Julie Baker, a seasoned Morning TV anchor with FOX affiliates and former reporter and anchor at ABC 11 WTVD in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, has built a career defined by her passion for storytelling.
Her diverse experience in news, entertainment, and comedy has positioned her as a dynamic and versatile voice in the world of broadcast media. From wall-to-wall hard news coverage of storm-ravaged coasts during Hurricane Dorian’s landfall in North Carolina (https://vimeo.com/359096734) to hosting “The Julie Baker Show” on Top-40 station 92.9 The Beat in Springfield, Missouri, her career spans a wide range of experiences.
Currently serving as the anchor and reporter for KXRM FOX 21 TV Morning News in Colorado Springs (http://www.fox21news.com/julie-baker), the Emmy-nominated Baker reflects on her role as a morning anchor: “Working as a local news anchor and reporter has been a wonderful way to connect to the community I have the privilege of serving. There is something so meaningful about waking up every morning and being given the opportunity to share with Southern Colorado the news of the day. Building trust with an audience is really important to me, and I strive daily to maintain that trust while offering insights into the world with a friendly smile and kind demeanor.”
Baker’s ability to connect with her audience goes far beyond delivering routine headlines. One of her proudest moments came in 2018 during her coverage of Hurricane Florence, a catastrophic storm that caused millions of dollars in damage to Atlantic Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5UrEK0329I&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.julieonair.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY). “In the aftermath of the hurricane, I was given exclusive access to Atlantic Beach, which was closed to the public but connected to the mainland by a bridge,” she recalls. Over the course of a two-hour live broadcast, Baker provided viewers with real-time footage of their homes, helping them prepare for what awaited them upon their return.
“It allowed the community to fully grasp the extent of the damage and understand the recovery efforts that would be required,” she explains. Her coverage offered critical information to affected residents, while her on-the-ground presence became a source of comfort and reassurance during a time of uncertainty.
WATCH Julie Baker’s Demo Reel (http://www.julieonair.com/demo).
In the midst of Hurricane Florence, a viral moment further showcased Baker’s dedication to her community. While live-streaming during the storm, a video captured Baker (then using her married name, ‘Wilson’) rescuing an injured Rottweiler from floodwaters, interrupting her broadcast to carry the dog to safety. The heartwarming act was picked up by major media outlets across the U.S., with the clip gaining widespread attention and featured on Good Morning America (http://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/abc-reporter-interrupts-live-stream-save-dog-hurricane-57827041), ABC News, CNN (http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/09/15/reporter-rescues-dog-florence-flooding-vpx.hln) and many more.
While covering natural disasters like hurricanes may seem daunting, Baker finds a deeper meaning in these assignments. “It’s strange to say ‘I love covering hurricanes,'” she admits, “but I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that massive storms can cause. While winds and rain can sweep away neighborhoods, it’s the days that follow that show the true strength of humanity. I love that broadcast news provides a conduit for neighbors helping neighbors, giving the opportunity to show that the world isn’t all that bad.”
Baker’s range of expertise extends beyond news and weather. As a fill-in traffic anchor, she developed the ability to think on her feet while keeping viewers informed, even in rapidly changing situations. “I enjoy the ad-libbing skill required to deliver a report in a timely and meaningful way to the audience at home,” she says. This skill has carried over into her many roles as a media personality, from news reporting to hosting her own travel show on YouTube.
Baker says it was her passion for travel that led her to launch a YouTube series where she showcases lesser-known destinations across the U.S. “The world around us is so beautiful and filled with such rich history-if you know where to look. I enjoy taking viewers to places they might otherwise not know exist, helping them laugh along the way while being entertained not only with humor but also with new information.” From the coastal charm of North Carolina to the rich culture of Missouri, and across the pond to the U.K., her travel segments offer an engaging blend of humor, exploration, and education.
