Pat Harvey facts for kids

Pat Harvey, born on November 13, 1955, is a well-known American TV journalist. She started working at KCAL 9 in Los Angeles in 1989. Later, in 2010, she also began co-anchoring news for KCBS, a sister station, at 5, 6, and 11 PM. Pat Harvey has been a news anchor in Los Angeles for a very long time, longer than anyone else at one station during prime time. To celebrate her 20th year, the city of Los Angeles even named October 30, 2009, "Pat Harvey Day." She has won many awards, including the LA Area Emmy's Governor's Award in June 2015. In 2012, she was honored by being added to the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame.

Pat Harvey's Early Life and Education

Pat Harvey grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She went to Cass Technical High School there. After high school, she continued her studies at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Starting Her Journalism Career

Pat Harvey began her journalism career in Saginaw, Michigan. Her first news job was at WNEM-TV, which was an NBC affiliate at the time.

Working at CNN Headline News

In 1982, Pat Harvey became one of the first anchors for CNN Headline News. This was a brand-new news network. She later anchored CNN's morning news program until 1985. During this time, she interviewed important people, like Ferdinand Marcos, after a big election in the Philippines.

Investigative Reporting in Chicago

Before moving to Los Angeles, Harvey worked in Chicago at WGN Superstation. While there, she did important investigative reports. She looked into problems with medical tests that had serious consequences for many women. Her reports helped create new laws to make sure these labs were safe. She also won the Peter Lisagor award for her work. In 1988, she broke a national story from the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta.

Pat Harvey's Impact in Los Angeles

When Pat Harvey came to Los Angeles, there had only been two Black weeknight news anchors before her. Because of her excellent work, she became a pioneer in the field. She helped open doors for other lead anchors in Los Angeles. These include journalists like Marc Brown, Christine Devine, and Michaela Pereira.

Covering Major Global Events

Besides her regular anchoring duties, Pat Harvey has traveled a lot for KCAL News and CBS Los Angeles. She has covered many important stories around the world.

• She reported from Rome during the Papal Conclave, when a new Pope was chosen.
• She covered the first all-race elections in South Africa.
• She reported on the AIDS epidemic in East Africa and Russia.
• She also covered the civil war in El Salvador.

During the famous O.J. Simpson trial, Pat Harvey was the first journalist to interview a dismissed juror. Her report was shown on TV stations across the country and around the world.

Community Service and Awards

Pat Harvey is very popular and involved in her community. In 2002, she was asked to carry the Olympic torch through downtown Los Angeles. She has also received two honorary doctorate degrees for her contributions to the humanities.

She has won many awards for her journalism.

• She has received 25 local Emmy awards and one national Emmy.
• In 2004, she received the Joseph M. Quinn Lifetime Achievement Award from the L.A. Press Club.
• The Associated Press named her "Best News Anchor."
• In 2008, she received the Genii award from the Los Angeles chapter of American Women in Radio and Television.
• She has also been recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists.

The Good News Foundation

In 2006, Pat Harvey and four other TV anchorwomen started the Good News Foundation. This group works to help people in need.

• They built a computer lab for children experiencing homelessness.
• They created a park and recreation center in South Los Angeles.
• They also built a library for women experiencing homelessness at the Downtown Women's Center.
• The foundation also gives an annual college scholarship to young women who want to become journalists.

On February 21, 2017, Pat Harvey was a guest co-host on the CBS daytime show The Talk. This was her eleventh time appearing on the show.