Tram Mai 12News: Biography, Age, Husband, Ethnicity & Career

Tram Mai: Emmy-Winning 12News Phoenix Anchor & Reporter Biography

Tram Mai is an Emmy Award-winning Vietnamese-American journalist and anchor based in Phoenix, Arizona. A trusted face at 12News (KPNX-TV, NBC affiliate) for more than two decades, she has become a key figure in local broadcasting. At the station, Tram anchors 12News at Noon, First @ 4, and the 12 @ 12 multi-platform show, while also contributing reports across all 12News platforms.

Early Life and Education

• Tram Mai was born in Saigon, Vietnam.

• When she was one year old, she and her family fled Vietnam on the last plane out before the country fell to the Communists.

• She took her first steps at a refugee camp at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

• Her family eventually settled in Southern California, where she was raised.

• She graduated from UCLA with a major in communication studies and a minor in Asian American Studies.

Career

• Mai began her career in 1995 as a production assistant at KABC in Los Angeles.

• She then worked as a reporter at WOFL in Orlando, Florida, and CFN-13 in Florida.

• She moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she worked as a reporter and weekend anchor for three years.

• Tram Mai joined KPNX-12 in Phoenix in 2003 and has been a prominent fixture in the Valley’s news landscape ever since.

• She anchors the multi-platform noon show “12 @ 12” and “First @ 4,” and also reports for all 12NEWS shows and platforms.

• Over her career, she has covered major stories, including the death of Senator John McCain and Arizona’s historic “Red for Ed” teacher walkout. She has also co-hosted with Regis Philbin and covered the red carpet at the Emmy Awards.

Awards and Recognition

• Tram Mai has won Emmy Awards for her work as both an anchor and reporter.

• She has also been nominated for several other Emmys and has won a Casey Award and awards from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalism.

Personal Life

Tram Mai Age, Ethnicity

Tram Mai was born on February 5, 1974, making her 50 years old. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius. She is of Vietnamese ethnicity, born in Saigon, Vietnam, and later raised in Southern California, which shaped her American nationality and upbringing.

Tram Mai Parents and Siblings

Tram Mai was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and fled the country with her family as refugees on the last plane out before the communists took over in April 1975 when she was one year old.

She was raised in Southern California, where her family resettled, and she has spoken about her mother’s sacrifices as a refugee during the Vietnam War as a major inspiration in her life.

Mai has siblings, including brothers born within a five-year span of each other, though specific details about her parents’ names or additional siblings are not extensively detailed in public sources.

Tram Mai Husband

Tram Mai has been married to her husband, Stephen Kraus (also known as Steve Kraus), since March 29, 2008, marking over 17 years of marriage as of 2025; they have been together for more than 23 years total and share twins named Zoey and Zakary, along with a golden retriever named Pressley Ann. Stephen is the owner of Press Coffee Roasters, which Mai co-founded.

Steve isn’t just a coffee entrepreneur—he’s also known for being a hands-on and caring partner. He often shares Tram’s passion for cooking and helps out with the kids whenever Tram’s work demands her attention. Their relationship seems to thrive on mutual support and shared interests, especially around food, family, and travel.

Tram Mai Height

Tram Mai stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm), with an estimated weight of around 125-150 lbs (57-68 kg).

Estimated Physical Profile

Tram Mai 12News – Career Timeline

Early Career Beginnings (1995–1999)

Tram Mai entered the world of journalism in 1995 as a production assistant at KABC-TV in Los Angeles, gaining essential behind-the-scenes experience in a top media market.

In 1997, she transitioned into her first on-air role as a reporter at WOFL-TV in Orlando, Florida, working from the Gainesville bureau. Just a year later, she joined Central Florida News 13 (CFN-13) in Volusia County, where she built her field reporting skills while covering hurricanes and other breaking stories.

Growth in Columbus, Ohio (1999–2003)

By 1999, Mai advanced to WSYX/WTTE-TV in Columbus, Ohio, serving as both a reporter and weekend anchor. Her coverage of major events, including tornadoes across the region, earned recognition from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists. The three years she spent there solidified her reputation as a reliable and versatile anchor.

