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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.