Her versatility as a host expands to her time on the radio, where Baker has interviewed a range of artists and entertainers, including Lucas Grabeel, Charlie Puth, and Avril Lavigne. As the host of her own Monday-Friday afternoon show on Missouri’s Top-40 station KOSP 92.9 (http://www.929thebeat.com/the-julie-baker-show), she has built a reputation for blending serious topics with lighthearted entertainment. “I’ve connected with my audience by showing up as my authentic self every afternoon,” she says. “If I find something humorous or important, I don’t hesitate to share it. I think authenticity attracts listeners.” Baker also hosts a weekly radio segment on the station, focusing on domestic violence in partnership with Harmony House. This work has strengthened her bond with listeners, providing a platform for critical social issues. Her dedication to raising awareness of domestic violence even earned her an Emmy nomination for her coverage of the topic in rural Missouri.
Baker’s 2016 Emmy nomination for, “Small Town Secrets Exposed: Domestic Violence” for the category Feature News Report – Serious Feature is a reflection of her dedication to the stories that matter most. “Emmys, in the scheme of things, don’t matter. It’s the people whose stories I am privileged to tell that matter,” she says. “Doing the job well means I can give a voice to those who may otherwise feel they don’t have one.”
Beyond her work in journalism, the talented Baker enjoys comedy work, even selling out a show. While she doesn’t label herself as a full-time comic, her ability to find humor in everyday situations has influenced her storytelling style. “Comedy is subjective-not everything you say will be funny to everyone,” she reflects. “However, in comparison to news, where facts are facts, comedy allows for a deeper exploration of what those facts mean and the real-world implications. I hope that with each story, the audience leaves thinking, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that! I’ve learned something new today.’ And if that is done through witty writing, then I truly believe it’s more memorable.”
Baker has served as an MC for dozens of events, including her role as an on-field host for the Springfield Cardinals for several seasons. Reflecting on this experience, she shares, “I had the privilege of keeping the atmosphere lively for baseball fans between innings, taking to the dugout tops and outfield to engage the crowd with fun games and prizes.” A non-profit particularly close to her heart is the Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO), an organization providing valuable resources to communities throughout Southwest Missouri. She adds, “It’s been an absolute privilege to work with CPO for four years, helping raise funds for their important mission and supporting their efforts to make a lasting impact.”
Julie Baker’s MC List:
Moderator National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards
2022 Moderator benefiting Community Partnership of the Ozarks
2022 Moderator benefiting Champion Athletes of the Ozarks
2021 Moderator benefiting Community Partnership of the Ozarks
2020 Moderator for Dog Costume Contest for Animal Protection Society of Durham
2019 Moderator for Knightdale Community forum regarding economic growth in the city
2019 Moderator for City of Zebulon City Council Debate
2018 Gala to support Animal Protection Society of Durham
2018 Moderator for Knightdale Community forum regarding economic growth in the city
2018 Walk in the Park to support Animal Protection Society of Durham
2018 Host, Wheel of Fortune
2017 Host, Carolina Idol
2017 Creedmoor Car Show
2017 Rocky Mount Dogs in the Park
2016 Miss Missouri Pageant
2016 Sertoma Cashew Craze
2016 Hope Foundation Kentucky Derby Gala
2016 Spirits and Sparkles for the American Cancer Society
2016 Sertoma Chilli Cook Off
2016 Car Show for Kids
2016 Baby World Presented by Midwest Family
2016 Big Brother’s Big Sister’s Bowl for Kids Sake
2015 Butterfly Dreams Pageant- St. Louis
2015 Strafford High School’s Dancing with the Stars
2015 Car Show for Kids
2015 Sertoma Chili Cook off
2015 Baby World Presented by Midwest Family
2015 Big Brother’s Big Sister’s Bowl for Kids Sake
2014 Rock the Landing
2014 Sertoma Chili Cook off
2014 Cattle Baron’s Ball
2014 OktoberFest- Taste of the Ozarks
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This release was published on openPR.