Anthony Ponce
Anthony Ponce is a veteran Chicago journalist who grew up in the northern suburbs.
In July 2016, he gained national attention when he left his job in TV news to become a full-time Lyft driver, launching the podcast Backseat Rider. As a Lyft-driving storyteller, Anthony brings audiences the wide-ranging, hilarious, touching, sometimes bizarre, and always real conversations he has with his passengers.
"Listening is a lost art form," he told CNN. "What I think is missing right now in our national dialogue is aggressive listening."
Anthony joined FOX 32 in 2018 to co-anchor Good Day Chicago and launch Backseat Rider as a news segment.
In returning to television, Anthony’s goal is to remind Chicagoans that while specific issues can be divisive, we have a lot more in common than is often depicted on the news.
Before joining FOX 32, Anthony spent nearly a decade as a reporter/anchor at NBC Chicago, and spent years as a reporter in Indiana.
He has a Master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and did his undergrad at Indiana University.
Anthony — a Sox fan — lives on the North Side with his wife, Maggie, and son, Theo.
The latest from Anthony Ponce
Esports growing in popularity at Illinois high schools and colleges
From tryouts to scholarships—Illinois students are leveling up in esports.
From 8-Tracks to iPods: Top 5 music formats that faded away
From eight-track tapes to the iconic iPod, these once-popular music formats shaped how we listened to music—until they disappeared.
How one Chicago man's vision transformed the city — and made Chicagohenge possible
Chicago’s gridded street system, which makes Chicagohenge possible, was not always part of the city’s design.
Highland Park parade shooting trial starts next week
It’s been nearly three years since a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park turned into heartbreak.
Infamy of Chicago's St. Valentine's Day Massacre reverberates nearly 100 years later
On this day in Chicago history, an infamous event unfolded on North Side that's reverberated for almost a century and has become an inextricable part of the city's identity to this day.
Hidden Chicago music venue draws world-class musicians
Imagine a world-class concert venue so small and unassuming, even its own neighbors may not know it exists.
'Wait Until 8th': Campaign against early smartphone use gains momentum in Chicagoland
A grassroots "collective-action" solution to keep smartphones out of the hands of young children is quickly gaining steam.
Phil Ponce's 5 things every grandparent should tell their grandkids
This week, Anthony's dad, longtime Chicago journalist Phil Ponce, counts down the Five Things Every Grandparent Should Tell their Grandkids.
Food critic Keith Lee's Chicago tour boosts local restaurants with viral reviews
Food critic Keith Lee made waves in Chicago this week with a surprise visit to local restaurants, further cementing his reputation for elevating dining spots across the country.
Food critic's visit sparks massive boost for North Side restaurant
A visit by a popular food critic to a small business in Buena Park had a monumental impact following his positive review.