WBZ-TV Celebrates Lisa Hughes' 15th Anniversary

BOSTON (CBS) - You invite her into your home every night, and today we celebrate our own Lisa Hughes' 15th anniversary here at WBZ. From the first time she took the anchor desk in the year 2000, it has been 15 years of commitment to our viewers and our community for Lisa.

And during those years, her steady voice and insights have helped us through tragedies like 9/11 and the Boston Marathon bombings. She's also helped us celebrate Boston sports team wins, First Night and the July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

"When people see her they know that that's where things are going on in Boston," says Pops maestro Keith Lockhart.

She's comfortable putting tough questions to the powerful including a one on one interview with President Obama, but she also gives voice to people who are hurting, like family members of heroin addicts.

Lisa is anything but "anchored." She reported from the Vatican when Pope Francis was elected, from World Series and the Super Bowl and from the finish line of the Boston Marathon as the triumphant winners broke the ribbon and the records.

But it's not just journalism. "It seems like every single charity I go to, Lisa is emceeing the charity," says Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

Lisa gives her time and energy to a wide range of community groups, like the Big Sister Association. "She's an advocate, she's a fundraiser, but most importantly she's our friend," says Deborah Re the head of the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.

She also works for the Pan Mass Challenge were she rides to fight cancer. "Her role professionally helps raise the stature and the value of everybody else," says Billy Starr, the head of the PMC.

Lisa is our newsroom encourager-in-chief, she gives voice to those who may not be famous but have a lot to say, and she brings clarity and perspective to our hectic world.

Congratulations!