WTHR anchor, Naomi Pescovitz, is right at home reporting in Indy.
Writer / Matt Keating
Photographer / Brian Brosmer
Eyewitness News Weekend Anchor Naomi Pescovitz believes if she can relate to a story, her viewers will too. It’s a belief system that has paid off.
After three years at WTHR, Pescovitz has garnered a large following of loyal TV viewers who also follow her on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets. Viewers relate to her and her interest in a wide variety of people and stories.
“I have really enjoyed finding ways to share a good story with people and make viewers relate to it,” Pescovitz says. “I’ve been able to do fun stories such as riding in a stunt plane and also more meaningful stories such as an interview I did with former Colts Cheerleader Tessa David who had a stroke but still keep pushing herself to be the best she could be. I love stories where people are able to bounce back from a setback. It’s so inspiring.”
Pescovitz also loves continuously updating stories and keeping in touch with her viewers.
“I follow news all the time, even when I have time off,” Pescovitz says. “I’m a news junkie. I love stories and getting as much information as I can. Social media is a really important part of that. It gives you an immediate connection with your viewers.”
Pescovitz first became interested in journalism when she was in middle school.
“I wanted to be the editor of a fashion magazine when I was younger,” she says.
Pescovitz, a North Central High School graduate, earned an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from one of the first IB programs in the state. She was also the co-editor of North Central’s Northerner yearbook and the captain of the Pantherettes dance team.
“I will drop other things I’m doing for speaking engagements at North Central,” Pescovitz says. “I love the school and enjoy going back there. It’s always been a special place.”
Pescovitz later graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University with a degree in Journalism and International Studies. She was a reporter, associate producer, anchor and news director for Northwestern’s Emmy award-winning Northwestern News Network.
“I knew I enjoyed writing, I liked people, and I thought television seemed like a lot fun,” Pescovitz says. “When I talk to younger people wanting to pursue a career in broadcasting, I recommend they do an internship with a smaller television market. You can shadow a reporter because you learn to do a lot more by yourself and have more opportunities to be on television. You can also make your own resume reel and get more experience working on stories.”
After college, Pescovitz worked at KULR-8 in Billings, Montana. She was also a reporter at WIBW in Topeka, Kansas. She moved on later to be a reporter at KVOA in Tucson, Arizona. While working for the station, she was first on the scene when Congress Woman Gabrielle Giffords was shot while meeting with constituents at a local grocery store.
Pescovitz went to work for KSTP, the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis, St. Paul, next, where she was a reporter and fill-in anchor. While in Minneapolis, Pescovitz covered a wide range of stories. During her time there, The Minnesota Medical Association and LifeSource, the organ donation organization in the upper-Midwest, honored her for her medical reporting.
When the opportunity to return home to Indianapolis came up and work at WTHR, she leapt at the chance.
“It’s been great to come home and feel connected to Indianapolis again,” Pescovitz says. “I’ve loved the way the city has grown so much over the years.”
Pescovitz says there are so many great local stories like a father and son who ran The Mini-Marathon together, and Runner Tom Harleman, who ran the Mini in full race gear in support of Race Car Driver John Andretti, who is fighting stage-4 colon cancer.
“There are so many inspiring stories of Hoosiers doing positive things to help each other,” Pescovitz says.
Pescovitz herself is dedicated to women’s health issues, particularly finding a cure for breast and ovarian cancers.
When she’s not working, Pescovitz enjoys spending time with family and friends and indulging in her favorite pastime — checking out new restaurants in Indianapolis.
“I love getting to the new places as fast as I can,” Pescovitz says. “I’m a true foodie. I love reading about restaurants and finding out what they serve.”
Pescovitz loves Garden Table, Fat Dan’s, Bruge, Flatwater, Open Society, Café Patachou and Public Greens in Broad Ripple. She is also a fan of Blue Beard, Bru Burger, Mesh and Union 50.
“If people are looking at what I ordered, I know it has been a successful meal,” she laughs. “It’s creating order envy. I also like finding out what the popular meals are and what the servers enjoy. I love restaurants and how the food is prepared. Indianapolis has so many wonderful restaurants to choose from. I never have to worry about finding a great one, and I love the suggestions from viewers.”
