Meet the Co-Hosts of Twin Cities Live
Elizabeth Ries Fast Facts:
Hometown: Born in Cambridge, MN, raised in Apple Valley
How long have you been part of the TCL team? Since June 2009
If you didn’t have this job, what other job would you have? Growing squash and making jam.
Do you have a pet? If so, tell us about it. We have a goofy and loveable German Shorthaired Pointer named Gracie. And I have three chickens in the backyard.
Where would you like to live? Our dream house would be on 6 acres in Afton!
What celebrity would you like to see on TCL? Melissa Peterman is my absolute favorite celeb – I’d just love to have her in studio every day!
What is on your bucket list? Traveling to Iceland and Denmark.
What would you NEVER be caught doing? Sitting in a movie theater watching a horror movie.
Worst fear? People jumping out of dark places!
Biggest personal accomplishment? Becoming a mother.
If you could pick anyone, who would you like to travel with? Oprah! Of course!
What is your motto in life? Just slow down and enjoy it! If you are answering the question “How are you doing?” with the word “busy”, it’s time to take some things off your plate.
Twin Cities Live welcomed co-Host Elizabeth Ries on June 15th, 2009
Elizabeth was born in Cambridge but grew up in Apple Valley, graduating from Apple Valley High School in 1999. After interning at KMSP in Eden Prairie and WMTV in Madison, Elizabeth received her B.A. in journalism and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She immediately jumped into TV news, anchoring the morning newscast at KDLH in Duluth and later anchoring and reporting at WBAY in Green Bay, WI. She was reporting for 5 Eyewitness News before making the move to Twin Cities Live. Elizabeth says, “I’m so proud to be from this community and getting to showcase what makes the Twin Cities so special every day on TV is the best gig out there.”
Elizabeth was born in Cambridge but grew up in Apple Valley, graduating from Apple Valley High School in 1999. After interning at KMSP in Eden Prairie and WMTV in Madison, Elizabeth received her B.A. in journalism and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She immediately jumped into TV news, anchoring the morning newscast at KDLH in Duluth and later anchoring and reporting at WBAY in Green Bay, WI. She was reporting for 5 Eyewitness News before making the move to Twin Cities Live. Elizabeth says, “I’m so proud to be from this community and getting to showcase what makes the Twin Cities so special every day on TV is the best gig out there.”
Elizabeth shares quite a bit of her personal life on Twin Cities Live. During her time hosting the show, she met and married her husband, Jay, gave birth to their daughter, Bernadette, in January of 2015, son, Franklin, in July of 2017, and son Heathcliff was born in October of 2020. Their house is also home to a flock of backyard chickens and a German Shorhaired Pointer named Gracie. She’s also shared the tough times with TCL viewers and was overwhelmed by the support from fellow dog-lovers after saying goodbye to her 13 year old Westie, Henry in May of 2017. Elizabeth has deep Minnesota roots. Her father is the president of Concordia University in St. Paul and her mother is an interior designer who is a frequent guest on Twin Cities Live.
“The greatest compliment,” Elizabeth says, “is when people tell me they feel like they know me because they watch Twin Cities Live. It’s a real honor to have people invite me into their living rooms every day.”
Cooking is her passion and she loves growing as much of her own food as possible in her backyard garden. That is, of course, when it’s not covered with snow. Elizabeth says, “Meeting super accomplished chefs has been one of the most fun perks of hosting TCL. I’ve gotten to cook with Lidia Bastianich, Martin Yan, Amanda Freitag, Ree Drummond and more.” Elizabeth shares recipes and her urban farming adventures on her blog hometohomestead.com and co-hosts a weekly podcast called “Best to the Nest” about making your home a place where you can truly be your best self.
Although she’s a Minnesotan through and through, her football loyalty lies in Wisconsin. She’s a loyal Badger fan and her dad raised all of his girls to cheer for the Packers. Please forgive her!
If you have a story idea or comment for Elizabeth, email her at eries@kstp.com
Connect with Elizabeth:
Ben Leber Fast Facts:
Hometown: Born in Council Bluffs, IA. Raised in Albia, IA & Vermillion, SD
How long have you been part of the TCL team? Just long enough for a cup of coffee
If you didn’t have this job, what other job would you have? Billionaire tech entrepreneur
Do you have a pet? We have a residential zoo… 3 dogs, 2 cats, guinea pig, 2 frogs
Where would you like to live? Whitefish, MT
What celebrity would you like to see on TCL? Ryan Reynolds
What is on your bucket list? Become a certified pilot, go skydiving, understand the female mind
What would you NEVER be caught doing? Cheering for the Packers
Worst fear? Drowning
Biggest personal accomplishment? Not quitting football in college
If you could pick anyone, who would you like to travel with? My wife, Abby
What is your motto in life? Be Fearless
Ben Leber joined as co-Host of Twin Cities Live on June 20th, 2022
Leber was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and spent his early childhood in Albia, Iowa before moving to Vermillion, South Dakota and graduating from Vermillion High School. Ben played college football for Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in business-general management in 2001. Ben is a 10-year retired National Football League Linebacker having played for the San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings and the St. Louis Rams. Ben currently appears on television as an NFL and Vikings Football Analyst. He also does work on multiple radio shows in the Twin Cities. Ben also splits his time working with various charities which includes St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He is also a speaker who loves to share his playing experience and how it relates to overall business and personal improvement.
Ben and his wife, Abby reside in Edina, MN with their 3 kids. They also have 3 dogs, 2 cats and 2 guinea pigs.
Connect with Ben: