Tricia Macke is an American television news anchor, journalist, and basketball coach. She is best known as the longest-tenured news anchor in Cincinnati broadcasting history, having served FOX19 NOW(WXIX-TV) since the station’s local news debut in 1993. A multi-Emmy Award winner and Silver Circle Award recipient, Tricia has spent more than three decades delivering evening news to the Greater Cincinnati area. She is married to Chris Macke, a patent attorney and sports agent, and is a proud mother of five children.
Tricia Macke Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Tricia Lee Marie Macke |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | January 29, 1969 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of birth | Newport, Kentucky, United States |
| Current residence | Fort Thomas, Kentucky |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 159 lbs (72 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Chris Macke (m. 1991) |
| Children | 5 (Spencer, Piper, Dash, Saylor, and Katlynn) |
| Alma mater | Northern Kentucky University |
| Profession | Television news anchor, journalist, basketball coach |
| Net worth | Approximately $1.5 million (estimated) |
Who is Tricia Macke?
Tricia Macke is a veteran American journalist who has anchored the evening news at FOX19 NOW (WXIX-TV) in Cincinnati, Ohio, for over 33 years.
She joined the station as a freelance reporter when WXIX-TV launched its local news programming on October 18, 1993. Since then, she has remained the only original member of that founding news team still on the air.
She currently anchors 4.5 hours of news each day, covering the 4, 5, 6, 10, and 11 p.m. broadcasts. Her reporting has taken her around the world — from war zones in Bosnia and Germany to Israel.
She has interviewed world leaders, including President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, along with senators, governors, professional athletes, and celebrities.
Beyond her newsroom career, Tricia is a dedicated basketball coach who founded an organization to help young athletes earn college scholarships.
She was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in January 2019 for her contributions to youth basketball.
How Old Is Tricia Macke? Age & Birthday
Tricia Macke is 57 years old as of April 2026. She was born on January 29, 1969, in Newport, Kentucky, United States. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius.
She celebrated her 51st birthday on January 29, 2020, with a post on social media that read, “Always grateful to celebrate another birthday… today is #51.” Based on this post and multiple verified sources, her birth year of 1969 is confirmed.
Tricia grew up in Newport, Kentucky, a small city in Campbell County located directly across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati. She has maintained strong roots in the Northern Kentucky community throughout her life.
Tricia Macke’s Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
Tricia Macke stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is about 173 centimeters. She weighs around 159 pounds (72 kilograms).
These figures are based on estimates from multiple biographical sources, as her exact measurements have not been officially confirmed.
She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her on-screen presence has been a familiar sight for Cincinnati viewers for more than three decades. Tricia maintains an active lifestyle, which includes coaching basketball for youth teams.
Tricia Macke’s Education
Tricia Macke attended Newport Central Catholic High School in Newport, Kentucky, where she graduated in 1987.
She went on to study at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a focus on Radio, Television, and Film.
She also completed a minor in Public Relations and Journalism. She graduated from NKU in 1992.
NKU recognized Tricia as a distinguished alumna, and she continues to give back to the university by mentoring current and aspiring journalists through lectures and guest appearances. In 2025, the university publicly congratulated her on earning the Silver Circle Award.
Career
Early Career Beginnings
Tricia started her media career in 1989 as a producer at 700 WLW Radio in Cincinnati. She then worked as a reporter and producer at Storer Cable from 1991 to 1992.
From 1990 to 1993, she also served as a news anchor and producer at WCKY Radio. During this period, she juggled three jobs at once — radio anchoring, freelance reporting for Channel 19, and modeling for local department stores like Van Leunen’s and McAlpin’s.
An interesting turning point came when the WXIX-TV general manager spotted her in a Sunday newspaper advertisement modeling undergarments.
He told her she could no longer model because it conflicted with the station’s professional image. Within a week, Tricia received a full-time job offer from Channel 19 — and she gave up modeling for good.
Career at FOX19 (WXIX-TV)
Tricia joined WXIX-TV as a freelance reporter when the station premiered its local news on October 18, 1993.
She quickly became a full-time anchor and has held the position for over 33 years. She now anchors the 4, 5, 6, 10, and 11 p.m. newscasts, delivering 4.5 hours of news daily.
Her reporting has spanned major national and international stories. She covered the O.J. Simpson trial, reported from war zones in Bosnia and Germany, and has traveled to Israel for on-the-ground coverage.
One of her most impactful stories was her investigative reporting on the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment in February 2023.
She was the only local journalist to uncover the serious health effects facing residents in the aftermath.
In 2008, FOX19 signed Tricia to a multi-year contract extension, confirming her status as the cornerstone of the station’s news programming.
Awards and Recognition
Tricia has earned an impressive list of awards throughout her career:
- Multiple Emmy Awards from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
- AP Award for Excellence in Journalism
- Silver Circle Award (July 19, 2025) — honoring her 25+ years of dedicated broadcast journalism
- 40 Under 40 recipient
- Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame inductee (January 2019)
The Silver Circle Award is one of the most respected honors in the television industry. On July 19, 2025, Tricia was inducted at the Ohio Valley Emmy Awards ceremony.
Her co-anchor Rob Williams presented the award. Letters of support came from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, former Congressman Brad Wenstrup, and fellow anchor Betsy Ross.
Controversy
In November 2012, Tricia faced backlash after posting on her personal Facebook page that “Rachel Maddow is such an angry young man,” referring to the openly gay MSNBC host.
