
Ashley Sears
It’s unusual for a 9-year-old child to be captivated by the news. But my parents can attest, I was that strange kid who stayed up past my bedtime to watch the evening news. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself knowing that I’m living out my dream every day. Here I am all grown up, still staying up late for the news.
I joined FOX6 in June 2012. I’ve had the privilege to share stories of courage, tragedy and triumph across southeast Wisconsin. You can find me on the nine and ten o’clock newscasts, but I’ve reported on every shift at FOX6. I’ve covered some of the biggest stories in the state. I was one of the first on the scene during the Sikh Temple shooting, standing with victims’ families trying to gather information about what took place. I extensively covered demonstrations following the death of Dontre Hamilton. And I reported for hours on live television in the middle of the Sherman Park unrest.
My work has been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. I’m a three-time Emmy nominee.
Prior to Milwaukee, I worked for WCIA in Champaign, Illinois. Before that, I spent a year at WAND as a Champaign bureau reporter. My time in Illinois led me to my husband, Ben Handelman. You might know him as the weekend anchor here at FOX6.
I was raised in Northwest Indiana, where my parents always encouraged me to follow my passion, not my pension. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University. Go Hoosiers! I earned my Master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
I love telling your stories. Keep sharing them with me. You can find me on Twitter and Facebook.
The latest from Ashley Sears
Girl raped at Alpine Valley, lawsuit alleges
The new, civil lawsuit alleges a teen Alpine Valley employee raped a 12-year-old girl at the Walworth County property in February.
I-41 chase, Milwaukee crash, bullets thrown from window
Three people were arrested after a chase on I-41 and crash in Milwaukee early Thursday. Officials said the driver reached 116 miles per hour, and bullets were thrown from the window, later found on the road.
Shoeless Milwaukee porch pirate on camera, neighbors 'hope she's caught'
A Milwaukee porch pirate wearing white socks and no shoes has been caught on camera stealing packages from the East Side to Brewer's Hill.
Wisconsin Primary Election: Kleefisch concedes GOP governor primary
Rebecca Kleefisch conceded the Wisconsin Republican primary for governor Tuesday night to Tim Michels.
Glendale police pursuit, wrong-way driver flipped near I-43
Prosecutors say Tamika Holmes told investigators she stopped at a bar before getting behind the wheel Friday night, leading Glendale police on a pursuit that involved wrong-way driving and ended in a rollover crash that ejected her passenger.
Former basketball stars inspire Milwaukee kids on Walworth County farm
At the Beulah Family Homestead, a lot of hands help out. The fields are filled with the unfamiliar, and they are planting more than what grows in the dirt.
Baby, grandpa killed in crash; mother on life support
A Milwaukee family was headed to North Carolina for a wedding last week--when a crash happened. A grandfather and an unborn baby died from their injuries while the baby's mother is fighting for her life.
Mensah, Wauwatosa sued; Alvin Cole family disputes shooting claims
The family of Alvin Cole, the teen shot and killed by Joseph Mensah, has brought a federal civil rights lawsuit against the former police officer and the city of Wauwatosa.
Milwaukee family's trampoline stolen from their yard
A Milwaukee mom says the trampoline she bought for her four kids around the one-year anniversary of their dad's death was stolen from their home, leaving her with an empty yard, a forgotten drill used by the thieves and heartbroken kids who only got to use it for two weeks.
Reckless driver civil lawsuit: Milwaukee files against repeat offender
The City of Milwaukee filed a civil litigation complaint against Anthony Szablewski, a driver who has amassed a total of 44 traffic-related citations in the city since 2017, officials say.