Sheree Paolello: Cincinnati’s Emmy-Winning News Anchor

Sheree Paolello was born on September 7, 1982 (though some sources indicate 1975), in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. She grew up primarily on Cincinnati’s West Side, raised by her father, who instilled values of hard work and perseverance. By middle school, she had lived in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana.

Her father put himself through night school to provide for his family, demonstrating the work ethic that would later define Sheree’s own career. Her grandmother, who still lives on Cincinnati’s West Side, watches all of WLWT’s newscasts every day—a touching connection to Sheree’s roots.

Fun Fact: Sheree is only five feet tall, so every night she has to stand on a box during broadcasts to make herself look taller on camera. This behind-the-scenes secret is something viewers would never guess watching her command the anchor desk.

Quick Bio: Sheree Paolello Overview

Northern Kentucky University Journey

After graduating from high school, Sheree attended Northern Kentucky University (NKU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television and Radio in 1996. Her NKU experience proved transformative both academically and personally.

Cheerleading Career: For two years at NKU, Sheree was a cheerleader, balancing athletics with her rigorous broadcast journalism studies. A 1993 photo shows her among her cheerleading squad—a proud moment from her college days.

Car Accident Injury: During her sophomore year at NKU, Sheree was in a car accident that left her with a crooked smile—a characteristic she’s mentioned in interviews as a permanent reminder of that difficult time.

First Journalism Class Fears: After her very first journalism class at NKU, Sheree recalled being so intimidated that she considered quitting school entirely. Her father and professors encouraged her to persevere—advice that changed the trajectory of her life.

Distinguished Service Award: Her connection to NKU remains strong. She has regularly emceed their Alumni Awards, and in 2014, the university presented her with a Distinguished Service Award for her achievements and contributions.

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Sheree Paolello Age: Forty-Three and Thriving

Born on September 7, Sheree Paolello is 43 years old as of 2025 (based on the 1982 birth year, though some sources cite 1975, which would make her 49-50). Her birthday falls on September 7 every year, making her a Virgo—a zodiac sign associated with precision, dedication, and analytical thinking.

Regardless of which birth year is accurate, Sheree has spent more than two decades building trust with Cincinnati viewers. Her longevity at WLWT is particularly remarkable in an industry where anchors frequently move between cities chasing better opportunities.

At her current age, Sheree balances the demands of anchoring three daily newscasts with raising three sons and maintaining a marriage to her co-anchor—a testament to her organizational skills and commitment to both career and family.

The Struggling Journalist: Early Career Hardships

After graduating from NKU in 1996, Sheree initially wanted to work as a news reporter in a big metropolis like New York or Chicago. Her path to success, however, required years of struggle and sacrifice.

Fox 19 Beginning ($12,000/year): After her roommate suggested starting behind the camera, Sheree set her sights on the newly-launched morning show at FOX19 in Cincinnati. She called the executive producer every Tuesday morning for two months, leaving voicemails, until she finally got a callback.

“So I put on my best TJ Maxx suit, and I went down there, and I got the job,” Sheree recalled. She started making just $12,000 per year, clocking in at 11 p.m.

Bartending to Survive: The low salary forced Sheree to work a second job. After her FOX19 shift, she would head to her “real job” waitressing at TGI Fridays in Tri-County to pay bills. Years later, she would meet her future husband, Mike Dardis, when she was working as a bartender there during college.

Wisconsin Job Offer Declined: After a year at FOX19, Sheree received a job offer to appear on television in Wisconsin. Her father drove her to the interview in the midst of a blizzard. When she came out elated about the offer, her dad gave her a reality check, essentially telling her the station wasn’t impressive enough to warrant leaving Cincinnati.

She declined the Wisconsin offer—a decision that kept her on the path to becoming Cincinnati’s beloved news anchor.

Crime Reporter Years: South Bend, Dayton, and Charlotte

Following her father’s advice, Sheree spent time working as a crime reporter to build her skills and credentials before returning to Cincinnati.

South Bend, Indiana (First On-Air Job): Her first television reporter position was at the Fox affiliate in South Bend. Her most embarrassing moment? Falling off risers on live TV while interviewing a choir. A photo from 1998 captures this early career phase.

Dayton, Ohio (NBC Affiliate): After a year in South Bend, Sheree relocated to Dayton and worked for the NBC affiliate as an evening reporter, covering stories for the 6 pm and 11 pm newscasts. She stayed in Dayton for two years.

Charlotte, North Carolina (Crime Beat): Sheree then moved to Charlotte, working at the NBC affiliate as a crime reporter. During this period, she covered tornadoes, murder trials, and the 9/11 terror attacks—the latter proving to be a career-defining moment.

9/11 Coverage: Sheree was sent to report from Ground Zero in New York City following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. She spent a week covering the aftermath, working 36 hours across three days. “Seeing firsthand the gravity of what we do is a big reason why I still do this,” she explained. The experience made her appreciate the importance of journalism.

While working in Charlotte, Sheree was receiving offers in larger markets. However, she wanted to return to Ohio—to work in her hometown where she felt connected to the community.

Joining WLWT: Twenty-Three Years and Counting

In 2002, Sheree received a call from WLWT offering her a general assignment reporter position. She took it, thinking she might stay for a two-year contract before heading to New York or Chicago. But when Channel 5 kept promoting her, and she decided she wanted to start a family, she stayed in the Queen City.

2002-2004: Reporter Years: For two years, Sheree covered stories across the Tri-State area as a general assignment reporter, building relationships and establishing herself as a trusted journalist.

2004-Present: Anchor Position: In 2004, WLWT promoted Sheree to anchor. She initially anchored weekends, then moved to the Monday-Friday 5 pm newscast. Eventually, she anchored the 5 pm, 5:30 pm, 6 pm, and 11 pm newscasts.

Currently, Sheree Paolello anchors WLWT News 5 at 5 pm, 6 pm, and 11 pm every weeknight alongside her husband and co-anchor Mike Dardis. She’s now in her 23rd year at the station—a remarkable tenure that has earned her the nickname “Queen of Cincinnati.”

“I love this job today as much as I did when I was 22,” Sheree said, reflecting on her career longevity.

Awards and Recognition: Emmy and Edward R. Murrow

2018 Emmy Award (Best Newscast): Sheree won her first Emmy in 2018 for best newscast, recognizing her excellence in news delivery and overall broadcast quality.

2019 Edward R. Murrow Award: A year later, Sheree and her co-anchor Mike Dardis were awarded the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award—one of the highest honors in television news—for their series of stories on a fugitive doctor accused of performing unnecessary spine surgeries on hundreds of patients in Greater Cincinnati.

The investigative nine-part series demonstrated Sheree’s commitment to accountability journalism. “So often you don’t get to tackle stories like this or you don’t get the justice that these people deserve. Some people died in pain waiting for a settlement. People still message us with updates because they know that we care about them,” Sheree explained.

2020 Emmy Award (Best Anchor): Sheree won another Emmy in 2020 for Best Anchor. Interestingly, her husband Mike won the same award in 2021—they strategically never enter the anchor race the same year to avoid competing against each other.

2023 CityBeat Recognition: Cincinnati CityBeat readers voted Sheree “Best TV Anchor” in 2023, reflecting her popularity among local audiences.

May 2019 Ratings Victory: In May 2019—days before Sheree and Mike’s wedding—WLWT won its first 11 pm newscast ratings victory in over a decade, marking a significant milestone for the station.

Sheree Paolello First Husband Kyle: The Early Marriage

Before marrying Mike Dardis, Sheree Paolello was previously married to her first husband, Kyle. According to verified sources, Sheree met Kyle in Ohio, and while she wasn’t sure the relationship would last given how committed she was to her career, the two eventually tied the knot.

Three Sons Together: Sheree and her first husband Kyle had three sons together: Chayse, Cameron, and Connor. These boys became Sheree’s greatest pride and joy, with motherhood proving to be even more fulfilling than she’d anticipated.

“I remember thinking, ‘I hope I love this kid as much as I love my dogs,'” Sheree laughed when recalling her pregnancy with her first son. “And then I had him and fell in love and realized, oh my gosh, I want to be just as good of a mom as I am a news reporter, news anchor.”

What Happened to Sheree Paolello First Husband? The Quiet Divorce

What happened to Sheree Paolello’s first husband, Kyle, remains largely private, as Sheree has chosen to keep the details of their divorce out of the public eye. Sources confirm that Sheree and Kyle divorced at some point before she began dating Mike Dardis in late 2017.

The divorce appears to have been amicable, as there are no public records of contentious proceedings or custody battles. Sheree retained primary custody of their three sons and continued raising them in her Edgewood home until she moved to Mason after marrying Mike.

Respecting Privacy: Sheree has deliberately kept information about Kyle and their marriage private. His full name beyond “Kyle,” his profession, and other details have never been publicly disclosed. This discretion protects both her ex-husband’s privacy and shields her sons from unnecessary public scrutiny about their parents’ relationship.

As a public figure who shares many aspects of her life with viewers, Sheree’s decision to maintain boundaries around her first marriage demonstrates maturity and respect for her family’s privacy.

Romance with Mike Dardis: Co-Anchors to Life Partners

Mike Dardis joined WLWT in April 2012 from Seattle, where he’d been anchoring mornings and middays at KOMO-TV. At that time, he was a married father of two (a son and daughter) looking to get closer to his upstate New York and Pennsylvania roots.

