinds of sports statistics and interesting facts. "I loved sports even as a kid, but quickly realized that I wasn't a great athlete," said Lance. That didn't stop him from participating in everything from baseball to neighborhood kickball games, though.When Lance reached high school, the freshmen were asked in one particular class to think of a career they might like to pursue. "I thought right away that I wanted to be a sports announcer of some kind." His interest in sports broadcasting seemed to develop early and naturally. Even as a high school junior, Lance landed a job at WJMC, Rice Lake's local radio station. He did the small scale stuff that any teenager would be expected to handle, which wasn't a disappointment to Lance. He was getting a taste of broadcasting and loving every minute of it.From Rice Lake High School, it was on to UW - Barron County, and then the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where Lance studied broadcast journalism. Like many broadcasting students, Lance interned for the hands-on experience at WMTV, the local NBC affiliate, from Sept. 1991 to Aug. 1992. His real world preparation included editing sports highlights and conducting interviews.Once graduation neared, the big question became, "where can I get a job?" At the time, Rhinelander, Wisconsin was recommended as the place to go and get your feet wet. So, Lance sent an audition tape, which generated a call from WJFW-TV's news director. "He called to see about my interest in doing weather. At the time, I wanted anything to get started, so I took the job as WJFW's weather guy, if you can believe that," said Lance.His official title was weather reporter, but station management knew that Lance's heart was really in sports. "I did get the opportunity to shoot sports stories between my weathercasts, which was great," said Lance. "Because the station was so small, I really did a little bit of everything for two years...anchoring and reporting in news, weather and sports." In May 1994, Lance moved into sports permanently, a position he held for a year until he grabbed an opportunity to become weekend sports anchor at Green Bay's WFRV-TV. "I was excited to move to a bigger market," said Lance "Working in different capacities at WJFW taught me so many things, though. For one thing, I determined how much I really liked sports and wanted that to be my area of concentration. Being in weather taught me how to ad lib, and working as a news reporter taught me how to be thorough. It was so worth starting where I did."After a little more than a year at WFRV, Lance heard about an opportunity in the TODAY'S TMJ4's sports department. "I knew Kevin [Hunt] and Jessie [Garcia] from covering things together," said Lance. "In my opinion, TODAY'S TMJ4 has the best reputation around the state as far as the place to be in broadcasting. I wanted to give it everything I had to make their sports team." After the traditional resume tape reviews, interview process and difficult wait for a response, Lance got the call from TODAY'S TMJ4. "I had said whatever the outcome of my interview process, I just wanted a critique my tape and let me know how I was doing," said Lance. "Then I got the call. I was overwhelmed. I felt like all my education had finally paid off and that one of my bigger goals had been reached.Lance is happily married, and the proud father of three beautiful children, including identical twin boys. He was named the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 2012 and 2005 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
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Lacey Crisp
Lacey Crisp has moved around a lot for her job, most recently she worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but she’s no stranger to the dairy state. Lacey was the Appleton bureau reporter for WGBA, a sister station of TODAY’S TMJ4 in Green Bay. Lacey also worked in the hometown of Elvis, in Memphis, TN but she began her career as weekend anchor/reporter at WDAZ in Grand Forks.While in Grand Forks, Lacey won a first place Eric Sevareid award from the Northwest Broadcast News Association for investigative reporting. She uncovered city officials trying to sell a building the city didn’t own.Lacey is a proud graduate of the University of Minnesota. She has degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. She is originally from the small town of Chester, South Dakota.While Lacey has enjoyed living in different parts of the county, Lacey and her husband, Mike, are excited to be closer to family and friends. Mike’s family is from Fond du Lac. Lacey and Mike were married in Door County. They have two daughters, Addison and Aubrey. Addison loves chasing around the family dog, a Shih Tzu named Bella. Lacey enjoys running, going to sporting events and frequenting many area coffee shops.
