Crystal Martinez Bio, Age, Husband, FOX 4 Kansas City Anchor

Crystal Martinez: Anchor & Reporter at FOX4 Kansas City | Biography

Crystal Martinez is an American journalist currently serving as an anchor and reporter for WDAF-TV, FOX4 in Kansas City, Missouri.

She co-anchors the 4 p.m. newscast alongside Loren Halifax and reports during the evening hours.

Martinez joined FOX4 in March 2024, bringing her experience and vibrant personality to the station, which has been Kansas City’s most-watched news program at that hour since its launch in June 2022.

Early Life and Education

Crystal Martinez hails from Dallas, Texas. She is a proud alumna of Collin College and the University of North Texas, where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Career

Martinez began her journalism career in 2019 as a multimedia journalist (MMJ) in Ardmore, Oklahoma, at KXII, working out of a bureau.

There, she covered significant stories, including the 2018 Oklahoma statewide teacher walkout, traveling to Oklahoma City to report on the protests firsthand, and the legalization of medical marijuana, which made national headlines.

In June 2019, she joined KNWA/FOX24 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as a weekend anchor and reporter.

She was promoted to morning co-anchor of KNWA Today and Fox 24 Morning News in April 2021.

During her time in Arkansas, Martinez covered the COVID-19 pandemic and launched a series called “Missing in Arkansas,” which brought attention to several missing person cases.

Her work earned her two Mid-America Emmy nominations in 2023 for stories titled “Remarkable Women: Laurie Adkins” and “Cold Case: Who Killed Gail Vaught?”

Since joining WDAF-TV, Martinez has contributed to segments like “Saving Smart,” “Health Headlines,” “Top 4 at 4,” and “Working for You,” as well as special election coverage.

She has reported on local stories, such as an arson case at a Kansas City, Kansas Subway and delays in the Rock Island Bridge entertainment district project.

Personal Life

In her free time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, and exploring local restaurants and shops in Kansas City.

She is also active in the community, participating in events like the Fresh Start event for the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter and hosting the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee Connections.

Achievements

• Nominated for two Mid-America Emmys in 2023 for her reporting in Arkansas.

• Created the “Missing in Arkansas” series, highlighting missing person cases.

• Recognized for her engaging and community-focused journalism, as noted by FOX4’s Vice President and General Manager Tracy Brogden Miller.

Age:

Crystal Martinez’s exact birth date is not publicly available in the provided sources or other reliable records. However, we can estimate a rough age range based on her career timeline.

She began her journalism career in 2019 and is in her seventh year as a journalist as of 2025, suggesting she started around age 21–25 (typical for a recent college graduate).

This places her likely in her late 20s to early 30s as of 2025, approximately 28–32 years old.

She is American by nationality and has a Hispanic ethnic background

Parents and Siblings:

Crystal Martinez grew up in Dallas, Texas, where she developed a passion for journalism from an early age.

She has kept details about her parents and siblings private, but she has spoken about her mother, Maria Cazares, in an interview, reflecting on her childhood and family experiences.

Husband:

Crystal Martinez is married to Carlos Martinez, and together they have three children—Mackenzie, Jonah, and Gavin. The family resides in the Western suburbs.

Height:

Crystal Martinez stands at 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters), with an estimated weight between 120–135 lbs (54–61 kg).

Her body measurements are likely around 34-26-36 inches, though exact details are not publicly available.

Career and Background:

Crystal Martinez has built a strong career in broadcast journalism, working at several stations across different markets.

She began her career at KXII in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where she worked as a news reporter and intern.

During her time there, she covered major stories, including the statewide teacher walkout in March 2018 and the legalization of medical marijuana.

She later moved to KNWA (NBC affiliate in Fayetteville, Arkansas), where she started as a weekend anchor and reporter in June 2019.

She was later promoted to morning co-anchor for KNWA Today and Fox 24 Morning News in April 2021.

In March 2024, she joined WDAF-TV (FOX 4 Kansas City, Missouri) as the 4 p.m. anchor, marking a significant step in her career.

KXII-TV (Ardmore, Oklahoma)

Martinez began her journalism career in 2019 at KXII-TV, a CBS/FOX affiliate in Ardmore, Oklahoma, working as a multimedia journalist (MMJ) out of a bureau.

As an MMJ, she was responsible for reporting, shooting, and editing her own stories, gaining critical hands-on experience in a small market.

During her time there, she covered significant regional events, including the 2018 Oklahoma statewide teacher walkout, traveling to Oklahoma City to report on the protests firsthand, and the legalization of medical marijuana, a story that garnered national attention.

This role marked her entry into broadcast journalism, providing a strong foundation for her future roles in larger markets.

KNWA-TV/FOX24 (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

In June 2019, Martinez joined KNWA-TV/FOX24, an NBC/FOX affiliate in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as a weekend anchor and reporter.

She was promoted to morning co-anchor of KNWA Today and Fox 24 Morning News in April 2021, a position she held until March 2024.

During her tenure, she reported on the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and launched the “Missing in Arkansas” series, which highlighted missing person cases and resonated with the community.

Her investigative work earned her two Mid-America Emmy nominations in 2023 for the stories “Remarkable Women: Laurie Adkins” and “Cold Case: Who Killed Gail Vaught?,” demonstrating her ability to cover both human-interest and hard-hitting stories.

Her time in Arkansas solidified her reputation as a journalist who connects deeply with viewers.

WDAF-TV (FOX4, Kansas City, Missouri)

Martinez joined WDAF-TV, Kansas City’s FOX affiliate, in March 2024 as an anchor and reporter.

She co-anchors the 4 p.m. newscast, the top-rated show in its time slot, and reports in the evenings. Her work includes segments like “Saving Smart,” “Health Headlines,” and “Working for You.” She also covers special election reports and local stories, such as a Subway arson case and delays in the Rock Island Bridge project.

Her move to Kansas City marks a step up in her broadcast journalism career. Martinez is active in the community, attending events like the Fresh Start fundraiser for the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter and hosting Coffee Connections for the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

She has a strong track record of impactful reporting. In 2023, she earned two Mid-America Emmy nominations for “Remarkable Women: Laurie Adkins” and “Cold Case: Who Killed Gail Vaught?”.

Here are the colleagues of Crystal Martinez at WDAF-TV (FOX 4 Kansas City):

• Jacob Kittilstad – Reporter

• Kevin Barry – Investigative Reporter

• Pat McGonigle – Anchor

• Rob Collins – Sports Anchor

• Sherae Honeycutt – Reporter

• Tess Koppelman – Political Reporter

• Carey Wickersham – Morning Show Reporter

Net Worth and Salary:

Crystal Martinez’s exact net worth and salary have not been fully documented in recent sources. However, past estimates offer some insight.

As of 2025, her net worth was estimated between $1 million and $5 million, earned through her journalism career. While at KNWA-TV, her annual salary was reported to range from $45,000 to $110,500.

In March 2024, she moved to WDAF-TV (FOX4) in Kansas City—a larger market. This likely led to a salary increase, though current figures have not been publicly disclosed. These numbers are approximate and based on older data and typical industry standards.

Is Crystal Martinez Married?

Yes, Crystal Martinez is married to Carlos Martinez, and together they have three children—Mackenzie, Jonah, and Gavin.

They reside in the Western suburbs and value family time, often engaging in outdoor activities and local explorations.

How Old Is Crystal Martinez?

Crystal Martinez’s exact birth date is not publicly available, so her precise age cannot be confirmed.

Based on her career start in 2019, after graduating from the University of North Texas, she is likely in her late 20s to early 30s, approximately 28–32 years old as of 2025.

Where is Crystal Martinez working?

Crystal Martinez is currently working as a news anchor and reporter at WDAF-TV (FOX 4 Kansas City, Missouri). She joined the station in March 2024 as the 4 p.m. anchor.

Her role includes anchoring the evening newscast, conducting investigative reporting, and covering major local and national stories.

She has built a reputation for in-depth storytelling and has been recognized for her work on human-interest and crime investigations.

• Instagram: @crystal.mnews
  She posts news segments, personal photos, and reels from her reporting assignments.

• X (formerly Twitter): @Crystal_MNews
  She shares breaking news, retweets from colleagues, and community updates.

• Facebook: Crystal Martinez News
  Her professional page includes news stories, live videos, and viewer interactions.

These platforms offer a comprehensive view of her professional endeavors and personal interests.