Melissa has been with Indiana's Newscenter since 1991. She currently anchors the 5 pm, 6pm and 11pm newscasts on WPTA, 21 Alive. Prior to joining WPTA, Melissa worked for WKJG-TV (now WISE) and radio stations WGL and WAJI. She has been an on-air personality in Fort Wayne since 1984, which may help explain why she was chosen "Fort Wayne's Favorite TV Personality" six years in a row by readers of "Whatzup" magazine, and "Best TV Anchor" in the Journal Gazette Reader's Poll.

Melissa is a Fort Wayne native and graduate of Elmhurst High School and DePauw University. She has been married to David C. Long since 1982 and the couple has two sons: Adam, a student at IU and Erik, a student at Concordia High School.

Melissa has served on the boards of many local organizations including Audiences Unlimited, The Study Connection, the YWCA, The Youth Arts Council, SCAN, The Fort Wayne Zoological Society and is a member of the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana. She also enjoys the many opportunities to lend a hand to local non-profit organizations and schools as a speaker and event emcee.

She has appeared in numerous theatrical productions at IPFW and First Presbyterian Theatre and has performed with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Her hobbies include playing the piano, violin and banjo and is currently working on her next instrument: the bagpipes! Melissa loves to cook for family and friends. She also holds a black belt in Tang Soo Do karate and teaches the traditional Korean martial art at C.S. Kim Karate in Fort Wayne.

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