Name Leslie Ackerson
Age / How old / Birthday / Date of Birth / DOB Born and raised in East Tennessee. Exact year of birth not publicly confirmed.
Wedding & Marriage / Single / Husband / Spouse / Partner She is married to Bo Ackerson, and together they are raising two daughters: Heidi James (born 2015) and Alice Kate (born 2017).
Wikipedia Biography / Profile Background
Introduction :
Leslie Ackerson is a celebrated East Tennessee journalist and TV anchor known for her compelling storytelling, community engagement, and dedication to family.
Personal Life :
- Leslie was born and raised in East Tennessee, where her love for communication and storytelling began early.
- At Farragut High School, she captained the speech and debate team, developing skills that would serve her throughout her career.
- She is married to Bo Ackerson, and together they are raising two daughters: Heidi James (born 2015) and Alice Kate (born 2017). The family also includes two dogs, Red and Lady, who often make appearances in Leslie’s social media posts.
- Leslie is deeply connected to her community. She launched a local book club in 2023 focused on Appalachian literature, volunteers monthly at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, and participated in a NOAA Spotter-in-Charge storm-spotter training in 2023.
- She also ran the Knoxville Marathon in October 2022, raising funds for the Knoxville Literacy Council.
- Recently, she stepped away from full-time broadcasting to prioritize family, though she continues to stay connected via Instagram (@leslie.ackerson), where she shares behind-the-scenes reporting and family moments, growing her account to 12,000+ followers.
Education :
- Leslie graduated magna-cum-laude from Samford University in 2009 with a degree in Multimedia Journalism.
- During college, she interned at WIAT and a local public radio station, contributing to investigative news packages.
- In March 2021, she earned an advanced certificate in digital reporting from the Poynter Institute, further preparing her for the evolving landscape of modern journalism.
Career, Salary and Net Worth :
- Leslie began her career at WIAT (CBS 42) in Birmingham, Alabama in 2009 as a reporter and occasional fill-in anchor.
- In November 2014, she joined WBIR Channel 10 in Knoxville as a general assignment reporter. Over her tenure, she covered a wide range of beats including politics, education, and health.
Highlights of her reporting include:
- 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfires – Anchored and reported live during evacuations as fires approached the city.
- Appalachian Unsolved series – Investigative reporting on cold cases that earned regional Emmy recognition.
- October 2018 – Exclusive interview with a former University of Tennessee coach about program misconduct, cited by national outlets.
- 2020 – Moderated a WBIR digital forum on pandemic response with local health experts.
- 2024 – Co-hosted WBIR’s first livestream town hall on rural broadband access with the Tennessee governor.
- From 2019 to 2021, Leslie served as digital editor for WBIR.com, overseeing multimedia content and digital storytelling strategy.
- In March 2022, she was promoted to co-anchor of “Live at Five at Four” alongside Beth Haynes.
Awards and Recognition :
- 2017 – WBIR regional Emmy for best continuing coverage.
- 2020 – Presenter at the 34th Annual MidSouth Emmy Awards.
- 2021 – Regional Emmy nomination for Appalachian Unsolved.
- 2023 – Edward R. Murrow Award for innovation in digital storytelling.
Interesting Facts and Trivia :
- Leslie visited WBIR studios on a school trip in sixth grade, sparking her interest in broadcasting.
- In 2021, she appeared with her father, a retired AP biology teacher, in a Father’s Day segment celebrating educators.
- She balances motherhood, community involvement, and social media engagement, sharing family moments and behind-the-scenes news content on Instagram.
- She continues to inspire through her work in digital storytelling and local journalism, leaving a lasting legacy in East Tennessee.