Erin Simonek is the co-anchor of 21 News 11 P.M. and a nightside multimedia journalist.

She joined the 21 News team in May 2020 as a multimedia journalist and stepped into the 11 P.M. weekday anchor position in January 2021.

Erin writes, shoots, and edits her stories daily before joining Derek Steyer on the 11 P.M. anchor desk every weeknight. 

While starting her career extensively covering the COVID-19 pandemic, Erin has interviewed local and national political figures including Donald Trump Jr., J.D. Vance, Ben Carson, Mike DeWine, and Tim Ryan. She was one of the first reporters at the site of the East Palestine toxic train derailment and has widely reported on its continuing developments. Erin has appeared on several national broadcasts, including NBC News NOW with Hallie Jackson. 
 
Prior to joining the WFMJ family, she worked as an assignment editor, digital content producer, and investigative intern for Cleveland 19 News during her junior and senior years of college.
 

Erin graduated Cum Laude from Kent State University's School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a B.S. in broadcast journalism and a minor in public relations in May 2020. She was heavily involved in Kent State's award-winning television station, TV2, as an anchor, reporter, weather anchor, producer, and digital content producer throughout her four years in the program. She became News Director of the station her senior year, where she managed 200+ student journalists.

Upon graduation, Erin was awarded the Carol Costello Award for excellence in journalism for her time spent in TV2.

Erin is from North Royalton, Ohio. Her passion for storytelling started early on, with her two favorite classes being 'Journalism' and 'Broadcasting' at North Royalton High School.

When she's not busy working in a newsroom or out on a story, Erin enjoys traveling, cooking, practicing yoga, eating out at local restaurants, and spending quality time with her loved ones and miniature dachshund, Louie. 

You can email Erin at [email protected] or find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.