Defining Years at 12News (2003–Present)

In January 2003, Tram Mai joined 12News (KPNX-TV, NBC affiliate) in Phoenix, Arizona, marking the beginning of her long-standing career at the station. Over more than two decades, she has become one of its most familiar and trusted journalists.

• Early Roles: Co-anchored 12 News Today until 2010.

• Lifestyle Hosting: Took on 12 News Valley Dish, a program highlighting food and culture.

• Current Roles: Anchors 12News at Noon, First @ 4 (weekdays 4–5 p.m., alongside Mike Gonzalez), and 12 @ 12, a multi-platform noon newscast delivering 12 minutes of uninterrupted news.

Major Coverage & Reporting Highlights

Throughout her career, Mai has reported on some of Arizona’s and the nation’s biggest stories, including:

• Arizona wildfires

• The death of Senator John McCain

• The “Red for Ed” teacher walkout

• Immigration challenges at the U.S.–Mexico border

• Florida hurricanes and Ohio tornadoes (during her early career)

• The Arizona Cardinals’ 2009 Super Bowl appearance in Tampa, Florida

She has also brought lighter, high-profile moments to viewers, such as co-hosting with Regis Philbin, interviewing celebrities, and covering the Emmy Awards red carpet in Los Angeles.

Awards & Recognition

Mai’s work has earned her multiple Emmy Awards for both reporting and anchoring. In 2023, 12News celebrated her 20 years at the station, paying tribute to her enduring contributions to local journalism and her role as a trusted community voice.

Career at a Glance

Tram Mai Net Worth and Salary

Tram Mai, an Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter for 12News (KPNX-TV) in Phoenix, Arizona, has built a journalism career spanning nearly three decades. While she has not disclosed her personal financial details publicly, industry estimates provide a reasonable picture of her earnings and overall wealth.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Tram Mai’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million. The bulk of her income comes from her long-standing role as a news anchor, where she has worked at 12News since 2003. Her financial portfolio is further strengthened by her role as co-founder of Press Coffee Roasters, a well-known Phoenix-based coffee chain she runs with her husband, Stephen Kraus.

Her wealth reflects over 22 years of anchoring at 12News, multiple Emmy Awards for reporting and anchoring, and coverage of major stories such as the “Red for Ed” teacher protests, the passing of Senator John McCain, and natural disasters including Florida hurricanes and Arizona wildfires. While these figures remain speculative—since Mai has not shared exact details—they align with the expected net worth of veteran anchors in mid-sized markets like Phoenix.

Salary

Tram Mai’s current salary as a midday anchor at 12News—where she leads the Noon Newscast, 12 @ 12, and First @ 4 (weekdays, 4–5 p.m.)—is estimated to range between $75,000 and $110,500 annually.

This estimate is consistent with compensation for experienced anchors at NBC affiliates in comparable markets, factoring in her seniority and decades of service. Earlier projections (2022–2024) placed her salary in the $72,000–$100,000 range, but adjustments for inflation, cost-of-living increases in Arizona, and her continued contributions suggest a higher bracket in 2025.

It is also possible that Mai’s exact pay varies depending on bonuses, additional projects, or her involvement in the family’s coffee business. Like many in the industry, her salary details are not publicly disclosed and should be viewed as informed estimates rather than confirmed figures.

Is Tram Mai Married?

Yes—she is married to Steve Kraus. They are parents to twins, Zakary and Zoey, and share a Golden Retriever named Pressley Ann.

How Old Is Tram Mai?

She is 50 years old, having been born on February 5, 1974.

Is Tram Mai Leaving Channel 12?

No, there is no indication that Tram Mai is leaving Channel 12 (KPNX-TV/12News); she celebrated 22 years at the station in January 2025 and continues to anchor actively, with recent on-air appearances and social media posts confirming her ongoing role as of August 2025.

Where Is Tram Mai?

Tram Mai is currently based in Phoenix, Arizona, where she continues to work as an anchor and reporter for KPNX-TV (12News NBC), with recent professional activities including on-air segments and station milestones as of August 2025.

📌 Tram Mai – Quick Facts & Biography Summary