NBC 5 Chicago Newscasters: Comprehensive 2026 Lineup, Anchor Shifts, And Broadcast Guide

WMAQ-TV, broadcasting on virtual channel 5 (RF channel 33), stands as one of the most historic owned-and-operated local television stations in the United States. Operating from the state-of-the-art NBC Tower in downtown Chicago, the station delivers award-winning journalism, weather forecasting, and local sports coverage to the massive Chicagoland television market.

To provide viewers and media professionals with an accurate view of the station's roster, this guide outlines the active lineup of NBC 5 Chicago newscasters, reporters, and meteorologists in 2026. It highlights the main anchor desks, investigative teams, and meteorologists keeping Chicago informed.

The NBC 5 Chicago News Desk: Weekday Anchors and Timeslots

The anchor desk at NBC 5 Chicago is characterized by stability, seasoned journalistic integrity, and deep roots in the Chicago metropolitan area. The station’s weekday programming is structured to provide continuous coverage from the early morning commute through late-night analysis.

Morning News Leadership: NBC 5 News Today

The morning broadcast, airing weekdays from 4:30 AM to 7:00 AM, is anchored by Alex Maragos and Michelle Relerford. This dynamic pairing delivers a fast-paced mix of breaking news, traffic updates, and early-morning weather trends.

• Alex Maragos: A Chicago-area native, Maragos brings a sharp, localized perspective to the morning desk. His reporting style balances hard-hitting morning updates with approachable local storytelling.
• Michelle Relerford: Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, Relerford is a veteran journalist who has covered major international and local stories. Her deep connection to the community establishes a trusted tone for early-morning viewers.

Midday and Afternoon Transition

As the news cycle shifts to midday and late afternoon, NBC 5 transitions coverage to its midday and afternoon teams, capturing the evolving news landscape of the workday.

• Marion Brooks: Anchoring the midday broadcasts, Brooks is a pillar of the NBC 5 newsroom. Known for her analytical approach and long-form interviewing skills, she also leads several of the station's impactful social justice and community-focused reporting initiatives.
• Stefan Holt: Anchoring the afternoon and late-night broadcasts, Holt brings a wealth of political and investigative anchoring experience. Holt's modern, data-driven approach to major breaking news events keeps the afternoon broadcasts agile and highly informative.

Evening and Late-Night Flagship Broadcasts: The 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM Desks

The flagship evening broadcasts are anchored by the highly respected team of Allison Rosati and Stefan Holt, alongside veteran anchor Rob Stafford.

• Allison Rosati: With over three decades of trusted broadcasting experience in Chicago, Rosati remains one of the most recognizable and authoritative voices in Midwest media. Her empathetic yet direct anchoring style defines the station's identity during the critical 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM broadcasts.
• Rob Stafford: Sharing the evening anchor duties, Stafford combines his decades of investigative reporting experience with a commanding desk presence. His background with consumer protection and hard-news investigations brings added depth to major local developments.

NBC 5 Storm Team: Chicago’s Leading Meteorological Experts

Weather in the Great Lakes region is notoriously volatile, demanding highly technical, precise, and rapid meteorological forecasting. The NBC 5 Storm Team utilizes advanced radar technologies and localized forecasting models to protect and inform millions of residents across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and surrounding counties.

Chief Meteorologist and Evening Weather

The meteorological team is anchored by some of the most trusted weather figures in Illinois broadcasting, ensuring round-the-clock preparation for severe weather patterns, lake-effect snow, and summer tornado systems.

• Albert Ramon: Serving as Chief Meteorologist, Ramon leads the evening weather broadcasts with a focus on high-density data modeling and clear, actionable communication. His ability to distill complex atmospheric dynamics into understandable forecasts is highly regarded throughout the industry.
• Alicia Roman: A key force on the Storm Team, Roman delivers detailed meteorological analysis during the high-impact midday and early evening broadcasts. Her regional expertise allows her to track highly localized lake-effect weather anomalies with exceptional precision.

Morning and Weekend Forecasting

• Pete Sack: Providing essential early-morning forecasting, Sack helps commuters navigate Chicago's unpredictable morning commutes with highly accurate, short-term projections.
• Paul Deanno: Anchoring weekend weather coverage, Deanno is an Emmy-winning meteorologist who brings a wealth of national and regional experience to the Storm Team's weekend broadcasts, utilizing state-of-the-art interactive radar graphics.

NBC 5 Sports and Investigative Teams: Beyond the Headlines

Beyond standard news desks and weather blocks, NBC 5 Chicago differentiates itself through highly specialized investigative journalism and comprehensive regional sports coverage.

NBC 5 Investigates and Consumer Units

In an era where accountability and consumer protection are paramount, the station's investigative division, NBC 5 Investigates, serves as a vital watchdog for the community.

• Phil Rogers & Bennett Haeberle: This senior investigative team uncovers government waste, corporate negligence, and systemic civic issues. Their multi-part investigative series frequently lead to direct policy changes and legislative reviews within Illinois.
• Samantha Chatman: Leading the "NBC 5 Responds" unit, Chatman focuses heavily on consumer advocacy, recovering thousands of dollars for local citizens defrauded by bad actors, contractors, or systemic billing errors.

NBC 5 Sports

Chicago is a legendary sports market, demanding expert analysis of the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox.

• Ruthie Polinsky: Leading the sports desk, Polinsky delivers insightful post-game analysis, locker room interviews, and human-interest profiles of Chicago’s top athletes. Her energetic and highly analytical approach has modernized the station's sports coverage.
• Mike Berman: Partnering on the sports desk, Berman provides deep contextual reporting, focusing on tactical breakdowns, draft previews, and the business realities of Chicago's major league franchises.

