Justin Kollar

Justin joined the Live 5 News team in December 2023.

Professional Experience: Justin’s reporting career began as a teenager writing for his hometown paper, The White Lake Beacon, in Muskegon, Michigan. He honed his broadcast chops at KOMU 8 News while attending the University of Missouri, later working as a reporter and anchor at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and at FOX59 & CBS4 in Indianapolis as a reporter and traffic anchor, before making his way to Charleston.

Professional Recognition: Justin was the recipient of the 2025 STAR Award for Personality of the Year from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association. He won First Place for Best Weather/Science Reporting – TV from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association for his story “The Battle Beneath: Lionfish, Legends, and the Julionfish Festival.” He also earned First Place in the Social Reform category from the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC) 2025 Local News Excellence Awards for his reporting on hate crime legislation in the South Carolina State House following an incident of racial profiling in the Lowcountry. Additionally, Justin received Second Place honors from RTDNAC in 2025 for Breaking News coverage of the Sullivan’s Island hit-and-run manhunt, and Second Place in the Community Impact category for “Lionfish, Legends, and the Julionfish Festival.” He also earned Second Place in the Political/Election category from RTDNAC’s 2024 Local News Excellence Awards for his fact-checking story on Congressional District 1 advertising. Previously, he won an Edward R. Murrow Award for Breaking News coverage of the Grand Rapids riots in 2021 and has been nominated for two regional Emmys. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout after more than 12 years of service in Scouting America.

News Philosophy: Truth above all else, followed closely by community. Justin believes in empowering viewers with facts, not fear.

Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan, right on the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Education: Graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in American History.

Community Involvement: Each week, Justin volunteers at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, bringing joy and encouragement to young patients and their families. He also serves on the Scouting America Coastal Carolina Council Board, continuing his lifelong commitment to service and leadership.

Hobbies & Interests: When he’s not in the newsroom, Justin’s likely out running, fishing, walking the beach, tinkering with his pop-up trailer, or cheering on the Cleveland Browns with his wife, Nicki. He’s a four-time Michigan Master Angler and former All-State Track & Field athlete.

Favorite Reads: The Killer Angels, The Journals of Lewis & Clark, The Things They Carried, Battle Cry of Freedom, Half American — and pretty much anything about American history.

What He Loves Most About the Lowcountry: The sunshine, the seafood, the stories, and the people who make this community feel like home.

Most Memorable Assignment: A viral adventure that started with a drive-thru and ended with a dinosaur: "Gator Girl" followed a Lowcountry mom who wrangled a 12-foot alligator while on maternity leave. Equal parts wild, witty, and wonderfully South Carolina.