Emily Longnecker - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Emily Longnecker
Eyewitness News NightBeat Reporter

Emily Longnecker joined the Eyewitness News team in October of 2007.

Emily came to WTHR from WLWT-TV, the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, where she spent three years as a reporter. She also reported and anchored for stations in Lancaster and Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Elmira, New York. Prior to working on-air, Emily worked as a free-lance field producer for The Washington Bureau in Washington, D.C.

Emily holds a Master's degree in Broadcast Journalism from The American University in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor's degree in English from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She also studied in Paris and at the University of Grenoble, France, during her junior year in college.

Emily says she loves reporting because "I get to be a student every day and learn something I didn't know the day before." She adds, "I'm a story-teller at heart so I feel incredibly blessed to be given the responsibility of telling stories that matter to folks."

In 2001, Emily was awarded the Associated Press "Best Spot News" award for "Good Samaritan Saves Baby," the rescue story of a baby trapped in a car that went into a pond. She was also featured in the book "Women Journalists at Ground Zero," for her coverage of Flight 93's crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11th. Emily spent two weeks covering the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks from Shanksville.

Emily has received 4 Emmy Nominations and 1 Emmy Award. Her work has also been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Emily loves movies (Jaws, The Godfather, Animal House and Best in Show are among her favorites) and discovering "mom and pop" restaurants (like Kountry Kitchen). She also enjoys spending time in the park with her Yorkshire Terrier, Luca-Brazi, a trained therapy dog who visits nursing homes and performs tricks for residents.

Emily is a native of Bradford, a small town in northwestern Pennsylvania.

"I grew up with basically my entire extended family just down the street. I was at a birthday party or spaghetti dinner every weekend. Growing up surrounded by that kind of love and support gave me the foundation and guts to get out there and explore a bigger world."

"I've lived and traveled all over the country and world and I love being in a city now. Still...I wouldn't trade my small town upbringing for anything. That's why I'm really enjoying Indiana and Indianapolis. It seems like the best of both worlds....big city attractions with small town warmth from its people."

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