Judi Gatson graduated from Indiana University - Purdue University and landed her first broadcasting job as a reporter in Columbia, S.C. for WIS News Radio 1320AM in 1995. She soon moved into a career at WIS-TV.
During her tenure at WIS, Gatson has worked as a general assignment television reporter, weekend anchor, and anchor of WIS Sunrise. As anchor of WIS News at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Gatson reports on and anchors some of the biggest stories around the state. An award-winning journalist on topics ranging from education to consumer issues, Gatson has moderated statewide gubernatorial debates and interviewed influential politicians and newsmakers.
Among her many honors and awards, Gatson has been named Anchor of the Year by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association; Military Advocate of the Year by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce for her work with the station’s “Year of the Veteran” series and her support of South Carolina’s military community; Anchor of the Year by the KISS 103.1FM Columbia Neighborhood Awards; Reporter of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Health, South Carolina (NAMI); Champion for Children by Healthy Learners; and Outstanding Professional in Support of Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals SC, Central Carolina Chapter.
As co-anchor of WIS News at 6, Gatson has been recognized with numerous nominations for her anchoring and reporting and has won five Emmy awards for best newscast.
Gatson’s heavy involvement in the community includes serving on the boards of Healthy Learners, Palmetto Center for Women, and United Way’s Palmetto Society. She also speaks at many schools and community events and enjoys making regular visits to mentor teenage girls in the transition program at the Department of Juvenile Justice. Gatson is married to Dwayne Gatson, who served 22 years in the military and retired as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. They have two sons, Aidan Kash and Nicholas Jax. The Gatsons are active members of Brookland Baptist Church.
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