
Alicia Smith: Award-Winning Journalist at WXYZ-TV (Southfield, MI)
Alicia Smith is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, best known as the weekday morning co-anchor for WXYZ-TV’s “7 Action News This Morning” in Detroit, Michigan.
She serves as the weekday co-anchor of 7 Action News This Morning from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Alicia has received multiple Emmy Awards for her outstanding work, including Best On-Air Talent from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Before joining WXYZ-TV, Alicia worked at WWMT in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, where she reported live from Ground Zero in New York City and won her first Emmy Award for a special report on two missing West Michigan children’s cold cases.
She also worked at WTVM in Columbus, Georgia, and WBSG in Brunswick, Georgia, as an anchor and reporter.
Alicia is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
She is actively involved in community service, volunteering and making donations to various organizations, including Make-A-Wish Michigan, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and the Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division.
Beyond her anchoring duties, Alicia is deeply involved in community service, particularly with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Michigan Humane Society.
Early Life and Education:
Alicia Smith was born on May 24, 1988, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She grew up in a family with her father, David T. Smith, who is a chemical engineer, and her mother, Barbara S. Smith, who is a teacher.
Her father’s profession led the family to relocate frequently, and she completed her high school education in Brunswick, Georgia.
Alicia pursued higher education at the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, majoring in Broadcast News and minoring in Political Science.
During her time there, she was actively engaged in various campus activities and philanthropies.
In recognition of her achievements, she was honored as the Senior Female of the Year by the university’s Young Alumni Council.
During her time at the university, she also interned at CNN in Washington, D.C., which provided her with valuable experience in the field of journalism.
Career:
Alicia joined WXYZ-TV in January 2007 as an anchor, reporter, and multi-media journalist. She currently co-anchors the morning newscast from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Throughout her tenure, she has earned four Emmy Awards: one for Best On-Air Talent and three for her reporting, including an investigative piece on a prostitution rehabilitation program in Wayne County.
Before her role at WXYZ, Alicia worked at WWMT in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she produced a series on missing children’s cold cases, earning her another Emmy.
She also received a Michigan Association of Broadcasters Merit Award for Community Involvement for her series “Facing Racism: A Daily Battle.”
WBSG in Brunswick, Georgia:
Alicia began her journalism career at WBSG, a television station in Brunswick, Georgia.
Here, she served as an anchor and reporter, which provided her with the foundational experience in news reporting and anchoring.
This role allowed her to develop her skills in field reporting, covering local news stories, and presenting them to the audience.
WTVM in Columbus, Georgia:
After her stint at WBSG, Alicia moved to WTVM in Columbus, Georgia. At WTVM, she continued to work as an anchor and reporter.
Her role involved covering a wide range of stories, from breaking news to in-depth features.
This position helped her build a strong portfolio and gain recognition for her work.
During her time at WTVM, Alicia honed her skills in investigative journalism and live reporting.
WWMT in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Alicia then transitioned to WWMT, a television station serving the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas in Michigan.
At WWMT, she held the roles of anchor and reporter. One of her most notable achievements during her time at WWMT was reporting live from Ground Zero in New York City after the September 11 attacks.
Her dedication to covering significant events earned her an Emmy Award for a special report on two missing West Michigan children’s cold cases.
This award marked a significant milestone in her career and showcased her talent in investigative journalism.
WXYZ-TV in Detroit, Michigan:
In January 2007, Alicia joined WXYZ-TV, a major television station in Detroit, Michigan.
At WXYZ-TV, she serves as the weekday co-anchor of 7 Action News This Morning, which airs from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Her work at WXYZ-TV has been highly acclaimed, earning her multiple Emmy Awards, including Best On-Air Talent from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Alicia’s role at WXYZ-TV involves delivering news to a wide audience, covering breaking news, and reporting on various societal issues.
She has become a well-known figure in the Detroit journalism community and continues to contribute significantly to the field.
Alicia Smith has covered numerous significant stories throughout her career, earning her multiple awards and recognition.
Here are some of her notable coverage highlights:
- Ground Zero Reporting: Alicia reported live from Ground Zero in New York City after the September 11 attacks. Her coverage of this tragic event showcased her dedication to journalism and her ability to report on significant national events.
- Missing Children Cold Cases: While working at WWMT in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, Alicia produced a special report on two missing West Michigan children’s cold cases. This report earned her an Emmy Award and highlighted her investigative journalism skills.
- Human Trafficking Report: In March 2007, Alicia produced a special report on a program helping victims of human trafficking. This report won her another Emmy Award for covering societal concerns.
- Facing Racism: A Daily Battle: Alicia’s three-part special report on racism, titled “Facing Racism: A Daily Battle,” won a Michigan Association of Broadcasters Merit Award for Community Involvement. This report demonstrated her commitment to addressing important social issues.
