John became the News Director at Newswatch12 at the beginning of 2012. He’s returning to Rhinelander to live and work after being away from the Northwoods for more than 40 years.

He graduated from Rhinelander High School, received two journalism degrees from Northwestern University, and worked as a television journalist at WBAY-TV in Green Bay, KSBW-TV in Salinas, CA, KGO-TV in San Francisco, and KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO. He served as a faculty member at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where he taught broadcast journalism.

For the past 20 years, he consulted local TV stations all over the country as a Vice President at Frank N. Magid Associates. His duties focused on using audience research to help local news operations better serve viewers.

John and his wife Karen both grew up in Rhinelander, and are very happy to be back in northern Wisconsin. They love the seasonal changes, the pace of life, the outdoors, the Packers and Badgers, and the sense of fun that they find here. Gardening, grilling, puttering around, snowshoeing, managing trees, looking at wildlife, just enjoying the closeness of the outdoors are things that fill the time with pleasure.

“The opportunity to lead and manage this team in this place is wonderful,” says John. “We’ll do all we can to keep the focus on local people and communities, and to be a unique source for sharing useful news and information for everyone who lives here.”

Kira joined WJFW in July 2010 as a co-anchor of Newswatch 12 Today and a reporter. She came to the Northwoods from WXOW-TV in La Crosse where she worked as a meteorologist and reporter.

Kira grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota, which is right across the river from Fargo, North Dakota. Much like Wisconsin, this area is famous for its constantly-changing weather, but over the years Kira learned to appreciate the snow and the cold and loves wintertime. During the winter of 1996-’97 her hometown received 8 blizzards and countless “snow days” from school. Kira remembers being fascinated by the storms, flooding, and ongoing news coverage of the people and places affected.

Fast forward a few years, and this interest lead to Kira pursuing a degree in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of North Dakota. At UND, she got involved with the campus news show “Studio One” where she tried everything from reporting to floor directing. Here she found a passion for shooting video, editing, and story telling and cannot believe she gets paid to do this everyday at work.

Kira also likes getting outside to run, hike, and bike, and loves crafts. She is thrilled to experience the Northwoods and will likely be enjoying a fish fry every Friday. Give her a shout if you have any suggestions of where to go! Any question, comments, or story ideas are also welcome.

Matt Doyle joined the WJFW news team in January 2011 as a reporter.

Matt was born and raised in Rochester Hills, MI and attended the University of Michigan. He graduated in 2008 with a degree in Communication Studies. At Michigan, Matt interned at WJR Radio and WJBK-Fox 2 in Detroit, Michigan where he realized a true passion for the industry.

Upon graduation from Michigan, Matt moved to Chicago and enrolled in a one-year graduate journalism program at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. While at Medill, Matt covered various topics around the city of Chicago and honed his broadcast skills and overall journalistic skills.

In June of 2009 he received a Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Medill. After receiving his Master’s Degree, Matt spent time working in Chicago before moving to the Northwoods.

Matt is familiar with the weather in the Northwoods having grown up in the Midwest. Matt’s hobbies include working out, boating, fishing, water-skiing, football, basketball, baseball, and much more. An avid sports fan, Matt’s favorite teams include the Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers. Don’t hold that against him, it is nice to have friendly competition. Matt’s excited to be in Packer Country and is looking forward to learning more about the Northwoods and its people.

If you have any questions, comments, or story ideas feel free to send them along to mdoyle@wjfw.com.

Asavari comes to WJFW from sunny southern California. Asavari joined our team in July 2001 anchoring Newswatch 12 Today and reporting. In 2005 Asavari gave up the early morning shift for a chance to anchor our evening newscasts.

Asavari graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a certificate in Marketing Communications. After working in public relations and the entertainment industry, she decided to pursue a career in television news. Asavari completed a certificate in Broadcast Journalism at UCLA and completed an internship at KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. She then worked as an assignment editor at KMIR-6 News in Palm Springs, CA.

She found the job listing for Newswatch 12 on the Internet and was excited to begin a new adventure in northern Wisconsin.

Asavari says life here is 180 degrees different from her life in southern California, but she says she loves the four seasons, the beautiful Northwoods lakes and forests and even the snow. She credits her newfound love for nature to her husband Tom. Asavari and Tom welcome their twin daughters, Audrina and Amiya, into the world on December 7, 2009.