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Jermont Terry
Jermont Terry joined the TODAY'S TMJ4 team in January 2011. He currently leads the TMJ4 I-Team as the investigative reporter. Prior to returning to the Midwest, Jermont spent time working at WXII, the NBC affiliate in Greensboro, North Carolina. He also spent four years working as an investigative reporter at WKYT, the CBS affiliate in Lexington, Kentucky. Jermont also worked as a producer and reporter at WLFI, the CBS affiliate in West Lafayette, Indiana. Jermont started his journalism career on the AM/FM dials in his home state of Illinois while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Chicago native graduated with a bachelors of science in broadcast journalism from the College of Communications at the University of Illinois.During his news career Jermont has been honored with a number of awards, including an Associated Press award for “Best Enterprise/Investigative Story.” His reporting during the deadly Comair Flight 5191 crash in Lexington in 2006 led to an Edward R. Murrow award. His work at WXII-TV in Greensboro contributed to another Edward R. Murrow award for in 2009.Jermont is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists. When he’s not working Jermont loves relaxing and taking vacations. The avid music lover enjoys concerts and hanging out with his family back in Chicago. Jermont is always looking for a good story.
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John Malan
Over the past 31 years, John Malan has become a broadcast legend in Milwaukee. His live remotes interacting with people out in the community are classic. "I've always loved doing them," said John. "It gives me the chance to shake hands with people and find out their thoughts on the weather, news, sports -- just about anything. It's great meeting folks."John's been with TODAY'S TMJ4 for seventeen years - since February of 1994. He came across town after working 14 years as WISN-TV's Chief Meteorologist. But did John ever think he'd build such a successful career as a broadcast meteorologist?After graduating from Northeastern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in geography and science, and then from Northern Illinois University with a master's degree in meteorology, John became a part-time teacher. "I taught earth science courses at Triton Junior College right outside Chicago," John explained. "A friend casually mentioned one day that a part-time weather producer job was open at WLS-TV. I thought, 'What the heck, I'll try.'" "You could say that I took the place by storm. For one thing, the management there never thought they would have interest in someone with a master's degree for the job they offered. But I worked real hard to put together really accurate forecasts and great looking maps. That level of knowledge usually wasn't expected from the behind-the-scenes guy. A couple of times, I even nailed some long-term forecasts, which really helped the on-air weathermen to look good on the air."During those days when producers were deeply involved in putting together the forecast, John made a lasting impression on WLS management. They even created a full-time position for him, which eventually led to a job producing weather segments for "Good Morning America" at the WLS-TV studios in Chicago.After doing so much behind-the-scenes forecasting, John toyed with the idea of getting in front of the camera. "I would have to say it was John Coleman who encouraged me to get started on the air. We put together an audition tape and sent it out around the country." Three offers came in: St. Louis, San Francisco and Milwaukee. "My wife said to me, 'Let's stay closer to home,' and, well, we've been in Milwaukee ever since." John and his wife Marian are both Chicago natives. "I always thought that one day I would end up back in Chicago," said John. "But, I just keep doing my thing here in Milwaukee and enjoying it. It's never occurred to me to move."One could say fate got John started in the broadcast business. His interest in science, however, goes back to growing up in a very nature-loving family. "I've been interested in geography and nature since I can remember. My parents, four sisters and I always did things that involved exploring nature, like traveling and exploring state parks. My wife Marian and our three kids were the same way. We'd much rather spend a vacation canoeing on a lake or visiting the Grand Canyon than going to a theme park. Everything about nature is just so fascinating and phenomenal."While John developed a mature appreciation of nature as a kid, he was never fixated on the sciences. "I never owned a science kit growing up, or thought about making tornadoes in a jar. Stuff like that was the farthest thing from my mind. I spent most of my time on the baseball field."In fact, John wasn't thinking about going to college after high school. He intended to play professional baseball the rest of his life. "I played one week of minor league baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm team, the Muskegon Pepsi's. Then it was all over in one play. I broke my ankle sliding into third. They sent me home for the summer to recuperate. But it wasn't long after I was home that I was drafted and sent to Vietnam."John spent two years in Vietnam, driving tanks and crewing helicopters. He came home with a Purple Heart for being shot through the