Rafer Weigel is a well-known journalist and television anchor who has made a name for himself in the industry. With over 20 years of experience under his belt, Weigel has covered a variety of news stories, from crime to politics. He is best known for his work with Fox 32 Chicago, where he has been an anchor since 2013.

In 2019, Weigel made headlines when he broke the Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax story. Smollett, an actor and singer, claimed that he was the victim of a hate crime in Chicago in January of that year. He alleged that two men attacked him, poured bleach on him, and put a noose around his neck while shouting racist and homophobic slurs.

The story quickly gained national attention, with many celebrities and politicians showing their support for Smollett. However, Weigel was skeptical of the story from the beginning. He had sources within the Chicago Police Department who told him that they had doubts about Smollett's account of what happened.

Weigel began investigating the story and talking to sources within the police department. He discovered that the two men who Smollett had identified as his attackers were actually brothers who had worked with Smollett on the set of the TV show Empire. They told police that Smollett had paid them to stage the attack.

Once Weigel had confirmed the story, he broke the news on Fox 32 Chicago. The story quickly went viral, and Smollett became the subject of intense scrutiny. He was eventually charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, but the charges were later dropped by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, which caused controversy and backlash.

Weigel's reporting on the Jussie Smollett case was praised by many, but it also led to some controversy. He was accused of being biased against Smollett and of having an agenda against him. Weigel defended his reporting, saying that he was simply doing his job as a journalist.

This wasn't the first time that Weigel had been involved in a scandal. In 2017, he was the victim of revenge porn when intimate photos of him and his ex-girlfriend were posted online without his consent. He spoke out against revenge porn and advocated for stronger laws to protect victims.

Despite these challenges, Weigel has continued to work as a journalist and television anchor. He has won three Emmy Awards for his work, and he remains dedicated to his craft. He has said that his goal is to provide viewers with accurate and unbiased news, and to hold those in power accountable.

In conclusion, Rafer Weigel is a respected journalist and television anchor who has made a significant impact in the industry. His reporting on the Jussie Smollett case was groundbreaking and shed light on a complex story that many others had missed. Although he has faced controversy and scandal throughout his career, Weigel remains committed to his work and to providing viewers with accurate and honest news.