Laura Hand
Anchor/Community Affairs Director

lhand@CNYcentral.com

School: Syracuse University
Hometown: Syracuse

Laura Hand anchors Action News Weekend Today in Central New York.

Besides her anchoring duties Laura also produces the 'CNY in Touch' segments and the 'Uniquely Central New York' and 'Action News Archive' series. In addition, Laura is the stations' Community Affairs Director, coordinating public service and community commitments such as "Book Breaks" (a summer reading program), the "Toys for Tots" holiday campaign, job shadows and station tours. She also produces the quarterly updates to the station public file as part of the station’s licensing process.

Laura is a graduate of Syracuse University where she earned degrees in political science and journalism. She has received many community and journalism awards, including the SPCA's Kizey Award in 2009, and induction to the Northeast Community Center Northside Wall of Fame in 2008, and has a plaque on the Syracuse Press Club's Wall of Distinction. She is active on The Salvation Army’s Advisory Board, volunteers time with several area not for profits, and loves to read to children at area schools and libraries.

• Memorable Story: Tully landslide - we were in the mud, watching the state police helicopter pulling homeowners off their roofs
• Memorable Interviews: Nelson Rockefeller - We stretched a microphone cable across his path to stop him to talk. Nancy Reagan - For some reason she was in Hancock Airport and there was no one around. We talked at length!
• Dream Job: I like my current job!
• Role Model: Nancy Dickerson
• Why I'm a Journalist: Because I like to share information, and to help people appreciate all the positives of the community we live in
• College: Syracuse University
• Hometown: "Army Brat"... Lived all over the world growing up
• Current Residence: Syracuse
• Astrological Sign: Aquarius
• Family: Two adult children
• Hobbies: Riding horses. I own a thoroughbred!
• Favorite Musician or Group: Classical and Opera... Gustav Mahler - Resurrection Symphony
• Favorite Book: Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, Allen Drury's Advice and Consent
• Favorite Movie: High Noon, ET, Close Encounters
• Favorite TV Show: Law and Order, House, Star Trek
• Favorite Food: I like to try new things!
• Favorite Destination: The Central New York Countryside