Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith co-anchors FOX 13 News weeknights at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. alongside Hana Kim. He also co-anchors FOX 13 News at 9 p.m. weeknights on FOX 13+ with Sabirah Rayford, and is a reporter on the FOX 13 Seattle Investigates team. Matthew is a veteran anchor and reporter who joined FOX 13 Seattle in late 2021.
Born in Michigan, Matt caught the journalism bug at a young age – he was interning at a TV station by 17-years-old and filed his first on-air report at the age of 18.
He proceeded to move around the country with stops in West Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Michigan before finding his way to Seattle with his wife.
While Matt grew up in Michigan, he likes to call Washington his "chosen" home. Matt got married to his wife Jen in 2020 in Anacortes. Since then the family has grown with the addition of a foster son. The three live with two cats, Moo and Paws, who are always visible on Matt’s social media.
If he is not at work, you can find Matt with his family exploring Washington. Matt and his wife have fallen in love with the Cascades – they enjoy hiking and kayaking, while their son seems to want to be outdoors 24/7.
Matt also loves books, movies and craft beer – though, he gives many of his hobbies up while training for a marathon. He has run several to date and is always trying to improve his time. Matt has also competed in a number of eating competitions – once dubbed the burrito king of West Virginia; he insists that he has hung up his competitive eating bib.
At work, Matt has earned numerous awards for his work on-camera and behind it. He was awarded back-to-back Emmys as Michigan’s top reporter, and a third for his work on the anchor desk as the first COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the state of Washington.
A self-professed nerd, Matt loves talking about climate and the environment. In 2021, he was named a Metcalf Fellow through the University of Rhode Island. His work has focused on the Flint water crisis, the increase in PFAS/PFOA contaminations, air quality concerns in Washington and salmon recovery.
Matt has appeared on national news programs to report on hurricanes and wildfires but says his favorite stories are the ones he finds in his own community.
Feel free to reach out to Matt via e-mail, Facebook or Twitter -- or the grocery store, Matt is always looking to connect with viewers!
The latest from Matthew Smith
Flushing illegal contraband behind bars; WA youth facility leader says it’s 'OK'
The email, sent by leadership at Washington’s only maximum security youth detention facility, indicates that it’s “OK" if residents flush contraband down the toilet during searches.
Local soldiers file new claims against U.S. Army, over sex abuse at JBLM
Doctor Michael Stockin pleaded guilty in January, which led to a 13-year sentence on sex abuse charges.
From forests, to beavers, millions in grant money headed to WA climate solutions
Projects will target climate change initiatives that rely on nature-based solutions.
Local military doctor pleads guilty to 40+ sexual abuse charges
A local doctor pleaded guilty in military court Tuesday to a total of 41 charges of sexual abuse involving patients at a clinic at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
New victims accuse JBLM military doctor of sexual assault
New military members are accusing an Army doctor of sexually assaulting them, as a plea deal for more than 40 separate patients is working its way through the military justice system.
8 overdoses highlight WA juvenile inmate crisis
In less than two weeks, eight overdoses within Washington’s sole maximum security juvenile rehabilitation center unfolded – highlighting what the state has admitted is an overcrowding crisis.
Former JBLM commander found guilty of sexual harassment
Three women that served under Lieutenant Colonel Herman West described disturbing encounters ranging from unwanted touching, to verbal sexual harassment, to unzipping his pants in front of one of the women.
More employees at WA DCYF youth jail investigated for relationships with inmates
Two weeks after Gov. Inslee proposed a new juvenile rehab center to deal with overcrowding at DCYF's facility in Chehalis, police have announced that two more employees are being investigated.
Child rape victim files claim against Federal Way Public Schools
After pleading guilty to child rape in late 2023, a former Federal Way school teacher is out of prison and in community custody, and his former employer is facing a costly tort claim.
Eviction looms for WA Nooksack families amid sovereignty dispute
Three families are facing eviction after a years-long battle to remain within the Nooksack Tribe, a place they considered "home" for most of their lives.