23 WIFR announced today that Briana Collins has been promoted to anchor its weekday 23 News at 5, 6 and 10pm newscasts. Collins joined the station in 2015 as a morning show producer, was promoted to reporter and most recently has been anchoring the 23 News Weekend newscasts on Saturday.

Briana is a Chicago native who graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. She has a passion for education and working with youth. In Chicago, at Holy Family School, she was an 8th grade counselor assisting students on high school options. Currently she volunteers as a mentor at Rockford KFACT where she assists at-risk teen and pre-teen girls to focus on their futures.

Briana is very excited about this opportunity, “I think it’s great to become the new 23 News Anchor. Being a news anchor has always been a dream of mine so I’m very grateful and humbled to be given this opportunity.”

Briana will join Mike Garrigan who has been on the anchor desk for more than 10 years and before that was the station’s sports director for 3 years. “I think it’ll be a great learning experience for me to co-anchor with Mike.” says Briana. “We both bring something different to the desk and that will make for great on-air chemistry and a strong behind the scene partnership to deliver solid newscasts every day.

23 WIFR VP and general manager Tim Myers said the anchor search wasn’t an easy one but the station is confident they made the right choice. “Viewers have told us they really enjoy watching Briana. Her warmth and on-air presentation will continue the tradition of 23 News anchors like Mike Garrigan, Andy Gannon and Aaron Wilson who really connect with our audience and are welcomed into homes as “friends of the family.”

23 News Director Dave Smith adds, “After a national search, we found what we wanted right here in Rockford. Briana’s promotion is well earned. Her growth as a reporter and anchor has been enjoyable to watch and will continue in months and years ahead.

Briana’s “official” first newscast as 23 News’ new anchor will be Tuesday at 5pm.