The Shocking Rebrand: 7 Must-Know Facts About Boston 25 News (WFXT) After Dropping The 'FOX 25' Name
The landscape of local television news in New England has undergone a dramatic transformation, centered on the station formerly known as FOX 25 News. As of late 2025, the channel operates as Boston 25 News (WFXT), a significant rebrand that has reshaped its local identity and programming focus. This change was not merely cosmetic; it signaled a strategic pivot by owner Cox Media Group (CMG) to solidify the station's commitment to hyper-local, non-partisan reporting for the Massachusetts and broader New England area. The move, completed in 2024, has allowed the station to aggressively expand its news coverage, particularly in the competitive morning and late-afternoon time slots, making it a key player in Boston's media market.
This comprehensive guide dives into the current structure, key personnel, and expanded programming of WFXT, providing the most up-to-date information available as of December 19, 2025. We explore the powerful team of journalists, the station's focus on investigative reporting, and the new segments that are defining the Boston 25 News brand today. The intention behind the name change was clear: to distance the local news operation from the sometimes controversial national "Fox News" brand, ensuring viewers recognize WFXT as their independent source for local Boston news, weather, and traffic.
The Boston 25 News Team: A Complete Roster of Anchors and Reporters (WFXT)
The strength of Boston 25 News lies in its veteran team of journalists and meteorologists, many of whom have become familiar faces to New England viewers over decades. The station’s focus on stability and local knowledge is evident in its key personnel, who cover everything from breaking news alerts to in-depth investigative journalism. This list provides an overview of the key entities driving the station's success in 2025, easily surpassing 15 key figures in the organization.
- Gene Lavanchy: A long-standing and beloved co-host of the Boston 25 Morning News.
- Nicole Gabe: A major addition to the morning news team, joining in 2024 as a prominent anchor, bringing fresh energy to the AM broadcast.
- Mark Ockerbloom: A veteran anchor who plays a central role in the station's main evening newscasts.
- Rachel Keller: An award-winning anchor and reporter who is a key figure on the Boston 25 Morning News.
- Shiri Spear: The station's highly recognized Chief Meteorologist, providing critical weather coverage for the entire region.
- Kevin Lemanowicz: Another veteran meteorologist, part of the station's robust weather team, known for his accurate forecasts.
- Kerry Kavanaugh: A highly respected Anchor and Investigative Reporter, focusing on deep-dive stories and holding officials accountable.
- Bob Ward: One of New England's most established investigative reporters, whose work on federal and local probes spans over two decades at WFXT.
- Catherine Parrotta: Serves as the primary Traffic Reporter, providing essential commute updates, in addition to filling in as a news anchor.
- Ray Villeda: A key Morning Anchor/Reporter, contributing to both breaking news coverage and daily segments.
- Amal Elhelw: A reporter thrilled to be back on the East Coast, focusing on breaking big stories for the Boston 25 team.
- Ted Wayman: An Investigative Reporter known for his impactful, in-depth journalism.
- Butch Stearns: A key figure in the sports department, covering the major Boston sports franchises (Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins).
- Scott Tetreault: A key reporter providing on-the-ground coverage of breaking news across Massachusetts.
- Elizabeth Hopkins: A reporter who frequently covers local politics and community events.
The Strategic Rebrand: Why FOX 25 Became Boston 25 News
The official change from "FOX 25 News" to "Boston 25 News" was a calculated business and branding decision, implemented in 2024. The primary goal was to create a clearer distinction between the local news programming produced by WFXT and the content of the national Fox News Channel.
This strategic move was backed by market research that indicated a need for a brand that emphasized localism and independence. By using the city's name, "Boston 25 News" immediately communicates its core mission: to serve the local community of Boston, Massachusetts, and the surrounding New England region. The station, owned by Cox Media Group, is affiliated with the Fox network for national programming, but the local news operation is distinct and locally focused.
The rebrand has been accompanied by a significant investment in newsroom resources, including new technology and expanded airtime, signaling CMG’s commitment to growing WFXT’s market share in a highly competitive news environment that includes WCVB (ABC), WBZ (CBS), and WHDH (NBC). This investment has allowed for greater topical authority in key areas like weather, traffic, and investigative journalism.
Expanded Programming and Current News Focus in 2025
Boston 25 News has significantly expanded its news footprint, particularly in the morning and afternoon, to compete with other major Boston stations. This expansion provides viewers with more hours of local news, weather, and traffic updates, a key differentiator in the New England market.
Key Programming Segments and Schedule Highlights
- Boston 25 Morning News: This flagship morning block runs for several hours, featuring anchors like Gene Lavanchy, Rachel Keller, and Nicole Gabe, alongside Chief Meteorologist Shiri Spear. It is the core of the station’s daily news output, focusing heavily on commuter traffic and the day's first breaking stories.
- Boston 25 News Now at 3pm: A notable addition to the schedule, this afternoon broadcast reflects the station's commitment to providing continuous local coverage throughout the workday.
- Boston 25 News at 10 PM and 11 PM: These late-night broadcasts remain crucial for capturing the day's final headlines and in-depth reporting.
- Investigate TV+: The station features segments and programming dedicated to investigative journalism, leveraging the expertise of reporters like Kerry Kavanaugh and Bob Ward to uncover local corruption and public interest stories.
- New National News Tonight: A late-night segment that provides a summary of national and international news, balancing the station’s heavy local focus.
Recent Major Coverage and Local Impact
The station’s recent news coverage highlights its dedication to local Massachusetts issues. In late 2024 and 2025, Boston 25 News provided extensive coverage on several high-profile local stories, demonstrating its commitment to being a primary source for breaking news alerts and in-depth analysis.
Examples of recent, high-impact coverage include:
- Local Police Misconduct Investigations: The station covered the investigation and subsequent leave of Framingham police officers, demonstrating a commitment to local accountability.
- Major Regional Incidents: Comprehensive reporting on a multi-vehicle crash in Stoughton that saw a car careen into a fuel pump, highlighting regional safety concerns.
- Healthcare Fraud Settlements: In-depth reporting on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s agreement to pay a significant settlement to resolve fraud allegations, a major story for the New England healthcare sector.
- New Hampshire Manhunt: Coverage of the search and discovery of a suspect in a Brown University shooting, demonstrating the station's regional reach into New England states like Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
By focusing on these specific, locally impactful stories, Boston 25 News (WFXT) is successfully cementing its identity as a trusted, independent source for Massachusetts and New England news, moving far beyond its former "FOX 25 News" branding.
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