Vote For The Hottest News Babe in Minneapolis

I spent a whole summer one year in Minneapolis/St. Paul. It was hot, humid, and there tons of bugs. But the state fair was great, lots of good eats. As for news babes, there are some hotties here for sure. A good mixture of young and older. Seems to be alot of Amy Hockert fans. Anyways if you don't see your favorite hottie Twin Cities news babe, feel free to email me at anchorbabes@gmail.com so I can add it.

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The candidates are:

Robyne Robinson (FOX9)
Robyne has the distinction of being the first African-American to anchor a local prime-time newscast, and the first black woman appointed senior anchor at a Twin Cities news organization.

Regarded as one of the Twin Cities’ top broadcasters, Robyne recieved the 2005 Upper Midwest Emmy for Best Anchor. Her work on live team coverage of both the funeral of a slain St. Paul police officer and a suburban gas explosion helped Fox 9 not only win an Emmy, but the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association.

Robyne’s on the board of the Outsider Art Center, a non-profit organization for disabled, folk and self-taught artists. She’s an honorary board member for the Lupus Foundation of Minnesota, as well as A Better Chance Foundation of Eden Prairie, a national non-profit group dedicated to the academic enrichment of America’s inner-city teens.

Robyne sits on the Advisory Board for The Soap Factory/No Name Gallery, a non-profit contemporary arts center affiliated with the Walker Art Center, one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art museums.

She has been an appointee to the Governor’s Task Force on Juvenile Violence and a delegate to the Second World Conference on Race and Economic Inequality in Adelaide, Australia, interviewing noted African-American historian John Hope Franklin.

Robyne served as Co-Chair of Mosaic, the first city-wide arts and diversity festival in Minneapolis. She’s also been an Honorary Curator for the Sister Kenny International Art Show for Disabled Artists, where she created an Encouragement Award for disabled artists of merit. Robyne’s worked with the Twin Cities Visible Fringe Festival and was Honorary Curator for Minnesota Youth Art Month at the State Capitol.

Robyne founded Exhibit, a non-profit arts collective that helped fund the creation of the Independent Feature Project/Minneapolis Producers’ Fellowship, and has raised thousands of dollars for the Lupus Foundation by creating Voce, multimedia art and music events for and by women that raised Lupus education and awareness.

She was the owner of flatland, a contemporary fine art gallery that’s been featured in numerous national publications including Art News and Elle Décor, and has helped further the careers of many local artists whose work has been commissioned by Northwest Airlines and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. In 2002, Robyne was named Business Woman of the Year by Iota Phi Lambda - Gamma Tau chapter; a professional women’s sorority.

Robyne’s an arts columnist for The Rake magazine, as well as a freelance writer whose work has been published in several national and local arts publications. Her personal art collection has been shown on national television, and on display at the Walker Art Center. She’s also exhibited her own artwork at Outsiders and Others gallery, Minneapolis; and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts’ “Foot In The Door” show for emerging artists.

Her arts and music industry connections have garnered Robyne features in several local and national publications, including Elle Décor, Travel + Leisure, Juxtapoz, Twin Cities Business Journal, Mademoiselle, Blaze and Billboard magazines as well as the Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press and Chicago Tribune newspapers.

Currently, Robyne is the creator and designer of Rox, a costume jewelry company featured in local and national fashion and lifestyle magazines, and worn by artists such as Madonna, Nicollette Sheridan and Paula Abdul.

Belinda Jensen (KARE11)
Belinda obtained her AMS Seal of Approval for broadcast meteorology and has worked for the National Weather Service. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. She has also done graduate work in secondary education through the University of Utah. She enjoys serving her community through involvement in the schools, trying to involve students, particularly girls, in science.

When I was young, I wanted to be: Social Studies teacher, Veterinarian, Florist

Favorite story you ever worked on: Turtle tale in Oahu.

Favorite food: Saltimbocca

Describe your perfect day: A warm, autumn day, breezy beautiful fall leaves, bike rides with my son and husband, then meeting up with friends for a bbq and good wine.

What do you order at a coffee shop? Dark roast with a shot of espresso and half-and-half.

Proudest moment: Tanner's birthday.

Favorite Vacation spot: Maui

Favorite subject in school: Geography

Favorite sport to play: Tennis

Why do you like your job? The creativity that goes along with it is fun. Weather is never boring...ever!

Family: Belinda and her husband David have a son, Tanner, born in early 2003, and a daughter, Tori, born in July 2007.

