JON EVANS
Anchor/reporter/managing editor,
WECT-TV/Fox Wilmington

Jon Evans doesn’t really have a choice. Being an “info junkie” is kind of his job, but it’s also his passion.

“I anchor or co-anchor four television newscasts Monday-Friday. I’m also posting stories or updates every day on several sites including wect. com, foxwilmington.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.”

Technology has revolutionized and streamlined his daily routine. “Things we used to need several pieces of equipment to do at work, I can now do on my smartphone with an app,” he said. Those apps include Videolicious to shoot, edit and post reports remotely; LiveU to go live directly on the air; and Facebook Live to interact with friends and viewers during newscasts.”

So who’s his digital hero? “The WECT news operations managers -- Jim, Will and now Gabe -- who have put up with my asking them dozens of questions about whether I should try a new app, how it works or should I upgrade the version of one that I have. They’ve helped me get a better understanding of the technology that has become essential in our industry. I’d be lost without them.”

Among the nonlocal news sources he follows: Politico, The Hill, RealClearPolitics, CNN, Fox News, Washington Post and The News & Observer.  

But it’s not all work-related. The huge fantasy sports player also reads blogs on ESPN, Yahoo and RotoWire during football and baseball seasons.

Podcasts he listens to include Under the Dome’s Domecast by The News & Observer political staff (“Very informative on state politics.”) and Serial. He’s also produced his own, called Backstory, which lives on YouTube and explains “what goes into doing a story or producing newscasts.”

Favorite authors include David Baldacci, Brad Thor, Vince Flynn and John Grisham. “I’m a big fan of great storytelling, and they do it well.”

You can find him here on Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat (@jonevanstv), Facebook and Twitter.