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Tess Maune has been a steady presence on Tulsa airwaves since joining News On 6 in 2012, blending daily anchoring with a distinctive beat focused on the outdoors. Her reporting ranges from high-profile breaking stories to personal, community-driven features—work that continues to matter as local news outlets seek relevance and trust with audiences across Oklahoma.
Background and career
A native of El Reno, Tess trained in broadcast journalism at Oklahoma State University and began broadcasting while still in college, anchoring both morning and evening newscasts at a small market station. Early stops included reporting and producing in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she helped earn consecutive Associated Press awards for best 10 p.m. newscast.
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She moved back to Oklahoma after experience in several markets and settled into a dual role at News On 6 as an anchor and reporter for the morning newscast. Over more than a decade she has covered complex, sometimes traumatic events as well as lighter community features, building a reputation for clear, approachable storytelling.
Notable coverage
Tess’s portfolio spans major statewide events: courtroom and legal developments, large-scale wildfires, and the aftermath of deadly storms that have shaped Oklahoma’s recent history. Her reporting has placed her at scenes where detailed, careful coverage was essential to viewers seeking reliable information.
- Major assignments: executions, the 2012 Creek County wildfires, and the 2013 Moore tornado aftermath.
- Awards: multiple Tulsa Press Club recognitions, including “Favorite Anchor/Reporter” and honors for social media use.
- Role at station: anchor for 6 in the Morning and the station’s dedicated outdoor reporter.
Those credentials reflect both audience appreciation and a newsroom trust in Tess to handle a range of stories—from urgent breaking news to ongoing human-interest coverage.
Outdoor reporting and personal life
Outside the studio, Tess is widely known for hands-on outdoor work. She hosts an early-morning segment that showcases hunting and fishing photos submitted by viewers and often reports from the field on wildlife and conservation topics.
Her affection for field work goes beyond reporting: Tess spends much of her free time hunting and fishing with her husband and their small dog. She is particularly associated with noodling—hand-fishing for catfish—a hobby she first tried on assignment and later pursued regularly. Her largest documented flathead weighed 52 pounds, a story that helped shape a nickname some viewers still use today.
Her outdoors focus gives her a distinct niche within local journalism: she translates experiences familiar to many Oklahomans into stories that matter for both rural and urban audiences.
Why viewers connect
What sets Tess apart is a conversational on-air style and a willingness to cover both the heavy and the humane. That mix has earned her local accolades and steady viewer engagement.
- Community reach: regular field reporting and daily morning presence.
- Recognition: reader and press-club awards signaling local trust.
- Personal touch: authenticity in stories about everyday Oklahomans and outdoor life.
Whether anchoring morning news or reporting from a riverbank, Tess Maune’s work illustrates how local reporters can combine public-service journalism with culturally rooted beats—keeping community concerns visible and timely.