On the weekends Asavari and Tom love to take their girls out for fun-filled family adventures. They enjoy trying out new restaurants, spending time outdoors and seeing the newest Box Office hits.

Jenn joined WJFW in December 2011 as the Weekend Anchor and Reporter. She got her start in television working as a News Writer for WGN-TV in Chicago. She also interned in their Web department before being hired.

Jenn had the rare opportunity of working with the United States Olympic Committee during the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. She worked as a field reporter chasing down stories, interviewing Olympic athletes, and covering press conferences.

Jenn received her MA in Journalism from DePaul University in June 2011 and earned her BA in Creative Writing from Miami University in Ohio. At Miami, Jenn was an active leader on campus and an enthusiastic member of Chi Omega sorority. Much of her spunk and high spirited nature can be attributed to her role in the Fraternity/Sorority community.

Born in New York City, Jenn spent a few years living on the East Coast before her family relocated to Surrey, England. After six years of living overseas, she moved to a northern suburb of Chicago where she attended high school.

When she’s not covering stories, she loves taking long walks with her dog, Shelby, who she adopted from a shelter in Chicago. Rooting for the Chicago Cubs, the Blackhawks, and experimenting with different cooking recipes are some of her many hobbies. Jenn enjoys skiing and is looking forward to hitting the slopes and playing in the snow. She’s excited for her many new adventures in the Northwoods.

Whether you have a story idea or a recommendation on where to find the best cheeseburger in town, Jenn would love to hear from you.

“A news gatherer is energetic.” These words are what brought Michael Crusan into journalism and he is excited to be part of the WJFW news team. Michael joined the news team as a reporter in 2010.

Michael is a Minnesotan who was born and raised in Duluth. He began his studies in 2005 at the University of Minnesota Duluth with a plan to be a dentist. Fast-forward a year and half and his true calling came along to become a broadcast journalist. With that calling Michael transferred to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to study Broadcast Journalism and Theatre. He graduated in December of 2009 and one year later landed in Rhinelander at WJFW.
Michael is thankful to have his family and friends behind him all the way.

Being from Minnesota, Michael is a Vikings and Twins fan. He loves the great outdoors and winter is his favorite season. When he isn’t on his snowmobile or dirt bike you can find him running, fishing, climbing or mountain biking. Always the adventurer, he hopes to find some new challenges in the Northwoods.

Lane Kimble joined WJFW in June of 2011 as a producer and reporter.

Lane comes to the Northwoods from southeastern Wisconsin where he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in Journalism in 2010.

Before joining Newswatch 12, Lane previously worked in radio for WFAW in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. During his time there, Lane covered news and sports, serving as host of the WFAW noon and weekend newscasts as well as play-by-play announcer for local high school athletics.

Lane took a love for television news at a young age when he first saw Tom Brokaw anchor the NBC Nightly News. Since then, he has grown to idolize Brian Williams, Al Michaels and Tim Russert among others.

Always a performer, Lane acted in plays in high school and produced and starred in news, talk and sitcom shows in college.

He has an undeniable passion for Green Bay Packers football and also loves the Brewers, Bucks and Badgers.

In his free time, Lane is an avid golfer (although his scorecard would tell you he rarely plays) and he also enjoys crossword puzzles, alternative music and playing guitar.

Lyndsey Stemm joined WJFW in September 2011 as a reporter. She came from Chicago where she went to Columbia College and interned at WMAQ.

Lyndsey was born in Kansas City, but grew up in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She spent most of her life coming to the Northwoods for vacations at her parents’ home on Wildcat Lake in Boulder Junction.

While in Chicago, Lyndsey studied journalism as well as anthropology and history. She’ll always consider herself a lifelong student because she still can’t get enough of history.

After graduation she stayed in Chicago to work in the communications department of a non-profit civil rights organization.

Lyndsey’s other interests include music, ballet and reading. She’ll read just about anything from Harry Potter to the history of ancient Egypt.

Lyndsey is also a passionate traveler and there’s no corner of the world she wouldn’t enjoy seeing. She’s been to Europe and the Middle East, especially enjoying Jerusalem, and has had many amazing experiences while living in Egypt to study Arabic. Lyndsey grew up wanting to be a journalist so she could share the world we live in with others.

