Former KODE anchor Jennifer Penate, who was at the station from 2011 through 2017 begins her new job as weekend anchor and general assignment reporter at WCVB Channel 5 in Boston Wednesday, according to a news release.
Penate left WFLA in in Tampa, Florida earlier this month after three years.
From the news release:
Award-winning journalist Jennifer Peñate will join WCVB Channel 5, Boston’s News and Community Leader, as weekend evening anchor and general assignment reporter beginning on June 28. The announcement was made today by WCVB President & General Manager Kyle I. Grimes and News Director Margaret Cronan. Peñate will co-anchor weekend evening newscasts with Shaun Chaiyabhat and will report during the week.Peñate comes to Boston from WFLA/WTTA in Tampa Bay, Florida. Her roles included anchoring English language newscasts on WTTA and WFLA, in addition to anchoring and creating WTTA’s Spanish language newscast “Noticias Tampa Hoy,” where she also served as the newscast’s managing editor. In addition, Peñate was an integral contributor to TampaHoy.com, the station’s Spanish language news website reporting on information important to the Latinx community.
“Jennifer is a talented journalist whose experience and values will make her an excellent addition to WCVB,” said Grimes. “She has also been long dedicated to public service having volunteered for numerous nonprofit organizations as well as founding her own focused on mentorship. Jennifer’s journalism excellence combined with her commitment to her community make her a perfect fit for the WCVB team.”
“WCVB NewsCenter 5 is proud of its long legacy of journalists who are not only dedicated to providing exceptional news and information to the market, but equally as passionate about public service. Jennifer is an accomplished journalist who is looking forward to putting her energetic storytelling skills to work on the anchor desk and on the streets of our communities. She is an ideal addition to the NewsCenter 5 team, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the WCVB family,” said Cronan.
“I am humbled be joining WCVB, one of the most highly regarded television stations in the country,” said Peñate. “I look forward to anchoring the weekend evening news with Shaun as well as contributing to the excellent journalism and impactful public service provided to the community by the Channel 5 team every day.”
Peñate spent the last three years as anchor and reporter on WFLA and WTTA where she received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for her digital reporting on TampaHoy.com. Before WFLA and WTTA, Peñate spent three years as evening anchor at KNWA in Fayetteville, Arkansas. While at KNWA, she covered stories that garnered national attention like the historic flooding of the Arkansas River that displaced hundreds, the assassination of a local police officer, and chaotic protests surrounding the death of George Floyd. Peñate began her career in 2011 as a reporter at KODE in Joplin, Missouri where she earned several awards for her reporting including honors from the Missouri Broadcasters Association and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. Also, while at KODE, she was named by the Joplin Regional Business Journal as one of the 2016 Most Influential Women.
From a young age, Peñate has had a passion for public service and sharing impactful stories that make a difference in the community. As a result, she is a very active volunteer, keynote speaker, event host, and the founder of a nonprofit. In 2015, she created Girls Unstoppable to empower young Latinas through a curriculum that focuses on overcoming obstacles, developing confidence, and higher education.
Peñate was born in El Salvador and grew up in both Los Angeles and Northwest Arkansas. She graduated with a Journalism and Spanish degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Peñate is also a member the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Gamma Eta Sorority which was founded at the University of Florida.
Outside of work, Peñate is an avid hiker, half-marathon runner, and loves going on adventures with her dog, Tango.
(WCVB Photo)
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