Harris Faulkner
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Harris Faulkner – Life, Career, and Notable Voice in American Journalism
Dive deep into the life of Harris Faulkner (born October 13, 1965) — Emmy-winning American journalist, anchor, and author. Explore her biography, career path, books, philosophy, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Harris Kimberley Faulkner is a prominent American television journalist and news anchor known for her poise, authority, and long tenure at Fox News. Since joining the network in 2005, she has anchored high-visibility programs including The Faulkner Focus, Outnumbered, and special town halls. Over the years, she has earned multiple Emmy Awards and has become a respected voice in broadcast journalism. Her career story combines storytelling, faith, perseverance, and a disciplined work ethic.
Early Life and Family
Harris Faulkner was born on October 13, 1965 at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Georgia. Her father, Lieutenant Colonel Bobby R. Harris, was a U.S. Army officer and Army aviator who served multiple tours in Vietnam. Because of her father’s military service, Faulkner’s childhood included periods abroad; she lived in Stuttgart, West Germany, among other postings. Her mother, Shirley Harris, raised the family during these relocations. (Her mother passed away in 2016.)
Growing up in a military household instilled in her values of discipline, adaptability, and respect for service—qualities that later shaped her professional demeanor.
Education and Early Career
Faulkner studied at the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. During or after her studies, she began writing freelance articles—for example, contributing business pieces to LA Weekly (earning about $50 per article). She then entered broadcasting through an internship at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles, handling behind-the-scenes work and gradually learning the ropes of television news.
Moving into local news reporting, she served as reporter and anchor for WNCT-TV in Greenville, North Carolina. From 1992 to 2000, Faulkner anchored the evening newscasts at WDAF-TV (Kansas City). Subsequently, she joined KSTP-TV in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul market, anchoring there until 2004.
During her time in local news, she earned regional Emmy Awards, including for Best Anchor and Best News Special.
National Career & Rise at Fox News
Faulkner joined Fox News Channel in 2005. Early roles included serving as a correspondent on the revival of A Current Affair (which was later canceled).
She anchored Fox Report Weekend (2011–2017), which was her first solo network newscast. In 2014, she became one of the cohosts of Outnumbered, a daytime Fox News discussion show. Later she took on Outnumbered Overtime (more news-centric). In 2021, Faulkner launched The Faulkner Focus, a daytime show where she handles interviews, breaking news, and analysis. She also hosts a primetime franchise: Town Hall America with Harris Faulkner, which features discussion, interviews, and viewer interaction. In June 2023, after the departure of Tucker Carlson, she guest-hosted Fox News Tonight. In 2025, she was announced as host of America’s Most Wanted: Missing Persons, a spinoff series.
Over her national career she has covered major national events, moderated panels, and anchored breaking news coverage.
Achievements, Awards & Authorship
Faulkner is a six-time Emmy Award winner, including honors for Best Newscaster and Best News Special. Early in her career, while at regional stations, she won regional Emmys. She also received the Amelia Earhart Pioneering Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998 for her humanitarian efforts. In 2025, she was honored by Southern University with a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and Lifetime Achievement.
In addition to her broadcasting work, Faulkner is an author.
Her books include:
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Breaking News: God Has a Plan – An Anchorwoman’s Journey Through Faith (1999)
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9 Rules of Engagement: A Military Brat’s Guide to Life and Success (2018)
Style, Personality & Professional Philosophy
Faulkner is widely regarded for her measured presence, calm delivery, and ability to moderate discussion across ideological lines. Her background as a “military brat” and her faith inform her composure and values.
She has emphasized the importance of integrity, discipline, and preparation in journalism.
Faulkner also speaks openly about the challenges of balancing a public career with family and remaining grounded.
Notably, in 2015 she sued Hasbro for $5 million, claiming a “Harris Faulkner” plastic hamster in its Littlest Pet Shop line used her name and likeness without authorization. The case was settled in 2016.
Selected Quotes
Here are a few statements and sentiments attributed to Harris Faulkner that reflect her views on journalism, faith, and life:
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“Breaking News: God Has a Plan — An Anchorwoman’s Journey Through Faith.” — the subtitle of one of her memoirs, which conveys how her faith has been a guide.
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From 9 Rules of Engagement, her military-brat-inspired life lessons echo in her advice on discipline, respect, and resilience.
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While guest-hosting Fox News Tonight in 2023, she made remarks about religion and identity that sparked public reaction — indicating her willingness to bring personal convictions into public discourse.
Because much of her public speaking is through broadcasts rather than published aphorisms, many of her most artful lines are in transcripts or broadcast moments rather than in quote compilations.
Lessons & Takeaways
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Anchoring credibility over time
Faulkner’s steady ascent from local news to national shows demonstrates the value of consistency, professionalism, and adaptability. -
Balancing conviction with fairness
She brings her faith and values into her work but aims to moderate across viewpoints—a vital skill in today’s polarized media environment. -
Lifelong learning and growth
From writing freelance pieces to anchoring primetime shows, her trajectory is marked by incremental growth and seizing opportunities. -
Integrity to one’s name
Her lawsuit over misuse of her name signals the importance she places on reputation, identity, and personal brand. -
Voice as service
Her work shows how journalism isn’t just about reporting facts—but about giving voice to communities, keeping civic discourse alive, and modeling civility.
Conclusion
Harris Faulkner has become a distinguished presence in American broadcast journalism. With roots in disciplined upbringing, early reporting roles, and an authorial voice, she has navigated a complex media landscape with credibility and clarity. Her career underscores that journalism is both craft and calling—and that a consistent, principled voice can endure.