Anne Hutchinson (ABC5)
Anne joined 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in February 2004 as weekend sports anchor. A broadcast journalism graduate of the University of Minnesota, Anne began her professional television career at WSAW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin, where she worked for six years. From tape editor to producer to executive producer, Anne was then installed as main anchor of the station’s evening newscasts. From WSAW-TV, she moved to WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida, where, as sports reporter/anchor, she covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lightning and the Devil Rays, plus college and high school sports before landing at WCCO-TV as sports reporter/anchor in 2002.

Minnesota native
Born and raised in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Anne is thrilled to work in her home town near family: “I’m excited to be a part of this station and contribute to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS' dedication to covering local sports at every level. It’s a great opportunity to be the weekend sports anchor at home in the Twin Cities.”

Active in the community
When not covering sports, Anne enjoys the great outdoors year around, such as heading “up north” for boating, skiing, hiking, biking and snowmobiling. She also likes to join in on a pick-up game at a local hockey rink. In the community, Anne has given her support to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and also enjoys reading to kids at local schools.

Marni Hughes (FOX9)
Marni Hughes joined the FOX 9 News Team in August of 2006. She anchors FOX 9 News at 10:00 with Jeff Passolt.

Marni has worked as a writer, reporter and anchor at stations in Ohio, Indiana and Utah.

Marni worked as a newspaper writer while attending school at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She also spent some time in radio while in school at the University of Montana.

Marni says she enjoys the urgency of television news, adding that everyday is different.

Amy Hockert (KARE11)
Amy Hockert came home to Minnesota and KARE 11 News in 2002, where she began as a reporter. In 2003, Amy was promoted to weekend news anchor. She has been awarded several Minnesota and North Dakota Associated Press honors, as well as numerous Northwest Broadcast News Association awards. Her proudest accomplishments include winning multiple Emmy awards and an Edward R. Murrow award.

When I was young, I wanted to be: Blonde

Favorite story you ever worked on: Two words. Kevin Garnett.

Favorite food: Korean

Proudest moment: My first night in the anchor chair at KARE 11. I had dreamed about it since I was 12. No kidding.

Favorite vacation spot: Lake cabin, or anywhere tropical and secluded.

Your inspiration: Family, friends and faith

Favorite subject in school: Geography

Favorite sport to watch: All Minnesota teams, especially the Vikings with my Dad.

Favorite sport to play: Does shopping count?

Favorite book: I can't stop reading those "Idiots Guide To..." books.

Terri Gruca (WCCO)
Terri Gruca is an award-winning anchor/reporter who's been working at WCCO since 2002.

She is one of five children, and claims her parents were the "Masters" of making money stretch. Her parents' lessons about money stuck, and turned her into the bargain hunter she is today. Whether it's searching for the latest information on consumer issues or investigating problems, Terri does it all. You'll find some of her best tips in her blog.

Before coming to WCCO, she worked at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, N.C. There she traveled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with the 82nd Airborne Division covering the first joint training exercise between U.S. and Russian troops.

At WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., Terri anchored the morning and noon shows. She also did an investigation into prison inmates abusing the health care system. The result of that investigation: several counties implemented co-pays for inmates.

In Spartanburg, S.C., Terri helped launch the 10 p.m. newscast at WSPA-TV. She also headed up the station's "On Your Side" department, and exposed a nationwide moving scam where people's items were being held hostage. As a result of the story, federal investigators busted 21 moving companies.

Since arriving at WCCO, Terri has received numerous awards including two Emmys--one for her choking game story and another as a contributor to the Project Energy series. She also won an Edward R. Murrow Award for her story about a $77,000 cup of coffee. She is perhaps best known for her investigation into gumball machine. The story aired in the spring of 2004 and resulted in the largest recall in nationwide history. To this day more than 600 million pieces of jewelry have been recalled as a result of her stories and millions of toys have also been recalled. Her investigation on daycares also earned her a trip to the Montel Williams show.

When she's not digging up stories for the consumer-savvy Minnesotan, Terri is busy exploring Minnesota and the Midwest with her husband Greg. Terri and Greg enjoy traveling, visiting with family and checking out the area lakes. They also enjoy working out together, because that's where they met, back in college.

They also volunteer with the Epilepsy Foundation and other children's charities, and work with the Twin Cities chapter of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Alumni Association. Terri has served as a mentor for several area high school and college students since joining WCCO.

