Michael Hennessey Bio, Age, Family, FOX 8 WGHP, Wife, Net Worth
Michael Hennessey is the week-night face of FOX 8 WGHP, anchoring the station’s 11 p.m. newscast and breaking some of the Piedmont-Triad’s biggest stories since 2014. Known for calm delivery during hurricanes, high-profile trials and feel-good “Teach-Me-Tuesday” segments, the Connecticut native has become one of North-Carolina’s most trusted anchors while still keeping his personal life refreshingly private.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Michael Hennessey |
| Profession | News Anchor / Reporter |
| Birth Place | Newtown, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Age (2026) | ≈ 36-38 (exact birthday undisclosed) |
| Nationality | American |
| Years Active | 2013 – present |
| Current Station | FOX 8 WGHP (Greensboro–High Point–Winston-Salem) |
| Role | 11 p.m. week-night anchor; fill-in on other newscasts |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Spouse | Katie Hennessey (m. Oct 2016) |
| Net Worth (2026 est.) | $1 – 5 million |
| Salary | $45 k – $110 k annually |
| Education | Lyndon State College (now Northern Vermont University), B.S. 2012 |
| Hobbies | Golf, fishing, coastal travel, emceeing charity events |
Early Life & Education
- Raised in Newtown, CT; developed an on-air itch calling Little League games for local radio.
- Graduated Lyndon State College (Vermont) in 2012 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism & Meteorology minor—handy for hurricane coverage later.
Career Journey
2013 – Launch at WCTI NewsChannel 12
- Greenville (NC) bureau reporter—first job out of college.
- Covered Hurricane Arthur (2014) and the 2014 Onslow County tornado outbreak.
May 2014 – Joined FOX 8 WGHP
- Started as Winston-Salem Bureau Chief, breaking exclusives on Krispy Kreme HQ sale, Wake Forest Baptist data breach, and state-level political corruption.
- Promoted to 11 p.m. main anchor on May 1, 2019—still occupies the chair in 2026.
2020-2026 – Prime-time & Investigative
- Led “True Crime: Piedmont” franchise—hour-long specials on Faith Hedgepeth, Jennifer Neil Clark, and the Gilmer County bunker case.
- Field-anchored six hurricanes, including Florence (2018) and Ian (2022) from New Bern & Wilmington.
- Moderated 2022 U.S. Senate debate between Ted Budd & Cheri Beasley, carried live on FOX8 and C-SPAN.
- Launched viewer-favorite “Teach Me Tuesday” segment—learning everything from drum-line cadences to sailing knots live on air.
Digital & Community
- Verified Facebook (@mhennesseynews) – 4.7 k followers; daily behind-the-scenes clips .
- Regular master-of-ceremonies for United Way, Ronald McDonald House and Greensboro Urban Ministry fundraisers.
Awards & Recognition
- 2023 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award – “Best Breaking News” – Hurricane Ian coverage.
- 2024 North Carolina Associated Press – first-place “Outstanding Feature” – “Teach Me Tuesday: Learning to Sail”.
- 2025 Emmy nomination – “Best Evening Newscast” (FOX 8 News at 11).
Personal Life
- Married college sweetheart Katie (a Greensboro native and former WCTI producer) in October 2016—moved the ceremony two days forward to beat Hurricane Matthew shut-downs .
- The couple owns a rescue beagle-mix “Bogey”; live in Oak Ridge, enjoying weekend trips to the Outer Banks.
- Off-duty you’ll find him on Piedmont golf courses, fishing Kerr Lake, or cheering Duke basketball (yes, in ACC territory!).
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | ≈ 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Hair | Dark brown |
| Eyes | Hazel |
| Build | Athletic |
Quotes
- “If I can make a viewer feel something—anger, hope, laughter—then I’ve done my job that night.” – Interview with Muck Rack, 2025
- “Covering hurricanes isn’t glamorous; it’s showing people the wind, the water, and then how neighbors rebuild—that’s the story.” – ** acceptance speech, Murrow Awards, 2023**
Salary & Net Worth 2026
- Industry benchmark for a top-50 market week-night anchor: $90 k – $110 k; Michael’s experience places him mid-to-upper band.
- Side income: paid hosting, voice-over work and real-estate investments in the Triad.
- Estimated net-worth range: $1 – 5 million (2026) .
Interesting Facts
- Called his first Little League game at age 14 on Newtown’s community radio.
- Played club rugby at Lyndon State—still joins Charlotte Rugby FC charity matches.
- Fear of heights… yet zip-lined live from Grandfather Mountain for a travel segment.
- Keeps a hand-written journal of every story he’s ever covered—2,600+ entries and counting.
Social Media / Contact
- Facebook (verified): facebook.com/mhennesseynews –
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hennessey-7b0b5375
- FOX 8 bio page: myfox8.com/author/michael-hennessey
- Muck Rack portfolio: muckrack.com/michael-hennessey
FAQs
How long has Michael Hennessey anchored FOX 8 News at 11?
Since its launch May 1, 2019—entering his 7th year in the chair in 2026 .
Is Michael Hennessey married?
Yes—he wed Katie in October 2016 after meeting at WCTI; they live in Oak Ridge, NC .
What is Michael Hennessey’s salary?
Industry data and station benchmarks place his annual compensation between $45 k – $110 k .
Where did he go to college?
Lyndon State College (now Northern Vermont University), class of 2012, B.S. Broadcast Journalism .
Does he report on weather too?
Occasionally—his meteorology coursework allows him to jump in on severe-weather coverage, but he leaves the forecast to certified meteorologists.
Conclusion
From juggling cameras as a 22-year-old rookie in eastern-North-Carolina to commanding the anchor desk during six hurricanes and a U.S. Senate debate, Michael Hennessey has fused small-town approachability with big-market credibility. From all indications, he’ll keep signing off “Thanks for letting us be part of your night” well beyond 2026.
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References
: FactProfiles – Michael Hennessey Bio
: FOX8 WGHP – Facebook page
: LinkedIn – Michael Hennessey
: FOX8 author page
: Muck Rack – portfolio
