Melissa Holmes Biography
Melissa Holmes is an American journalist working for WGRZ as a co-anchor of Daybreak from 4:30 to 7:00 a.m. on weekday mornings. Also, she celebrates Western New York in her “Good Neighbors” series. She joined the station in January 2012 and has served the station for more than a decade. Previously, she worked as a weekday anchor of Wake-Up! on CW23 WNLO from 7 to 9 a.m. for 6 years.
Melissa Holmes Education
Holmes joined Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in 2000 after finishing her studies at Sweet Home High School. In 2004, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism.
During college, Holmes was involved with the Communications Honor Society, Kappa Tau Alpha, Golden Key International Honor Society, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Also, she studied abroad in London and traveled Europe while working in the “War Room” at Sky News.
Melissa Holmes Career
Holmes works for WGRZ as a co-anchor of Daybreak from 4:30 to 7:00 a.m. on weekday mornings. Also, she celebrates Western New York in her “Good Neighbors” series. She holds pride in being part of the Channel 2 News team and standing up for Western New Yorkers.
During her time in Western New York, Holmes has broadcast stories that have affected people in the region, including the Christmas Blizzard of 2022, the search for Ralph “Bucky” Phillips, the Surprise October Storm, the 5/14 Tops mass shooting, the Crash of Flight 3407, the “Snowvember” Storm in 2014, and the arrest and sentencing of the Bikepath Rapist.
Since Buffalo is known as the “City of Good Neighbors,” Holmes is thrilled to spotlight the people and organizations that help the city live up to its name in her “Good Neighbors” and “Selfless Among Us” series. Further, she produces, shoots, writes, and edits the shows.
Holmes started her journalism career after graduating from college at WTVH-5 in Syracuse as a producer. She then joined WSYR-9, where she served as a reporter and anchor. In 2005, she joined WIVB/WNLO in Buffalo, where she worked as a weekday anchor of Wake-Up! on CW23 WNLO from 7 to 9 a.m. for 6 years.
Holmes has won several awards during her career, including a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award in 2018 for her report “Under the Helmet.” Under the Helmet followed the story of a Super Bowl-winning NFL player who fought mental illness and the stigma surrounding it. That story also earned her first place for Public Service with the New York State Associated Press awards.
Holmes has received three New York State Emmy awards, including for Best Morning Newscast in 2014. The other two awards were for her report about two young leukemia patients who fell in love in 2016 and for her morning reporting during a windstorm in 2009. In 2013, Medaille College granted her its Female News Anchor of the Year Award.
Melissa Holmes Age
Holmes is 43 years old. She was born on 3rd September 1982 in the United States. Holmes celebrates her birthday on September 3rd.
Melissa Holmes Height
Holmes stands at a height of 5 feet 4 inches tall.
Melissa Holmes Family
Holmes grew up in Amherst alongside her parents, Phyllis Palmisano and Warren Holmes. In 2024, Warren was recognized for his 50 years of active service in the North Bailey Vol. Fire Company. On April 21, 2024, she posted a photo of them on her Instagram account and talked about her father being a firefighter, celebrating him for receiving the honor. On May 12, 2024, she wished her mother a Happy Mother’s Day. Even so, she has not disclosed more information about her parents, especially her mother. It is also not known if Holmes has any siblings.
Melissa Holmes Husband
Melissa is married to Jay Skurski, a sports reporter for The Buffalo News. The couple has a son, Elliott Skurski. Elliott was born on 6th March 2014 and is 11 years old. Elliott is ranked among the top young golfers in the world.
Jay was born on January 22, 1982, and is 43 years old as of 2025. On January 22, 2022, Holmes wished Jay a happy 40th birthday via her Facebook account. Whenever she is not working, she enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends. She also enjoys going to the golf course with Elliot, attending dozens of charitable events each year, and visiting Buffalo’s numerous festivals.
Is Melissa Holmes Still Married to Jay Skurski?
There’s no confirmed information regarding whether or not Holmes and Skruski are divorced. However, she has not posted him on her Instagram account for the past 3 years, which may have sparked rumors of their split. She mentioned Jay on her Instagram post on September 3, 2022, and captioned “Jay pulled off a surprise birthday party and I feel so grateful and lucky to be…”
Holmes last posted a photo of them on her Instagram account on April 25, 2022, at a golf course, captioning “Golf tournament season is here! First place in both tournaments for Under Armor Junior Tour Saturday and US Kids Golf Sunday…” Likewise, Jay does not post Holmes on his Facebook account. Even so, we will update this information once details are available to the public.
Melissa Holmes Net Worth
Holmes has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 Million – $5 Million which she has earned through being a journalist.
Melissa Holmes Salary
Holmes earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.
Melissa Holmes WGRZ
Holmes works at WGRZ where she works alongside other famous WGRZ anchors, reporters, meteorologists, and sports anchors including;
- Adam Benigni
- Rob Hackford
- Liz Lewin
- Maria Genero
- Heather Waldman
- Patrick Hammer
- Kate Welshofer
- Ron Plants
- Claudine Ewing
- Heather Ly
- Kelly Dudzik
- Michael Wooten
- Pete Gallivan
- Scott Levin
The table below answers some of the frequently asked questions about Holmes.
| Who is Holmes? | She is a multi-media journalist |
| Age | Holmes is 43 years old. |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches |
| Spouse | Jay Skurski |
| Salary | $40,000 – $ 110,500 |
| Net Worth | $1 Million – $5 Million |