The comment was widely criticized as homophobic. GLAAD and Equality Ohio called for action, and FOX19 suspended her for two days.
She issued a public apology, stating, “I apologize to Ms. Maddow and any others who may have been offended by my comments, as they do not reflect my firm beliefs in individual and civil rights.” She returned to the air after the brief suspension.
What Is Tricia Macke’s Net Worth and Salary?
As of 2026, Tricia Macke’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.5 million. She has built this wealth through her long career in broadcast journalism spanning more than 33 years at FOX19.
Annual Salary
Tricia earns an annual salary estimated between $70,000 and $120,000 at FOX19 WXIX-TV. Experienced television anchors in the Cincinnati market — which is ranked among the top 40 media markets in the United States — typically earn within this range.
Her salary reflects her decades of experience and the multiple newscast hours she anchors each day.
Income Sources
Tricia’s primary source of income is her position as a news anchor at FOX19 NOW. She also earns from:
- Public speaking engagements — She speaks at local schools, universities, and community events
- Freelance media work — Occasional projects outside her regular newscast duties
- Mentoring and coaching — She coaches youth basketball and mentors aspiring journalists
Her decades-long commitment to a single station in one of the nation’s top media markets has allowed her to build a steady financial foundation.
Is Tricia Macke Married? Husband, Dating History, and Relationship Status
Marriage to Chris Macke
Tricia Macke is married to Chris Macke. The couple tied the knot in 1991 and celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary in 2025.
Tricia shared the milestone on Facebook, writing, “We’ve reached 34 awesome years of marriage. Love is a journey and I’m so fortunate to still be sharing it with my guy.”
Who Is Chris Macke?
Chris Macke is a patent attorney and certified sports agent based in Newport, Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and Chase Law School.
He operates the R. Christian Macke Law Office and is a certified NBA agent and NFLPA-registered agent.
In recent years, he co-founded the Levitation Agency, a full-service athlete and talent agency, alongside former NCAA D1 men’s basketball coach Ron Everhart.
Chris is also a former Division I football player. The couple lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and has maintained a strong and supportive partnership while balancing their demanding careers and raising five children.
Children
Tricia and Chris are parents to five children: Spencer, Piper, Dashiell (Dash) Trey Macke, Saylor, and Katlynn.
Katlynn holds a special place in the family’s story. She was originally Tricia’s niece — the daughter of Tricia’s sister Beth.
Beth passed away from cancer in 2005 at the age of 39. After her sister’s death, Tricia and Chris adopted Katlynn and raised her as their own.
Tricia has spoken publicly about this, saying, “When my sister passed away in 2005, Katlynn became my daughter. She is the best gift I have ever received.”
Dashiell (Dash) Trey Macke was born during Tricia’s tenure at FOX19, and the station announced his arrival.
Saylor, one of the younger children, graduated high school early and enrolled at Slippery Rock University to study Middle Level Education.
Social Media Presence
As of early 2026, Tricia Macke has approximately 7,665 followers on Instagram (@tricia.macke), where she shares family moments, behind-the-scenes content from FOX19, and posts about her rescue animals.
Her Facebook page (Tricia Macke Wxix) has over 60,600 followers and is her most active platform. On X (Twitter) (@FOX19Tricia), she engages with viewers and shares news updates. Her bio on X reads: “Mother of 5. News Anchor. Basketball Coach. Multiple Emmy & AP winner.”
Fast Facts About Tricia Macke
- Tricia is the only remaining original member of WXIX-TV’s news team that launched in October 1993.
- She worked three jobs simultaneously early in her career — radio anchoring, freelance TV reporting, and department store modeling.
- She gave up a modeling career after a Channel 19 general manager told her it conflicted with her news image.
- She adopted her niece Katlynn after her sister Beth died of cancer in 2005.
- She was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 for her work as a basketball coach.
- She founded a basketball organization to help kids earn college scholarships.
- She is an animal rescue advocate and describes herself as a “foster mom to many” rescue dogs.
- She was the only local journalist to uncover the health crisis affecting East Palestine, Ohio, residents after the 2023 train derailment.
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and former Congressman Brad Wenstrup wrote letters supporting her Silver Circle Award nomination.
- She anchors 4.5 hours of live news each day across five evening broadcasts at FOX19.
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Wrapping Up
Tricia Macke has spent more than three decades as one of Cincinnati’s most recognized television journalists.
From her early days juggling radio, freelance reporting, and modeling to becoming a multi-Emmy Award winner and Silver Circle honoree, her career at FOX19 stands as one of the longest in local broadcast history.
Off-screen, she balances her role as a mother of five, basketball coach, and animal rescue advocate. She continues to deliver evening news to the Greater Cincinnati community in 2026.
References
- FOX19. “Tricia Macke – FOX19 NOW Anchor Bio”.
- FOX19. “Tricia Macke receives Silver Circle Award”.
- WVXU. “Celebrating 25 Years Of WXIX News With Tricia Macke”.
- The Northerner. “Get to know Tricia Macke NKU Alumni”.
- FOX19. “FOX19 anchor Tricia Macke inducted into Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame”.
- The Hollywood Reporter. “Tricia Macke Suspended From Fox Affiliate for Homophobic Rachel Maddow Remark”.
- FOX19. “Tricia Macke signs multi-year contract with FOX19”.
- Cincinnati Enquirer. “Cool Homes: Tricia Macke’s family haven”.
Disclaimer: The information on Star Vistiq is collected from trusted public sources. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact: info@starvistiq.com.
