Hanna Battah Biography: FOX 4 News Anchor and Reporter in Dallas-Fort Worth
The Dallas-Fort Worth media landscape is defined by the familiar faces that greet viewers before the sun is fully up. Among them is Hanna Battah, the dynamic anchor and reporter who has become a staple of FOX 4 News (KDFW-TV).
Known for her sharp journalism and genuine on-air presence, Battah is much more than a morning fixture; she is an award-winning storyteller whose career is built on a foundation of diverse experience and a deep commitment to community.
At just 32 years old (born May 6, 1993), Battah has navigated high-stakes breaking news and impactful local features, earning respect from peers and viewers alike. Her journey—from a “chatty” Minnesota kid to a network news contributor—reveals a passion for amplifying voices often missed by mainstream media. This is the story of the woman behind the headlines, detailing her career milestones, rich family background, and life with husband Kevin L. Fleck II.
From “Chatty Kid” to Award-Winning Voice
Hanna Battah’s origin story begins not in a newsroom, but in the snowy Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Growing up in a household with three sisters—Nadia, Anisa, and Leena—in Oakdale, she was an energetic student with a penchant for talking. She often jokes that elementary school teachers frequently scolded her for being too chatty—a trait that, ironically, now defines her profession.
That drive for communication and current events led her to the prestigious University of Missouri-Columbia. She excelled, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science in 2015.
- Early Experience: While in college, Battah didn’t just study; she reported. She covered state politics for radio outlets in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield, proving her ability to chase down tough assignments.
- The Joplin Story: Her reporting on the recovery efforts following the devastating 2011 Joplin tornado, focusing on the students’ return to a new high school, was deeply human and impactful. Her work on the rebuilding earned the esteemed Heart of America Gold Award from the Kansas City Press Club.
Her early career also included a memorable stop in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the ABC-affiliate KITV, where her on-camera charisma earned her the affectionate local title of “Hawaii’s new favorite reporter from the mainland” after a momentarily confused look during a live shot went viral.
Covering the Inferno: From California to DFW
Before landing in Texas, Battah sharpened her skills as a multi-talented anchor and reporter at KBAK/KBFX in Bakersfield, California. This stop demanded versatility—she produced, shot video, and edited her own stories, a testament to her dedication to comprehensive journalism.
A critical point in her career came in 2017 when she covered what was then the largest wildfire in California history in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Working alongside fire crews in full gear, she provided first-hand, immersive reports on the devastation. These high-stakes assignments cemented her reputation as a reporter willing to go the extra mile.
The Rise at FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
Hanna Battah joined KDFW FOX 4 in May 2018 as the weekend morning anchor for Good Day Saturday and Good Day Sunday. Just four months later, her talent earned her a promotion to the weekday team, where she quickly became a crucial part of the morning line-up.
She currently co-anchors the Good Day newscasts from 4–6 a.m. with Shannon Murray and provides in-depth reporting for the 6–10 a.m. segments.
Key Reporting Highlights:
Battah excels at balancing important local news with heartwarming community stories:
- Community Action: A compelling series on homelessness in Dallas that spurred local response and action.
- Texas Heroes: Coverage of the construction of a new home for Juneteenth advocate Opal Lee.
- Conservation Success: Reporting on the hatching of rare gharial crocodiles at the Fort Worth Zoo.
- Network Role: Beyond local DFW news, she also serves as a network news contributor for Fox Corporation.
In a testament to her impact, she was named to HuffPost’s “Top 30 Under 30” Journalists list in 2020 and received the 2021 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award for her feature reporting.
As of 2024-2025, she has also added the role of co-host for The Ten, FOX 4’s late-evening newscast, showcasing her growing importance to the station.
Measured Impact: Coverage That Defined Her Tenure
Battah’s most significant contributions in North Texas often involved powerful narratives that resonated both locally and nationally, demonstrating her ability to blend urgency, history, and profound emotional depth.
Championing History and Civil Rights (The Opal Lee Story)
One defining piece of Battah’s feature reporting focused on Fort Worth icon Opal Lee, famously known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth.”
