Interview With Channel 7 News Anchor Craig Stevens

Craig Stevens is one half of the longest running TV news duo in Miami. Along with Belkys Nerey, he co-anchors WSVN Channel 7 News at 5pm, 6pm, 10 and 11pm.

Stevens was born in New Bedford, Mass. His father’s work took the family to Cleveland, Chicago, and San Francisco. When Stevens was just 10 his father died and the family moved back to Massachusetts. “I was raised for the most part in Falmouth… on the Cape,” says Stevens.

Getting in the biz

Stevens began his broadcast career with a job in the mailroom at NBC NEWS in Washington in 1987.

By election night 1988, and while still a sophomore in college, he had worked his way up to a job as a full-time assignment desk assistant in the NBC newsroom. During his time in Washington he broadened his experience by working on the “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,” “Today,” and “Meet the Press” as a production assistant.

Stevens graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1990 with a major in print journalism and a minor in history. That same year, Stevens moved south, spending two years as a reporter and substitute anchor at the NBC affiliate in Fort Myers.

Moving up to the Big Leagues

Two years later he joined WSVN, just a few months before Hurricane Andrew hit South Miami-Dade.

In his almost 20 years at WSVN, Stevens has covered the Oklahoma City bombing, local and national politics, including the disputed 2000 Presidential Election from Austin, Texas.

He has also covered the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace and the manhunt for Versace’s killer, Andrew Cunanan. Also on Stevens’ resume are Pope John Paul II’s visits to Cuba and the United States, the death of John F. Kennedy , Jr., the Elian Gonzalez saga, and Fidel Castro’s visit to the United Nations.

Trading life on the beat for life in the anchor chair

In 1997 Stevens left Channel 7 for a two-year stint as a weekend anchor at WSVN’s sister station in Boston, WHDH. He returned to WSVN in 1999. Back in Miami, Stevens began anchoring weekends and the 5:30 and 6:30 newscasts.

In May 2001, he became the station’s main anchor.

MiamiBeach411.com recently asked Stevens about his most memorable stories and favorite books, movies and South Florida haunts.

Can you tell us about some of the more memorable stories you’ve covered over the years in South Florida?

There are so many, a couple stand out from near the beginning of my time here: Hurricane Andrew still ranks right up there. I’d only been here a few months, and up to that point had NO idea the impact a major storm like that could have. I have a healthy respect for them now. The Cuban migration crisis of the early 90s… really put a “face” on a story I’d long been interested in even before living in South Florida. I had the opportunity to report from the island three times… talk about a front row seat on what was happening!

Name some of the people, who, in your opinion, have had the greatest impact on Miami and South Florida?

These days I credit virtually anybody in public service . Of course it’s my job to shine light on those who misstep and get into trouble. And there have been plenty. *But* there are countless, and in most cases, nameless others who do the work diligently and honestly.

So much of culture as Florida residents is built on property taxes, and what state government hands back to us. These past few years have been awful in that regard, *forcing* leaders to make tough budgetary choices. Yet police still work to keep us safe, firefighters put out fires, administrators still run schools, teachers teach and so on. The people, who in this economic environment, who keep that happening day in, and day out, deserve respect.. and recognition.

Is there anyone in South Florida you’ve wanted to do a story on or interview but haven’t yet?

Athalie Range. I’ve always been interested in her story, from civil rights leader to politician. She passed away a few years ago, I wish I’d have had heard firsthand her experiences on the front lines of the civil rights fight.

What newspapers and magazines do you read regularly?

Miami Herald. The Sun Sentinel. New York Times (though mainly Sundays) Boston Globe/Herald and The Cape Cod Times (I like to keep up with what’s happening at home) Newsweek, Vanity Fair, Architectual Digest, TV Week, and a few I’m sure I can’t remember… I get tons of magazines at my house!

What was the last book you read?

Ted Kennedy’s autobiography, “True Compass.”

Please tell us your favorite Miami neighborhood and favorite neighborhood restaurant.

