-Belle High grad John Brown honored for broadcast excellence, literary work

By Edward Gehlert, Staff Writer

BELLE — Recent accolades in both journalism and authorship have put Belle native John W. Brown back in the spotlight, this time as Florida’s Outstanding News Anchor and Missouri’s Best Local Author.

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Brown, Belle High School class of 1989, is a longtime television anchor, author, inventor and public speaker who was recently named Florida’s Outstanding News Anchor for 2025 by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists. He also received a pair of Emmy Award nominations this year for his anchoring and reporting at FOX 35 Orlando (WOFL-TV), where he serves as the evening news anchor.

In addition to his broadcasting accolades, Brown was recognized as the 2025 Best Local Author in Missouri by Missouri Magazines. He has authored more than a dozen books, including works highlighting the history and culture of both Missouri and Florida, such as 100 Things to Do in Missouri Before You Die, 100 Things to Do in Florida Before You Die, Missouri 365, Missouri Legends, and The Ultimate Missouri Trivia Quiz.

Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Brown lived in more than a dozen cities across the state before graduating from Belle High School, where he earned All-State honors in athletics and set a school record for the mile with a time of 4:29.

He began his college studies at Southwest Baptist University before transferring to East Central College in Union, where he played collegiate basketball and earned an associate degree in pre-medical studies. He completed his undergraduate degree in biology at Central Methodist University in 1994, where his scientific research on electromagnetic fields was published by the Missouri Academy of Science.

Although initially on a pre-med track, Brown pivoted to a career in media. His broadcast career began in 1995 as a radio producer in Miami before moving into television at KSPR in Springfield, Missouri. He later hosted the nationally syndicated morning show “The Daily Buzz,” seen in 150 cities nationwide, and eventually became an anchor and political reporter at KTVI FOX 2 in St. Louis. During his time in Missouri, he also hosted “John Brown’s Mindset,” a politically focused radio talk show on KTRS.

In 2021, Brown was named Best Large Market News Anchor by the Missouri Broadcasters Association. He returned to Florida that same year as evening anchor at FOX 35 Orlando, where he won an Emmy for hosting the special 50 Years of Disney Magic.

Outside the newsroom, Brown is known as the inventor of Bib Magnets, a magnetic system for attaching race bibs. He is also a frequent public speaker and radio contributor.

Brown resides in the Orlando area with his wife, Teresa, and their two children. Despite his national reach, he remains connected to his Missouri roots and Belle upbringing, often referencing his small-town background in public talks and writing.