Maria Stephanos Leaving FOX 25 After 18 Years

After nearly 18 years with FOX25 News, Maria Stephanos has announced her plans to leave the station to pursue new professional endeavors. Her long career at FOX 25 makes her one of Boston’s most experienced and enduring journalists. In her remarkable time at FOX 25, Maria has provided local viewers thoughtful, incisive coverage of literally dozens of watershed events in local, and national news.

“I have decided it’s time for me to embark on a new adventure,” said Stephanos. “During my time at FOX 25, I have covered so many amazing stories and events. Working alongside this talented group of journalists has been a privilege for me, every day. I will miss working with this extraordinary team, but I know FOX 25 is in good hands and will continue to grow. I am beyond blessed, to deliver the news in the place where I grew up. New England viewers are savvy and smart and I love them for that. Thank you for making me part of your family.”

Her career started at FOX 25 as a reporter in January of 1998. She was later promoted to the anchor desk, where she has been at the helm covering elections, conventions, blizzards, and even the Red Sox first World Series victory in 2004, along with countless other stories that have impacted New England. Stephanos was always there, her passion for bringing the stories that matter most to our viewers was obvious.

Perhaps most significantly, Maria's coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings stood apart from other journalists. She was on the scene with her children, cheering for her husband as he was running the marathon. Within minutes of the explosions, Maria switched into reporting mode to provide her first-hand experience via telephone. Within an hour, and with her family safe, she was on the anchor desk, guiding FOX 25’s coverage as a journalist, and a witness.

However, if you ask Maria, she will tell you her favorite stories were about New England’s most interesting and vivacious characters, whom she showcased in her Real People, Real Stories features. “I have had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing so many people who have had a huge impact on my life and my heart,” said Stephanos. Her unique interviews were a source of inspiration for millions of New Englanders.

“While I only had the pleasure to work with Maria for 11 months, I quickly learned her journalistic skill set, newsroom leadership and contributions to the daily editorial process, were second to none,” said FOX 25 Vice President and General Manager Tom Raponi. “Her dedication went beyond journalism, volunteering countless hours of her time to make lasting contributions in her own communities.”

Maria's husband, Dale Stephanos, took to Facebook to share how proud he was of his wife. "It's so rare to find people with real integrity these days. Harder still to find people like that in the media" he said. "I'm so proud and happy for my wife today. This took a lot of guts."

Later responding to a Boston Herald article that cited Dale's post as being a swipe at FOX 25/Cox Media Group management, he said that "I was referring to Maria's 18 years of solid journalism, humanity, and genuine affection for those she worked with and for."

“In just the last year, we’ve had the privilege to work with Maria as she led extended coverage of the death of former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, the verdict and sentencing of the Marathon Bomber, the historic winter that included several blizzards and the Boston Olympics Debate hosted by FOX 25,” said News Director Lee Rosenthal. “Maria is one of the most engaging, passionate and talented journalists you will ever find, and we will miss all that she contributes on a daily basis to our newsroom.”

It was coverage like the death of Mayor Menino that showcased Maria's true talent. She was compassionate, professional, and could work off-the-cuff - she didn't need a teleprompter telling her what to say. But most of all, she was good. She was also dedicated to her job, and cared about informing her viewers.

"When Mayor Menino passed away I had just left the YMCA, still in my workout clothes, about to drop something off at my son’s school when the station called" she told New England One.

"I had a decision to make. Do I drive home shower get ready and go to work or do I drive to the closest store (Frugal Fannies) buy a dress, shoes and earrings? I chose the latter and was on the set within minutes and anchored for hours. I didn’t exactly look my best but I didn’t care. it was a true honor to relay that part of our history."

Maria and FOX 25 also were great partners in developing the FOX 25 Cares community initiative. She is a tireless supporter of The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Action for Boston Community Development, The American Heart Association, Rosie’s Place, Relay for Life and The Make-A-Wish-Foundation.

 “We will miss Maria’s infectious laugh and her desire to deliver the best local news coverage to the communities we serve,” added Raponi. “We thank her for her contributions and wish her well in all that she does in the future.”

Maria has spent the vast majority of her career in New England, most of that in Boston. She joined FOX 25 in 1997 from WJAR-TV in Providence, RI where she was a reporter. It was there that she got her first taste of the anchor desk when the sports anchor didn't show up for work.

It was then that longtime WJAR anchor Frank Coletta knew she was destined for success. Coletta told Boston Magazine that management put Maria on the desk to do sports. “She wasn’t an expert—I mean, I think she’d tell you that,” Coletta recalls. “But they put her in that slot and she had a great time. She has this... charisma.”

It was also the first time that Stephanos ever thought about being an anchor.

Maria told Boston Magazine why she likes being an anchor, and why she didn't mind the popularity.

“I’m going to tell you why I like it,” she says. “I’m going to tell you why it works for me. Because nobody does this” —s he lowers her voice to a whisper — ‘Hey, that’s Maria Stephanos over there.’ This is what they do: ‘Hey, you’re the news lady.’” — she’s shouting now — “‘Hey! Maria Stephanos!’

Talking about what other stations in Boston were trying to do to duplicate the same popularity that Maria attracted at FOX 25, John Gonzalez said "What the other stations can’t copy, though, is the genuine bond Maria has with her viewers."

"It’s her warmth and personality they can’t duplicate. It takes more than a sexy look to become a star anchor. Not that being sexy hurts."

Before starting her career in television at WJAR, Maria worked in radio news at WBUR in Boston. She has also reported for WABC radio, WCBS radio and WNBC radio, all in New York City.

A native of Groveland, MA, Maria is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in mass communications.

Maria's last day on FOX 25 will be Friday, Sept. 11, anchoring FOX 25 News at 5, 6, 10 and 11 p.m.

RELATED:

• Read 11 Questions with Maria Stephanos
• Read Maria's 2007 Interview with Boston Magazine
• Maria Stephanos Gives an Emotional Goodbye to FOX 25 (video)

Updated to include additional information not in the press release & video announcement.