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Meet the 6 News Team

Erica Estep

Date of Joining WATE: 
June 2005
Note: Erica Estep left WATE in August 2012.
Follow Erica on Twitter: @ericaestep
Become a friend of Erica on Facebook
Birthplace/Hometown: 
I'm from Albany, Ga., but I've spent the last 14 years in East Tennessee so I consider this home now.
Education: 
  • East Tennessee State University. Majored in Mass Communications and minored in Political Science.
Previous Media Experience: 
  • WJHL News Channel 11, Johnson City, Tenn. (general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor)
  • WCYB NewsCenter 5, Bristol, Va. (began in production as a production assistant running studio cameras, doing computer graphics and helping edit commercials. Moved over to news to become an editor, then photographer, finally, weekend producer and one man band reporter.)
Outside Interests/Hobbies: 

Family time with my husband and sons. I enjoy exploring new places, hiking, dancing, eating out and just relaxing at home with a good book or movie. I also enjoy doing craft projects, but I don't always finish what I start.

What You Enjoy About Local News: 

My favorite part is just the different people I get to meet on a daily basis as a reporter. I love just soaking up everything I see and hear, and sharing that story with our viewers. I get to see and do things on a regular basis that I couldn't in any other job. Most memorable story: disaster training alongside fire fighters, police and EMTs. I actually put on the equipment the experts use and got a small glimpse into what they do. I practiced saving someone from flood waters in the rushing rapids of the Nolichuckey River, crawled on my knees through a dark building filled with smoke while wearing 70 pounds of gear, and practiced target shooting with a police SWAT team.

Media Awards and Honors: 
  • Tennessee AP award for Tri-Cities Market Best Reporting 2004