Niccole Caan

 

Niccole Caan traveled around the world, but couldn't stay away long from the Hooiser state. Niccole graduated with a dual degree in Broadcast Journalism and International Studies from Northwestern University. Afterwards, she began her broadcasting career at Adelphia Cable in Canton, GA, before moving to the ABC/FOX affiliate in Savannah, GA. After exploring the South, she decided to discover the rest of the world by teaching English to high school students in Miyazaki, Japan, with the JET Program. During that time, she traveled to Thailand, China, Europe, Australia, and India. She missed the Midwest after all that globe trotting and returned to her home town of Valparaiso, IN. The broadcasting bug bit again, so she reported for the PBS affiliate in Merrillville, IN, the only broadcast news source devoted only to covering Northwest Indiana. Niccole then joined our sister station, WANE in Fort Wayne, as an education reporter. She came to WLFI in May 2008 as our evening anchor. She is dedicated to delivering News From Where You Live with passion, creativity, and style. She enjoys studying languages, traveling, weight lifting, cooking foreign foods, watching hockey, and SCUBA diving when not pursuing the latest breaking story.

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Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Valparaiso, IN. The best part about Valpo is it's a small town where you really get to know your neighbors. I still have many friends who live there. Plus, it's close to the Indiana Dunes. I spent many days there exploring and just enjoying that natural wonder. It's also where my husband took me on our first date.

What college did you attend?

Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. I have a degree both in Broadcast Journalism and International Relations.

What was your very first job?

I worked at a dry cleaners, taking in clothes, sorting them, and making sure they got back to the right people.

What is your favorite movie?

Casablanca. There's nothing like an old Hollywood flick set in a foreign country juxtaposing a love triangle with a world war. It gives a magical flavor to the past partially because it's set in one of Morocco's most infamous watering holes, Rick's Cafe Americain.

What is your favorite dessert?

There's no way to pick just one. I have a big sweet tooth and simply can't choose between ice cream, cookies, brownies, or my grandmother's chocolate cake.

What type of radio station do you listen to?

Usually talk radio, but I do occassionally like to scan and see if I can find any 80's music.

What you most like to do in your free time?

If I could, I would be surfing or SCUBA diving everyday, but since that's not an option, I enjoy weight lifting, planning foreign trips, sending time with friends and family, trying new recipes, going out to dinner when they don't work, and reading fiction.

If you could meet any person, dead or alive, who would it be?

The Dalai Lama. He's been exiled to another country and watched the human rights of his people abused, but he still preaches a doctrine of acceptance, compassion, religious tolerance, and humility.

Your favorite sport to play?

I enjoy doing karate. I studied it in Japan for two years and like the strategy used to not overpower your opponent, but out think him.

Your favorite sport to watch?

Hockey. There's nothing more exciting then feeling the coolness of the ice on your face, hearing the roar of the crowd, and listening to the puck clink against the sticks.

How much sleep do you need?

I can function on four hours of sleep, barely.

How much sleep do you get?

Usually between six and eight hours depending on how busy I am.

Has any moment in television / reporting history influenced you?

I remember watching the first Gulf war unfold on television. I would watch CNN for hours and see the reporters out in the field with air sirens going off in the background. I knew then that's what I wanted to be doing--updating people on the latest breaking developments so they can be informed to make the best decisions.

Which holiday do you get into the most?

Halloween. You get to be anyone or anything for the day. I enjoy coming up with creative options. I've been a granny smith apple, Cleopatra, and a tourist. It's great fun putting a costume together with just items you already own. Plus, you get all types of candy!

What did your first day in news / TV teach you about the business?

That it's the most fun way to earn a living. I really enjoy that I get to meet a lot of different people, experience many things, and get paid for it.

Your most memorable moment at WLFI?

My first newscast behind the anchor desk instead of out in the field as a reporter.

Saying or motto you live by:

An old Japanese saying: A smile is international. It's something everyone understands and a similarity we each have in common no matter what language we speak.