Lyndsey’s excited to be living in the Northwoods; she has such fond memories of the area and can’t wait to make some new ones!

Lex Gray joined WJFW in December 2011 as a reporter.

Lex comes to the Northwoods from Minnesota, where she was born and raised. She graduated with scholastic distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied journalism and business. Lex interned at Madison Magazine and NBC-15, volunteered at area schools, and spent a semester abroad in Wollongong, Australia. After school, Lex headed to South Korea where she taught English, volunteered at a women’s shelter, and hiked the three highest peaks in the country.

After a year of globe-trotting, Lex is excited to be back in the Midwest. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, cooking, skiing and reading.

Lex is always happy to hear from viewers. If you have any story ideas or just want to say “hi,” email her at lgray@wjfw.com.

Kailey joined the Newswatch 12 team in December of 2011 as the Midday producer, and afternoon reporter. She hails from Central Illinois, and is quickly learning all about snowmobiling, the Packers, Wisconsin breweries, and all the other things that make life great in the Northwoods. She can’t wait to get on a snowmobile herself!

Kailey graduated in 2011 from Illinois State University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. While in school she interned at WEEK-TV, the NBC affiliate in Peoria, Illinois. She also studied broadcasting and TV production while studying abroad in South Korea.

When not trying out new restaurants, or recipes in her kitchen, Kailey’s favorite place to be is on a horse! She competed on the Illinois State Equestrian Team, and can’t wait to find a place to ride in the Northwoods!

At Newswatch 12, Kailey will be focusing on issues of social welfare in addition to general reporting. If you have a story idea for her, on any issues affecting you, your family or friends, let her know! She’d love to hear from you.

Matt joined WJFW back in February of 2008 as Weekend Meteorologist, was promoted to Morning Meteorologist in May of 2008 and has been Chief Meteorologist since September of 2010.

Matt graduated in May of 2007 from the University of North Dakota with B.S. degrees in Atmospheric Sciences and Environmental Geography. During his years in North Dakota, Matt was involved with several campus weather and news shows including Prairie Weather Update, River Watch, UND Weather Update and Studio One in which he worked as a forecaster, producer, anchor and feature reporter.

Matt grew up in Eden Prairie, a suburb of Twin Cities in Minnesota, but is a cheesehead at heart and has the Packer Jerseys to prove it! He's considered the Northwoods his second home since childhood as his family’s roots are from all across the Northwoods and Central Wisconsin. In fact his grandparents are Weather Watchers for the evening shows on Newswatch 12!

Believe it or not, Matt equates his move to the Northwoods as a move to the tropics as the winters in North Dakota can be cold, long, but exciting! While living in Grand Forks, Matt honed his forecasting skills with a wide range of weather including frequent blizzards, record setting cold of -43°F (-70° with the wind chill) and snirt (combination of snow & dirt)!

Matt enjoys fishing and hunting during the summer & fall and skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing when the snow begins to fall. He looks forward to living in the Northwoods and exploring what Northern Wisconsin has to offer!

Matt joined WJFW in April of 2010.

He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and spent his childhood in the suburb of Wauwatosa. As a kid, he was terrified of storms and ran for cover every time he heard a crack of thunder. Around the age of 12, Matt started asking questions about the weather rather than being afraid of it and quickly grew to love the science of weather. He greatly admired WTMJ's Chief Meteorologist Paul Joseph as a child, and knew that he wanted to take a similar path with his life.

Matt continued his tour of southern Wisconsin by enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In his first year at school, while collecting hail samples outside his dorm, he was hit by a baseball-sized hailstone! He completed his B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences in May of 2009. During his time in school, Matt interned at WKOW in Madison where he was lucky enough to have four other Meteorologists to teach him the intricacies of TV weather. Even after storm chasing for 12 hours in Iowa, Matt worked at the station as those same storms rolled through southern Wisconsin in the early morning hours, finally getting back home at 3 AM.

Matt feels fortunate to begin his meteorological career in his home state. In addition to exploring the greater Rhinelander area, Matt enjoys almost anything involving sports. His particular favorites are volleyball, golf, baseball, and soccer, and he enthusiastically supports the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. Matt also loves going to concerts, discovering new music, and playing his guitar as much (and as loud) as he can. He welcomes any suggestions for places to visit or things to do that are unique to the region.

