Danielle Wagner | Community Champion
Danielle's Full Biography
Danielle Wagner is an evening anchor at WEAU 13 News in Eau Claire. She anchors the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts each weekday. She has worked at WEAU since June 2015. She grew up in Oelwein, which is a small town in Iowa. Danielle graduated from the University of Iowa in 2005 with a degree in journalism and history.
Danielle knew since second grade she wanted to work in local news. Her broadcast journalism career began 17 years ago at KTVO as a bureau reporter in Ottumwa, Iowa. Danielle then joined KWWL in Waterloo, Iowa where she worked as a reporter and weekend morning anchor.
One of Danielle's passions is pets, which was inspired by her beloved dog Cubbie. He passed away in 2018 from a heart tumor.
Danielle currently has six rescue dogs of her own, and she promotes pet adoption with a weekly segment airing on WEAU since October 2018.
Each Thursday, "Wagner Tails" features adoptable pets from 10 pet shelters and rescues across western Wisconsin. As much as Danielle would like to adopt them all, she knows she can't, and this is her way of helping as many pets as possible find their forever homes. The segment was honored in 2021 by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for its community impact.
When she isn’t working, Danielle is spending time with her six rescue dogs (Teddy, Missy, Pippy, Alffy, Benny & Winny). She also loves being an aunt to her two nephews and one niece, including buying them matching outfits.
She also enjoys reading, binge-watching TV shows and she does way too much online shopping. In her defense, a lot of the items she buys benefit rescue pets, so it's hard to say no.
Girl Scout Alum Questionnaire
1. What years were you a Girl Scout? 1989 - 1999
2. What was your camp name? I attended Camp Little Cloud, and my nickname was Playful Otter because I was a swimmer, and I loved being in the pool.
3. What was your favorite badge you earned as a Girl Scout and why? The Pets Badge was my favorite because I remember earning it while taking care of my guinea pig named Snow White.
4. Who is your forever Girl Scout friend or leader? My mom was my troop leader, so I better pick her! She teamed up with our next door neighbor to be co-leaders of our Girl Scout Troop. Her daughter was my same age. I remember I felt so proud to have my mom as the troop leader. Looking back, I’m so grateful my mom was involved with me. I remember the pinning ceremonies, and how special it felt to have my mom doing the pinning for me and everyone else. She was always extremely involved in the community where we lived, and seeing her example is part of the reason why I strive to be involved in my local community as well.
5. How would you prefer to spend a free summer afternoon? When I was a kid, I always wanted to be outside. Whether that was at the pool or playing on the monkey bars in my backyard. As an adult, I love sitting outside in my backyard in a lawn chair, reading a book and watching my dogs run around the yard.
6. What is your favorite comfort treat? Anything sweet. Cookies, cheesecake, Blizzards from DQ, apple pies from McDonald’s
7. What is your beverage of choice? Iced coffee
8. What woman in the public eye inspires you the most? Katie Couric. Growing up, I always wanted to follow in her journalism footsteps. I love how she was a great anchor, but she also highlighted causes important to her. I also strive to use my job to bring attention to my passion – pet adoption with my weekly Wagner Tails segment. She was a Girl Scout alum.
9. What are your three favorite colors? Purple, lavender, light blue
10. You can't live without your: dogs and television.
11. What is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie? Caramel deLites
