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
Chicago music venues struggling to survive amid pandemic
One of the businesses hurting the most during this pandemic is music venues.
9 more women accuse Illinois restaurant owner of recording up-skirt videos
More accusers are coming forward against a suburban restaurant owner linked to an up-skirt video scandal.
Alderman trying to reverse new $35 fine for speeding 6 mph over posted limits
As of Monday, the speed cameras across the city are programmed to ticket drivers for going as little as six miles per hour over the posted limits. The fine is $35.
Man convicted of beating, sexually assaulting toddler to be released from prison early
It is a heartbreaking case that shocked the Chicago area back in 1997.
It's official: Chicago's lakefront reopens, but masks and social distancing still required
"We're at the lowest positivity rate as a city that we've ever been since the pandemic came to our shores," Mayor Lightfoot said Tuesday.
Chicago's lakefront reopens for first time amid pandemic
Access to Chicago’s lakefront is now open for the first time in nearly a year.
Illinois restaurant owner accused of 'up-skirting' teenage workers for 10 years
Michael Papandrea allegedly installed tiny cameras in his shoes and approached young female employees to record video up their skirts and dresses.
Warning from doctors amid Chicago cold snap: Frostbite can happen in minutes
It is awful to be outside in this bitter cold weather, and dangerous for more reason than one.
Illinois parents blame 'Robinhood' for son's death, file lawsuit
"The next day, after he committed suicide, believing that he owed $730K, there was an email sent to his account saying, ‘oh you're margin calls were canceled, everything is fine,’" the family's attorney said. "But he's already dead."
Americans received 4.7 billion robocalls in January: here's how to stop them
Just last month alone, Americans got 4.7-billion robocalls. But you have the power to stop them.