Judi Gatson is anchor of WIS News Live at 5 and WIS News at 6. Since joining WIS News in November of 1995, Judi has reported on and anchored live coverage from some of the biggest stories around the state.
Judi is an award-winning journalist on topics ranging from education to social justice. During 2020, Judi was on air for nearly 10 hours anchoring WIS’ live continuous coverage of protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd.
Judi is also a trusted voice in covering critical issues confronting public education in South Carolina. She led WIS’ live coverage when nearly 10,000 teachers and supporters rallied at the State House calling for improved working conditions.
Judi is also known for her smart and insightful political coverage. She received international praise for her skillful performance as moderator of the U. S. Senate debate between incumbent Lindsey Graham and challenger Jamie Harrison. Judi has moderated a number of gubernatorial debates and has conducted numerous in-depth interviews with influential politicians and news makers. Judi also anchored and produced an award-winning documentary on the Confederate Flag exploring the controversy and eventual compromise reached to remove the flag from the South Carolina State House dome. She also covered the Inauguration of President Barack Obama live from the nation’s capital for WIS and our affiliate stations around the country.
In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Judi helped launch, produce and anchor WIS Today. The show replaced the Third Hour of Today after covid concerns forced that program to take a production hiatus. Judi and her team highlighted how the pandemic was affected South Carolina, the impact on first responders and help connect our viewers to critical resources that helped everyone navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic. WIS Today also featured uplifting and inspirational stories that helped build an even more special bond with our viewers.
Among her many honors and awards, Judi has been named Reporter of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Health, South Carolina (NAMI), 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, Champion for Healthy Learners’ children by Healthy Learners and Outstanding Professional in Support of Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals SC, Central Carolina Chapter and Anchor of the Year by the KISS 103.1FM Columbia Neighborhood awards. As co-anchor of WIS News at 6 Judi has been recognized with numerous nominations for her anchoring and reporting and has won three Emmy awards for best newscast.
Judi has a heart for service and devotes much of her community involvement to working with organizations that benefit youth and families. She is an active board member with Homeless No More. Over the years, she’s been honored to also serve on the boards of Healthy Learners, the Palmetto Health South Carolina Cancer Center, Palmetto Center for Women and United Way's Palmetto Society. Judi is a popular keynote speaker at conferences, school, community, and church events.
Judi is married to Dr. Dwayne Gatson, who served 22 years in the military and retired as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. Judi and Dwayne share the blessing of two sons, Aidan Kash and Nicholas Jax. They are active members of Brookland Baptist Church and live in Columbia with their black labs, Shiloh and Storm.
Judi is an award-winning journalist on topics ranging from education to social justice. During 2020, Judi was on air for nearly 10 hours anchoring WIS’ live continuous coverage of protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd.
Judi is also a trusted voice in covering critical issues confronting public education in South Carolina. She led WIS’ live coverage when nearly 10,000 teachers and supporters rallied at the State House calling for improved working conditions.
Judi is also known for her smart and insightful political coverage. She received international praise for her skillful performance as moderator of the U. S. Senate debate between incumbent Lindsey Graham and challenger Jamie Harrison. Judi has moderated a number of gubernatorial debates and has conducted numerous in-depth interviews with influential politicians and news makers. Judi also anchored and produced an award-winning documentary on the Confederate Flag exploring the controversy and eventual compromise reached to remove the flag from the South Carolina State House dome. She also covered the Inauguration of President Barack Obama live from the nation’s capital for WIS and our affiliate stations around the country.
In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Judi helped launch, produce and anchor WIS Today. The show replaced the Third Hour of Today after covid concerns forced that program to take a production hiatus. Judi and her team highlighted how the pandemic was affected South Carolina, the impact on first responders and help connect our viewers to critical resources that helped everyone navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic. WIS Today also featured uplifting and inspirational stories that helped build an even more special bond with our viewers.
Among her many honors and awards, Judi has been named Reporter of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Health, South Carolina (NAMI), 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, Champion for Healthy Learners’ children by Healthy Learners and Outstanding Professional in Support of Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals SC, Central Carolina Chapter and Anchor of the Year by the KISS 103.1FM Columbia Neighborhood awards. As co-anchor of WIS News at 6 Judi has been recognized with numerous nominations for her anchoring and reporting and has won three Emmy awards for best newscast.
Judi has a heart for service and devotes much of her community involvement to working with organizations that benefit youth and families. She is an active board member with Homeless No More. Over the years, she’s been honored to also serve on the boards of Healthy Learners, the Palmetto Health South Carolina Cancer Center, Palmetto Center for Women and United Way's Palmetto Society. Judi is a popular keynote speaker at conferences, school, community, and church events.
Judi is married to Dr. Dwayne Gatson, who served 22 years in the military and retired as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. Judi and Dwayne share the blessing of two sons, Aidan Kash and Nicholas Jax. They are active members of Brookland Baptist Church and live in Columbia with their black labs, Shiloh and Storm.