Lee’s fight to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday was nationally significant, but Battah’s reporting brought the narrative back to a deeply personal, local level.
She reported extensively on the efforts to ensure Opal Lee would soon receive back the land a violent mob took away from her family decades ago.
This coverage showcased Battah’s commitment to stories of historical importance and social justice, linking local resilience to broader themes of American history and equity.
By highlighting the personal triumph of a civil rights leader in her own community, she significantly deepened the station’s relationship with Fort Worth viewers.
Blending Urgency and Emotional Depth (The Firefighter Feature)
Battah’s ability to create powerful, human narratives earned her prestigious recognition from her peers. In 2021, she won a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award for feature reporting.1
The winning story was titled, “From Near-Death to Newborn: Firefighter survives collapse, focused on newborn son”. This feature is a hallmark of her journalistic style, which often finds deep personal recovery and hope within moments of crisis. It connects directly to her earlier high-stakes reporting, such as her work during the California wildfires 1, but focuses on the personal aftermath, recovery, and the emotional stake of survival.
This award, granted by a highly respected state-level industry body, specifically validates her skill in narrative construction and emotional delivery. This recognition affirms her expertise in crafting detailed, moving stories that go beyond basic news facts, strengthening the authority of her reporting.
Conservation and Unique Local Stories
Beyond hard news and human interest features, Battah utilized her platform to highlight unique local achievements, particularly in science and conservation.
She reported on a significant conservation victory at the Fort Worth Zoo: the successful hatching of two critically endangered Gharial crocodiles for the third consecutive year. This event marked the Fort Worth Zoo as the only institution in North America to achieve this milestone repeatedly.
Covering such stories demonstrates the breadth of her interests and further embeds her connection within the DFW community by celebrating unique, positive local contributions to global conservation efforts.
Accolades and Endorsements: Validating the Career
A professional career marked by tenure in competitive markets and challenging roles is often validated by specific industry honors. Hanna Battah’s achievements reflect her ability to perform under pressure across different news genres.
A Track Record of Excellence
Battah is an Emmy Award winner. This award recognized her coverage related to the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory. While she had started her DFW tenure in 2018, this award underscores her ability to contribute effectively to national-level news cycles and high-profile sports events.
Furthermore, she previously won the Heart of America Gold Award from the Kansas City Press Club. This award specifically recognized her reports related to a city’s rebuilding efforts following a deadly event.
Winning awards for both immediate breaking news (Super Bowl coverage) and long-term community recovery (rebuilding reports) demonstrates a highly versatile skill set essential for effective anchoring and investigative journalism.
To establish her Authority and Expertise clearly, the following table summarizes her verified professional achievements:
Hanna Battah: Key Career Milestones and Awards
| Year (Context) | Achievement/Role | Significance |
| 2017 | Coverage of Largest California Wildfire | Demonstrated embedded, high-stakes reporting capability |
| June 2018 | Arrival at FOX 4 DFW | Began 7.5-year tenure in a major U.S. media market |
| 2019 (Context) | Emmy Award Winner | Recognition for major sports/news event coverage |
| 2021 | Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award | Feature reporting excellence for human interest narrative |
| N/A | Heart of America Gold Award (KC Press Club) | Recognition for community recovery and rebuilding narratives |
A Faith-Filled Upbringing: Family, Heritage, and Perspective
One of the most unique aspects of Hanna Battah’s life, and a key to understanding her journalistic drive, is her heritage. She is of mixed Lebanese and Caucasian descent and was raised in a family of six, which includes her mother, Debra, and father, Abdalla Battah.
- A Family of Faith: The Battah family follows Islam, a faith embraced by her father, who is of Lebanese descent, and her mother, who converted before their marriage. Hanna has cited her upbringing, which included encountering anti-Islamic sentiments, as a pivotal force that shaped her desire to use journalism as a platform to amplify silenced voices.