Active NBC 5 Chicago On-Air Personalities (2026 Lineup)

The following reference table provides a structured overview of the primary on-air personalities representing NBC 5 Chicago across all major broadcasting dayparts.

Evaluating the Modern Local News Delivery Model

The modern local news ecosystem has shifted dramatically from traditional linear television to a multi-platform digital experience. WMAQ-TV has adapted to these operational shifts, presenting distinct operational benefits and structural challenges.

Advantages of the Modern NBC Chicago Broadcast Model

• Multi-Platform Accessibility: The creation of the NBC Chicago News 24/7 streaming channel allows cord-cutters to access live broadcasts on Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, and Pluto TV.
• Deep Localized Specialization: Having dedicated investigative and consumer advocacy units ensures the station provides high-value, unique content that cannot be replicated by national news syndicates.
• Inter-Station Collaboration: Co-located in the NBC Tower with Telemundo Chicago (WSNS-TV), the station leverages shared journalistic resources to provide bilingual, culturally expansive coverage across the entire Chicagoland area.

Operational Challenges in Regional Broadcasting

• Viewer Fragmentation: The shift away from linear cable television requires the station to continuously split marketing and technical resources between over-the-air, digital, and social platforms.
• Rapid Information Verification: The acceleration of digital media requires newsrooms to balance the pressure of being first with the absolute necessity of editorial accuracy, particularly during fast-moving civic emergencies or severe weather alerts.

How to Pitch and Contact the NBC 5 Chicago Newsroom

Whether you are a public relations professional, a community leader, or a citizen with an investigative tip, reaching the correct desk at the NBC Tower ensures your story is seen by the appropriate editorial team.

General Newsroom Tip Submission To submit a time-sensitive breaking news tip, photo, or video, direct your communication to the general assignment desk.

• Physical Address: NBC 5 Chicago, NBC Tower, 454 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL 60611
• Primary Phone Line: (312) 836-5555
• Email Address: nbcchicagotips@nbcuni.com

Submitting to NBC 5 Investigates For sensitive whistleblowing or deep investigative tips, the investigative team operates secure communication channels.

• Security Protocol: When sending confidential documentation, clearly mark the communication as "Attention: NBC 5 Investigates" to ensure it bypasses the general assignment filter.
• Consumer Complaints: Direct individual merchant or billing disputes specifically to the "NBC 5 Responds" intake portal on the station's official website.

Frequently Asked Questions About NBC 5 Chicago Newscasters

Who are the main evening anchors on NBC 5 Chicago?

The main evening anchors for WMAQ-TV are Allison Rosati, Stefan Holt, and Rob Stafford. They co-anchor the primary 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM broadcasts, delivering a blend of breaking news, investigative packages, and regional coverage.

This anchoring team is widely recognized for their deep ties to the Chicago community and extensive journalistic experience. While Rosati and Holt anchor the cornerstone late-night block, Stafford frequently contributes specialized investigative reporting alongside his anchoring duties.

Who is the current Chief Meteorologist on the NBC 5 Storm Team?

The NBC 5 Storm Team is led by Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon, who anchors the primary evening and late-night weather segments. He is supported by a dedicated group of meteorologists, including Alicia Roman, Pete Sack, and Paul Deanno.

Under Ramon's leadership, the Storm Team utilizes advanced dual-polarization Doppler radar systems and localized atmospheric modeling tools. This high-density tracking is critical for providing precise projections during the region's intense summer storm seasons and winter lake-effect snowstorms.

Where are the NBC 5 Chicago studios located?

The NBC 5 Chicago offices and studios are located inside the historic NBC Tower at 454 North Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The facility sits in the vibrant Near North Side neighborhood, close to the Chicago River and the Magnificent Mile.

The state-of-the-art building is also home to sister station Telemundo Chicago (WSNS-TV) and regional sports network networks, allowing for streamlined editorial collaboration, shared digital infrastructure, and comprehensive coverage of the diverse northern Illinois metropolitan footprint.

How do I submit an investigative tip to NBC 5 Investigates?

Investigative tips can be submitted via email to the secure investigative inbox or by calling the main station line and asking for the investigative desk. For physical documents, mail can be sent directly to the NBC Tower labeled "Attention: NBC 5 Investigates."

To ensure your tip is actionable, provide verifiable documentation, contact information, and clear timelines. For consumer fraud or retail disputes, utilizing the specific "NBC 5 Responds" portal ensures your issue is tracked by Samantha Chatman's consumer advocacy team.

Is Allison Rosati still anchoring for NBC 5 Chicago?

Yes, Allison Rosati remains a central figure at the NBC 5 Chicago anchor desk, co-anchoring the premier evening and late-night newscasts. Her long-standing presence at the station continues to provide viewers with consistent, highly trusted journalistic leadership.

With decades of experience covering the region’s most historic news stories, Rosati's editorial insight and connection to the community serve as the foundational cornerstone of the station's evening broadcast identity.

Connecting with WMAQ-TV’s Digital Network

For viewers looking to stay connected to NBC 5 Chicago’s live reporting, the station has expanded its digital ecosystem to ensure seamless accessibility. To monitor breaking news developments or severe weather alerts directly, download the official NBC Chicago app for iOS and Android, or configure the NBC Chicago News channel on your preferred streaming player. By integrating linear broadcast precision with immediate digital accessibility, WMAQ-TV remains dedicated to serving the diverse communities of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.