Pheben Kassahun

Pheben Kassahun is an award-winning journalist. She is also a 2024 Buffalo Black Achiever, recognized for her positive impact on her community and commitment to building a better world. In the summer of 2021, she started at 7 News as the noon and 5:30 p.m. anchor and weekday reporter. In late 2022, she was promoted to weeknight evenings where she solo anchors the 11 p.m. newscast and serves as a weeknight reporter.

A proud Dallas native, Pheben’s journey has taken her across the country—from the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee/Virginia to West Texas, and the mountain west of Southeastern Idaho/Wyoming—before landing in New York’s Empire State.

Before moving to Buffalo, Pheben worked as one of the main evening anchors and weekday reporter in Tennessee/Virginia, where she launched a weekly segment called Community Heroes, highlighting military personnel, first responders, and healthcare professionals making an impact. One of her most memorable stories was covering a small plane crash involving Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family. Her reporting on this, along with her team, earned the Tennessee Associated Press Award in 2019. Pheben also received a Community Service Award in 2020 for her local contributions. During the pandemic, she served as the region’s go-to COVID reporter, attending weekly meetings with top healthcare officials and delivering critical updates to her community. She anchored the 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. newscasts. Her 7 p.m. newscast was the highest-rated in the region.

In West Texas, Pheben anchored and produced the weekend evening newscasts, while reporting on crime and major stories throughout the week. Her segment Heart to Heart shed light on the urgent need for foster care in the region, which is a topic that inspired her to consider adoption in the future. One of her most memorable experiences there was covering a grass fire that threatened a dynamite storage plant and forced an entire community to evacuate—a story she followed closely until the fire was contained.

Pheben has also reported and produced in Idaho and Arkansas.

Advocating for women’s health is a cause close to Pheben’s heart. Raised with the belief that “health is wealth,” she is committed to maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Since 2022, she has served on the board of For Our Daughters, a Buffalo nonprofit focused on promoting women’s health and educating young girls about their well-being.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Pheben holds a dual degree in journalism and political science. She loves calling the Hogs! (WPS!)

When she’s not reporting, you can find her running 5Ks, hiking, hitting the gym (especially leg day!), playing pickleball, or cheering on her favorite sports teams, from the NCAA basketball to the NBA/WNBA and NFL teams. And yes, she’s proudly part of the Bills Mafia! Go Bills!!

Stay connected with Pheben on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or Instagram. If you see her around town, be sure to say hi!