Aaron Mesmer
Aaron Mesmer is a general assignment reporter and proud member of the FOX 13 News team, where he has been telling Tampa Bay’s stories since March 2013.
A seven-time Emmy Award nominee and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, Aaron brings more than two decades of experience, along with care and compassion, to every assignment. He has been on the front lines of major breaking news across Tampa Bay and the country, often helping lead FOX 13’s coverage in pivotal moments. Just as important to him are the everyday stories that hit close to home, spotlighting the people, families and communities that make the Bay Area unique.
Before moving to Florida, Aaron worked as a reporter and anchor at News 12 Connecticut in the New York City market. He also spent more than four years at News 14 Carolina in Charlotte, NC, after launching his career in West Virginia.
Aaron earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, along with an outside concentration in trumpet performance.
When he’s not in the field, Aaron enjoys time with his wife, Suzy, and their two children. As a family, they love exploring the Tampa Bay area and cheering on the local sports teams. Aaron is also a lifelong Tar Heels and Yankees fan.
The latest from Aaron Mesmer
Fort Meade City Commission delays vote on proposed massive data center
Residents in Fort Meade will have to wait longer to learn whether a massive data center will be built in their town after city commissioners delayed a final vote on the proposal.
'Extreme' water shortage triggered in Tampa Bay area: What residents need to know
The Tampa Bay area is facing one of the most severe water shortages the region has seen in decades, as ongoing drought conditions push local water supplies to extreme levels.
Couples scramble to re-plan weddings after Dover's Cross Creek Ranch venue shuts down
The fallout continues after the sudden closure of Cross Creek Ranch, a once-popular wedding venue in Dover, leaving couples rushing to re-plan their big day with little time to spare.
Popular Dover wedding venue Cross Creek Ranch permanently closes without warning
Cross Creek Ranch, a sprawling 17-acre wedding venue in Dover, notified customers this week it’s permanently closed without warning, leaving couples heartbroken and searching for answers.
Zephyrhills man reflects on survival story after strangers save him from cardiac arrest
A Zephyrhills man is honoring American Heart Month by celebrating what he calls his "second life" after surviving a near-fatal cardiac arrest during a beach vacation last summer.
Hillsborough school district expanding vaping detector program to all high schools
The Hillsborough County School District is stepping up its crackdown on vaping by installing detectors in every high school across the county.
Florida’s gambling helpline sees surge in calls since online sports betting’s launch in 2023
The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling says calls to the state’s gambling helpline tied to online wagering have skyrocketed since legalized sports betting launched in 2023.
Florida education leaders voted to add the fall of Venezuelan leader to high school lessons about communism
Florida students will soon be learning about the dramatic removal and capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as part of their high school history curriculum.
‘Pray for Laine’: South Tampa mother details 5-year-old’s journey with life-threatening condition
A little girl whose fight for her life captured the hearts of her entire South Tampa community is on the road to recovery.
Affordable housing community opens in Tampa's West River neighborhood
Tampa city leaders marked a major milestone in the city’s affordable housing efforts with a ribbon-cutting celebration for Canopy at West River, a new multiphase housing community in West Tampa.