Joyce Garbaciak
Joyce Garbaciak serves as co-anchor of WISN 12 News at 6:00.
Joyce has more than 35 years in the Milwaukee television market, and in that time has had one-on-one interviews with President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton and New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan.
An investigative series she reported led to a change in Wisconsin law regarding the posting of code violations at day-care centers. She is a nine-time Chicago regional Emmy Award winner, and a documentary on bullying that she hosted went on to win national recognition with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and an Edward R. Murrow Award. In 2022, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association inducted Joyce into its Hall of Fame – she is only the 12th woman out of 159 people in the Hall. And in October of that same year, the Milwaukee Press Club inducted Joyce into its Media Hall of Fame. She has been part of the Wisconsin Silver Circle since 2012, a lifetime achievement honor bestowed by the Chicago region of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
In early 2005, Joyce left WITI-TV after some 16 years as a primary news anchor and reporter. At one point, she successfully anchored three daily newscasts, including the 10 p.m. report.
She joined WISN in 2006 because the position allowed her to work part-time on fulfilling, meaningful projects and still be more hands-on at home with her family. She resumed full-time at WISN in 2015.
Joyce received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism, graduating with high honors and receiving an RCA/NBC Fellowship to complete her graduate studies. She stays active with her alma mater, serving on Northwestern’s Council of 100, an invitation-only alumnae organization dedicated to mentoring and helping students transition from college to employment.
Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Joyce worked as a reporter and anchor in Nashville and Wausau, and has served as visiting faculty at the Poynter Institute, a journalism think-tank in St. Petersburg, Fla.
