Vanessa Welch will join FOX25 News as co-anchor of the station's evening newscasts, anchoring the 5,6,10 and 11 p.m. newscasts alongside co-anchor Mark Ockerbloom, beginning Dec. 1. Welch comes to FOX25 after nearly nine years as an anchor and reporter at Cox Media Group's WFTV (ABC) in Orlando, FL.
“Vanessa is a strong journalist who has a track record of making a difference in the community,” said FOX25 Vice President and General Manager Tom Raponi. “We are looking forward to her joining the FOX25 News Team and being a trusted source for Boston viewers.”
“Vanessa’s success, both anchoring newscasts and affecting change through impactful investigative reporting, speaks for itself,” said News Director Lee Rosenthal. “She is a caring individual whose genuineness shines through on the air.”
While at WFTV, Welch anchored the market’s #1 rated 5 p.m. newscast. She covered national stories of interest, including the Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman trials.
Her investigative work included uncovering problems with Florida's toll payment system that led to innocent people going to jail. Her reporting led to changes at the state and local levels that helped fix the problems.
Welch also has been a watchdog for taxpayers. She broke stories about rampant abuse in food stamp and unemployment programs that caused changes to better protect taxpayer money.
With a strong track record of making a difference, Welch became a champion for viewers in need of help. That help included a single mother’s desperate attempt to get Medicaid coverage for a lifesaving surgery. Welch brought the case to state leaders, who changed Florida’s policy so that this type of surgery would be covered for all Medicaid patients in Florida.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of New England and join the talented team of journalists at FOX25,” said Welch. “My husband and I are excited to become part of the Boston community, living and working in one of America's greatest cities.”
As a mom of three young boys, Welch has a special place in her heart for helping children. After being introduced to a little girl with cancer six years ago, she helped start a 5k run for kids with cancer that has grown to 5,000 runners. The Vanessa Welch Reindeer Run at SeaWorld became an annual tradition that continues to raise funds to fight pediatric cancer. In addition, Welch volunteers with several organizations that are working to break the cycle of poverty. She is also involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Cox Media Group
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