leg, with tales of being caught in a typhoon, and with lasting memories of friends and fellow soldiers. "It was so good to get home to my family," said John.After his three years at WLS-TV and Good Morning America in Chicago, John moved to Milwaukee and worked first at Channel 12 for fourteen years from 1980 to 1994. He not only worked on the 5, 6 and 10pm newscasts each night Monday through Friday, but also was frequently asked to do the major parade telecasts including the Christmas Parade, City of Festivals parade, and the Great Circus parade. He hosted the Children’s Miracle Network telethon for seven years from 1987 through 1993. He also volunteered to do live events and be the spokesperson for the Gifts from the Hearts program and Food for Families. John was awarded the American Meteorological Society’s Television Seal of Approval in February of 1981.He crossed town arriving at TODAY'S TMJ4 in 1994 and started on the 10pm newscast again in February of 1995 and continues on the 5, 6 and 10pm through today. He has been doing the 10pm weather in Milwaukee for over thirty years! While at Channel 4 he has volunteered for the Greater Milwaukee Volunteer Task Force campaign and volunteers to help lead Charity Walks for Alzheimer’s and the Kidney foundation. John also works with aspiring meteorologists through an intern program with UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison, where he trains students in proper chroma-key techniques and how to tell the story of the weather forecast. His former interns on the air right now in the state of Wisconsin alone are Michael Fish and Luke Sampe in Milwaukee, Charles Koch in Madison, Brian Niznansky in Green Bay and Michelle Poedel in La Crosse.His science background helped him shoot and produce a Tornado Special back in the late 1970’s at WLS-TV for Weatherman John Coleman that helped inspire the northern Illinois fireman’s association to spearhead a fund raiser for the first NWS Doppler radar site at Joliet in Illinois. His special on the New Madrid earthquake fault in Missouri in the late 1980’s talked about the little known biggest earthquake zone in the United States. He also chased tornadoes across Oklahoma and Texas, and covered the devastating aftermath of the strongest tornado on record that blew through the southern suburbs of Oklahoma City in 1999.John has always believed in quick and accurate live severe weather coverage, and was present for most of the extreme weather in the past thirty-one years in Milwaukee. On his first day on the job in April of 1980 a tornado touched down at a trailer court in Beaver Dam. He reported on the science of that tornado in the field which was a very rare anti-cyclonic tornado! He covered the incredibly cold month of January in 1982 when temperatures hit 25 to 26 below zero and wind chills to eighty below zero. He was on air for the Barneveld Tornado, West Bend and Wales Tornado of 1984, the devastating floods of August in 1986, the unbearably hot summer of 1988, the freakish late May snowfall of May 10th in 1990, the Oakfield F5 tornado in 1996, the major floods of 1998 and 2010, and every severe weather threat to Milwaukee in between.Family continues to be the focus of John's life, although he and his wife, Marian, are now "empty nesters." His oldest daughter, Jessica, completed her forestry degree and currently lives in Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband, Shane. Jessica also completed forest fire training and helped fight the brutal fires near San Bernardino in California during the summer of 2003. His second oldest daughter, Jorie, received her degree from UW-La Crosse and went to work for a travel company specializing in adventure and education trips for college students. Jorie spent one summer as a guide and counselor in Costa Rica, and then completed her graduate training at the North Carolina School of the Arts, one of the most prestigious art schools in the U.S. After working behind the scenes on Broadway doing hair, make-up and prosthetics for the past four years, she went on a one year tour doing the make-up for the Broadway show ”SHREK”. She was the main character’s make-up artist. She now sets her sights on television and film make-up. John's youngest child, Johnny, received his degree from UW-Oshkosh and played soccer for the Oshkosh Titans. He was a starting member of the only undefeated team there, although they lost in the National Championship game to the eventual winners at the NCAA Final 4 tournament in New Jersey. He works in the medical delivery and set-up field currently and has also recently moved to Wilmington in North Carolina.When asked how often John gets to see his children he says, "We still get together for all major family holidays and traditions, which we instilled in them from when they were very young.
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Steve Chamraz
When he joined TODAY’S TMJ4 in 2011, Steve Chamraz returned to the place where his career began. In 1995, Steve worked as newsroom intern while a freshman at Marquette University. He stuck around for a couple more years, working as an overnight newscaster on Newsradio 620 WTMJ and as a television field producer.These days, Steve anchors “Live at 3:00” and “Live at 4:00” and contributes to the TODAY’S TMJ4 I-Team.“This is the place where I learned to love television news,” Steve said. "Working here just feels natural."
