TV’s traffic reporters
share knowledge from the streets.
In hiring Trooper Steve Montiero from the Florida Highway Patrol, WKMGChannel 6 chose someone who didn’t have a journalism degree or a TV background. He’s the traffic safety expert, and the CBS affiliate emphasizes “safety.”
“Steve came here on a mission to help us educate the public,” said WKMG news director Allison McGinley. “I do think the validity of who Steve is and the information that he imparts just raises our credibility.”
Often billed simply as “Trooper Steve,” Montiero says he’s working to prevent accidents through his experience and his familiarity with the roadways. Montiero, who grew up in Kissimmee and Waterford Lakes, said he brings “street knowledge” to the job.
So do the other TV traffic reporters of Central Florida. Their role has always been important, but current conditions present new challenges.
“Orlando is a fast-growing metropolitan area and with the addition of the I-4 Ultimate Project, and the influx of new people to the area who are learning the roads and patterns, it all makes good traffic reporting essential,” said Susan D’Astoli, news director for Spectrum News 13.
More tools are available to get the word out beyond TV, said Jeff Zeller, vice president and news director at WOFLChannel 35. He cited Facebook, Twitter and the station’s news app. “Social media has certainly helped us communicate directly with viewers and them with us,” he said.
Each station promotes its traffic reporter, who must fit in with the morning team, work quickly and clearly and often assume other duties. The stations take different routes to a well-traveled job.
Anchor-reporter Racquel Asa covers traffic and roads for WFTV-Channel 9. She reports on traffic from 5 to 9 a.m., anchors from 8 to 9 a.m., then is out the door to report.
“She gets out, drives, understands what’s going on,” said WFTV news director Matt Parcell.
“There’s no other form of beat reporting that relates to everyone,” said Asa, who joined WFTV in 2011 from New York State. “No one likes being late, and everyone loves a shortcut. Why not be the person who can make that happen for them?”
At WESH-Channel 2, news director Kirsten Wolff highlighted traffic anchor Ted Noah’s wealth of experience. Originally from New Jersey, Noah came to Orlando as a traffic reporter for radio stations in 2005. He jumped to full-time TV traffic reporter at News 13 in 2010 and started doing traffic for WESH in 2015.
“Because Central Florida’s traffic is so challenging, and the I-4 Ultimate Project can be a headache, my job is to make people’s lives less stressful in the mornings,” Noah said.
At WOFL, Kristin Giannas works as traffic anchor and meteorologist. She is on “Good Day Orlando,” which runs from 4 to 10 a.m. weekdays. She grew up in Florida, graduated from the University of Florida and worked at WKMG before joining WOFL. (The Sentinel has a content-sharing agreement with WOFL.)
Boss Zeller praised her versatility as traffic anchor, meteorologist and reporter. “Weather and traffic are always changing, so I’m grateful to be in an environment where I’m learning something new every day,” Giannas said.
News 13 traffic anchor/reporter Ryan Harper, who is originally from Longwood, offers live reports from 5 to 9 a.m. weekdays. “Ryan is a seasoned traffic reporter, having spent 10 years in the field, the last four at Spectrum News 13,” news director D’Asotli said.
“The most gratifying part of my job is providing viewers with alternative options or even a heads-up on delays, making their morning commute smoother and safer,” Harper said.
At WKMG, Montiero takes questions in “Ask Trooper Steve” segments on Mondays and Thursdays. In mid-March, WKMG will start “Ride Along With Trooper Steve,” a segment in the 4 p.m. news that will allow viewers to do just that. The station also draws on Montiero’s law enforcement background for news stories.
Montiero, who graduated from Poinciana High School and served in the Air Force, said he was humbled by the job offer. He said he “fought through the nerves” when he started in October. He continues as a reserve trooper with the FHP and called WKMG’s promotion of “Trooper Steve” validating because it showed the station trusted him.
“I’m delivering information to you where I grew up,” he said. “You’re catching a local guy.”
New director McGinley said he had quickly established himself. “You don’t necessarily need a journalism degree to be a good communicator,” she said. “He is naturally a good communicator.”