Joe Torres
After high school, Joe continued his education at SUNY Brockport, where he earned a B.S. in Communications. Along with his wife Fran and their two boys, Joe still lives in the town where he grew up.
Joe joined the Eyewitness News team as a general assignment reporter in 1996. Throughout the last two decades he has established himself as one of the premier street reporters here in the nation's #1 television market. Versatility is his strength. Crime, politics, religion, education, transportation, business, whatever the subject, Joe has covered it all with an engaging and energetic style that fellow New Yorkers have come to know and love.
Perhaps most memorable for viewers has been Joe's extensive coverage of Pope's John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. Before the death of John Paul II, Joe followed the globe-trotting Pontiff on his trips to Cuba, Mexico, and the Holy Land, providing New Yorkers with local angles to worldly events. Joe was at the Vatican for the Pope's Silver Anniversary and for his death, when millions flocked to Rome to say goodbye to the spiritual leader. Joe was at St. Peter's Square in April of 2005 when the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel informed the world of the election of Pope Benedict the XVI. Three years later Joe provided in-depth coverage of Pope Benedict's visit to New York. Joe returned to the Vatican and St. Peter's Square in March of 2013 for the historic election of Pope Francis, the church's very first Pontiff from Latin America.
Two days a week Joe comes in from the street and heads to the anchor desk. Each Saturday and Sunday evening Joe serves as Co-Anchor of the 5, 6 and 11 o'clock editions of Eyewitness News This Weekend.
Joe also serves as Host of 'Tiempo,' a 30-minute public affairs program aimed at the ever-growing Latino population in the New York metropolitan area. 'Tiempo' airs each Sunday morning at 11:30.
Joe's distinctive storytelling ability garnered him a Peabody Award and the Edward R. Murrow Award for his reports on the world-changing events of September 11th. Joe also earned an Emmy Award for his coverage of the Greenpoint Gas Tank Implosions in 2001.
Joe started his television career in 1987 as an NBC Page in New York. His first reporting job was at WSAV-TV in Savannah, Georgia where he served as a general assignment reporter and beat reporter covering county government. Joe then moved to ABC affiliate WNEP-TV in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to work as a Consumer Reporter, general assignment reporter and Weekend Anchor. In 1992 Joe landed a job as the Jersey Shore correspondent for Disney/ABC-owned WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.
Joe's Stories
Tiempo 4/13/25: White House proposes sanctions, directs DHS to investigate immigration attorneys
Last month, the White House issued a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to investigate immigration attorneys.
Tiempo 4/6/25: NYCLU releases updated 'Know Your Rights' guide amid federal immigration crackdown
The New York Civil Liberties Union is making sure New Yorkers know their rights if they are stopped by immigration enforcement agents or caught up in an immigration raid.
Tiempo 3/23/25: Trump administration ramps up federal immigration crackdown in NY, across US
U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan says ICE agents will flood New York if Gov. Kathy Hochul doesn't cooperate with the federal immigration crackdown.
Owner selling popular Irish bar in Bridgeport, Connecticut after serving community for 46 years
John June, the owner of "Mickey's" told Eyewitness News that Monday would be his final St. Patrick's Day serving up food and doling out his charm.
Tiempo 3/16/25: Inside look of Broadway's new musical, 'Buena Vista Social Club'
The "Buena Vista Social Club" follows the musicians and explores their origins Havana, and the production features a star-studded ensemble.
Man inspired to give back after receiving life-saving kidney transplant starts shoe drive for kids
The former high school principal who is a kidney transplant recipient wanted to give back and help children 'one step at a time.'
Tiempo 3/2/25: Who is Jenniffer González-Colón, the new governor of Puerto Rico
The new governor is pro-statehood, and has pledged to stabilize the island's crumbling power grid by appointing an energy czar to review and perhaps replace the private power company, Luma.
Nonprofit helping kids boost their confidence through clothes in Westchester County
In the first few weeks of 2025, clothing requests grew an astounding 145% compared to the same time period last year.
Egg prices continue to crack new highs as bird flu creates short supply
The short supply and the ever-present demand for eggs mean price hikes for consumers.
Tiempo 2/9/25: NYC Mayor Eric Adams addresses issues important to Latinos in one-on-one interview
On this special edition of Tiempo, we return to City Hall for another one-on-one chat with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.