In 2011, Steve's I-TEAM reporting exposed problems with illegal day cares, including dangerous practices that contributed to the deaths of children. This prompted hearings by a state senate committee, which is considering legislation to help keep children safe in day care.
He has also kept close tabs on Milwaukee parking enforcement, uncovering a ticket quota that encourages parking checkers to issue bogus tickets. In 2012, this reporting won awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the Milwaukee Press Club.
One of Steve's favorite projects is the ongoing construction of the USS Milwaukee, the fifth naval ship to bear the name of our city. He has followed construction of Milwaukee since day one, blending stories about the new ship with tales of the ones that came before.
In his free time, Steve enjoys following Brewers baseball and Marquette University basketball. He is also a fan of the eclectic options appearing on Milwaukee's dining scene.
Before returning to Milwaukee, Steve worked as a reporter for FOX-owned WFLD-TV in his hometown of Chicago. He led the investigative reporting teams at KMOV-TV in St. Louis and KCTV-TV in Kansas City. He has also reported for television stations in Madison and San Francisco.
Steve has received some of the industry's highest honors including a National Headliner Award for Investigative Reporting. Steve was a finalist for the Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, won eight regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, nine Mid-America Emmy Awards, three Missouri Broadcasters Awards, the Kansas Broadcasters Award and numerous awards from the Kansas City Press Club. In 1997 the Hearst Journalism Foundation named Steve one of the top young reporters in the country.Steve's work has been featured on the CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes and Court TV. It has resulted in new state laws, reforms to the court system, the clean-up of illegal dumps, criminal investigations and the resignations of powerful public servants.
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Charles Benson
Charles Benson is one of the most reliable, trusted and experienced reporters in southeast Wisconsin. If there's a big story going on, Charles is usually there leading the way. He's not only a familiar face in the community, but a man of faith, dedicated to his family.
Charles was inducted into the prestigious Milwaukee Silver Circle in 2013, a lifetime achievement honor given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
“In presidential election years, you can find me chasing candidates around Wisconsin, keeping them honest about their campaign promises. My favorite stories are about people right here in Milwaukee and around the state. Whether it's a story about the trials and tribulations of someone's life or the triumphs of the Packers or Brewers, I'm always looking for the story that will make a difference in people’s lives.”
“It's not always about the stories you break; it's about the people you meet. It's about making a difference, showing the struggles people go through, and having an impact in our community.”
“I worked in Peoria, Illinois, Green Bay and Madison. But most of his my talented years happened right here. My wife is from Milwaukee and my son was also born here. They’re the two reasons why I love and will always love this place.”
“It all started with a dream as a young boy. By the 3rd grade, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for a living. In my little league, I was more interested in doing the play-by-play than being an athlete.”
“Part of what helped me develop the skills to be a journalist was my unique upbringing. Growing up, my dad was in sales, and we moved around a lot. I was constantly meeting new people, and making new connections with folks I didn't know. It’s something I still do almost every day!”
“These days, you can always find me training for something. I love biking, running and swimming and occasionally combine all three for a few triathlons each year. I completed the Wisconsin Ironman competition in 2013. It was my first Ironman but hopefully not my last. I'm also a big believer in volunteering for the church and the community. The best part of my day is when I'm in the grocery store, the gym or a public place and someone stops me to say ‘Thanks for doing that story,’ or ‘I like what you're doing on the news.’”
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Michele Fiore
Michele Fiore is thrilled to be joining TODAY’S TMJ4 after spending the last two years as a part-time reporter/anchor for our sister station, Newsradio 620 WTMJ. If there's one thing Michele knows, it's Milwaukee. Her experience in news spans more than a decade, including time as a reporter and assignment editor at CBS-58 where she won a CBS Circle of Excellence Award for her coverage on the downtown postal shooting. Michele says she hopes to draw from her major market experience, working as a reporter for Chicagoland Television News and at Newsradio 780/WBBM in Chicago, to bring the biggest and best of our area to Milwaukee viewers each night.