I love Cafe Vialetto in Coral Gables… best risotto ANYWHERE. Fratelli Lyon in Midtown is terrific too… I love the space. Zuma in Brickell, WOW… for fantastic Indian food, Guru on South Beach… and for a casual night out, Da Leo on Lincoln Road is “neighborhoody”.. they’ve been on the road longer than anybody else.. the owners have been there from the start.. .it has a very nice familiar feel when you go. And you can’t beat the people watching!

Let’s say, a close friend is visiting Miami for the first time. You’re going to take them on a leisurely Sunday drive. Where do you take them and what stops do you make along the way?

We leave the airport, probably head to design district/midtown, the Biscayne corridor, North Bay Village (gotta pass by the station!) Miami Beach, south beach, to Brickell, Key Biscayne, probably end in Coconut Grove. When most of your family is from up north (as mine is) they’ve never been, so there’s a lot of ground to cover. I’ve done the “tour” many times!

What about dinner, where would you take them?

Depends on the friend. Lincoln Road is great. The energy, the people watching. If I want something more intimate, if we haven’t seen each other in awhile and we want to catch up, i’ll want fewer distractions.. I enjoy the restaurant at the Conrad. Great view.. great place for a long evening of talking.

What is your favorite in-town or out-of-town weekend getaway.

The Keys. Or I head for I-75 .. Sanibel /Captiva are great to recharge for a couple days!

Do you have any favorite local Websites that you visit?

The Herald and the Sun-Sentinel for sure… the National Hurricane Center’s Website during storm season… (check that several times a day LOL)

I know that you’re a Facebook fan. Are you on any other social-networking sites?

Yes Facebook for sure (funny that I had to be dragged kicking and screaming, now I’m on it constantly) I’m also on Twitter, though mainly for work.

If you had the power to change one thing about South Florida, what would it be?

I’d usher in “fall” in September instead of November… (meaning no humidity) and i’d do away with hurricane season. Period.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

A small group of close friends, a boat, great music, food, and wine… and an afternoon on the bay..

Do you have a favorite movie? Favorite book? Favorite album/singer?

(I can never pick just ONE.. so many out there.. BUT…)

Movies: Broadcast News (cliche I know) American President,

Books: Patti Davis The Long Goodbye (she chronicles her father Ronald Reagans slow retreat to Alzheimers. Sweet and poignant.)

Jane Fonda’s autobiography. What a life.. and i’m amazed how she’ constantly learns and evolves.

Television: Damages, West Wing, Boston Legal, Nip Tuck

Singers: Stevie Nicks, Damien Rice

Groups: Snow Patrol, Better than Eztra, Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, Journey

Is there a figure in broadcast journalism who’s influenced or inspired you?

I always loved Bryant Gumbel growing up. I wound up working at NBC in college and had the chance to be around him on a few occasions. He was meticulously prepared every day. That made him a superior interviewer. He just devoured research. I drew a good deal of inspiration from him. There’s an anchor who still works in Boston, I grew up watching him, and have come to know him socially, I’ve always respected his work, and the way he treats viewers with respect. I can only hope my career is as long and successful as his has been. I was also fortunate, when as a relative youngster in Miami, to work with people like Michael Williams, Glenna Milberg, Patrick Fraser, John Turchin and Kelley Mitchell… all former colleagues here at 7.. were very, very kind to me, Showed me the ropes: how to dig, how to tell a story, how to get it on the air quickly.

You and Belkys are the longest running news duo on the air in Miami. How is it working with her?

Belkys? She’s terrific. We go back a good 15-years… we’ve worked side-by-side the last 8 years or so. We like to say we bring out the best in each other. It’s comfortable… sometimes we communicate with a simple glance, or we’ll finish a sentence before the other does… we’re in sync, which comes in handy in our line of work!

Thanks Craig!

Related Links: • Interview With Channel 10 Reporter Michael Putney • Gerald Posner’s Tell-All Book Reveals Juicy Stories Related Categories: Miami: Local News, About the Author: Bill Cooke is a professional photojournalist and life-long Miami resident. He also runs the wildly popular Random Pixels blog, covering local and national issues. See more articles by Bill Cooke. See more articles by Bill Cooke Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.

Discuss the surrounding area in our hugely popular Miami forum.