Joy Benedict

Joy Benedict joined the NewsChannel5 Team in March of 2007, bringing more than a decade of reporting and anchoring experience.

You can catch Joy bright and early reporting live for "Good Morning Cleveland" from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, and again on NewsChannel5 at Noon.

But, she frequently leaves stories for later newscasts as well. Being a live reporter in northeast Ohio, she has learned to bundle up.

"In the morning most viewers turn on the TV wanting to know what the weather will be like" said Joy. "I'm usually the first one they see outside on cold, wintry days. So, it's important that I dress for the temperature."

But the morning show isn’t just about weather. Most breaking news stories happen overnight. That keeps the morning teams on the run to provide the newest information when the worst happens.

"Unfortunately, most overnight stories are murders, fires and car accident" said joy. "But I try and find the story within the story. Usually every sad story has a hero, someone who didn’t hesitate to lend a hand."

Joy moved to northeast Ohio in 2004. She spent more than two years working in the Akron Bureau for WKYC. During that time she covered news in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina and Tuscarawas counties.

"I loved working in that part of the state," said Joy. "More than a million people in our viewing area live south of I-271, it's important that their stories are also told."

Joy came to Ohio from WBMA in Birmingham, Ala. There she covered everything from hurricanes to college football.

"Football IS news in Alabama!" said Joy. "When Alabama plays Auburn in the Iron Bowl the state practically shuts down."

Joy also spent more than four years in Iowa. She anchored and reported for KCAU in Sioux City, and WOI in Des Moines. She was in Iowa for the 2000 election.

"I followed Al Gore, John McCain, Steve Forbes and then Governor George Bush all over the state", said Joy. "Campaigning in Iowa is different than anywhere else. To win Iowa, these candidates speak to 10 or 12 people at a time, visiting living rooms and barns to get votes."

Joy has lived in many cities and states, but calls home Lawrence, Kan. That's where she graduated high school and attended college. Joy received a degree in Broadcasting from the School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. She remains an avid fan of the Kansas Jayhawks and plans a trip to the Final Four every year -- just in case!

In her free time, Joy enjoys exploring her creative side. She dabbles in painting, photography and crafts. And she loves curling up with a good book on her couch with her cat Bijou.

In the meantime, you can e-mail her at benedict@newsnet5.com.