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Jessie Garcia
"I never was an athlete growing up," said Jessie Garcia, TODAY'S TMJ4 sports reporter and anchor. "But I've always loved writing and telling stories, which is what I'm doing everyday." Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, Jessie, like lots of kids, had thoughts of becoming a veterinarian or an actress one day. But once she reached junior high, she knew she wanted to be a writer or journalist. "I always thought I'd be a newspaper writer," she said.Instead, Jessie started honing her interviewing skills. "I loved to interview people when I was a kid. My mom still has these hysterical cassette tapes of me interviewing her and even my cat." It was her step-father, however, who passed on his passion for sports. He and Jessie would go to Badger games together when she was a young teenager. She's been hooked on the excitement of sports ever since. "It's all about the emotion of the games," said Jessie. "I'm not much of a stats person. I like telling the story of what's behind the team, win or lose."While attending Madison East High School, Jessie ran track, played softball and was a cheerleader. She also wrote for her school's newspaper, covering both news and sports, but she definitely liked the sports assignments better. "I like the creativity. You can write with all those great adjectives and really have fun with it."After high school, Jessie headed east to Boston University. Her first day on campus, she joined the newspaper staff and eventually became assistant sports editor. "The experience was great," she said. "I covered everything from BU hockey, which is really big out there, to swimming, lacrosse...just about everything."While maintaining a 3.5 grade point average, working at the school newspaper, and enjoying a college social life, Jessie managed to work a TV news internship into her schedule. When she got home for summer break in 1991, she took on yet another internship, with WISC-TV Channel 3 in Madison. "I begged and pleaded with the news director for a sports internship," said Jessie. "He finally gave it to me. I learned so much in that one summer."When asked about her first professional experience covering sports, Jessie recalled her assignment to cover the boys state baseball tournament in Wausau, Wis. "I had to drive to Wausau by myself. I was meeting the photographer and was to watch the whole game and get the story. Well, the game got over real late. There I was, driving back from Wausau with my heart pounding. I think I walked in the door at 10:05, and the story was scheduled to air at something like 10:20. I really found out what it means to be on deadline and the stress that comes along with it, but I guess it wasn't enough to scare me away."The decision to return home after graduation wasn't a hard one for Jessie, who's very close to her family and, back then, had a fiance (now husband) waiting. "I spent a year away from Paul when I was at school and he was still in Madison."WISC offered Jessie a part-time sports reporter position, which turned full-time early the next year. Since Madison is such a big sports town, there always were more than enough stories to cover. "The job kept me running," said Jessie.Throughout her two years at WISC, Jessie primarily reported, but did a fair share of anchoring, as well. As she was finishing her second year at Channel 3, TODAY'S TMJ4 in Milwaukee was adding two additional newscasts to its line-up, and veteran sports director Hank Stoddard was getting ready to retire. The sports department was looking for additional team members.Through a combination of good timing and assertive networking, Jessie landed the job as reporter/anchor at TODAY'S TMJ4 in June 1994. Viewers instantly respected Jessie because she knows her stuff and she works hard, which is recognized by viewers and athletes alike. "Being a woman in sports broadcasting, I didn't know what to expect at first," said Jessie. "Overall, my experience has been extremely positive. Wisconsin athletes, in particular, are very professional, even in the locker room. I don't feel that I've been treated differently than any other reporter. There's a mutual respect. We're all just trying to do our jobs."
You might also recognize Jessie from her work with a certain sports team in Green Bay. She's been the sideline reporter for pre-season Packers games on TODAY'S TMJ4 since 2003. She is also co-host of "The Mike McCarthy Show" which is seen every Tuesday night at 6:30 during Packers season.Jessie and Paul are the proud parents of two boys. Jake was born in 1999 and Charlie was born in 2003. The four of them spend a lot of time traveling back and forth to Madison and St. Paul, MN where Paul grew up. Jessie finds it challenging and rewarding to juggle her career and motherhood. When not working Jessie, Paul and the boys enjoy the outdoors.
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Katie Crowther
Katie Crowther was born and raised the suburbs of Detroit. She attended John Carroll University, and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She started her television career in Rockford, IL, and most recently spent three years covering news in Las Vegas. She also spent time working in Cleveland, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Dublin, Ireland.
Katie is passionate about traveling, sports, being with family and friends, trying new things and meeting new people. She's excited to call Milwaukee her new home, and looks forward to exploring the city.