Terri is always looking for great story ideas so send her an e-mail with any ideas you might have. Thanks for watching!

Leah McLean (ABC5)
“It's great to be part of a news organization that focuses on what's important to viewers,” says Leah McLean. “At 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, I get to bring Minnesotans the stories that matter most every day.”

Previous experience
Leah joined 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS as producer in June 2004, and became reporter/producer in August 2005. She got her broadcasting start at KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona, as a producer in 2001. She was then a reporter at KTVZ-TV in Bend, Oregon, in 2002. Leah landed an anchor/reporter position in Wausau, Wisconsin, in 2003. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas in Communication and Spanish.

Personal interests
Leah is excited to be back in the Twin Cities. She grew up in Minneapolis and attended Minnehaha Academy. “Minnesota is home,” Leah says. “I run into Minnesota nice everywhere I go.” Leah volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, and enjoys rollerblading, jogging, and spending time with family and friends in the metro area. She also enjoys the local art and music scene.

Karen Leigh (WCCO)
Karen Leigh joined WCCO-TV in September 2004. You can catch her weekday mornings from 5-7 a.m.

Before coming up north, Karen worked for two years in her hometown of Little Rock, Ark. as the 5 and 10 p.m. weekday anchor. Reporting in the field was her first love.

Before moving to the anchor desk, she spent eight years reporting in several states including Tennessee.

In her four years in Nashville, Tenn., Karen won two Emmys -- one for reporting live in the field and the other for hard news series.

Most recently, Karen received a third Emmy award for anchoring WCCO This Morning as it won a regional Emmy for best morning newscast.

Even though she was raised in the hot and humid south, she's enjoyed experiencing the snow and colder climate of Minnesota. Since moving here, she's learned to downhill and cross country ski.

Karen adores her bassett hound Ruby and the kids she often brags about (and has pictures of) are her niece and nephew who live in Little Rock with her sister Tracey.

If you see her around town she'll probably be outdoors and laughing with friends. She enjoys long walks, has competed in two half marathons and loves spending time on the lakes.

The cause closest to her heart is the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Karen got involved with the MS Society after learning one of her best friends battles the disease.

Chikage Windler (ABC5)
“In my short time in Minnesota, I already feel at home,” says Chikage Windler. “What a great place to forecast whatever Mother Nature sends our way!”

Previous experience
Chikage joined 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in October 2006. She came to the Twin Cities from Boston, Massachusetts, where she worked as a meteorologist and features reporter at WHDH-TV. Prior to that, she was the weekend evening meteorologist at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. Chikage also served as a meteorologist at Texas Cable News in Dallas and WVEC-TV in Norfolk, Virginia. She got her start in television working behind the scenes in the weather department at KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Before television, Chikage had some of the most exciting weather experiences of her life: she chased tornadoes as part of the VORTEX-95 project at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma.

Education
Growing up in the heart of "Tornado Alley" inspired Chikage to pursue meteorology as a career. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. She is a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

Awards
Chikage received a New England Emmy nomination in 2006 for “Best Weathercaster”. She also holds the AMS Seal of Approval and the NWA Seal of Approval.

Personal interests
People always ask Chikage about her unique name. It's Japanese, and means "thousands of views or vistas." Chikage is half-Japanese. She enjoys running, shopping, and college football and is a die-hard Oklahoma Sooners fan. She and her husband Jamie have a Pomeranian appropriately named "Boomer" (as in "Boomer-Sooner"). Chikage is also an avid traveler. She and her husband recently toured through the Badlands and Black Hills, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and Alberta's Waterton Lakes National Park. Chikage looks forward to discovering all the wonderful things to do in the Twin Cities and to calling Minnesota “home”.

Jessica Miles (ABC5)
“The Twin Cities is a great news market. It’s nice to be working and living at home,” says Jessica Miles.

Previous experience
Jessica joined 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in June 2003. She began her career at WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin, where she worked as a morning anchor and reporter. From there she headed west to KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she worked as a weekend anchor and reporter. While in Colorado, Jessica won an Edward R. Murrow award for her work.

Education
A Minnesota native, Jessica grew up in Lake Shore and graduated from Brainerd High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Personal interests
Growing up in northern Minnesota, Jessica enjoys being outdoors, and especially likes to downhill ski and waterski. But dancing is her first love, everything from tap and jazz to ballroom dancing and Irish dancing. Eventually she would like to get back into teaching and coaching dance.

*All biographies from their respective employer websites.