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
'Familiar Faces': Chicago photographer unveils project that salutes CTA workers
A local photographer has unveiled a passion project that took him months to complete and is dedicated to a group of Chicagoans many of us interact with every single day.
Who wants a waterslide park in downtown Chicago? Contest winners push new ideas for Thompson center
“Public Pool” would transform the Thompson Center atrium into a public waterpark with a hotel above.
Chicago community group receives nearly $2M from cannabis tax revenue
Cannabis sales in Illinois are helping local community groups.
Chicago alderman, residents meet with new police commander amid downtown crime spike
After the recent influx in violent crime in the heart of downtown, 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins is calling for more police manpower.
Man charged with shooting CTA bus driver
A CTA bus driver was shot and wounded Saturday right outside the Chicago Cultural Center — one of the most pedestrian-heavy parts of the city.
Doctors call for 'immediate end' of Ivermectin as COVID treatment
There are renewed warnings from doctors against taking Ivermectin for COVID-19.
Dad still pushing for court to ban unvaccinated mom from seeing their son, judge recuses himself
On Tuesday, the father told FOX 32 Chicago that he still wants Firlit banned from seeing the boy. He cited her unwillingness to get vaccinated, along with her behavior in court, as reasons for his request.
Detectives narrowing in on possible suspect after pregnant woman found dead in Lake Michigan
The teen was about six months pregnant at the time of her death. Police believe the last day she was alive was August 10, seen in a surveillance image taken from where she was living in Chicago.
Son tells Lyons police he buried mom, sister in backyard
A house in west suburban Lyons is now a crime scene, after the resident told police that he buried his mother and sister in the back yard after they died.
Beloved Lakeview hardware store closing after 98 years of service
A beloved Lakeview hardware store is closing after serving the community for 98 years.