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Brian Gotter
Brian Gotter joined TODAY'S TMJ4 and Storm Team 4 in October 2006 as the midday and early evening meteorologist. He was born in Green Bay and grew up in Fond du Lac and Oshkosh. He vividly remembers the famed "Snow Bowl" in Green Bay when the Packers were playing the poor Buccaneers in 20" of snow: "Fans rode their snowmobiles to the stadium and people were sliding down the steps of Lambeau. It was awesome."After a brief love affair with aviation in college, Brian transferred to the University of Oklahoma, one of the best severe storm schools, where he chased tornadoes and focused on severe weather. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geosciences in 1996 and received his American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval in 1997. Brian has also been awarded the prestigious status of "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" from the American Meteorological Society.During his senior year in college, Brian landed his first job at KSWO in Lawton, Oklahoma. After graduation, Brian moved back home to Wisconsin to work for WAOW in Wausau -- and after only a year, he was offered a great job at WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida. During his five-year stay in Jacksonville, he covered lots of severe weather and numerous tropical storms and hurricanes, including two weeks of Hurricane Floyd in 1999.Before coming to TODAY'S TMJ4, Brian spent four years at WCCO in Minneapolis doing the morning show. "The people were great to me despite being a diehard Packer fan," he says.While in Minneapolis, Brian won an Emmy award for the morning show and even went to New York to be a fill-in meteorologist on the "CBS Early Show." Since coming to Milwaukee, Brian has won an Emmy award for "Best Meteorologist in the Midwest" in 2009 and 2010.He spends his free time with his wife Tina, daughter Alexis, "Ali," who was born on July 29, 2005, and son Austin, who was born on September 22, 2010. "My girls and my boy are my life! There is nothing more important to me," he says. "I always wanted a little girl after seeing the movie "Father of the Bride," and Ali is a dream daughter…she loves the girlie things, yet also loves sports and working in the yard with her dad. She is in love with Bernie Brewer and can’t wait to introduce Austin to Bernie. Miller Park has been “Bernie’s House” to Ali since we moved here. Austin has made our great life, perfect! He is amazing and I can’t get enough of my boy! He is so happy and always smiling and he adores his big sister! They are so cute together and I am enjoying every moment because soon he will be getting into her things and the fighting will begin! Being a dad is better than I ever imagined and I am blessed with the two cutest and sweetest kids ever. As you can see, I am a very proud dad."Brian's hobbies include watching, chasing and photographing weather; golf; travel; biking; basketball; bowling (should have been a professional..kidding); jet-skiing; snow-skiing; and going to every Green Bay Packers home game. "I am a season ticket holder and love my Packers," Brian exclaims. "There is nothing like going to Lambeau Field and tailgating for hours before the game. I can’t wait to take Ali and Austin" Brian is very happy to be at TODAY'S TMJ4 and in Milwaukee: "I spent a lot of time in Milwaukee and watching TMJ4 as a kid. It's home. I love Summerfest, the Bucks, and the Brewers, and I was at the last games in County Stadium and still remember crying as I watched John Tudor beat the Brewers in Game 7 of the 1982 World Series (I was 10)."Brian is also a graduate student at the University of Minnesota where he is working on a Ph.D. in Climatology. He is researching the changes in thunderstorm and tornado frequency in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Brian hopes to get his findings published in weather and climate journals.
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Scott Steele
For almost as long as he can remember, Scott Steele wanted to work as a journalist and a meteorologist. As a child, he would watch the sky conditions and report ominous changes to his parents. At fourteen, Scott became the youngest intern ever to work at WLS-TV in Chicago, where many broadcast veterans taught him the television business inside and out. In fact, a young Scott used to report the weather conditions from his family’s neighborhood to a young man named John Malan who started his career behind the scenes in the “Windy City.”Scott graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University in 1986 with emphasis in both meteorology and broadcast journalism. During college he continued his work at WLS-TV and began working at their college television station. Scott learned many jobs there, from on-air reporter, to photojournalist, to tape editor, and anchor.Scott began his first professional on-air job for the ABC affiliate in Rockford, Illinois as a reporter and fill-in meteorologist. After graduation, Scott began working as a reporter and meteorologist at WLUK-TV in Green Bay. During his six years there, he was known for his tenacity in breaking exclusive stories and his versatility in also doing the weather.Scott joined another Milwaukee television station in 1992 as a reporter and meteorologist. During his decade there, he became one of the first journalists in the country to regularly feature stories on new technology and computers. Scott also co-hosted the station’s morning show and did the weather reports each weekday with his faithful sidekick, Spunky the Weatherdog.Spunky, a Boston Terrier, was featured in a daily segment called, “What’s Spunky Sportin’?” It was a light-hearted way to help children and adults dress for the weather.Scott left television to develop his own marketing/communications company and at the same time was hired as Marketing, Communications, and Creative Director for a major Milwaukee area nonprofit agency.Scott returned to TV by joining TODAY’S TMJ4 in January, 2007.
