As you lounge on the couch, watching TV, or surf to the WFRV Local 5 site for local news, weather, or sports, you’re not just seeing a broadcast. You’re seeing the sweat equity, effort, and teamwork of a team of dedicated individuals. The WFRV News Team is made up of reporters, anchors, meteorologists, producers, and backroom staff—all working toward bringing you the most current and accurate news in Northeast Wisconsin.
The News Anchors: At the Forefront
The anchors anchor at the front of the newsroom—the voices and faces you wake up to every morning, afternoon, and evening. These anchors put in many hours bringing you the latest news responsibly and briefly. From breaking news to human interest stories to politics, WFRV anchors bring you the news of what is occurring.
Those familiar faces you’ve grown accustomed to are:
Tom Zalaski – A well-seasoned evening anchor with years of reporting the news.
Erin Davisson – Recognized for her roots in the community and hard-hitting reporting.
Chelly Boutott – One of the hardworking morning anchors who helps viewers start the day with breaking news.
These anchors don’t just read from the teleprompter. They actually put in effort to research the news, interview the individuals in the local community, and bring problems to the community that matter.
The Meteorologists: Reading the Skies
In Wisconsin, the weather can turn at any moment. That is why their team is always on its toes. They give us life-saving information.
Jordan Lamers – The friendly and informative morning presence who breaks down forecasts in everyday language.
Storm Team 5 – The group of professionals who use high-tech radar gear and weather models to precisely track conditions.
They are especially valuable in dangerous weather, protecting people by providing real warnings and advice.
The Reporters: On the Scene for You
Anchors deliver news in the studio. But reporters venture onto the streets gathering facts. They attend press conferences, interview people, and cover events. Such as neighborhood festivals, city council meetings, and crime scenes in progress.
They all bear the responsibility of keeping the tales even, fact-checked, and engaged with the viewers. They have early mornings and their day is usually long and late into the evening.
The Behind-the-Scenes Crew
Behind each of the broadcasts is a strong behind-the-scenes machinery. They are:
Producers who direct the sequence of the stories and bring them out smoothly.
Editors who edit the videos, clean up the sound, and prepare the visuals.
Camera men and engineers who make every shot sound and appear fantastic.
You would not have the nice programs WFRV airs on a daily basis without such employees.
More Than a Newsroom
WFRV’s News Staff does more than belong to the community; they contribute back to the community. They attend charity events, schools, and open forums to make presentations. They’re dedicated to making a difference, on the air and off.
By what they do, they give not only information, but also trust, connection, and care to the Green Bay community and beyond.
Commitment to Ethics and Accuracy
The most striking aspect of the WFRV News Team is their commitment to ethical reporting of the news. Double-checked for accuracy, sourced, and vetted, every news story broadcast is. Reporters follow ethics guidelines of a journalist, and unbiased, un-sensationalized information reaches viewers. With how quickly misinformed news can spread today, such a commitment is not only commendable—it’s vital.
Multimedia Integration and Digital Innovation
The WFRV crew is no longer bound by the confines of traditional TV. Social media and the web have seen the station investing in digital content creators who populate their website and social media channels at the moment. Livestream, short clips, Facebook Lives, and weather reports on Twitter all play their part to watch them reach individuals at any moment, anywhere.
Local Sports Coverage: A Community Passion
To Wisconsinites in the Northeast, high school football, Packers news, and college athletics on a regional level are Holy Grail. It’s all covered by WFRV’s sports department. From game-day coverage at Lambeau Field to profiles with high school athletes, their sports department gets fans up close and personal with in-depth reporting. It’s not scores—it’s about local pride.
Special Series and Investigative Segments
In addition to breaking news, WFRV also makes time for special reports and in-depth reporting. Investigative stories expose corruption or provide illumination of matters that otherwise were unreported. “Local 5 Investigates” reports cover topics like scams on the elderly, environmental risks, or city budgets. These stories take weeks of work and are the product of a station that values accountability journalism.
