Rafer Weigel is a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and television anchor with Fox News Chicago. Over the years, Weigel has established himself as one of Chicago's most respected reporters, covering breaking news and in-depth stories with a commitment to uncovering the truth. But it was his coverage of the Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax in 2019 that brought him national attention and praise.

In January 2019, Smollett, an actor best known for his role on the TV show Empire, claimed that he had been the victim of a hate crime. Smollett alleged that two men had attacked him on the streets of Chicago, shouting racist and homophobic slurs and pouring bleach on him. The story quickly gained national attention, with politicians, celebrities, and the media rallying around Smollett and condemning the alleged attack.

But Weigel, along with a few other journalists, remained skeptical of Smollett's story. As he investigated the case, Weigel uncovered a number of inconsistencies in Smollett's account, including the fact that the actor had refused to turn over his phone to police. Weigel's reporting stood out for its skepticism and its determination to get to the bottom of the story, even as many other journalists accepted Smollett's version of events.

In February 2019, Weigel's reporting paid off when Chicago police announced that Smollett had been arrested and charged with filing a false police report. According to authorities, Smollett had staged the attack in order to gain publicity and boost his career. The case was a stunning turn of events, and Weigel's reporting played a crucial role in exposing the truth.

Weigel's coverage of the Smollett case was praised by many, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who thanked Weigel for his "dogged pursuit of the truth." Weigel himself remained humble, saying that he was simply doing his job as a journalist. "We're supposed to ask tough questions and get to the bottom of things," he said.

Weigel's career in journalism began in 1993 when he worked as a general assignment reporter for WBBM-TV in Chicago. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he spent eight years as a correspondent for KABC-TV. During his time in Los Angeles, Weigel covered some of the biggest stories of the era, including the O.J. Simpson trial and the Northridge earthquake.

In 2003, Weigel returned to Chicago and joined Fox 32 as the weekend news anchor. He quickly became a fixture at the station, earning three Emmy Awards for his reporting and anchoring. Weigel's coverage of the 2014 NATO Summit in Chicago was particularly noteworthy, as he provided live updates from the ground while riot police clashed with protestors.

Today, Weigel continues to work as an anchor and reporter for Fox 32 Chicago. He is known for his tireless work ethic and his commitment to uncovering the truth, even in the face of controversy and adversity. He retained his ethical and moral standards even throughout his revenge porn scandal. As one of Chicago's most respected journalists, Rafer Weigel is a shining example of what it means to be a true journalist and a public servant.

In a time when trust in the media is at an all-time low, reporters like Weigel remind us of the importance of a free and independent press. Weigel's reporting on the Smollett case is a reminder that journalism can be a force for good, holding those in power accountable and exposing the truth, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable it may be.