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
NY, NJ, CT voters wonder what comes next after Biden's decision to drop
Some voters who talked to Eyewitness News expressed relief that President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid, but others wonder what comes next.
Tiempo 7/21/24: Latina educator shares her journey to 'Fight for Equity in the Bronx'
In this episode of Tiempo, we speak with a Latina educator on her new book about fighting for equity in the Bronx and also catch up with the founder of LatinTRENDS magazine.
Tiempo 7/7/24: Dreamers visit Mexico, reunite with loved ones during study abroad program
In this episode of Tiempo, we discuss a CUNY study abroad program giving DACA recipients the opportunity to visit Mexico and reunite with their loved ones.
New law would allow NY distilleries to ship products directly to consumers
New York is also home to the second most distilleries in the U.S.
New bill in Connecticut makes cosmetology industry more inclusive of all hair types, cultures
The new legislation will force salon owners across Connecticut to hire hair dressers with the now-mandatory training - thereby accommodating more customers while boosting business.
Tiempo 6/16/24: Biden's executive action on immigration, plus Latin Restaurants Week
In this edition of Tiempo, we discuss President Biden's executive action on immigration and also talk about the second annual Latin Restaurants Week.
Tiempo 6/9/24: Celebrating the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
In this episode of Tiempo, we preview the 67th Puerto Rican Day parade with honoree and award-winning journalist Carmen Jovet and board member Louis Maldonado.
National Puerto Rican Day Parade's scholarship program makes a difference for dozens of students
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade also focuses on education and uplifting the next generation of Puerto Rican Leaders.
Tiempo 6/2/24: Preparation underway for annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade
The National Puerto Rican Day parade will fill Fifth Avenue on June 9, meaning the excitement, anticipation and of course the preparations are in full swing.
Tiempo 5/24/24: Protecting Latinos from insurance fraud and day laborer crackdown
According to the New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud, 40 percent of Latino adults have been targeted by insurance fraud. We'll talk to the alliance about measures they are taking to help protect everyone.