Byron Tollefson joined Local 10 News as a reporter in July 2025. He comes to South Florida after three and a half years as a general assignment and investigative reporter for WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During that time, he told over a thousand stories across West Michigan, including breaking news, public safety, education, politics and in-depth investigations. Byron was involved in extensive severe weather coverage, reporting on tornadoes in Gaylord and Portage, widespread flooding, dangerous heat waves and massive blizzards and snowstorms. In his reporting, Byron highlighted many residents and businesses picking up the pieces as they dealt with unfathomable damage. His public safety reporting focused on the lasting effects of violent crime on families and the greater community. He also spotlighted issues facing law enforcement, including police staffing shortages due to recruitment challenges. In 2022, he covered many community protests that followed the police killing of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids. He followed the murder case against the former officer charged in the shooting and interviewed Lyoya’s family, city and community leaders as well as the police chief about department reforms. Byron’s coverage of national, state and local elections included many live reports from debates and campaign rallies. He also reported live from the Michigan State Capitol, covering overnight marathon votes and the governor’s State of the State addresses. Byron also contributed to the station’s award-winning Target 8 investigative team and was recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for his reporting. Before that, Byron spent two years as a morning anchor, producer and reporter for KTTC in Rochester, Minnesota. He previously studied broadcast journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. During his education, Byron interned for NBC Nightly News in Los Angeles as well as NBC10 Boston. Byron is thrilled to join a team full of excellent journalists. He fully believes in local journalism and the difference it can make in society and our lives — and he feels truly grateful for the opportunity to tell people’s stories. You can connect with Byron on Facebook and X or send him an email at btollefson@wplg.com Please feel free to introduce yourself if you ever see him around town, and don’t hesitate to share any story ideas!
