J.R. Stone
I'm so proud to be part of the Disney family and so far, it really does feel like one big family. I've covered news in the Bay Area since 2011 and time has flown by. I've laughed and cheered with many of you as our teams won championships, but I've also mourned with you when fires ravaged our homes and took the lives of our loved ones.
I can remember an expert saying, "J.R. just went live from an area that has the worst air quality on earth." Concerning, yes, but someone has to get the story and tell it like it is. I'm proud and blessed to do that every day.
Before joining ABC7, I was a weekend news and sports anchor at an independent channel in town. While there, I won an Emmy for my news anchoring and helped turn lackluster ratings into some of the top-rated programs of the week.
During the Ghost Ship warehouse fire, I anchored our breaking news coverage. When news of a mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival surfaced, I was live on the desk for four and a half hours. When the Asiana Airlines flight crashed at SFO in 2013, I anchored for 10 straight hours.
When news stories aren't breaking, sports stories usually are. I previously anchored a sports show called Sports Night Live. We made viewers a part of the show and it paid off. With no network affiliation, we managed to become one of the top-rated sports programs in the San Francisco market.
I still remember losing a friendly bet to a viewer and having to wear a Notre Dame jersey on air. Not fun for a Michigan fan whose family bleeds maize and blue.
I've covered 6 NBA Finals, 2 World Series, 3 Super Bowls, 3 Daytona 500's, 2 NCAA Football National Championships, and a Stanley Cup Final. When the Giants won their last two World Series; I was in the clubhouse interviewing players and getting doused with champagne.
I have 16 years of on-air news and sports experience, which include national appearances on CNN, The Weather Channel, and the CBS Early Show. Above all, else I pride myself on being a journalist of the people. Every night I go live on Facebook Live. This gives me a chance to ask questions to viewers and gives viewers a chance to throw questions at me.
Before coming to the Bay Area, I was a journalist in Florida, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. I could go on for another six paragraphs about those amazing opportunities but let me sum it up in a few thoughts. Florida was where I covered the Casey Anthony case and I've never seen anything crazier. Oklahoma had the most extreme weather I've ever seen. It's where I covered tornadoes, flooding, heatwaves, and ice storms. Arkansas is where I saw how amazing people can be. I covered a number of big stories in my two years there but I'll remember the hospitality of The Natural State first and foremost.
If you have any questions, concerns, or you just want to call me out on a sports prediction, you can contact me via email at jr.stone@disney.com or on my social media pages.
J.R.'s Stories
These Bay Area companies are announcing layoffs, but it's not all bad, researcher says
With the news of many companies cutting back, many are worried about a possible recession. One researcher says that while it is concerning the economy has slowed, California's "labor market as a whole is still really healthy."
4 homicides in Oakland in less than 24 hours; latest happening outside City Hall
The homicide outside city hall marked the fourth in Oakland in less than 24 hours. The gunfire even interrupted the Oakland City Council meeting taking place inside.
Road rage shooting in San Lorenzo leaves man dead; his wife recalls hearing gunshots on FaceTime
"I can't sleep, literally I can't sleep here because every time I try to sleep, every time I close my eyes, I can hear a lot of gunshots," said Princess, who shouted at her newly-wedded husband through FaceTime to stay inside of his car.
Man killed at East Bay intersection in possible road rage shooting, police say
"Be very careful, don't confront anyone, don't give anyone the finger."
After more than 50 years, American Airlines to relocate 400 SF-based flight attendants out of CA
"It's a sad day. It feels like a kick in the gut." Some of the flight attendants being relocated have been with American Airlines for anywhere from 20 to 40 years.
Popular SF street vending spot deserted on 1st day of permit enforcement
Those with San Francisco's Department of Public Works say they will have crews in the city six days a week for enforcement and if a high number of street vendors switch neighborhoods, they will move accordingly.
Woman whose rape kit DNA was used to arrest her sues San Francisco
A rape victim whose DNA from her sexual assault case was used by San Francisco police to arrest her in an unrelated property crime is suing the city.
Vigil held for murdered San Carlos mother; legal analyst breaks down potential arguments in case
The man behind bars in connection to the beheading of a mother in San Carlos last week will face a judge for the first time on Monday at 1:30 PM in San Mateo County.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Driver opens fire on another driver at Oakland intersection
"Wow, this is the Wild Wild West!" No one was hurt, but when the victim tried to file a police report about the scary road rage incident caught on dashcam video, he was unable to do so.
Alameda Co. sheriff's deputy arrested for double homicide after surrendering in Central CA: police
Police say 24-year-old Devin Williams, Jr., an Alameda County sheriff's deputy, called authorities and was taken into custody near Coalinga after surrendering.