Michael Benny anchors the CBS 5 news at 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m. Before joining CNY Central in 2000, Michael was the morning anchor at WBNG-TV in Binghamton, N.Y. In 2001, he was honored with the Newcomer of the Year Award by the Syracuse Press Club.
Michael has traveled the country covering events such as the 9/11 attacks, space shuttle launches and Syracuse University’s victory in the 2003 NCAA basketball tournament in New Orleans.
Michael grew up in Scotia, N.Y. and earned his bachelor’s degree from American University. He is a proud supporter of the Central New York chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night Walk in downtown Syracuse.
Michael loves living in the city of Syracuse, rooting for Syracuse University’s Men’s Basketball team, and walking his dachshund, Kaiser.
• Memorable Interview: Babe Ruth’s daughter at the Baseball Hall of Fame
• Dream Job: Restaurant/bed & breakfast owner
• Role Model: My grandfather
• Why I'm a Journalist: I failed math miserably: every year, every course
• Astrological Sign: Taurus
• Hobbies: Walking my dog, eating out, being with great people
• Favorite Musician or Group: This changes by the day, whatever is in the top 10, usually catchy for a week, then forgettable
• Favorite Book: "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein
• Favorite Movie: "Clue", which is too silly for words, and "Without a Trace", an old 80’s film with Judd Hirsch and Kate Nelligan – the scene at the end is an over the top, blatant tear jerker, and it works
• Favorite TV Show: "The Muppet Show", love Statler and Waldorf who would make rude comments from the balcony
• Favorite Food: The Italian Sampler from Santangelo’s in Liverpool, best feast in town!
• Favorite Destination: I love the city of Syracuse, love living in the city, walking in the city, can’t imagine working in CNY and living in a suburb.
