Kevin O'Connell
Kevin O'Connell is the WGRZ-TV Chief Weather Anchor for Channel 2 News, First at 5, 6, and 10 (WNYO) and 11 PM. O'Connell is one of the areas most accomplished broadcasters, both professionally and for his many hours of community service and involvement. Born, raised, and educated in Buffalo, Kevin began his career on the radio in the Queen City during the mid-60s. He moved to television as a weather reporter for WBEN/WIVB in the 70s. Kevin received his BS degree in Political Science and Exceptional Education from Buffalo State College, where he is still very active in the college's community and fund-raising efforts.

In June 1982, after many successful years in his hometown, he joined KNBC in Los Angeles, where he met with much success and wore many hats. Beyond three daily newscasts, Kevin also hosted a weekly 90-minute "live" show called "The Sunday Show." Kevin also hosted the NBC network game show "GO." While at NBC, Kevin earned many community awards and citations of excellence for his involvement and leadership in Southern California.

Kevin joined KCBS in June 1985. Again, Kevin hosted numerous TV specials and a weekly half-hour show called "Channel 2 Digest," as well as his daily weather duties at 5, 6, and 11PM. He often appeared on "CBS Morning," "CBS Morning News," and "The Morning Show" in New York.

Kevin was honored by his alma mater with two distinguished awards. In 1998, he was presented with the Outstanding Alumni Award followed by an inaugural induction into the Communication Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2001, Kevin received the "Champion of Children" Award from Children's Hospital, their highest honor. In 2002 The NCCJ honored Kevin with their Excellence in Media award. And the Black Achievers Council gave Kevin their highest honor for his commitment to their community and children.

Kevin returned to Buffalo in June 1990 as a news anchor, with WIVB-TV for their noon and 5 PM broadcasts. Kevin's noon broadcast attained the highest rating in the history of Buffalo television within a year. In 1993, Kevin moved over to Channel 2 News. Every weekday viewers find a smile through all kinds of Buffalo weather. Along with his anchor duties, Kevin is very active in the community and devotes as much time as possible to fundraising for organizations and programs for youth. Kevin helped raise over 10 million dollars for charity since his return to Buffalo. He also serves on several local boards and foundations. Being selected as one of the top leaders in the WNY area, Kevin was chosen to carry the Olympic torch in 1996 and again in 2001 as it travelled through this area.

In April 1994, Kevin hosted "2 Your Home," WGRZ's home improvement program. It was the first for Buffalo television as O'Connell and an array of building professionals took viewers step by step through the complete renovation of a Buffalo home.

In addition to his extensive "local" television duties, Kevin also appeared on NBC's "Weekend Today Show" doing the weather "coast to coast" from New York City. Over the years, Kevin has made countless contributions to national and local organizations, including Children's Hospital, Catholic Charities, Leukemia Society, Cerebal Palsy, Kevin Guest House, Black Achievers, and Channel 2's own "Kids Escaping Drugs" annual telethon. Kevin continues to make a difference on the air and in the community. Kevin and his wife Carolyn have a son, Kevin Jr.

Kevin's professional accomplishments include three Emmy Awards, five Golden Mikes, two L.A. Press Club Plaques, "The Associated Press Broadcaster Award," 1988 Catholic Press Council "Communicator of the Year," and many community awards. Kevin is also a member of the American Meteorological Society and holds its Broadcast Seal of Approval. He is also a member of the National Weather Association. He was also voted "Top TV Media Personality 2006" in Buffalo Spree Magazine.

Email to: Kevin O'Connell

Ed Kilgore
Ed Kilgore is Sports Director at WGRZ-TV, and he and the Ch2 building at 259 Delaware Ave. have something in common. Both established themselves in Buffalo in 1973. Both have also held up rather well through many changes since.

Before coming to Buffalo, Ed was the weekend sports anchor and weekday reporter/photographer at KTRK-TV (ABC) in Houston for two years, and before that, weekend sports anchor and weekday reporter/photographer at WOAI-TV (NBC) in San Antonio right after graduating from college.

Ed graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in June, 1969, working part time for both KFRU radio and KOMU-TV while also managing to play baseball on a partial athletic scholarship for Mizzou his freshman and sophomore years. Amazingly, he was overlooked by major league scouts despite a blazing 85 mile an hour fastball, which led to his pursuit of a sportscasting career. There were no other options.

Ed has managed to pick up an award or two along the way, including a New York State Emmy in 1993 for "Outstanding Sports News Coverage." He has also been recognized by UPI of New York St for Best Sports Reporting in 1978, New York St AP Best Sportscast 1984 and 1985, Special Mention Outstanding Sportscaster New York St Broadcasters Association 1986, and Stan Barron Award as Best Sportscaster Western New York 1989. Most recently, in 2005 he received the "Deans Community Recognition Award" from the Niagara University College of Business for "Outstanding Career and Community Involvement."

Over the years, Ed has also done many freelance pieces for ESPN and NBC Sports, and hosted the non-award winning but fun "Pros and Cons" show on the Empire Sports Network.

Among other things at Ch2, Ed hosted the Jim Kelly Show for 11 years, the Lou Saban and Chuck Knox shows, and also served as intermission host for Buffalo Sabres NHL hockey broadcasts from 1977 to 1987. While most the evidence has been destroyed, Ed also admits hosting the popular "Bowling For Dollars" show at Ch2 from 1973 to 1975.

Among his many ties to charity, Ed is co-chairman of the Kids Escaping Drugs capital campaign and a member of the KED Hall of Fame. He has also served on the corporate finance committee for the American Heart Association of WNY and mc's the "Heart Ball" black-tie fund raiser every year.

Ed is also in the Buffalo Quarterback Club Hall of Fame, and a member of the Bills Wall of Fame, Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame selection committees.

Ed, his wife Debbie and daughter Shannon live in Orchard Park along with their Bishon Frise Bogee and cat Angel. Ed's hobbies include running, golf (a 12 but going up), reading Travis McGee novels, traveling and listening to old Peter Paul & Mary tapes.

Email to: Ed Kilgore

Pete Gallivan

2004 marks 17 years in broadcast journalism for this award-winning reporter/anchor. Pete Gallivan came to Channel 2 in February 1996 as a general assignment reporter. In February 1999 Pete was named co-anchor of Channel 2 News Daybreak, promoted from a two-year stint as weekend anchor.

Prior to coming to Gannett and WGRZ, Pete was a general assignment reporter in Rochester. He spent time at WHEC, the NBC affiliate, as well as Rochester's CBS station, WROC. Pete also spent several years in Rochester radio, most recently as News Director and morning anchor of WBEE, WKLX and WBBF.

Pete grew up in Buffalo, leaving town in 1983 to attend SUNY College at Brockport. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Broadcasting.

Pete has been honored with several awards, including a New York State Emmy for work on a political special and a New York State Associated Press award for feature reporting.

Community involvment is also very important to Pete. Among the agencies he's worked with on various fundraisers and events: Kids Escaping Drugs, Ronald McDonald House, Mudpies Children's Museum, Strong Museum, the Pillsbury Bake-off and Community Music School of Buffalo. Pete has served as emcee of Community Music School's Annual Corporate Spelling Bee for the past five years.

Pete and his wife Sarah have three children. His hobbies include ice hockey, soccer, guitar and the daily wrestling match known as parenthood.

Email to: Pete Gallivan

Jodi Johnston
Jodi Johnston is co-anchor of "Daybreak." She joined the WGRZ-TV News Team in May 2000.

Jodi was raised and educated in Western New York. She received a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Canisius College, where she continues to serve on the Alumni Board of Directors and Athletic Board of Directors. Jodi started her career in 1991 as a commercial spokesperson for several international companies and worked on numerous advertising campaigns.

Jodi began working in television news in 1994 as an associate producer and anchor of hourly news reports on the CBS affiliate in Buffalo.

Jodi has received many honors throughout her career including: the Governor's Award for Excellence in Communication 2001, induction into the Di Gamma Professional Honor Society, the Canisius College Marilyn Watt Communication Award, and the Alpha Sigma Nu Alumni Distinguished Service Award.

Beyond her work in television, Johnston also works as an adjunct professor of Communication Studies at Canisius College. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Kidney Foundation, the Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo.

Email to: Jodi Johnston
 Chesley McNeil
Chesley McNeil, also known as "Mr. Outside," is the morning meteorologist of Daybreak. Chesley is a Philadelphia native, and began his career in television at WBOC TV in Salisbury, Maryland, then WRIC TV in Richmond VA. He also served as a radio meteorologist for several stations in the Richmond area.

Chesley holds a Masters degree in Geosciences from Mississippi State University, and a Bachelors degree in Applied Communications from Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. Chesley is a member of the National Weather Association, and the American Meteorological Society and holds the AMS seal of approval.

Beyond his work in television, Chesley also worked as an adjunct professor of Meteorology at the University of Richmond.

When not predicting rain and snow storms, you can find Chesley either in church, playing with his three children, or on the tennis court.

Email to: Chesley McNeil
Ron Plants
Ron Plants is weekend anchor for 1Channel 2. He joined WGRZ-TV as a reporter in October 1998.
Prior to coming to WGRZ-TV, Ron worked for eight years at WHEC-TV in Rochester, New York. While there, Ron served as a general assignment and business reporter focusing on Eastman Kodak. Ron also served as fill-in anchor at WHEC.
Prior to joining WHEC, Ron worked at independent station WFMZ-TV in Allentown and CBS affiliate WHP-TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Ron served two years as the weekend anchor at WHP.Ron also worked in radio news in Harrisburg, covering state government, and as an anchor-reporter at the CBS-owned radio station WCAU-FM in Philadelphia.
Ron is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia with bachelor's degree in communications. He volunteers with the radio Reading for the Blind. Hobbies include hiking, cross-country skiing and reading.
Ron is married to attorney Jennifer Stringer of Williamsville.

Email to: Ron Plants

Andy Parker

Raised in Western New York, Andy grew up in the Southtowns and attended college at SUNY Brockport where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Meteorology. While at Brockport, Andy received the Science Scholar Award for academic excellence and participated in several research studies honing his Lake Effect forecasting skills.Andy's broadcasting career began at Brockport's radio and television station before being hired as a Meteorologist here in Buffalo at WKBW-TV in 1993. He's been forecasting Western New York's weather for more than 10 years and has received the Broadcasting Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society.
Since becoming part of the Channel 2 family, Andy has been presenting the weather on the weekends and has contributed to the award-winning weather series "Season to Season."
Andy and his dog Stormy currently live in Buffalo. His hobbies include photography, writing and sports. When the weather is nice he's often out kayaking or mountain biking around Western New York.Email to: Andy Parker

Adam Benigni
Adam Benigni (Ba-nee-nee) was named Channel 2 Weekend Sports Anchor in November 1997. Benigni joined the WGRZ team as a sports reporter before being promoted only four months later. Adam also hosts "Channel 2 Sports Extra" Sunday nights at 11:30. He also fills in anchoring news at Channel 2, most frequently on the Daybreak show and at 5:30.

Benigni has covered various sports events, from the NFL, to the Sabres Stanley Cup Final run in 1999, to the NCAA Tournament and the Final Four. He also enjoys covering local sports and feature reporting in the community.

Prior to joining Gannett, Benigni anchored and reported sports for WSTM-TV, the NBC affiliate in Syracuse. Additionally, Adam served as a radio color commentator with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League for three seasons.

Benigni is a magna cum laude graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University with a minor in public policy.

Adam also serves as an adjunct professor, teaching Sports Journalism at Canisius College in Buffalo. When he's not working, he enjoys working out, boating, golfing, and skiing.

Adam is married to Attorney Lorrie Turner. They live in Amherst along with their two cocker spaniels (Brandi & Sasha). The dogs' hobbies include breaking down the kitchen gates and sleeping on the living room furniture while Adam and Lorrie are at work.

Email to: Adam Benigni

Stu Boyar
Stu Boyar was named sports reporter at WGRZ in 1985. Since then he has enjoyed every moment he has spent at the station covering local sporting events.

Stu earned his B.S. from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Communication. Prior to joining the Channel 2 Sports team, he worked as a weekend sports anchor at WHEC in Rochester, and as sports anchor in Erie, Pennsylvania. He also worked as a reporter for WAXE Radio.

Some of Stu's favorite moments in covering sports at Channel 2 include the Super Bowl in Minneapolis, the World Series in Toronto and Cleveland, and the Stanley Cup playoffs here and on the road. Stu recently covered Niagara in the NCAA hockey tournament in Minneapolis and St. Bonaventure in the NCAA basketball tournament in Cleveland. Stu has also enjoyed covering the Bisons, which has allowed him to do some baseball play-by-play.

Stu and his wife Susan have two young daughters that keep them very busy. He is an all-around sports fan and enjoys running and reading in his spare time.

Email to: Stu Boyar

Rich Kellman
Rich Kellman joined the Channel 2 News Team in 1974. He was a primary anchor through 1998 when he was named Senior Correspondent. He hosts Up2Date Western New York, a news and public affairs program that airs on Saturday mornings at 10:00. Rich has covered more than 4,500 stories about the key news events of our time and how they have touched the lives of the people of Western New York.
Rich's field work has won him much professional and civic recognition. His honors include two Emmys, the Edward R. Murrow Award of the Radio and Television News Directors Association, the Dupont-Columbia School of Journalism Award and many Associated Press Awards for Excellence of Individual Reporting, Investigative Reporting and Feature Reporting. Rich was named Community Citizen of the Year by the Am-Pol Eagle newspaper and has received recognition from many community organizations including the United Way, the Chopin Singing Society, the Buffalo Urban League, B'nai B'rith Jewish Fraternal Lodge, the New York State Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the State University at Buffalo. Rich was a founder of the Western New York Polish-Jewish Task Force and has served on the Community Advisory Board of the University at Buffalo's Educational Opportunity Center. He has been a member of many boards, including Crisis Services, dealing with teen suicide;the Rosa Coplon Jewish Home and Infirmary; and he advised on development of Grace Manor Nursing Home, Buffalo's first African-American owned-and-operated skilled nursing facility.
Rich's reports on the settlement of refugees from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe have been especially far-sighted, coming as they did well before the fall of the Soviet Union. His reports from Poland in 1977 have been cited as perceptive and early recognition of events in that changing nation. His follow-up assignment in 1981 brought Western New Yorkers their first inside look at the Solidarity movement, including the first interview by a local American TV reporter with Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, who became modern Poland's first president. Rich reported from the Vatican in 1983 and again in 1987, when he shared in a private meeting with Pope John Paul II. He has also covered the Pope's visits to North America in St. Louis and Toronto.
Rich brings viewers professional experience and personal sensitivity unique to Buffalo television. He initiated the "Tuesday's Child" series, profiling foster children in need of permanent adoptive homes. His Jefferson Award and Angels of Western New York reports paid tribute to those who have given outstanding service to the community. His reporting over the years has illuminated issues dealing with aging parents, euthanasia, abortion and church-state relations. Rich has covered the national political conventions for Channel 2 since 1980 and applies his experience to Western New York's political candidates and issues on a regular basis.
Rich and his wife Ann live in Amherst. They have two daughters, Julie, who owns and manages a television and film production company in Los Angeles with her husband Austin, and Laurie, who covers Congress for the Associated Press. Laurie and her husband Ernest have two children, Sawyer and Elyse. Email to: Rich Kellman

Mike Igoe

Mike Igoe joined WGRZ-TV NBC 2 in February 1989, as the Money Matters reporter.

Mike began his career in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1980, when he joined the staff at WNEP-TV as a consumer reporter. In 1983, he moved to KARE-TV in Minneapolis/St. Paul, until accepting his current position at WGRZ-TV.

Mike is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany and the Franklin Pierce Law Center. He also has conducted special consumer studies at the New York University School of Law and is admitted to the New York State Bar Association.

Mike's law degree and training combined with years of experience as a consumer reporter makes him uniquely qualified for the job. He has received several awards for his work including citations from Associated Press and the U.S. Postal Service.

Community activities are also an important part of his life. In 2004 Mike celebrated his 25th year as a local host of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Throughout the year he's also active in its fundraising activities. He performs the same role for Channel 2's Kids Escaping Drugs Telethon. Other organizations he's been involved with include the Buffalo Employment and Training Center, Forty Plus, International Medical Relief, St. Gregory the Great Home School Association, and Central Referral Service.

Mike's a regular speaker to a wide variety of community and civic organizations. His "scams and gimmicks" speech is a frequently requested topic.

Mike and his wife, Debbie, have two children, Kyla and Trevor.

Email to: Mike Igoe

Claudine Ewing
Claudine Ewing joined the WGRZ-TV family in September 1998. Before coming to Channel 2, she was a television reporter for a local CBS affiliate.

During her six years in radio news at WBEN-AM, Claudine was an afternoon news anchor, and a morning drive reporter. She has covered city and county government in Buffalo and Western New York as well as events in Canada.

Claudine is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Buffalo where she earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism with Honors. In 2004, she received the school's Young Alumnus Achievement Award.

Claudine has earned several awards from the Associated Press for special news series and breaking news, including a 2002 "Special Mention" honor from the AP for a story on dangerous school bus rides.

In 1999, her high school alma mater, Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts, awarded her with their annual Excellence in Broadcasting Award. She was the year 2000 commencement speaker at the Bryant and Stratton Institute, serves on the scholarship committee of the Buffalo Association of Black Journalists, and is a member of various broadcast organizations.

She also takes time out to read to children and speak at school events, and was honored with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's 2004 "Outstanding Community Service Award". She's hosted WGRZ's annual Juneteenth Television Specials, and for the University at Buffalo speaker series she served as moderator of a debate between former Congressman J.C. Watts, and NAACP Pres. Kwesi Mfume.

Claudine enjoys jazz, Bible reading and playing volleyball.

Email to: Claudine Ewing

Robyn Young
Robyn Young joined Channel 2 in January 1999 as a general assignment reporter and Daybreak Newscast Reporter. Prior to joining the Gannett owned station, Robyn served as a reporter and anchor for television stations in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Allentown, Pennsylvania and Salisbury, Maryland. She has also been a radio news reporter and anchor in Memphis, Tennessee and Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Her accomplishments include a Best of Gannett Award and a New York State Emmy nomination.

Robyn is a graduate of the Wesminster College broadcasting program. Robyn also attended American University's Journalism School in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, she held internships in a Capitol Hill news bureau and USA TODAY the television show.

Robyn's predominant hobby is horseback riding. She is a competitive hunt seat rider at the Buffalo Equestrian Center.

Email to: Robyn Young

Lynne Dixon
Lynne Dixon has been a general assignment reporter at WGRZ-TV since December 1997.

Prior to joining Channel 2, Lynne spent six years as a news and sports reporter and anchor for Buffalo AM talk radio station WGR. During her stay there, she was a beat reporter for the Buffalo Bills. She served as afternoon drive news anchor and was eventually promoted to morning drive reporter and fill-in anchor. Lynne took part on various sports talk shows and won several awards during that time, including a New York State Broadcasting Award for her Oklahoma City bombing coverage. She was also a stringer for the Associated Press, ABC, and other stations nationwide for Buffalo Bills and Sabres games.

Lynne's TV career began in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where she was the weekend anchor and producer. She also was her own photographer and editor. Lynne was then promoted to weekday morning anchor and reporter. She was also news director and sports anchor for an AM/FM radio station in Parkersburg, West Virginia/Marietta, Ohio, before trying her hand in television.

Lynne is a graduate of West Virginia University, where she was an English major, with an emphasis in journalism. She was news director at the college radio station, WWVU-FM, and free-lanced for various networks, including ESPN, Jefferson Pilot, CBS, and others.

Lynne has been active in various community activities and was a Make-a-Wish volunteer. She and her husband, Tim, have three children. Their hobbies include football, hockey, skating, boating, bike riding, tennis, swimming, playing piano, and listening to various types of music.

Email to: Lynne Dixon

Scott Brown
Scott is an award-winning journalist who returned to Channel 2 in November of 2003. He came back to Buffalo and WGRZ from the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia, WCAU, where he worked as a writer and story producer. While in Philadelphia, Scott was nominated for two Emmy awards.

Scott is a graduate of Buffalo State College, where he majored in Communications and had a minor in Political Science. His love of those two fields would come to define his professional career. While attending school, he was hired at WEBR (now WNED) radio as a writer. Upon graduation, Scott was hired full-time by the station and covered many of the big stories of the times including the Love Canal environmental disaster and the 22-caliber killings.

Scott joined WGRZ in 1982 as a reporter with a focus on covering City Hall and politics, the courts, and Buffalo's bid to land a Major League Baseball Team.

He left the station in the early 1990's to enter the world of politics. He was the spokesman for Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski, and then later moved to New York City where he was the spokesman for Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. From there, Scott returned to broadcasting at WCAU.

Scott has won numerous awards for reporting including the Associated Press, United Press International, the New York State Teachers Association, and the New York State Bar Association.

Scott enjoys all sports, especially Buffalo politics, and following his beloved Baltimore Orioles, classic movies, and antiquing.

Email to: Scott Brown

Mary Friona
Mary Friona was born and raised here in Western New York and has been with WGRZ since 1998. Mary has worked quite a few jobs in the newsroom including assignment editor, associate producer and writer. Mary was promoted to General Assignment Reporter in 2000 and has been covering everything from parades to politics ever since.

Mary is an award winning journalist, winning the Associated Press Award for Best Interview for her story with Niagara Falls Daredevil jumper, Kirk Jones. You can catch Mary bright and early every morning on Daybreak, where she covers breaking news, takes us to unique and fun places in Western New York and puts those as seen on TV products to the test.
Email to: Mary Friona

Erika Brason
Erika Brason joined the Channel 2 News Team in September 2005 and anchors Daybreak Saturday Morning with Andy Parker.
Erika is a native of Western New York. After graduating from Williamsville East High School, she moved on to Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication where she graduated with a BA in Telecommunications Management and a minor in English. After college, Erika worked in sales and research at the local CBS affiliate for about three years. Erika's introduction to the on-air side of broadcasting began at WGR-AM radio in Buffalo, where she worked for four years as a reporter and anchor for the news/sports/talk station.
After spending some time at home with her two children, Erika went back to work at the local CBS affiliate. During her four and a half years at channel 4, she anchored the weekend morning news program and was a general assignment reporter.
Erika has covered a wide range of topics in the Western New York area and has traveled to most points in the region to do so. She especially enjoys meeting so many terrific people in Western New York when reporting for her "Good Neighbors" segment during Daybreak Saturday Morning.
Erika also spent many years prior to college training to become a professional ballet dancer. She danced locally with the American Academy of Ballet. In high school, Erika spent two summers with the Joffrey Ballet in New York City. She also spent two years of high school at boarding schools for the performing arts. Erika continues to be active in the arts community in Buffalo.
Erika also spends time outside of work volunteering for local charity events. She has emceed events for the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, the Western New York Alzheimer's Society, American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Kevin Guest House and Infotech Niagara.
Erika and her husband, Todd, are very much involved with the American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter. In 2004, they were honored at the Association of Fundraising Professional's National Philanthropy Day.
Erika is also looking forward to serving on the board of the Meals on Wheels Foundation.
When not at work, Erika spends most of her time with her two children, Sydney and Evan. As a family, they enjoy skiing and attending local sporting events.
Email to: Erika Brason

Matt Pearl

Matt Pearl joined Channel 2 News in September 2005, just in time to be dropped full speed ahead into the all-out extravaganza that is the Buffalo sports scene. From the rabid following of the Bills and Sabres to the excitement of the local colleges and high schools, Matt believes few areas show as much passion and appreciation for their sports as Western New York. You can catch him anchoring sports on Saturdays and doing various news and sports stories during the week.

Matt has worked in newsrooms from the Northeast to the Midwest, from New York to South Dakota (coincidentally, all these places seem to be notorious for their rough winters). Most recently Matt freelanced as a sports reporter at News 12 New Jersey; prior to that, he was sports director at KMEG-TV, the CBS affiliate in Sioux City, Iowa, where he won various awards from the NBNA and IBNA for Best Sports Reporting.

Born in White Plains, NY, Matt spent most of his childhood in New Jersey and earned his journalism degree at Northwestern University. To this day, he ranks his time doing play-by-play for the student radio station as among his most enjoyable broadcasting memories. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to work for Channel 2 and communicate with the people of Western New York; he cherishes the stories he has already been able to tell, from the uplifting (check out Aaron Cole, a varsity swimmer for Clarence HS with one arm) to the sublimely ridiculous (watch Matt try Roller Derby with the Queen City Roller Girls.

If you have a story you'd like Matt to tell, he'd love to hear from you. When he's not working in the newsroom, you can catch Matt running along Delaware Park, golfing, reading, painting, or playing guitar . and, when time allows, getting some sleep.

Email to: Matt Pearl

Liz Vetrano
Liz joined WGRZ in August 2005, right after she graduated manga cum laude from Ithaca College. She began as an assignment editor, and now reports for Traffic Tracker 2 on Daybreak and Kids 2day on Daybreak Saturday. At Ithaca, Liz was a reporter and anchor for both television and radio. She also worked at Hardball with Chris Matthews in Washington DC. Liz grew up in Western New York, and is thrilled to be back home with 2 On Your Side. When she's not working, Liz enjoys freelance writing, photography, and spending time outdoors with her puppy, Bruiser.