One of WFRV’s gems is programming that includes highlights of the region’s positive news. The human interest pieces highlight local heroes, businesses, and behind-the-scenes community contributors. Programs such as “Midwest Farm Weekly” and “Our Town” demonstrate the team’s energy to share those stories that empower and provoke.
Morning and Evening Rhythms
The news never stops coming, nor does the staff. The morning staff tends to begin work before dawn, pushing out stories, weather, and traffic information so viewers can start their day knowing what is happening. The evening staff closes the day. They do it with rundowns, investigations, and breaking news. This timely production requires teamwork, communication, and perseverance.
Young Journalists and Intern Programs
WFRV also trains the next generation of news reporters. By hosting internships at area universities and colleges, the station employs young journalists to gain experience. Some employees started in the basement—managing teleprompters or serving as producers’ assistants—and went on to become on-air talent or executive editorial personnel. That homegrown mentoring culture fuels long-term news excellence.
WFRV’s Storm Coverage Legacy
Storm Team 5 are the legends of the region. As they give reliable and reassuring storm reports. WFRV’s weather crew has guided thousands of viewers safely through stormy conditions. Their show-stopping radar shots and bottom-line predictions have been lifesavers and are a household name in Wisconsin homes.
Viewer Engagement and Trust
One reason WFRV is way ahead in this department is that they actually have a real relationship with their readers. From responding to live viewer questions on the air to reading tweet entries during special weather reports, they listen and answer. This is two-way communication that garners trust and loyalty.
Diversity and Representation
WFRV’s news team also strives to reflect the diversity of voices of the community that it serves. From gender and racial representation on TV to diversity of the stories that are covered, the team strives to be sensitive and inclusive of all Northeast Wisconsin groups. Their stories bring people, neighborhoods, and lives together.
Flexibility During Breaking News
With the ever-changing life of journalism, flexibility is the solution—and it’s modeled by the WFRV News Team. Breaking political news, unexpected weather shifts, or local emergencies, the newsroom goes into high speed in the time it takes to blink. Producers rewrite the rundown on the fly. Anchors go off-book, and reporters hit the streets. They have the ability to switch gears with timely reporting. It shows professionalism and commitment of the whole crew.
Viewer-Centered News Philosophy
It is all about the viewer. The stories they cover are carefully chosen. In order to speak to the people of Northeast Wisconsin. If it’s something new opening up a store, issues of safety in school, or a policy change on the state level. The question the newsroom always asks is: “How does this affect our viewers?” It is this type of thinking that keeps WFRV up to the minute, credible, and rooted firmly in the communities it serves.
Tech-Savvy Storytelling
Today’s journalism needs more than a pencil and notebook. It uses the most up-to-date technology. Like drone video, smartphone live-streaming gear, and graphics overlays. In order to bring stories to life. They have cutting-edge solutions. It delivers interactive weather graphics, interactive election returns, and behind-the-scenes guides. That captures audiences and makes them knowledgeable and entertained.
Awards and Recognitions
WFRV has won awards for regional excellence. Which are in journalism in coverage, broadcasting, and community service throughout the years. The awards are a testament to dedication in maintaining accuracy, clarity, and public interest with every effort. While awards are something to boast about, members always claim the best payback is knowing they have touched lives in some way.
Observing Milestones and Retirements
WFRW is not just a back office—it’s a family. Co-workers mark work anniversaries, promotions, and retirement on the air and in the house. When a veteran reporter like Tom Zalaski reaches a milestone or an old friend producer retires, the whole station celebrates. These are things that remind me that while news is transitory, friendships in the newsroom last a lifetime.
Facing Forward Amid Community Crisis
When calamity strikes—a natural disaster, a loss to a community, or a gargantuan mistake—WFRV is not just a TV station. The production team is a comforting force in the living rooms of thousands. Their heart-wrenching coverage, classy interviews, and second-by-second accounts deliver information along with comfort. In a moment of uncertainty, WFRV makes one feel less alone and more a part of their society.
Last Words
The next time you turn on WFRV, take a moment to think about the team behind it. They are real people who are gathering together. Just to tell you, to serve you, and to bring you together. Their team is the best possible representation of the heart of local journalism.
