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: Spotlight on Mary Louis Academy in Queens and a new cultural hub in East Harlem
This week on Tiempo, we highlight The Mary Louis Academy, a Catholic school in Jamaica, Queens, that focuses on empowering young Latina women.
President Trump's remarks about Pope Leo spark backlash among church leaders
ABC News correspondent Melissa Adan is traveling with the Pope and says the president's comments generated significant backlash.
Tiempo: New Jersey hosts summit on safety preparations ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
New Jersey recently hosted a summit on public safety surrounding the colossal event. The Garden State's MetLife Stadium is one of several U.S. sites hosting matches.
As Mamdani marks 100 days, Staten Island bristles over winter snow response
Even with warmer temperatures and the return of spring, memories of a brutal winter blizzard are still fresh for many people on Staten Island, especially in New Brighton, where more snow fell than anywhere else in New York City.
Tiempo: Impact of US trial against ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
The former president of Venezuela and his wife Cilia Flores faced a judge in a New York court last month after their dramatic capture by U.S. forces in Caracas back in January.
Suspect faces judge in shooting death of veteran Bridgeport firefighter
The man charged with shooting and killing a Connecticut firefighter appeared in court where prosecutors revealed a possible motive for the crime.
Tiempo: Addressing misconceptions and the need for organ donations in the Latino community
LiveOnNY is an organ procurement organization. They facilitate organ, eye and tissue donation in the greater New York area.
Tiempo: Importance of home-based child care businesses in the Latino community
Over 85% of Latino infants and toddlers in low-income households depend on these home-based businesses, according to the Hispanic Research Center.
Tiempo: Humanitarian crisis in Cuba amid energy shortage
The energy shortage follows the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which was the island's main source of crude oil.
Tiempo: Nonprofit fights homelessness crisis within Latino community in New York City
Hispanic people represent about 32% of heads of household in the shelter system, according to the New York State Comptroller's Office.