The Fourth Co-Anchor: When Mike arrived, he became Sheree’s fourth co-anchor in three years—a revolving door situation common in television. Initially, their relationship was purely professional.

Mike joked their relationship was sort of an “arranged marriage,” as he was brought in to audition as her co-anchor. “Little did I know when I started anchoring with her more than 12 years ago that I’d end up driving to work with her, living with her, and married to her, but that’s what happened,” Dardis said.

The Turning Point (Late 2017): In late 2017, Dardis sent out job feelers to Chicago TV stations in case Channel 5’s management decided not to renew him. When Sheree learned he might leave, something shifted.

Sheree, a divorced mother of three young boys at the time, told him: “I feel like I’ve been taking you for granted as a friend.”

The next day he came into work and asked her, “Well, what are we going to do about this then?”

She stopped dating her boyfriend and started going out with Dardis. Their romance blossomed quickly.

Going Public: They told chief meteorologist Kevin Robinson and sports anchor George Vogel before informing Branden Frantz, Channel 5’s president and general manager. In October 2018, Sheree put her six-bedroom Edgewood home on the market, preparing to move to Mason, where Mike’s son was a stand-out high school athlete.

The Proposal: Mike proposed to Sheree on The Banks, with one of her favorite city landmarks—the Roebling Suspension Bridge—in the background. They announced their engagement on January 4, 2019, with social media posts headlined “CO-ANCHORS FOR LIFE.”

“I feel like I’ve gotten a second chance. Who knew the man I was looking for had been sitting next to me the whole time,” Sheree wrote.

May 2019 Wedding: The couple married in May 2019 in a ceremony at Mount Adams. They became the first married anchor couple in Cincinnati television history, according to local media observers.

Beautifully Blended Family: Five Children Total

After their 2019 marriage, Sheree moved to Mason, where Mike had lived for many years. The couple created a beautifully blended family with five children total:

Sheree’s Three Sons (from first marriage to Kyle):

• Chayse
• Cameron (turned 17 in late July 2024)
• Connor

Mike’s Two Children (from his previous marriage):

• A son (who was a high school athlete in Mason)
• A daughter (who attended Miami University; now lives with her mother)

Pets: The household also includes three dogs and one cat. Mike jokes that he made Sheree downsize because they used to have even more pets.

“I think we realized that even if someone said, ‘You could double your pay and go wherever you want,’ both of us would stay here because we love being a part of this community,” Sheree explained about their decision to build their life together in Cincinnati.

Sheree Paolello Salary: What Does She Earn?

Sheree Paolello’s salary is estimated at approximately $89,700 annually, according to multiple sources. However, salary estimates vary:

• Some sources cite a range of $20,000-$55,000
• Others estimate $24,292-$72,507
• Industry averages for Cincinnati news anchors: $60,903-$65,411

Given Sheree’s 23+ years at WLWT, her Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards, and her status as a lead anchor for three daily newscasts, her actual salary likely falls in the upper range of these estimates, around $80,000-$90,000 annually.

First Job Contrast: This represents a dramatic increase from her first journalism job at FOX19, where she earned just $14,000 per year ($12,000 according to some sources)—a salary so low she needed a second job bartending to survive.

Her net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through decades of work, smart financial management, and real estate investments (including the sale of her six-bedroom Edgewood home).

Social Media Presence: Connecting with Cincinn ati

Sheree Paolello maintains an active social media presence, using platforms to connect with viewers and share both professional and personal moments.

Official Social Media Accounts:

• Twitter/X: @ShereeWLWT — Approximately 34,100 followers, 3,255 following. Joined November 2013. Her bio reads: “Cincinnati girl, Mom, Animal Lover, News Junkie, Emmy & Edward R. Murrow award-winning Anchor. Links/RTs aren’t endorsements. Opinions are my own.” Born September 7. She shares breaking news, community stories, sports updates (especially Bengals), and personal moments.
• Facebook: Over 47,000 followers. Active engagement with the Cincinnati community, sharing WLWT news content, and interacting with viewers.
• Instagram: @shereepaolello — Approximately 4,800+ followers. Shares family moments, behind-the-scenes newsroom content, and community involvement.

Sheree’s social media strategy balances professional journalism with personal authenticity, allowing viewers to see both the anchor and the person behind the news desk.

Personal Interests and Hobbies

Animal Lover: Sheree is passionate about animals. “If I weren’t a reporter or an anchor, I would be a veterinarian or a vet tech. I still want to do that when I’m out of this business,” she revealed. Her household’s three dogs and one cat reflect this love.

