Jake Whittenberg Biography: Award-Winning KING 5 News Anchor & Journalist
Jake Whittenberg is an Emmy-winning news anchor and reporter for KING 5 Media Group in Seattle, Washington. He currently co-anchors “KING 5 Mornings” with Mimi Jung from 5-7 a.m. every weekday.
Education and Early Life:
- Born in Southern Illinois to parents who were a newspaper publisher and reporter, he believes journalism is “in his blood.”
- He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Theatre Arts from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2004.
- He also participated in the Directors Workshop for Film/Cinema/Video Studies at New York University.
- He was a former appointee to the Montana Film and Television advisory council, a direct appointment by the governor.
Career Highlights:
- KING 5 Media Group (Seattle, WA): Joined in December 2009 (serving as Morning News Anchor since February 2010), co-anchoring with Mimi Jung from 5-7 a.m. weekdays. He has covered stories globally, including Seattle, Cuba, Germany, and Pearl Harbor, and has traveled with the Seahawks as an official broadcast partner. He is also known for pioneering digital coverage and YouTube content.
- ABC 6 WSYX-TV (Columbus, Ohio): News Reporter from February 2008 to February 2010.
- KTVQ (Billings, Montana): Television News Reporter from December 2004 to January 2007.
Key Coverage and Accomplishments at KING 5:
- He has covered stories internationally, from Seattle to Cuba, Germany to Pearl Harbor, and traveled with the Seattle Seahawks as part of KING 5’s official broadcast partnership.
- He prioritizes giving a voice to the voiceless, citing his experience reporting in Cuba as a significant learning experience.
- He hosts “Jake’s Morning Mugs,” which spotlights local non-profit organizations.
Awards and Recognition:
- Two Edward R. Murrow Awards
- 14 regional Emmy Awards (He is an Emmy-winning news anchor)
- Associated Press Broadcaster of the Year
- Several other writing and reporting accolades.
- In 2018, he was part of the KING 5 Morning News team that won an Emmy Award in the “Breaking News” category.
Personal Interests:
- When not working, he enjoys golfing, fly-fishing, and spending time with his wife, Tara, and two children, Lula and Ollie.
- He frequently emcees community events and golf tournaments.
Age:
Jake Whittenberg was born on July 25, 1982, making him 43 years old as of 2025. He falls under the Leo zodiac sign. Jake is of White ethnicity and holds American nationality.
Parents and Siblings:
Jake Whittenberg was born in Southern Illinois, where he was immersed in journalism from a young age.
His father was a newspaper publisher who often brought Jake along to the newsroom, especially on buzzing election nights.
Those early experiences left a lasting impression and sparked Jake’s passion for storytelling.
His mother, a dedicated reporter, also played a key role in nurturing his curiosity and love for narrative.
Together, his parents helped shape his values around integrity, communication, and community engagement.
As for siblings, Jake has kept that aspect of his life private, and there’s no public information confirming any brothers or sisters.
Wife:
Jake Whittenberg is married to Tara Whittenberg, and they have two children, a daughter named Lula and a son named Oliver.
Jake enjoys spending time with his kids outdoors—whether it’s golfing, fly-fishing, or simply exploring the Pacific Northwest.
He’s said that their family motto is “Work hard, play hard,” and it’s clear that parenting is a central part of his off-camera life.
Height:
Jake Whittenberg stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs around 170 pounds (77 kg).
Career and Background:
Jake began his journalism career after graduating from college with a degree in broadcast journalism. He worked at news stations in Tampa, Florida, and Billings, Montana, before joining KING 5 in 2009.
As the co-anchor of KING 5 Mornings, Jake has covered major stories ranging from presidential visits and social movements to local environmental issues and community heroes.
KTVQ-TV (Billings, Montana)
Jake Whittenberg launched his broadcast journalism career at KTVQ-TV, a CBS affiliate in Billings, Montana, shortly after graduating from Montana State University.
From December 2004 to January 2007, he worked as a reporter and anchor, gaining valuable experience in a smaller market where he covered everything from local politics to severe weather.
This role laid the foundation for his on-camera confidence, investigative instincts, and community-focused storytelling.
