Karen Adams
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Karen Adams (b. 4 July in Nevada, Missouri) is an award winning anchor at WPRI-12 / Eyewitness News in Southern New England, she co-anchors the 5:00, 6:00, and 11:00 newscasts with Steve Aveson. Her broadcasting career began in radio, but she quickly moved into television news. She has worked as a reporter, anchor and news director for television stations in Missouri, Maryland and North Carolina.
She is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University, with a degree in Speech and Theatre and minor in Journalism.
Karen’s reporting has taken her from coverage of hurricanes in the south to political reporting in Washington, D.C. She traveled on a Far East trade mission with two United States governors, sending reports back to the states from Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan; Seoul, South Korea and Hong Kong. A trip to Cape Verde resulted in coverage of the country’s first democratic election. She covered the economic impact of the movement of factory jobs from New England to Mexico. Many of her live anchoring stints have included coverage of sporting events, most notably her trips to the Super Bowl to report on the New England Patriots.
The big stories in Rhode Island will generally find Karen live from the scene. She has added to her responsibilities a column that appears weekly in the Providence Journal on Thursdays in the Weekend Live section. The “Best Bets” segment highlights an entertainment venue as a weekend choice for readers.
She also co-hosts on a monthly basis "Today’s National Guard" in which she helps present stories and information about the Rhode Island National Guard. This program airs on the Rhode Island PBS station, WSBE-TV.
She is married to a native Rhode Islander and they make their home in Lincoln.
She is an avid tennis player and golfer.
[edit] Community involvement
Karen's community involvement is far-reaching and extensive. She is a director on the board of Bank RI; a board trustee with Community Preparatory School in Providence (an innovative school with provides scholarships and education to inner-city disadvantaged children; a board trustee with Meeting Street; Friends of Lincoln School; Friends of the Sophia Academy and an
Her past board member positions have included Trinity Repertory Theatre, Providence Animal Rescue League, Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island and Eastman House.
Right now, she is part of a three member capital campaign committee working to raise fifteen million dollars for the new Meeting Street Center of Excellence which will be located in south Providence . Her fundraising Efforts on behalf of many organizations include hosting and emceeing events for Alzheimer's Association; East Bay Community Action Coalition; House of Hope; Literacy Volunteers of Rhode Island; MADD; Wolf School; Stadium Theatre of Woonsocket; Hasbro Children’s Hospital; Women’s Health Initiative; Special Olympics and many, many more.
She has been "roasted" for fundraisers by Aids Project Rhode Island, Harmony Hill School and the Cranston Lions Club.
There are also the many walks for charities including the annual “Making Strides against Breast Cancer” for the American Cancer Society; Ronald McDonald House walk and the annual “Walk for Life” for Aids Project Rhode Island which she has been honorary chair for a number of years.
Because of her love of golf, she co-chairs many golf tournaments every year including the Memories and Miracles Tourney with Roger Williams Hospital, raising money for breast cancer awareness.
Karen is in great demand on the speaking circuit addressing various clubs and organizations; helping with forums at school, the United Way and Graduations. She has also been a featured keynote speaker for many organizations talking about dealings with the media, communications and The importance of volunteering.
Adams is a member of the Rhode Island Women's Golf Association and the Ocean State Women's Golf Assocation, and has a golf club championship to her name.
Karen says one of her biggest thrills every year is the invitation to play in the CVS Charity Classic Pro-Am, where she’s had the opportunity to meet the best players in the world in golf, including her two favorites, Arnold Palmer and Freddy Couples.
She began hosting the telethon for Meeting Street when she first arrived in Rhode Island and her commitment for the school which helps children with developmental disabilities continues to this day.
[edit] Awards and honors
- "Best Newscast", and various other Associated Press Awards
- "Individual Achievement in Anchoring", Regional Emmy Awards
- "Overall Team Effort on coverage of a Breaking News Story", Regional Emmy Awards
- "Honorary Big Sister", Big Sisters of Rhode Island
- "Gavel Award", Maryland Bar Association, for her documentary on the Maryland judicial system; this documentary was also recognized in the Maryland state senate.
- "Unsung Hero", Meeting Street
- "Woman of Distinction", Miss Rhode Island/Miss America Scholarship Pageant
- "Outstanding Career", Providence Business and Professional Women
- "Outstanding Contributions to the Arts", Rhode Island Civic Chorale
- "Favorite Female Anchor", reader's poll, Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, multiple years
