Erica Finke is thrilled to be an investigative and general assignment reporter in Milwaukee after joining the WISN 12 News team in October 2023.

Before coming to Wisconsin, Erica spent nearly four years as a weekend evening anchor and reporter at WSBT in South Bend, Indiana. She gravitates towards court cases and crime and broke major stories in the Indiana-Michigan area, including the unexpected death of U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and an arrest in the Delphi, Indiana, double murders. Erica spearheaded a monthlong investigative series after deaths and overdoes at Praxis Landmark Recovery rehabilitation center and found out the nationwide company experienced similar incidents in other cities and states.

Unlike many journalists, TV news wasn’t always Erica’s passion. She started out at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying opera, musical theatre and music education before realizing her actual calling was with public speaking and telling people’s stories. While still in college, Erica interned for WAND in Decatur, Illinois, and WTTW, the PBS station in Chicago. She was also an anchor and reporter for the campus TV station.

Erica grew up in Woodstock, Illinois, and frequently visited family in Lake Geneva and attended many concerts at Summerfest. She’s a metalhead and classic music fan, so she’s looking forward to all the incredible bands that come through southeastern Wisconsin.

When she’s not at work, you can find her lifting at the gym, taste testing at local bars and restaurants, and visiting family in Waukesha County.