WSYX/WTTE (Columbus, Ohio)
In February 2008, Jake took a step into a larger television market, joining WSYX (ABC 6) and WTTE (FOX 28) in Columbus, Ohio as a news reporter and anchor.
During his two-year stint (until early 2010), he sharpened his live reporting skills, tackled breaking news, and anchored high-profile evening segments.
His time in Columbus helped shape his professional style and built his reputation as a relatable, trustworthy news presence.
KING 5 (Seattle, Washington)
Jake joined KING 5 News in February 2010, marking a major milestone in his career.
At KING-TV, Seattle’s NBC affiliate, Jake quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the station’s most recognizable faces.
He currently anchors KING 5 Mornings alongside Mimi Jung, delivering the day’s top stories, community events, and live coverage across Western Washington. He also appears on KONG, KING 5’s sister station.
Jake has reported from around the globe, covering major stories in Cuba, Germany, Pearl Harbor, and beyond, bringing an international perspective to local audiences.
He is also known for embracing digital storytelling early, helping pioneer KING 5’s digital video content across platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where his weekly news briefs have gone viral.
His innovative approach has made him a favorite among younger viewers while maintaining credibility with traditional audiences.
Jake Whittenberg works alongside a talented team of journalists and anchors at KING 5 News in Seattle. Here are some of his notable colleagues:
- Mimi Jung – Jake’s longtime co-anchor on KING 5 Mornings, known for her sharp reporting and warm on-air presence.
- Joyce Taylor – Veteran anchor with decades of experience in Seattle journalism.
- Mark Wright – Former evening anchor, recognized for his thoughtful interviews and community coverage.
- Greg Copeland – Anchor and reporter with a focus on breaking news and special assignments.
- Jessica Janner Castro – Evening anchor with a background in investigative journalism.
- Steve Bunin – Sports anchor and host, known for his engaging storytelling and interviews.
- Natalie Swaby – Reporter covering major regional stories and live field reporting.
- Chris Cashman – Multimedia journalist and digital content creator.
- Rebecca Stevenson – Meteorologist with deep expertise in Pacific Northwest weather patterns.
- Adam Claibon – Morning meteorologist known for his energetic forecasts.
Net Worth and Salary:
Jake Whittenberg’s net worth is estimated at $1–5 million, built through his 15-year tenure as a morning news anchor at KING 5 in Seattle, with an annual salary likely ranging from $70,000 to $200,000, reflecting his seniority and the major Seattle market.
Starting as a reporter and anchor at KTVQ in Billings, Montana (2004–2007) and WSYX/WTTE in Columbus, Ohio (2008–2010), he progressed to KING 5, where his 12 regional Emmy Awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards, and digital content creation (YouTube vlogs with millions of views) bolster his earnings.
Additional income from emceeing community events and his private approach to financial details keep exact figures undisclosed, but his career achievements suggest a competitive income for a seasoned journalist.
Is Jake Whittenberg Married?
Yes, Jake Whittenberg is married to Tara Whittenberg. They have two children: a daughter named Lula and a son named Oliver (“Ollie”). Jake occasionally shares family moments online and speaks warmly about his home life.
How Old Is Jake Whittenberg?
Jake Whittenberg was born on July 25, 1982, making him 43 years old as of 2025.
Where is Jake Whittenberg Working?
Jake Whittenberg is currently working as a morning news anchor at KING 5 News in Seattle, Washington. He co-anchors KING 5 Mornings with Mimi Jung every weekday from 5–7 a.m. He also appears on KONG, serving viewers across Western Washington.
In addition to anchoring:
- He contributes to NBC News through affiliated coverage.
- He’s a digital content creator, producing weekly TikTok news briefs and viral YouTube VLOGs.
- He frequently emcees community events and golf tournaments, reflecting his strong ties to local engagement.
Jake’s role blends traditional journalism with modern storytelling, making him one of Seattle’s most recognizable media personalities.
Jake Whittenberg is active on social media. He frequently posts news updates, family moments, and behind-the-scenes content on:
Instagram: @jakewhittenberg
Twitter (X): @jwhittenbergK5
Facebook: Jake Whittenberg
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