Email to: Liz Vetrano

Jessica Weinstein
Jessica Weinstein (no relation to “Irv”) is thrilled to join the red coat reporters at Channel 2.  She’s looking forward to bringing the Weinstein name back to the airwaves of Western New York to tell the stories of the wonderful people who live here. 
Jessica is a graduate of Syracuse University and has spent the majority of her career covering issues around the state. 
During the summer of 2006, she followed the search for Ralph Bucky Phillips for viewers at WHEC-TV in Rochester, NY.  During her time there, Jessica made investigative reporting her specialty.  She exposed delinquent landlords still receiving federal funds; she took on the area's largest insurance carrier for raising premiums while denying surgeries; she launched multiple investigations into the finances supporting the city's fast ferry project, and she led her station's coverage of the nationwide recall of human transplant tissue harvested from Rochester-area funeral homes.  
During her career, she's interviewed a variety of people from Senators John Kerry and Senator John Edwards on the campaign trail to Colonel Oliver North, Ralph Nader and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.
Jessica has also worked in Utica, Binghamton, Syracuse and Washington, DC.  She’s the recipient of numerous New York Associated Press Awards and the New York State Broadcasting Association Award.
When she's not digging up stories, you can find Jessica running, skiing, singing or trying a new vegetarian recipe.

Email to: Jessica Weinstein

Heather Ly
Heather joined 2 On Your Side in October 2006, just days before the "Surprise Storm" that dumped two feet of snow on Western New York.
Still it wasn't enough to scare her away. In fact, she is used to the snow and cold. Heather grew up in Chicago before heading east to start her reporting career. She came to Buffalo from just down the Thruway in Syracuse, where she worked for News 10 Now, a 24-hour local cable news station.
Before she made the jump in front of the camera, Heather worked her way up from intern to assignment editor at WBBM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Chicago. She got her first real taste of the news business while still in college when she worked as an assignment editor and producer at WYIN-TV in Merrillville, IN.
Heather is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.
You can catch Heather bright and early with the rest of the Daybreak crew.
When she's not busy shooting, writing, and editing her own stories, you can usually find her hitting the gym, shopping, going to concerts, or trying new restaurants.

Email to: Heather Ly

Josh Boose
Josh Boose joined the "red coat" team of reporters at 2 On Your Side in October, 2006. There was little time for him to "learn the ropes" in Western New York because he arrived during the October Surprise Storm. As he was unloading the moving truck, bucket trucks and power crews moved into town to aid in the disaster.
In his first few months here, Josh reported on two major news investigations. One on a Wal-Mart cashier who allegedly stole money from a customer, the other; an in-depth story on how Homeland Security funds are being used across the country.
Josh came to WGRZ from the FOX News affiliate, WSJV, in South Bend, Indiana. Prior to that, Josh worked as an anchor and reporter at the CBS station, KFSM, in Fort Smith/ Fayetteville, Arkansas. He began his journalism career at WMFD TV in Mansfield, Ohio, and worked as an associate producer at the NBC affiliate, WKYC in Cleveland. While there, Josh worked on Browns Blitz, a Saturday morning children's program associated with the Cleveland Browns.
In 2006, Josh was awarded the prestigious title, "Indiana's Best TV Reporter" by the Associated Press. He also received first place for "Best General News Reporting" on a story about a boy who got stuck in a crane game machine in the middle of the night at a local discount store. He's received numerous Associated Press Awards in Indiana and Arkansas and was honored by the Ohio M.A.D.D. for a series of stories on drinking and driving.
Josh is also a trained weather forecaster. He began anchoring the weather at WMFD in Mansfield, Ohio and has forecasted the weather periodically at every station since. Lake-effect snow, tornadoes, severe storms-he has covered them all.
Known for a wide variety of reporting styles, Josh has reported on everything from county fairs to presidential visits. He has sat face to face, asking tough questions to politicians, world leaders and even some Hollywood icons. Some of the more memorable interviews include former Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, Presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Oscar winner Mickey Rooney and TV legend Art Linkletter.
A native of Milan, Ohio, Josh attended Otterbein College, is a graduate of the Ohio Center for Broadcasting and studied classical voice at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
When he's not working on stories, he enjoys movies, theatre, politics, spending time with friends and visiting his family as a proud uncle.
Josh resides in East Amherst.

Email to: Josh Boose