Shannon Hegy co-anchors the 5, 6, 6:30, 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts.
She was raised in Windsor, Connecticut, but spent much of her childhood vacationing in Rhode Island. She’s always had a love affair with the Ocean State and told her parents at a very young age that she would live here one day.
Shannon graduated from Hofstra University in New York in 2007 with a degree in broadcast journalism. There, she interned at the Today Show in New York City and anchored Hofstra News Now, the school’s monthly news program. It’s also where she met her husband Matt. (The two were married in October 2012.)
Shannon got her first job at WGGB in Springfield, Massachusetts, right out of college. She started behind the scenes on the assignment desk and quickly worked her way up the ranks in her five years there, becoming an on-air reporter and eventually the main anchor. It was during five hours of live, unscripted coverage of the deadly June 2011 tornado that Shannon realized anchoring was her calling. While at WGGB, she also covered major stories like the Sandy Hook school shooting and the Boston Marathon bombings.
In 2013, she decided she was ready for the next step in her career, and joined the talented team at WPRI 12. In addition to her work on the anchor desk, Shannon prides herself on being an “active anchor,” getting out in the community to cover the stories that matter.
It was a story that affected her personally, however, that is the closest to Shannon’s heart. At just two months old, her son Carter came down with bacterial meningitis in September 2017. He spent 10 weeks in the hospital bravely battling the potentially deadly infection. Shannon shared “Carter’s Story” with 12 News viewers to spread awareness about bacterial meningitis and encourage other parents to trust their instincts. Thankfully, Carter fully recovered with no lasting impacts. His story was nominated for a New England Emmy Award in 2019.
Carter’s battle, and the resiliency of so many other children they met during their stay at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, inspired Shannon to launch Small but Strong, a series about local kids battling medical odds, and the community helping them in their fight. It was also nominated for a New England Emmy in 2020. If you know someone who’s Small but Strong, please email shegy@wpri.com.
Shannon and her husband Matt expanded their family in September of 2019, welcoming little Theo into the world. Carter loves being a big brother, and Shannon loves being a #BoyMom.
Shannon is also involved in the local community and a number of nonprofits. She’s on the board of The Izzy Foundation. She also works with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Meeting Street School, The Ronald McDonald House, and the Rhode Island Brain Tumor Walk.
You can find Shannon and her family enjoying the sun and the waves at Matunuck State Beach, brunching at some of their favorite Rhode Island restaurants, golfing and skiing. If you see them out, please say hi!
