Sydney Hawkins
Multimedia Journalist
Memphis, TN
Sydney Hawkins joined the Action News 5 team as a Morning Reporter in July 2022.
Before moving to Memphis, Sydney worked as an anchor and reporter for our sister station in Wausau, Wis., the CBS and FOX affiliate, WSAW/WZAW. In Wausau, Sydney covered a wide-range of stories from court to agriculture, statewide COVID-19 and vaccine response and more. She also spearheaded a series called ‘Cultural Conversations,’ where she shared untold, forgotten or new stories of the people and programs established to diversify the north central Wisconsin area.
Sydney grew up in Tennessee, with ties to the Jackson and Nashville areas, and she is grateful to be home! She is an Austin Peay State University alumna, where she studied broadcast media and political science.
When not at work, Sydney spends her time watching local news stations across the country, reading or doing yoga. She enjoys a good meal and trying new experiences, so feel free to share your favorite eatery with her.
You can also send story ideas to Sydney at sydney.hawkins@wmctv.com.
Health officials across the Mid-South warn people to be aware of the health concerns that come with winter weather.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Senior Services Bureau went to do wellness checks across the county last Friday.
The Missisippi Department of Transportation officials say that 49 counties have iced roadways and new ice that fell over Monday night and this is on top of ice that fell on Sunday night.
Oxford Police and Lafayette County Emergency Management are asking people to stay home unless they necessarily have to get out.
As our First-Alert Meteorologists track the bitterly cold weather that’s on the way Friday morning, here are a few tips to save money.
Memphis Shelby County Schools leaders request ‘collective action’ to combat violence seen across greater-Memphis area.
Martin Luther King Junior Day is approaching with multiple opportunities to give back across the greater Memphis area.
The Memphis City Council met Tuesday for their first meeting of the year, with the agenda set to approve or deny Mayor Paul Young’s administrative appointments.
People from across the world gathered at Graceland Monday to honor Elvis Presley’s 89th birthday.
The future of the Bartlett Recreation Center is up for discussion this week, with city leaders wanting to hear from residents about their proposal.
Regional One Hospital staff confirmed to Action News 5 they are seeing a capacity problem amid cold and flu season, while other Mid-South healthcare systems are stretched thin.
A Shelby County judge determined a Memphis man will face trial for rape and kidnapping charges in Shelby County.
People across Memphis remember late senior advocate Ruth Tate and her impact on the Bluff City.
Memphis-Mayor Elect Paul Young is celebrating Memphians and the Bluff City the weekend before being sworn in as the city’s newest mayor.
Tonight, Shelby County deputies say they have a solution to curb crime that plagues the larger Memphis area, and it involves help from you.
The 65th AutoZone Liberty Bowl returns to Memphis Friday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County is helping to rehabilitate a dog that was brought to staff there, reportedly beaten in Memphis.
Memphis International Airport staff are preparing to accommodate tens of thousands of passengers.
The Arc Mid-South is honoring First Alert Chief Meteorologist Ron Childers with a program renaming.
The future of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will be up for another round of discussion on Tuesday.
We are officially two weeks away from Memphis Mayor-Elect Paul Young being sworn in as the new leader of the Bluff City.
Many teachers within Memphis-Shelby County Schools are not working in their classroom alone, and district leaders attribute recent academic gains to the special aids.
In an effort to get violent criminals off the streets of Shelby County, federal prosecutors are sharing details into joint efforts with Memphis-area law enforcement.
Mulry says at least 12 people were arrested recently for their roles in overnight smash and grabs across the county.
Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education leaders stopped in Memphis Tuesday to share their annual education repor
Memphis and Bartlett Police Departments are investigating a burglary and vandalism at two GameStop locations that are possibly connected.
More than 15,000 packages are projected to be handled by FedEx staff in Memphis this holiday season.
The case involving the former Memphis police officers charged with murdering Tyre Nichols is making progress in Shelby County Court.
Two of the Shelby County corrections deputies charged in the death of Gershun Freeman last year are now accused of assaulting another inmate just eight days before Freeman died.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen provided an update to Shelby County Commission on Wednesday ahead of the start of winter.
Leaders ranging from the city to federal law enforcement say combatting crime is something they’re working to do.
The initiative is called Operation Warm Hearts.
Another Midtown short-term rental owner was concerned after Memphis police responded to a house party there and found guns and drugs.
The Better Business Bureau is warning people to be aware of online shopping sales amid a busy holiday season.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office needs at least 375 corrections deputies to have a fully staffed jail system.
A busy day for our nation’s roads and airports ahead of Thanksgiving Thursday.
Feed the Needy’s annual Thanksgiving food giveaway is back beginning Tuesday morning.
A security and training business in Bartlett offers free self-defense classes for women in response to violent crimes.
The Shelby County judge presiding over Cleotha Henderson’s rape and murder cases will rule on a motion to move the rape case to a Davidson County courtroom in January.
Thursday’s run-off election will solidify council members for Districts two, three, and seven.
Mother charged in death of Sequoia Samuels appears in court pregnant
The street had been closed to accommodate construction at Tom Lee Park and was set to reopen by July 1.
Alpha Omega Veterans Services, the longtime Memphis-area veterans services nonprofit, opened the Cordell Walker Veterans Center on Friday.
The family of the man who was stabbed to death at the Shelby County Jail will say their final goodbyes.
The team currently plays at the vacant Vance Middle School lot, owned and operated by Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). MICR leaders are looking to enhance the lot by adding more rugby playing field features, a plumbing system, and more.
A big day for Lakeland as a longtime business is set to be demolished on Thursday.
COGIC’s convocation made its return to Memphis in 2022 after an 11-year absence where they were in St. Louis.
After serving 25 years of his 162-year prison sentence, Courtney Anderson was given a second chance in December 2022. But he didn’t know that 10 months after being freed, he would be facing the same decades-long sentence. Now, the NAACP Memphis branch and other organizations are rallying behind Anderson in support of his freedom.
The men will be in Shelby County Court Monday morning to address the state charges they face in this investigation.
Hundreds of Pre-K through fifth-grade students at William H. Brewster Elementary School received brand new coats Thursday, in a FedEx Cares giveaway.
