NORFOLK, Va. — 13News Now's Dana Smith is moving to a new -- but still familiar -- role. The reporter and weekend anchor will now join Dan Kennedy on 13News Now's weeknight newscasts!
Dana has filled in on some evening newscasts in recent months, and on Monday announced she would be joining the evening team, permanently, starting immediately. She will be co-anchoring the 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts alongside Dan.
Dana takes over the position previously held by Nicole Livas, who left 13News Now last November.
"Some of you may already be familiar with me," she said in making the announcement at 13News Now at 5:30 on Monday. "I've been a part of the Hampton Roads community for five years now and I've done just about every shift and every show during my time at 13News Now. I will certainly miss the incredible Daybreak weekend team but I am so honored to step into this role and work alongside the talented Dan Kennedy and Tim Pandajis."
Dana has been anchoring Daybreak on Saturday and Sunday mornings since 2019. Additionally, she's been a part of the 13News Now team as a breaking news reporter, covering many local high-profile stories such as the Richneck Elementary School shooting, the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake mass shootings, and several hurricanes and tropical storm systems that routinely brush Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks.
She's also covered housing issues like the Tidewater Gardens redevelopment, rising rental prices, and the Navy Federal mortgage "disparities" controversy. She's taken part in 13News Now's annual "Holiday Salute" broadcast tribute to our Armed Forces.
"As always, you can count on me to focus on kindness, empathy, accuracy, and honesty, as I report on our community's stories," Dana said in her announcement. "Thanks so much for having me."
13New Now's Janet Roach will still be anchoring the 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows.