Anthony Ponce
Anthony Ponce is a veteran Chicago journalist who grew up in the northern suburbs.
In July 2016, he gained national attention when he left his job in TV news to become a full-time Lyft driver, launching the podcast Backseat Rider. As a Lyft-driving storyteller, Anthony brings audiences the wide-ranging, hilarious, touching, sometimes bizarre, and always real conversations he has with his passengers.
“Listening is a lost art form,” he told CNN. “What I think is missing right now in our national dialogue is aggressive listening.”
Anthony joined FOX 32 in 2018 to co-anchor Good Day Chicago and launch Backseat Rider as a news segment.
In returning to television, Anthony’s goal is to remind Chicagoans that while specific issues can be divisive, we have a lot more in common than is often depicted on the news.
Before joining FOX 32, Anthony spent nearly a decade as a reporter/anchor at NBC Chicago, and spent years as a reporter in Indiana.
He has a Master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and did his undergrad at Indiana University.
Anthony — a Sox fan — lives on the North Side with his wife, Maggie, and son, Theo.
The latest from Anthony Ponce
Expect higher menu prices as Illinois reopens: analysts
The Illinois Restaurant Association says to expect the largest menu price jump since 2008.
FDA approves first Alzheimer's treatment in 20 years
For the first time in twenty years, the FDA has approved a new treatment for Alzheimer's Disease.
Class-action lawsuit filed against ComEd seeks billions in wake of bribery scandal
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against ComEd in the wake of the bribery scandal involving state government officials.
Supply chain issues, unusual stock market activity as US prepares to reopen
Supply chain issues, sky rocketing demand and more unusual activity on the stock market: all symptoms of the economy as the country prepares to reopen.
Proposed Illinois law would allow college athletes to profit off their name, sign endorsement deals
It would be a new source of revenue for college athletes in Illinois.
Schaumburg Boomers baseball returns for the first time in over a year
Baseball is back in Schaumburg for the first time in a year and a half as the Boomers hosted their home opener against the Evansville Otters Thursday night.
Oak Park and River Forest High School board considers 'no fail' policy
Oak Park and River Forest High School called a special board meeting Tuesday night to consider a "no-fail" policy for spring semester 2021, because of the toll the pandemic took on students' mental health.
Guaranteed Rate Field now allowing 60-percent capacity
Starting Monday, because vaccinations are up and infections are down, Guaranteed Rate Field is now able to allow 24,300 people inside the ballpark.
Parents, child advocacy groups speak out against social media for kids
A group of parents and child advocacy agencies have banded together to crack down on social media apps that target young children.
Used car values soar due to chip shortage, how to cash in on your clunker
A microchip shortage that is slowing down new car production is also turning up the heat in the used car market. Auto experts say you can get a good deal if you want to sell or trade in your used car.