Jeff Butera joined the Bay News 9 team in January 2023, bringing with him more than two decades of anchoring and reporting experience. 

He went to high school literally across the street from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (he could even hear people screaming on rollercoasters during English class!). He graduated from the University of Florida, where his parents and brother also earned their diplomas (Go Gators!). 

Jeff’s life in news has taken him to Arizona and Alabama, but he has spent most of his career covering his home state of Florida. He’s anchored and reported in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Fort Myers. 

He spent a decade anchoring the evening news at the ABC affiliate in Southwest Florida, where he endured Hurricanes Irma and Ian. He’d be happy if those were the last major hurricanes of his career.

Jeff’s work has earned him numerous regional Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Associated Press Awards. He’s also the author of “Write Like You Talk,” a writing guide for the broadcast news industry.   

In 2015, Jeff married his wife, Melissa, in the beautiful town of Ravello in the majestic Amalfi Coast. Their daughter, Emerson, was born in 2017 and immediately became Jeff’s favorite person on the entire planet. When he’s not looking for story ideas, Jeff is obsessing over fantasy baseball or fantasy football, or cheering on the Chicago Cubs. 

You can reach Jeff on Twitter @BayNews9Jeff, Facebook as Jeff Butera, or email him Jeff.Butera@charter.com.