Alex Biston has built a prominent career as a broadcast meteorologist and reporter, delivering critical weather data and breaking news to millions of viewers across Southern California. Working with major television networks like CBS News Los Angeles, she transitioned from local newsrooms to prominent market broadcasting through steady dedication, field reporting, and broadcast certifications.
Understanding her trajectory requires looking past standard tabloid biographies to examine her education at Chapman University, her early work in Oregon, and her award-winning field coverage.
Early Life and Educational Background
Born and raised in Southern California, Biston grew up in Thousand Oaks, giving her a deep, personal connection to the region she now covers professionally. Watching local news stations as a child shaped her early ambitions to enter broadcast media.
She attended local schools before enrolling at Chapman University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Television Broadcast Journalism. During her undergraduate years, she focused on practical reporting, newsroom writing, and public relations fundamentals to prepare for competitive media markets.
Professional Journalism Beginnings in Oregon
After graduation, Biston moved to Central Oregon to start her professional career at KTVZ, an NBC affiliate based in Bend. In smaller local markets, broadcast professionals typically handle multiple roles, and Biston was no exception.
She worked simultaneously as a news reporter, anchor, and weather forecaster. This foundation forced her to master live reporting under tight deadlines, operate studio equipment, and build local trust. Working across both hard news reporting and meteorological forecasting proved essential for her next career moves back home.
Returning to California and KEYT-TV
Eager to return to her home state, Biston accepted a position at KEYT, an ABC and CBS affiliate serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. There, she served as a weather forecaster and the dedicated Ventura County bureau reporter.
This era defined a major turning point in her professional timeline. In late 2017 and throughout 2018, Southern California faced unprecedented natural disasters, most notably the catastrophic Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides. Biston was on the ground reporting live conditions, tracking evacuation orders, and coordinating with emergency services.
Her contributions during these historic wildfires earned recognition as part of an Emmy Award-winning news team coverage. Reporting on high-stakes environmental crises solidified her reputation as a reliable journalist capable of maintaining composure during active emergencies.
Joining CBS News Los Angeles
Building on her success in Santa Barbara, Biston secured a role at CBS News Los Angeles, broadcasting across KCAL9, CBS2, and CBSN LA. To strengthen her credibility as a broadcast meteorologist, she earned professional certification from the American Meteorological Society and joined the National Weather Association.
At CBS LA, her responsibilities include tracking severe weather phenomena, breaking down complex atmospheric shifts, and delivering hour-by-hour futurecasts for millions of residents. Whether covering extreme heatwaves, offshore wind patterns, or unusual tropical storm systems tracking into Southern California, she translates raw meteorological data into actionable public safety information.
Professional Skills and Media Impact
Biston represents a modern shift in broadcast journalism where dual-threat capability—possessing both hard news reporting skills and formal meteorological training—is highly valued. Rather than simply reading a pre-written forecast, certified meteorologists analyze live radar data to interpret unfolding weather hazards in real-time.
Her career offers clear lessons for aspiring media professionals:
- Market progression: Moving from smaller regional markets like Bend, Oregon, to mid-sized bureaus like Santa Barbara, before landing in a top-tier media market like Los Angeles.
- Versatility: Combining news reporting with specialized scientific credentials to handle breaking news and weather emergencies interchangeably.
- Community connection: Leveraging local familiarity to bring authentic context to regional reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Alex Biston go to college?
She graduated from Chapman University with a degree in television broadcast journalism.
What awards has Alex Biston won?
She was part of an Emmy Award-winning news team covering the devastating 2018 Thomas Fire in Southern California.
Is Alex Biston a certified meteorologist?
Yes, she holds professional certification from the American Meteorological Society and is a member of the National Weather Association.
Which stations does Alex Biston work for?
She works as a meteorologist and reporter for CBS News Los Angeles, appearing across KCAL and CBS broadcasts.
