Elizabeth Alex

Elizabeth Alex is the lead anchor for NBC Action News in Kansas City, Missouri.

A graduate of Shawnee Mission West high school, Elizabeth is a Kansas City native. She and her 3 brothers and sister grew up in Overland Park. With family in the area and a fondness for her hometown, Elizabeth was thrilled when her career in broadcasting presented the opportunity to return to Kansas City as anchor of the evening newscasts for NBC Action News.

Elizabeth's career began shortly after graduation from the University of Arkansas. She worked for KZZB radio in Fort Smith, Arkansas and assumed responsibilities as anchor, reporter, and producer for Fort Smith's NBC affiliate KPOM-TV. From there, she went on to anchor the nightly newscasts at WQAD in the Quad Cities. Before returning to her hometown, she also anchored the evening newscasts at WFLX in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Elizabeth has earned several journalism awards for all around reporting, feature reporting, and reports on women's health. And 4 regional Emmy's for Best Newscast, and a number of projects including a six-month investigation into pollution at a former refinery in Sugar Creek, Missouri. Elizabeth has been named "Best Newscaster" by Pitch Weekly magazine and The Johnson County Squire. The Crescent Peace Society and the National Kidney Foundation have also honored her.

An avid supporter of local social service agencies, Elizabeth's passion for supporting humanitarian work through her reporting has taken her across the globe. In April 2002, she traveled to the Middle East documenting the work of local aide organization Heart to Heart International. After a chance encounter with a mother in a Gaza clinic, it was apparent that Elizabeth would not be able to prevent her charitable involvement from reaching international proportions.

Elizabeth returned to Kansas City with a mission of her own - to secure the appropriate medical care for the child of the Gaza mother. St. Joseph Health Center generously agreed to operate on the child and, after several months, Elizabeth received word that the family had been granted visas to travel to Kansas City. The surgery was a success and Elizabeth has maintained a vital role in coordinating the child's follow up medical care.

Touched by the humanitarian work she witnessed during her travels, Elizabeth has continued to document the international relief efforts of local social service agencies. She has traveled to Romania and Guatemala with the Medical Missions Foundation and journeyed to Uzbekistan with Heart to Heart International. Elizabeth also traveled to Sri Lanka and Thailand after the 2005 Tsunami, and New Orleans to cover Hurricane Katrina.

Here at home, Elizabeth continues to work with Heart to Heart International and the Medical Missions Foundation. She is also involved with Operation Breakthrough and conducts an annual food drive with her family that benefits St. Theresa's Little Flower Food pantry. In addition to volunteering and supporting local agencies, Elizabeth also lends her time as board member for area organizations. She is currently a board member of the Kansas City Press Club and the Medical Missions Foundation. She has also served on the board of the Community of the Good Shepherd.

Some of Elizabeth's volunteer work has a more personal connection. She became involved with the local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation after her father died from kidney related complications. In an effort to educate other families about the importance of testing for kidney disorders, Elizabeth has been emcee of several of the Kidney Foundation's events and has served as a local spokesperson for the organization.

Elizabeth shares a close bond with cancer patients and their families. In 2003 Elizabeth's husband Brian was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer. Brian died six months later. Since then, Elizabeth and NBC Action News have partnered with KU Cancer Center to create greater public awareness and encourage early detection of this rapidly rising form of the disease. You can see the story on their website under "Brian's Legacy." Elizabeth also devotes time to the American Cancer Society, acting as a spokesperson for "Daffodil Days," and serving as Emcee for the annual Hope in the Heartland American Cancer Society Gala.

In an effort to increase awareness about children in foster care, Elizabeth hosts Monday's Child, a weekly series profiling one child in foster care available for adoption. The reports air each Monday during the 10 p.m. news and holds personal meaning for Elizabeth who herself is the mother of an adopted child.

Elizabeth and her daughter Maggie live in Kansas City with their two dogs. Off the news set, Elizabeth enjoys golf, travel, the Lake of the Ozarks, church, and spending time with a large extended family.

References

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/content/about/news/default.aspx`