- Oxford High School Shooting: Alicia provided continuing coverage of the Oxford High School shooting in 2021. Her reporting on this tragic event was recognized for its thoroughness and sensitivity.
- Michigan State University Shooting: In 2023, Alicia covered the Michigan State University shooting, providing breaking news updates and in-depth reporting on the incident.
Awards and Recognitions
Alicia Smith has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, highlighting her exceptional work in journalism. Here are some of her notable accolades:
- Emmy Awards: Alicia is an eight-time Emmy Award-winning journalist. She has received multiple Emmy Awards for her outstanding work, including Best On-Air Talent from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2024, 2022, 2019, and 2010.
- Special Reports: Alicia won an Emmy Award for her special report on a program helping victims of human trafficking in March 2007. She also received an Emmy Award for her special report on two missing West Michigan children’s cold cases while working at WWMT.
- Community Involvement: Alicia’s three-part special report titled “Facing Racism: A Daily Battle” won a Michigan Association of Broadcasters Merit Award for Community Involvement.
- Continuing Coverage: Alicia has been recognized for her continuing coverage of significant events, such as the Oxford High School shooting in 2021 and the Michigan State University shooting in 2023.
- Habitat for Humanity Detroit: Alicia was named Habitat for Humanity Detroit’s Ambassador of the Year in 2010 for her volunteer work and efforts to promote affordable housing for families in need.
Alicia Smith works with a talented team of journalists and anchors at WXYZ-TV. Some of her notable colleagues include:
- Keinen Smith: Keinen is a co-anchor on 7 Action News This Morning alongside Alicia. He has been with WXYZ-TV since 2010 and brings a wealth of experience to the morning news team.
- Ann Marie LaFlamme: Ann Marie is a reporter and anchor at WXYZ-TV. She joined the station in 2015 and has covered a wide range of stories, from breaking news to in-depth investigations.
- Dave LewAllen: Dave is a veteran anchor at WXYZ-TV, with over three decades of experience in the industry. He anchors the evening newscasts and has received numerous awards for his work.
- Glenda Lewis: Glenda is an Emmy Award-winning anchor who co-anchors the evening newscasts with Dave LewAllen. She has been with WXYZ-TV since 2003 and is known for her engaging and informative reporting.
- Brad Galli: Brad is a sports anchor and reporter at WXYZ-TV. He covers a variety of sports events and stories, bringing his passion for sports journalism to the station.
These are just a few of the talented individuals Alicia Smith works with at WXYZ-TV. The team collaborates to deliver high-quality news coverage to their viewers.
Financial Status:
Alicia Smith’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $7 million.
This range reflects her successful career in journalism, spanning over a decade, during which she has earned multiple Emmy Awards and recognition for her outstanding work.
Alicia earns an average annual salary of approximately $71,475.
This figure is based on her role as a news anchor at WXYZ-TV, where she co-anchors 7 Action News This Morning.
Her salary reflects her experience, skills, and contributions to the station.
Personal Life:
- Age: Alicia Smith was born in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia on May 24, 1988, making her 36 years old.
- Zodiac Sign: Alicia’s zodiac sign is Gemini.
- Ethnicity: Alicia is of Caucasian ethnicity.
- Nationality: She is an American.
- Relationship Status: Alicia is married.
Husband:
Alicia Smith is married to Erik Karell, who is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Manager of Commerce at BeyondChipz.
He has been with the company since 2021. Erik is also a co-owner of MacMichigan, an IT company specializing in Apple hardware and software.
Raised in Commerce Township, Michigan, Erik grew up under the guidance of his parents, Mark and Heidi Karell.
While Alicia and Erik do not have any children, they share their home with two adorable rescue cats named Max and Mischa, who were adopted from Michigan Humane during the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2020.
Alicia Smith Husband Illness and Cancer
Erik Karell, Alicia Smith’s husband, has not publicly disclosed any personal health issues or battles with cancer.
However, it is worth noting that Erik’s father, Mark Karell, passed away from pancreatic cancer in July 2020.
Mark Karell was a well-respected engineer and ski instructor who courageously battled the disease for eleven months.
Physical Attributes:
- Height: Alicia Smith might be around 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall, which is an average height for women in the U.S.
- Weight: Her weight might be around 130-140 lbs (59-64 kg), based on her height and general build.
- Distinguishing Features: Alicia has blonde hair and blue eyes, which are some of her notable features.
Social Media Activity:
Alicia Smith is active on social media. Here are her official profiles:
- Facebook: Alicia Smith TV – She regularly shares news updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and community engagement posts.
- Instagram: @wxyzalicia – Her profile highlights her work as a morning anchor, love for coffee, and her personal life moments.
- Twitter (X): @WXYZalicia – She tweets about news stories, station updates, and interacts with followers.
She uses these platforms to engage with her audience, share news, and support local causes.
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