Taryn Asher

Fox 2 News anchor Taryn Asher was a tenacious little girl who was fascinated by broadcast journalism, drawn to the microphone and determined to stand out. “Everything was a microphone. I used to narrate and interview my sisters,” Asher said. “I wanted to (be a reporter) since the second grade.” Growing up, Asher admired Detroit journalist icons Bill Bonds and Diana Lewis. She instinctively knew broadcast journalists had a profound impact on the lives of viewers. “The Detroit news was so powerful. Even at a young age, I picked up on it.” In pursuit of her lifelong dream of becoming a news anchor, Asher studied journalism and political science at Michigan State University. “Everything came together in college,” she said. “I saw an internship for something called HOM-TV. It opened so many doors. It really taught me the basics.” By her senior year at MSU, Asher’s upbeat personality and on-air charisma caught the attention of local news stations. She took a position as a photographer and reporter for WLNS-TV (Channel 6) in Lansing and was later promoted to weekend anchor and reporter. “I was comfortable (on camera),” she said. “It was second nature.” In 2000, Asher took a job with WJRT-TV (Channel 12) in Flint. In 2007, she landed a coveted position at Fox 2 News Detroit, where she currently anchors alongside Huel Perkins weekdays at 11 p.m. Not unlike the news anchors she revered as a child, Asher is now impacting the lives of viewers. Asher earned her third of four Emmy Awards investigating and exposing the synthetic drug epidemic in metro Detroit. Her persistent coverage of the “K2 (synthetic drugs) Crackdown” helped result in a ban on synthetic drugs. “In a matter of two weeks, we were able to make a significant change. I was able to make a difference and that’s what it’s all about.” Asher has established a remarkable career in the newsroom. It is also where she met and fell in love with her husband and fellow reporter, Jason Carr. In 2000, the two met at WJRT-TV in Flint. They co-anchored the weekend morning news and began dating in 2001. “People knew we had chemistry before we did.” The power couple married in 2007, and they currently live in Bloomfield Hills with their daughter, Gia. “(Carr) co-hosts ‘Live in the D’ on WDIV-TV (Channel 4). He’s very talented. He is my rock.” Altruism is a paramount commitment to Asher. She works to bring awareness to organizations such as COTS Homeless Shelter, Community Social Services of Wayne County and Community Living Services. Regrettably, Asher and her Fox 2 News family were recently devastated by the sudden loss of their beloved colleague, Ron Savage. The tragedy served as a reminder of Fox 2’s comradeship. “There’s a lot of heart at Fox 2 News. We’ve been able to overcome a lot,” she said. “There have been opportunities to go other places. You never know where life is going to lead you, but I’m happy in Detroit. This is my home.”

Photo: Laurie Tennent