- The Professor’s Influence: Her father, Abdalla Battah, is a political science professor at Minnesota State University (MSU), Mankato. His academic background likely influenced her dual major in political science, emphasizing the importance of understanding the forces that shape public life. The Battah home was known for its supportive environment, encouraging all four daughters to pursue extracurriculars and leadership roles.
Hanna Battah’s Husband: Kevin L. Fleck II
While focused on her demanding career, Battah also shares a life with her husband, Kevin L. Fleck II. The couple, who met through mutual friends in Texas in 2018, maintain a supportive yet low-profile relationship.
- The Proposal: Kevin proposed during a romantic trip to Saint Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean on December 29, 2020.
- The Wedding: Hanna and Kevin officially married on June 3, 2023, in a private family ceremony.
- Kevin’s Career: Kevin L. Fleck II, a Purdue University graduate, is a professional in the construction and engineering industry. He has a strong career with Balfour Beatty Construction, where he works as a Global Mission-Critical Infrastructure Consultant and Superintendent, managing large-scale civil and commercial engineering projects.
The couple balances their very different, high-demand careers—one focused on construction, the other on communication—making their home together in Dallas.
Beyond the Desk: Personal Facts & Figures
When the alarm clock isn’t set for the 4 a.m. Good Day start, Battah embraces the warmer Texas climate. A self-described “avid swimmer and runner,” she enjoys the outdoors year-round. As a native Minnesotan, she’s a former Vikings fan who has happily adopted the Dallas Cowboys as her team, bonding with Texans over a shared dislike for the Green Bay Packers.
The October 2025 Transition: A Look Ahead
After 7.5 influential years in the DFW market, Hanna Battah’s tenure at FOX 4 is coming to a close. This transition marks the start of a significant new chapter for the seasoned journalist.
Ending the DFW Chapter
FOX 4 publicly confirmed that Hanna Battah’s last day on air is scheduled for October 30, 2025. This concludes a successful and high-impact run in North Texas.
The station noted that she and her husband, Kevin Fleck, are moving on to pursue “something new”. Her departure is framed not as a reaction to external forces, but as a deliberate and forward-looking professional decision.
She has expressed optimism about exploring new roles that will allow her to leverage her extensive experience in communication and media.
The Calculated Career Move
The narrative surrounding Battah’s departure suggests a calculated, strategic advancement rather than an unexpected change. Her extensive background—covering everything from state politics and massive wildfires to major sporting events and award-winning human-interest features—makes her exceptionally well-suited for high-level roles outside of local news anchoring, such as executive communications or national correspondent positions.
The decision to transition alongside her husband suggests a planned, mutual life decision. Given her established expertise and authority, this next step is poised to utilize her accumulated journalistic experience in a new, leveraging role, ensuring that her career continues to evolve successfully beyond the constraints of local market news. This planned exit, following years of excellence, reinforces her professional authority and trustworthiness among industry watchers and former viewers.
The table below summarizes the key metrics of her Dallas-Fort Worth tenure:
Hanna Battah DFW Tenure Summary
| Key Metric | Detail | Significance |
| Start Date | June 2018 | Began as Weekend Morning Anchor |
| Primary Role | Weekday Good Day Anchor & In-Depth Reporter | Anchored 4-6 a.m.; Reported 6-10 a.m. |
| Tenure Length | 7.5 Years | Established long-term presence and high visibility in the market |
| Departure Date | October 30, 2025 | Planned transition to new professional challenges |
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hanna Battah |
| Age & Birthday | 32 years old – Born May 6, 1993 (Taurus) |
| Ethnicity & Nationality | Mixed ethnicity (Lebanese & Caucasian), American |
| Religion | Islam (influenced by Lebanese Muslim father; mother converted) |
| Hometown | Oakdale, Minnesota (Twin Cities area) |
| Height & Weight | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm), ~132 lbs (60 kg), Measurements: 34-26-35 |
| Education | University of Missouri-Columbia – B.A. in Broadcast Journalism & Political Science (2015) |
| Early Life | Honor student, athlete, and student council president at Tartan High School; worked part-time as a barista; passionate about broadcasting and languages |
| Parents & Family | Father: Lebanese Muslim (name not public); Mother: Debra (converted to Islam); Siblings: Three sisters (notably Nadia Battah) |
| Husband | Kevin L. Fleck II – Global Mission-Critical Infrastructure Consultant & Superintendent at Balfour Beatty Construction |
| Relationship Timeline | Met: 2018 (Texas) • Engaged: Dec 29, 2020 (California hiking trip) • Married: June 3, 2023 (intimate ceremony) |
Career Start |
Missouri Digital News – Political Reporter & Editor; covered state politics, Obama’s visit to Kansas City, Joplin tornado |
| Early TV Career | KOMU-TV (NBC, Columbia, MO) – Reporter/Anchor • KBAK/KBFX (CBS/Fox, Bakersfield, CA) – Afternoon Anchor & Evening Reporter |
| Notable Coverage (Pre-FOX 4) | 2011 Joplin tornado recovery (Heart of America Gold Award) • 2015 World Series • 2017 California wildfires (Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties) |
| FOX 4 Dallas Career | Joined May 2018 as weekend morning anchor • Promoted Sept 2018 to weekday Good Day (4–6 a.m. anchor, 6–10 a.m. reporter) • Transitioned in Sept 2024 to co-host The Ten |
| Major Stories at FOX 4 | Dallas homelessness series • Severe weather coverage • New home for Juneteenth advocate Opal Lee • Fort Worth Zoo gharial crocodile hatching |
| Awards & Recognition | Texas AP Broadcasters Award (2021) • HuffPost “Top 30 Under 30 Journalists” (2020) |
| Viral Hawaii Moment | 2015–2016 at KITV (Honolulu) – Became internet sensation after on-air blooper, nicknamed “Hawaii’s new favorite reporter from the mainland” |
| Net Worth & Salary | Estimated $1–3 million • Salary: ~$78,000 annually (range $45,000–$110,500) |
| Sports & Hobbies | Avid runner and swimmer • Enjoys Dallas’s warmer climate • Dallas Cowboys fan |
| Current Role (2025) | Morning Anchor & Reporter, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth • Co-host of The Ten • Contributor to Fox Corp network news |
| Residence | Dallas, Texas (with husband Kevin Fleck) |
Sources
- FOX 4 News (Sep 22, 2025) – https://www.fox4news.com/ Context: Co-hosts “The Ten.”
- PGA Frisco Groundbreaking (Oct 18, 2019) – https://www.fox4news.com/news/pga-breaks-ground-on-new-headquarters-in-frisco Context: Reporting example.
- FOX 4 New Station (Jan 14, 2025) – https://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-breaks-ground-new-tv-station-irving Context: Career at FOX 4.
- Redbird Innovation Center (Apr 11, 2024) – https://www.fox4news.com/news/redbird-innovation-center-to-hold-grand-opening Context: Recent reporting.
- Hanna Battah FOX 4 Bio (Undated) – https://www.fox4news.com/person/b/hanna-battah Context: Official bio, career.
- Hanna Battah Facebook (Undated) – https://www.facebook.com/hannabattahTV/ Context: Marriage, personal updates.
- Hanna Battah Instagram (Undated) – https://www.instagram.com/hannabattah/?hl=en Context: Family, wedding.
- Hanna Battah Engaged (Jan 7, 2021) – https://www.facebook.com/LaurenPrzybyl/posts/244795640348873/ Context: Engagement news.
- Hanna Battah Married (Jun 6, 2023) – https://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2023/06/hannah-battah-is-married.html Context: Marriage to Kevin Fleck.
- Good Day Welcomes Hanna (Jun 14, 2018) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8EuMewi_ek Context: Joined FOX 4.
- FOX 4 Lineup Changes (Jul 23, 2024) – https://www.facebook.com/hannabattahTV/videos/496873736331223/ Context: Move to “The Ten.”
- Battah’s Broadcasting Passion (Apr 13, 2011) – https://minnlawyer.com/2011/04/13/battah-17-wants-to-follow-her-passion-into-broadcasting/ Context: Religion, early life.
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