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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

Meet the Other Members of the 6 News Team

Josh Ault
Stephanie Beecken
Don Dare
Prentice Elliott
Kristin Farley
Drew Gardner
Hayley Harmon
Matt Hinkin
Julya Johnson
Mike Krafcik
Jessa Lewis
Samantha Manning
Jill McNeal
Mona Nair
Gene Patterson
Tearsa Smith
Fallon Smith
Lori Tucker
Ken Weathers
Bo Williams
Jim Wogan
Alexis Zotos

Recent Tweets

  • EricaEstep Will be missed!“@TearsaSmith: The @6News crew is saying good bye to one of our own today - @JessaLewisWATE Farewell! t.co/CtClny7DZB”  8 hours 58 min ago
  • EricaEstep A must see- awesome ad! “@EastTNChildrens: A little something to make you smile this morning. We love it! t.co/64h0yHAVcf”  10 hours 37 min ago
  • EricaEstep @MelonyNagel always good to see you! Book me later next time & we'll get breakfast. ;)  12 hours 30 min ago
  • EricaEstep That is meat locker- not neat. Coffee get to work!  12 hours 33 min ago
  • EricaEstep Love being the 1st one at work, my music is up. It feels a little like a neat locker in this office though. Someone set thermostat on 60!  12 hours 33 min ago

Latest News

  • Smokies wildlife workers see an increase in bear cubs this year
  • Mother upset after her daughter and six other students are busted with alcohol at school
  • Knoxville businesses pledge to support breastfeeding mothers
  • Cross-country motorcyclists drive through Knoxville to recognize veterans
  • Oklahomans say storm shelter saved dozens of lives from EF-5 tornado
  • Rain water washes out Cumberland County roads
  • Customers claim transport company won't refund deposit after raising quoted price by hundreds
  • Seven students busted with alcohol at local middle school
  • TVA, EPA to update public on coal ash spill clean up
  • Man charged with faking marriage to visit inmate

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