Caylee Kirby got bitten by the television journalism bug at an early age. Now she has just been promoted to one of the main morning anchors on WTOL-TV, Channel 11.
As a little girl growing up in Las Vegas, Kirby used to watch television newscasts with her parents and grandparents and it had a profound effect on the youngster.
“My parents and grandparents always had on the network morning news. I grew up watching all sorts of national and local news and I was just so fascinated by it all,” said Kirby.
In middle school, she took a course in TV journalism production, and decided she wanted to pursue it as a career someday. And when Kirby enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, known as UNLV, she pursued her studies in broadcast journalism.
Kirby’s first job out of UNLV took her from the arid sands of the desert to the frozen tundra of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she worked at WBUP-ABC 10. But after 11 months, she began to long for warmer temperatures.
“It was just way too cold up in the U.P.,” said Kirby with a laugh.
Kirby came to WTOL in 2019 and quickly fell in love with life in Toledo.
“I love how close knit everything is in Toledo,” said Kirby. “It feels like a big city but it’s not and that’s what I love the most about it. I can get anywhere I want and not have to deal with traffic but I still have enough people around me to make it feel like a big city.”
Over the last few years, Kirby has anchored weekend morning newscasts and WTOL 11 News at 4 p.m. on weekdays.
In her spare time, Kirby is a ravenous reader who recently read and gave high marks to the fantasy books by Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.
“Those aren’t the normal type of books I’d read, but a few people told me they were great and they really are,” said Kirby.
Kirby has a strong love for community journalism and takes her new role as part of WTOL’s morning team, which started late last month, very seriously.
“The best part about my job is talking to people and telling their stories,” said Kirby. “I love that I get to share the good things that happen in our community.”
WTOL news director Lauren Weppler praised Kirby for her passion and commitment to doing exceptional journalism.
“Caylee has been with us going on four years now and every role and story she’s taken on, she’s displayed great passion and thoroughness in her storytelling and commitment not only to the station but to the community,” said Weppler. “Those things make her the best candidate for her new role.”
Though she occasionally misses the desert, Kirby is happy to make her home and career in Toledo.
“I love Toledo,” said Kirby. “It’s become a home that I did not know I would like as much as I do, coming from the desert and all. I love how welcoming everyone has been.”
First Published February 6, 2024, 7:52 p.m.
