CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Vanessa Ruffes is a news anchor at WCNC Charlotte, anchoring the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts alongside Colin Mayfield. The award-winning journalist came to the Queen City from Tampa, Florida, in January 2020.
Vanessa brings with her a wide range of reporting experience. While in Tampa, she reported regularly on the roads, business and financial news, and sports. Vanessa has also worked in Fort Myers, Florida, where she had the pleasure of sharing the lighter side of the news, with the most heart-warming and fun local stories of the day. During her time in Macon, Georgia, Vanessa was honored to tell the stories of America’s heroes and their work, as she served as a beat reporter for Robins Air Force Base and its surrounding area. Her time in the Sunshine and Peach states has also placed her in the path of hurricanes and tropical storms and on the ground following devastating, and sometimes deadly, tornadoes.
As a member of the WCNC Charlotte VERIFY team, Vanessa knows the importance of accuracy and transparency in reporting and takes that VERIFY goal to heart in addressing the viral claims and questions you send her way. Building and maintaining your trust through that reporting process is of the utmost importance to her.
In addition to her dedication to journalism, Vanessa has a passion for continuing education, most recently serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa, where she taught communications classes. Vanessa’s own educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast News from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in Political Science from Southern New Hampshire University.
When she’s not bringing you the news, Vanessa is likely cheering on her Tampa Bay Rays, Georgia Bulldogs or Charlotte Hornets, hiking in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, testing out new recipes or snuggling with her three rescue pups. Vanessa and her fiancé Lucas are avid baseball fans and have a goal to visit all the major league parks. Ballpark recommendations and insights are very welcome!
Contact Vanessa Ruffes at vruffes@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram. She would love to hear from you!