Fitness Enthusiast: She enjoys going for jogs with her golden retriever, using running to stay in shape and maintain healthy energy levels.

Skyline Chili Fanatic: “When someone says Cincinnati, the first thing I think of is Skyline Chili,” Sheree said. Her favorite order? A 4-way with beans and a chili cheese sandwich without mustard and onions.

Coffee Addict: Sheree is a big fanatic of coffee. When she needs alone time, she goes to a nearby Starbucks to enjoy a Skinny Vanilla Latte while reading the newspaper.

Diehard Bengals Fan: Sheree is deeply passionate about Cincinnati Bengals football, frequently posting about games and celebrating (or commiserating) with fellow fans on social media.

Low-Key Lifestyle: “I’m not a fan of dressing up too much and instead prefer low-key days at home with my family,” Sheree mentioned in an interview.

Community Involvement and Charity Work

Beyond anchoring, Sheree actively participates in Cincinnati’s community life:

• Loves volunteering and helping local charities raise money
• Regularly emcees events, including NKU Alumni Awards
• Gets out in the community whenever possible
• Uses her platform to highlight important local issues
• Advocates for schools, safety, and politics affecting Cincinnati residents

“One of the things I enjoy most is getting out in the community,” Sheree explains. Her visibility at charity events, school functions, and community gatherings has made her a familiar face beyond the newsroom.

Journalism Philosophy: Still a Reporter at Heart

“I pride myself on being still a journalist at heart. I’m very involved in our shows and the editorial process,” Sheree emphasizes. Despite changes brought by the internet and 24-hour news cycle, she and her colleagues “still fight for stories, people and issues that we believe in and uncover criminal or corrupt activity that would otherwise go unreported.”

Mentorship Role: Beyond anchoring, Sheree is known for mentoring new colleagues regardless of experience level. “She would never ask anybody to do something that she wouldn’t do,” said WLWT News Director Jeff Benscoter. “She’ll help [new reporters] get settled. If they have questions, she will answer them.”

Building Trust: Benscoter noted that while many journalists move from city to city, Sheree recognized early on the power of building trust in one place. “Sheree could work anywhere. She could work in any city, but she chooses to work here.”

FAQs About Sheree Paolello

Who is Sheree Paolello?
Sheree Paolello is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning news anchor at WLWT News 5 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She anchors the 5 pm, 6 pm, and 11 pm newscasts alongside her husband, Mike Dardis. She has been with WLWT since 2002 (23+ years) and is sometimes called the “Queen of Cincinnati” for her popularity and longevity.

How old is Sheree Paolello?
Sheree Paolello is 43 years old as of 2025 (based on a 1982 birth year, though some sources cite 1975). She was born on September 7 and celebrates her birthday annually on that date. Her zodiac sign is Virgo.

Who was Sheree Paolello’s first husband?
Sheree Paolello’s first husband was a man named Kyle, whom she met in Ohio. Together, they had three sons: Chayse, Cameron, and Connor. While she initially wasn’t sure the relationship would last, given her career commitment, they married and remained together for several years before divorcing. Sheree has kept details about Kyle and their divorce private.

What happened to Sheree Paolello’s first husband, Kyle?
The details of what happened to Sheree Paolello’s first husband, Kyle, remain private. The couple divorced at some point before Sheree began dating Mike Dardis in late 2017. The divorce appears to have been amicable with no public controversy. Sheree has deliberately kept information about her first marriage and ex-husband out of the public eye to protect her family’s privacy.

Who is Sheree Paolello married to now?
Sheree is married to Mike Dardis, her co-anchor at WLWT. They got engaged in December 2018 and married in May 2019. They are the first married anchor couple in Cincinnati television history and continue anchoring together daily.

What is Sheree Paolello’s salary?
Sheree Paolello’s estimated annual salary is approximately $89,700, though estimates vary from $60,000-$90,000 based on her experience, awards, and position as lead anchor for three daily newscasts.

How many children does Sheree Paolello have?
Sheree has three sons from her first marriage to Kyle: Chayse, Cameron (born 2007), and Connor. After marrying Mike Dardis in 2019, she became stepmother to his two children, creating a blended family of five children total.

How tall is Sheree Paolello?
Sheree Paolello is 5 feet 0 inches tall (153 cm). She has revealed that she stands on a box every night during broadcasts to appear taller on camera—a behind-the-scenes secret most viewers don’t know.

What awards has Sheree Paolello won?
Sheree has won an Emmy Award for Best Newscast (2018), an Emmy for Best Anchor (2020), and an Edward R. Murrow Award with Mike Dardis (2019) for their investigative series on a fugitive doctor. She was also voted “Best TV Anchor” by Cincinnati CityBeat readers in 2023.