Courtney Perna

What a crazy path I’ve followed leading up to FOX 17, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!  I’m glad to be back home in Michigan after a decade of living in Las Vegas, L.A., and even Tokyo. At FOX 17, I’m a Reporter and the Weekend Producer.

I’ve worked in many different areas of TV and entertainment: from being a student reporter for CNN to hosting “Inside Poker” on FOX Sports; from performing as an aerial-acrobat and dancer to interviewing celebrities on the red carpet as a producer for “E! News”.

Outside of work, I’m a Glambassador for Glamour magazine, I believe fashion is art, and you can usually find me either cheering for my alma mater, Michigan State University (I love Tom Izzo!), playing with my three rats (a.k.a. Chihuahuas), or shopping at the nearest shoe sale.

Best thing about being a reporter:

I love talking to and connecting with real people. Local news gives folks an opportunity to tell a story in their own words with their own emotion, it’s just my job to organize it in a compelling way, and get the facts right.  Plus, I thrive on the adrenaline that hits me almost every single day when I think I’m going to miss my deadline, or when “I have no idea what I’m going to say” in five seconds when I’m live, but somehow it always comes together.  Then, I go home, not knowing what tomorrow will bring, and get ready to do it all over again!

Best thing about being a producer:

Seeing the big picture, and transforming an empty template into a creative show (graphics, camera shots, script, story selection and flow, etc).  I still get that same “we’re never going to make it” feeling that I get as a reporter, but somehow, someway, we always pull through.  Not to mention, as a producer, I can wear cute shoes to work and not worry about ruining them out in the field.  When things get crazy and I start to run around the newsroom, I just take them off!

I’m known around the newsroom for…

Bringing a suitcase (it’s a rolling bag!) and sometimes a garment bag to work and with me in the field.  I always have rain/winter boots, additional layers of clothing, my “nice” coat, my computer, a myriad cords, and of course, makeup – you never know what situation you’ll end up in as a reporter.  Hey, a girl’s gotta be prepared!

What keeps me going…

Sometimes the stories I tell are not happy ones, so I have to find even a little joy and laugh at the small funny moments that happen throughout the day.  Plus, Diet Coke keeps me going, but I’m always trying to quit!

TV moment I’d like to forget…

A few days into my first job, I was a little nervous to be live, covering my first breaking news story.  It was 5:00 a.m. in Lansing, and a restaurant was on fire.   I only had a few minutes to talk to the Chief and jot down some notes.  During my live shot, I couldn’t read my notes because it was still dark and I was blinded by the light my photographer set up.  So, I lifted my (large) notebook over my face so I could read my writing, not realizing viewers could only see paper, not me – nice!  To top it all off, at the end of my live shot I actually said, “it’s, uhh, flaming up good,” just like the lyrics in a Sublime song!

Why FOX 17?

I love that our station is passionate about the news, but refuses to sensationalize it; we are go-getters, while still respecting people; confident without talking to down to anyone; and we’re approachable and genuine, that goes for everyone in front of and behind the camera.  I fit right in with these crazy people!

If I had more free time…

I would open a competitive dance studio and choreograph routines all day, or coach a collegiate dance team.  Oh, and I’d travel around the world!