FOX8 WGHP’s Shannon Smith anchors the morning news and hosts “Zoo Filez,” a series offering a behind-the-scenes look at the North Carolina Zoo. She is also the resident FOX8 Foodie reporting on — and often trying — unique foods across the Piedmont Triad and North Carolina.
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Shannon Smith is a true Carolina girl. Born and bred in central South Carolina, she graduated with honors from Clemson University.
After working briefly in Charleston, South Carolina, and Boise, Idaho, Shannon moved to the Piedmont in 2000 to work at FOX8 as a general assignment reporter.
As a self-proclaimed morning person, Shannon jumped at the chance to move to the FOX8 Morning News. She began reporting live every morning covering the breaking news of the day.
Over the years, Shannon transitioned to feature news, showing off the brighter side of the Piedmont to morning viewers. That often includes entertainment news. She followed several local American Idol contestants from North Carolina to California. She’s interviewed dozens of celebrities including Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, LL Cool J and many more. She covers Broadway shows at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts as well as other interesting events happening in the Triad.
Shannon also created two favorite segments at FOX8: Recipe Wednesday, where she cooks with local chefs each week, and FOX8 Foodie, where she features locally-owned restaurants, breweries and bakeries. Of course, she tastes ALL the food.
You’ll also regularly see Shannon on the anchor desk for the FOX8 Morning News.
Shortly after moving to the Triad, Shannon met her husband who is from Winston-Salem. They have three very busy teenagers. In her free time, Shannon loves to exercise; she has to burn off all the food she eats on the job. She also loves to read and bake.
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Lifestyle Program Feature/Segment — Nominee
FOX8 Foodie
Shannon Smith, Jeff Kilduff
Emmy Awards, Nashville/Midsouth Chapter
Nov. 2021
Lifestyle Program Feature/Segment — Winner
FOX8 Foodie
Shannon Smith, Jeff Kilduff
Emmy Awards, Nashville/Midsouth Chapter
Feb. 2020
