James joined the FOX59 news team in October of 2014. Prior to moving to Indy, James spent three years as a reporter in Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia. There, he was the political reporter for the ABC affiliate station, WSET.
In his time there, James covered a wide breadth of stories, some of which garnered national attention. In particular, James covered the 2012 presidential election and senate race, also the 2013 race for Virginia Governor. He also covered the story of disgraced former Va. Governor, Bob McDonnell. Other stories that made national headlines included the story of 8-year-old Sunnie Kahle, a girl taken out of her Christian school in Lynchburg, because of pressures that she dressed and acted too much like a boy. Also James was one of the first reporters on the scene of a major train derailment and fire in downtown Lynchburg, a story that he investigated and reported extensively on in the months following the derailment.
James is a 2011 graduate of the Penn State College of Communications. During his time there, James was a part of the journalism department’s Centre County Report, a weekly televised newscast, that garnered James a Pennsylvania Broadcaster’s Association award.
Born and raised in the Westchester County suburbs of New York City, James is a New Yorker at heart, but couldn’t be happier to now call the Midwest home. In his free time you can find James exploring Indy, whether it be inside its many memorials or museums, running along the canal, or cheering on his new favorite NFL team at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Don’t be afraid to say hi, or share a story! jgherardi@fox59.com