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Yona Gavino
Yona joined TODAY'S TMJ4 as a general assignment reporter in April 2013.Before moving to MIlwaukee, Yona spent the last two and a half years as a reporter at the local NBC affiliate in Michigan's beautiful and scenic Upper Peninsula. During her time there, she covered four counties, shot her own footage, and also filled-in as an anchor. As the Escanaba bureau reporter, she experienced adventures like flying a plane for a series piece, and reporting live from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. While Yona was at TV6, she was named Michigan's Best Reporter by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
Yona received a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of West Florida in 2008. She's orginally from Pensacola, Florida, but is now proud to call Milwaukee her home.When she's not on the news, you'll find Yona traveling, volunteering or engrossed in a good book.If you have a news tip or a story idea you'd like to share with Yona, feel free to e-mail her at ygavino@tmj4.com.
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Mike Jacobs
Mike Jacobs is the longest serving TV news anchor inMilwaukee. He started as a weekend anchor and reporter at TODAY'S TMJ4 in August of 1977 and moved to the anchor desk full time in 1978. He keeps a non-stop pace as co-anchor of Live at 5:00, Live at 6:00 and Live at 10:00: "I love being on the anchor desk, particularly during live breaking news coverage, where nothing is scripted and you just have to wing it. But I also love reporting. That's where the real fun is. I get to meet the most interesting people." From compelling reports on American soldiers who've been critically wounded in Iraq to captivating jail house interviews with convicted cop killers, Mike is always finding "real people" stories -- be it heroes or villains. Mike has won a series of prestigious journalism awards. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, Mike was named "Television Journalist of the Year" by the Milwaukee Press Club. He has also won a Peabody Award -- the broadcast equivalent of a Pulitzer -- for "Who's Behind the Wheel," his investigative series on checkered driving records of school bus drivers. The Chicago/Midwest Regional Chapter of the Emmy Awards honored Mike with its Silver Circle Award in 2008, the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award. In addition, Mike has won two Emmy Awards and numerous state and regional journalism awards.Even after over thirty memorable years in the business, Mike shows no signs of boredom. "I think I have one of the best jobs inMilwaukee," he said. "It's interesting, exciting and educational. I get to be where all the action is and keep up on important news. But the best part is going home from work every night having learned something new since the start of the day."Mike likes to tell people he's been delivering the news since he was 12 years old, which technically is true. He started delivering newspapers (The Des Moines Register) when he was in the 6th grade. He vividly remembers reading the paper in his dad's chair after his route every morning, sparking an early interest in news. He was also fascinated by radio. Mike's memories of working at a tiny radio station inIowa Falls, IA are a big part of his idyllic childhood. He grew up inHubbard, Iowa , a tiny farming community where his father was a local minister. He was popular in high school, a star running back on the football team.Mike started college on a football scholarship at theUniversity ofDubuque in Dubuque, Iowa, then transferred toDrakeUniversity inDes Moines, where he majored in radio and television. While a senior at Drake, Mike got a job as a cameraman with WHO-TV, the dominant station inDes Moines at the time.In 1973 following graduation, the company offered him a part-time job, which eventually led to his first full-time TV reporting gig. A couple of years later, Mike moved toRockford, Illinois to take an anchoring job at WREX-TV, a job he held until joining TODAY'S TMJ4. "I joined the station on Aug. 16, 1977," said Mike. "I'll never forget it. It was the day Elvis died."
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