Chris Martinez joined the Newschannel 8 team in June 2021. He’s thrilled to be back home in Tampa Bay!

Chris joined WFLA after spending 6 years as a CBS News Correspondent based in the network’s Los Angeles bureau. During that time, Chris traveled the country covering major stories for both local CBS stations and national broadcasts. He also covered international news, including traveling to Cuba twice for historic visits from Pope Francis and former President Barack Obama, and the devastating 2017 earthquake in Mexico City.

Before his time with the network, Chris spent three years as a reporter and fill-in anchor in Chicago at WBBM-TV. Previously, he spent more than nine years here in Tampa as a reporter and anchor at WFTS-TV. Chris also worked as a reporter in Orlando for Central Florida News 13 and was also a reporter for WCTV in Tallahassee, where he managed editorial coverage in South Georgia.

Chris is the son of a Cuban-born father and American-born mother. He was born in Miami and grew up in Orlando, but his family has called Tampa home for more than 25 years. Chris graduated from The Florida State University (Go Noles!) with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications.

Connect with Chris at CMartinez@wfla.com.