Local news is a weird business. You spend every morning or evening with these people—they’re in your living room while you’re eating dinner or folding laundry—and yet, most of us only know them by their 30-second stand-ups or their "serious anchor" voice. In Detroit, that connection feels even more personal. We’ve seen the faces on WXYZ change over the decades, moving from the legendary era of Bill Bonds to the high-definition, social-media-integrated world we live in now.
But here’s the thing: people often think being one of the channel 7 news reporters Detroit relies on is just about reading a teleprompter and looking polished. It’s not. It’s about standing on a freezing corner in Brush Park at 4:00 AM or chasing down a city official who doesn't want to talk. If you grew up in Metro Detroit, WXYZ is likely the station your parents had on, and the current roster is a mix of seasoned veterans who have seen the city at its lowest and fresh voices trying to keep up with the 24/7 digital grind.
The Faces You See Every Night
Let's talk about the heavy hitters. You can't mention Channel 7 without talking about Carolyn Clifford. She’s basically Detroit royalty at this point. Having been with the station since the late 90s, she’s transitioned from a reporter to the primary anchor seat, often seen alongside Dave LewAllen or Brian Abel during the evening blocks. Clifford has this specific knack for health reporting—her "Healthy Living" segments have probably saved more lives than the station would ever claim.
Then there’s Glenda Lewis. If her name sounds familiar, it should; she’s a second-generation Detroit broadcaster. Her father was a legend in this town, and Glenda has carved out her own massive space. Just recently, in early 2026, she was seen hosting major community events like the MLK Day celebrations at Eastern Michigan University. She’s got that "hometown" vibe that makes you feel like she actually cares about the potholes on your street because she probably drives over them too.
Brian Abel is another one to watch. He’s younger than the "old guard," but he’s got that investigative itch. You’ll see him anchoring the 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM slots, often bringing a bit more of a modern, fast-paced energy to the desk. He isn't afraid to get into the weeds of Michigan politics, which, as we all know, is a full-contact sport in this state.
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Behind the Scenes: The Reporters on the Ground
While the anchors get the big desks and the fancy lighting, the actual channel 7 news reporters Detroit sees in the field are the ones doing the heavy lifting. Alicia Smith is a staple of the morning routine. If you’re waking up at 5:00 AM, she’s usually the one telling you why the Lodge Freeway is a parking lot. She’s been with the "7 Action News" morning team for ages, and her chemistry with the rest of the crew is what keeps people from switching the channel during their first cup of coffee.
We also have to give a nod to Faraz Javed. He’s a multimedia journalist (MMJ), which is industry speak for "someone who does everything." He shoots, he edits, he reports. You’ll often find him on the weekend morning shifts or covering deep-dive community stories that don't always make the "breaking news" cut but matter to the people living in the neighborhoods.
The Sports and Weather Factor
You can't survive in Detroit news without a killer sports department. Brad Galli is the guy here. Seriously, the man is everywhere. He was just named Michigan Sportscaster of the Year again for 2025 (announced in early 2026), marking his third time winning the honor. Whether he’s in the locker room with Dan Campbell after a Lions win or interviewing Michigan high school athletes, Galli has this infectious energy. He doesn't just report scores; he tells stories. His YouTube presence alone has millions of views because he gets the kind of "inside access" other reporters just don't.
On the weather side, things have shifted a bit over the last few years. Kevin Jeanes was a big favorite for a long time before moving back to his hometown of Chicago. Now, the 7 First Alert weather team focuses on hyper-local tracking. In a city where the weather changes every fifteen minutes, having a meteorologist who knows the difference between a "lake effect" snow in Howell versus one in Grosse Pointe is vital.
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Why the "Action News" Brand Still Sticks
WXYZ has used the "Action News" branding since the 70s. Back then, it was revolutionary. It meant fast-paced, film-at-eleven, "if it bleeds it leads" journalism. Today, the style has evolved. It’s less about the shock value and more about being "on your side." You’ll see this in their investigative units. They still lean heavily into the "7 Investigators" brand, looking into everything from crooked contractors to government waste.
The newsroom itself has had to change. They aren't just competing with Fox 2 or Local 4 anymore; they're competing with TikTok and Twitter (X). That’s why you see reporters like Faraz Javed or Brad Galli being so active on social media. They know that if they wait until the 6:00 PM broadcast to tell you something, you’ve probably already read it on your phone three hours ago.
The Reality of Being a Reporter in 2026
Honestly, it’s a tough gig. To be one of the channel 7 news reporters Detroit trusts, you have to have thick skin. Detroiters are loyal, but they’re also vocal. If a reporter gets a detail wrong about a neighborhood or mispronounces a street name (looking at you, Lahser Road), the comments section will let them know immediately.
There's also the physical toll. Reporting in Detroit means:
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- Standing in sub-zero temperatures for a "live look" at a snowstorm.
- Dealing with the technical glitches of live trucks in the middle of nowhere.
- Navigating the complex emotions of a city that has seen a lot of trauma but is also fiercely proud of its comeback.
The reporters who stick around—the Clifford’s and the Lewis’s—are the ones who realize that Detroit isn't just a "market." It’s a community. You can’t just fly in and report here; you have to live it.
What to Look for Next
If you're trying to keep up with the team, don't just watch the TV. The way local news is heading, the "next big thing" is usually on their streaming platforms or their app first.
Actionable Ways to Engage with Channel 7 News:
- Download the 7 First Alert Weather App: Seriously, if you live in Michigan, you need this for the radar alone. The "Action News" team updates it constantly during storm season.
- Follow the Reporters on Social: If you want the "raw" version of a story before it’s edited for TV, follow people like Brad Galli or Brian Abel on X or Instagram. You get the behind-the-scenes context that doesn't make the air.
- Submit a Tip: The "7 Investigators" actually read their emails. If you have a legitimate case of someone getting ripped off or a local government issue, use the "Submit a Tip" feature on WXYZ.com. They thrive on viewer-led stories.
The landscape of Detroit media will keep shifting. We might see more veteran anchors retire or new faces come in from other cities, but the core mission of WXYZ stays the same. They are the eyes and ears for a city that never stops moving. Whether you’re watching for the weather, the sports, or the hard news, the reporters at Channel 7 remain a primary thread in the fabric of Detroit life.