Ryan Michaels was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. He has been a Florida resident all of his life until he joined the WJFW team in January of 2011 as a Weekend Meteorologist and Reporter.

When Ryan was growing up he first learned of his interests in meteorology at a young age. He remembers a local meteorologist giving a presentation to his third grade class, and how awesome it would be to be able to “predict the future” by telling someone what the weather will be like a few days in advance. He then became enthralled with hurricanes, tracking and attempting to forecast their path, earning him the nickname Weatherman among friends. He would hope the hurricanes would come his way because enough rain would flood his neighborhood and school, closing it for the day, giving him the day off.

Ryan graduated from The Florida State University in May of 2008, earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology. He spent most of his college years with WFSU-4FSU Weather where his broadcasting dreams came to life. After graduating he briefly pursued another passion, but maintained his dream of broadcasting by volunteering with WFSU and WCTV, where he soon realized he was born to forecast!

Ryan enjoys all forms of competition, whether it is sports or a simple board game. He is an avid golf enthusiast and cannot wait to see what courses Wisconsin and the Northwoods have to offer. Some of his favorite things to do are cook, workout, or root on one of his beloved sports teams.

Ryan is enjoying his new environment saying, “Feel free to contact me with any story ideas or exciting things to experience in the Northwoods”

Joe joined the Newswatch 12 sports team in July 2011 as the Sports Director.

Before coming to the Northwoods, Joe was the Weekend Sports Anchor at KBJR in Duluth, MN. Joe's resume includes working at WFRV in Green Bay, WDIO in Duluth, and WTCH radio in Shawano.

Joe has always had a passion for sports, especially football, hockey, and golf. Joe is a 2005 graduate from UW-Oshkosh with a B.S. degree in Radio/TV/Film. During his college days, he was the Sports Director for the university's radio station twice.

A native of Frog Station, WI (near Green Bay), Joe grew up watching the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks. In fact he also lists listening to old Packer radio braodcasts among his hobbies.

When he is not watching or playing sports, he's likely reading or watching something on the American Civil War, or World War II.

Joe says,"In just a short time, I have really been made to feel right at home, thanks to the great folks in the Northwoods."

If you see Joe out on a shoot, please feel free to say hi and email any story ideas you may have.

Marisa Silvas joined the Newswatch 12 sports team in October 2011 as the Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter.

Prior to coming to WJFW, she was an editor/associate producer for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area in San Francisco, CA. She also was a freelance field producer for NBC's Football Night in America and spent 6 years as a sports producer and editor for KNTV, the Bay Area’s NBC affiliate where she co-hosted a weekly Sports Sunday web show with Jerry Rice.

She graduated with a degree in Communications from Santa Clara University.

Marisa is new to the Northwoods and the cold weather but has lived in several different locations on her journey to Rhinelander. Coming from a family with military ties, she was born in Austin, TX, but also grew up in Mississippi, Lancaster, CA, San Antonio, TX before settling down in Campbell, CA for the past several years.

Marisa has always had a passion for sports and people and has followed her dreams to WJFW after pursuing a full time on-air job for several years.

Marisa likes all sports but is most passionate about the NFL, NBA and major league baseball. Since she has lived in many different locations her favorite teams are all over the country as well. You will see her following her favorites: the San Antonio Spurs, Oakland Athletics and yes, Packers fans, sorry, the Chicago Bears.

She is also an avid fantasy sports fan and has participated in fantasy football and hockey leagues the past 5 seasons. Feel free to ask her for the hot waiver wire pickup!

She and her husband of 4 years, Lyndon, have taken several vacations over the past few summers to visit all the MLB parks...she has now been to 14 and is excited to add Target Field to the list this summer! Her favorites so far are Wrigley, PNC and Miller Park. She and her husband also make an annual trek to Soldier Field to watch their beloved Bears and hang out in their favorite city, where they got engaged at the top of the Hancock Tower in 2007.

In her free time, she loves hanging out with her husband Lyndon and adorable puggle Walter. She also never misses her favorite TV show, Dancing With The Stars and with an extensive dancing background, someday dreams of being a future celebrity contestant and winner!

Marisa is very excited to be making the big move from sunny California to the winter wonderland of Rhinelander! If you see Marisa out in the field or around the town, feel free to say hi and buy her a hot chocolate, she's probably cold!