Ali Hoxie
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, WXYZ-TV traffic anchor, Ali Hoxie, was interested in two very different career paths and it was her mother who helped guide her toward the news industry instead of social work.
Hoxie attended Grand Valley State University in Allendale before transferring to Columbia College Chicago to finish her degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in public relations. During her time in Chicago, she interned at the ABC-affiliate station ABC7-WLS, followed by positions at TV stations in Lima and Toledo, Ohio, and Kansas City, Missouri, before returning to her beloved home state five years ago.
“I became homesick for Michigan and moved back to Grand Rapids. No one really tells you that you need to travel the midwest to start a career in news. While I’m grateful that my career has taken me to so many places, I’m a Michigan girl and I love our beautiful state,” Hoxie explained.
Upon returning to her hometown, Hoxie worked outside the news industry before an opportunity arose for her in 2018 to work in a part-time, freelance role at WXYZ-TV Channel 7 in Detroit. When a full-time position became available working mornings and weekends, she was hired. Hoxie also does fill-in work for main news anchors on WXYZ-TV and their sister station, TV 20 Detroit.
The enthusiastic traffic anchor taps into her “bubbly energy” when she rises early to be ready for the morning show with Alicia Smith, Keenan Smith, and Kevin Jeanes, which starts at 4:30 a.m.
“I love the people I work with – they were all so welcoming. Our team feels like family to me. Alicia is not only my mentor, she’s also like a big sister to me. The crew behind the scenes always challenges me to be better and we have fun.”
While it’s difficult for Hoxie to have a social life when working on a morning show that necessitates she go to sleep around 6:00 p.m. to wake up at 2:00 a.m., she has a passion for the news and her work – and is grateful for her high energy level that helps her through the day. “I feel so lucky. It’s said, ‘do what you love’ and I do. My work is a big part of who I am.”
Last year, Hoxie bought a house in Birmingham which she shares with her cat, Lola. She spends her time away from the news working on home projects, working out (“I lift weights during the day”), and reading fiction and “manifesting” books. She loves to spend time at her family cottage in Grand Haven and is grateful to live only a few hours away from her mom. Around town, favorite restaurants to frequent are Cafe ML in Bloomfield Township and Griffin Claw Brewing Company in Birmingham.
As for the future, Hoxie is taking life one day at a time. “In the news industry, people tend to jump station to station. I love this community and would love to stay at Channel 7 – growing and improving on what I’m doing every day.”
She added, “There’s a peace to settling in, loving your role, and enjoying life. I tend to be a workaholic but am working toward filling my cup outside of work. I just want to continue to grow and take every day in.”
Story: Tracy Donohue
Photo: Laurie Tennent
