Jim came back home to Worcester in April of 2008 after a thirteen year absence. He hosts The Jim Polito Show on WTAG, weekdays from 5-9am, the number one rated morning news talk show in all of central Massachusetts. Jim is also the station's program director.

Prior to coming home, he spent more than a decade working as a broadcast journalist and anchor throughout southern New England. Most recently, he was the Chief Investigative Reporter at the abc television network affiliate in Springfield. His work there was recognized with four Associated Press Awards including two for his reporting on the disappearance of Warren Lifeguard Molly Bish. Jim was the first reporter from western Mass to report live from ground zero in New York on 9/11. He spent three days there following the attacks and was recognized with a 2002 Associated Press Award for that reporting. In 2006 he was honored with another Associated Press Award for his investigative reporting that uncovered corruption in the Chicopee Mayor’s Office. Jim's reporting on organized crime in western Mass was unparalleled. He uncovered a local mob crew's connection to the Genovese Crime Family, one of the five Mafia families operating in New York City. Jim went undercover to videotape mob owned illegal slot machines in local bars. This work did not go unrecognized by the mob. On several occasions, law enforcement officials told Jim his name was heard in wiretapped conversations and that his safety could be in jeopardy.

Jim is a graduate of Saint Johns High School in Shrewsbury. He got his first taste of radio at Worcester State College where he became general manager of the college’s radio station during his sophomore year. The following year he was elected as the student member of the college’s board of trustees. He served on that board with then Mayor Jordan Levy. Jim says the experience of working with Jordan was one of the most valuable aspects of his college career. Jim majored in Urban Studies with a concentration in Communications. Following graduation he worked at Anna Maria College as the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. He left that post to take a marketing position with the Fallon Community Health Plan. In 1993 Jim became the marketing manager of Fallon’s Senior Plan, an HMO for people with Medicare. In 1995 Jim accepted a marketing and public relations post at United HealthCare’s Rhode Island headquarters. Despite the success of his business career, Jim wanted to return to his roots in journalism. In 1997 he began working as a freelance reporter at TV stations throughout New England.

Jim says his reporting in many of New England’s cities has given him a renewed appreciation for Worcester and all the region has to offer. He is thrilled to be back home with his family and old friends.

Email Jim at jim@wtag.com