Meet the hosts of CTV News at 5
Jayson Baxter - Producer and Host of CTV News at 5
Currently hosting CTV News at 5, Jayson Baxter has been a familiar face to CTV viewers for over 20 years. From breaking news, to sports and entertainment, Jayson has covered it all.
He grew up in Lower Sackville, N.S. and moved to Ontario for post-secondary education. After pursuing television opportunities in Ontario and Alberta, Jayson moved back home in 1998 and landed a job with CTV Atlantic as a sports and news reporter.
CTV’s morning show soon attracted Jayson. His ability to work without a script combined with a quick wit and natural storytelling ability made him a perfect co-host for Breakfast Television. After many years of morning antics, Jayson's talents were required back in the newsroom, where he continued reporting and honed his skills as a news anchor.
Now, Jayson both co-hosts and produces features on CTV News at 5.
Jayson has brought viewers many memorial stories over the years, including his foray into the world of food trucks, his many 2015 storm stories and his special feature about Canadian veterans in Vimy Ridge. In 2008, Jayson was recognized for journalistic excellence with a Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Atlantic Regional Award. His documentary on Climate Change won in the category of best In-Depth/ Investigative Reporting.
Jayson has deep ties to the community. He has volunteered countless hours with sports groups and has been involved with many of CTV Atlantic’s charitable efforts - from the IWK Telethon to Christmas Daddies. He has a special place in his heart for the Canadian Cancer Society and has hosted its Relay for Life in Halifax for many years. In 2012, he accepted the challenge of being a member of the Relay’s DreamTeam. He and his teammates each raised $10,000 - providing much-needed funds to fight cancer and inspiring countless others with their dedication to the cause.
He is a proud father of three girls and rarely turns down an opportunity to coach his kids in baseball, soccer and basketball.
Maria Panopalis - Producer and Host of CTV News at 5
Maria Panopalis is a co-host and producer of the CTV News at 5.
Maria is a familiar face to Maritime viewers. She first joined CTV Atlantic in 2002, starting as a floor director and production assistant before moving to CTV Morning Live as a co-host. She continues to bring her enthusiasm, infectious spirit and professionalism to CTV News at 5, which she now co-hosts with Jayson Baxter.
Maria enjoys sharing stories unique to our region and spent a year travelling the Maritimes, looking for undiscovered gems which she documented in the weekly segment In Our Backyard. One of her stories won a Radio and Television Digital News Award for Best Short Feature. She was also recognized with a prestigious International Edward R. Murrow Award for Breakfast Television in Nicaragua.
Originally from Halifax, Maria has a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University, a Journalism degree from the University of King’s College and a post-graduate diploma in Applied Information Technology.
In 2005, Maria won Making it Big, a North American reality show which pitted her against two other contestants for the title of best entertainment reporter. Maria also provided high-energy coverage for CTV Atlantic when the Juno Awards came to Halifax in April 2006.
Maria is heavily involved in the community and lends her time and support to a wide variety of CTV-supported organizations such as the IWK Health Centre, the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
China's latest EV is a 'connected' car from smart phone and electronics maker Xiaomi
Xiaomi, a well-known maker of smart consumer electronics in China, is joining the country's booming but crowded market for electric cars.