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Linda has made her mark in both Buffalo radio and television, especially as the longtime host of WKBW, Channel 7’s AM BUFFALO. She’s played music on the radio, delivered weather forecasts on Eyewitness News and conducted thousands of live interviews. All of Western New York embraced Pellegrino during her very public battle overcoming cancer, and she has given back to the community by participating in countless charitable activities over the course of her broadcasting career.
After graduating from Brockport State, Pellegrino became a popular radio personality in Buffalo in the 1980s. She worked at WBEN, WWKB, WGR and WHTT in Buffalo, and WHAM in Rochester. Pellegrino was also a popular movie host on WUTV, Channel 29 and WUHF, Channel 31 in Rochester.
In 1986, Pellegrino joined WKBW and has been at the station ever since. She contributed feature stories to Eyewitness News and was a weathercaster on Channel 7. Highlights included covering the first tornado touchdown in Cheektowaga, an appearance with Spencer Christian on Good Morning America, a surprise visit by Hollywood actor Warren Beatty, and a short stint on ABC’s General Hospital.
Now, as host of AM BUFFALO, Pellegrino’s engaging style draws in viewers from two countries to what is Buffalo’s longest-running local morning TV show. She has interviewed thousands of guests from all walks of life — elected officials, world-famous doctors, Hollywood stars – even British royalty. Her guest list includes Gregory Peck, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Woody Allen and Nicole Kidman. Pellegrino has taken AM BUFFALO on the road to Cancun, Mexico, Las Vegas and Hollywood, and WKBW viewers across the country to California, Alaska, Hawaii and Europe.
Besides her work at Channel 7, Pellegrino has been a host for various local shows produced by Buffalo’s Catholic Diocese. One of her specials, “The Snowman Knows,” won a Gabriel Award. Pellegrino’s work at Channel 7 has earned her awards from the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters and two New York State Emmy nominations. She has twice been honored as Italian-American of the Year by the Italian-American Society of Western New York.
Pellegrino’s charitable work includes participating in many Variety Club Telethon fundraisers, the BassEye Celebrity Fishing Challenge to combat cystic fibrosis and annual holiday parties for the Center for Handicapped Children. She’s also served as Honorary Chairperson at Buffalo’s Heritage Centers, board member for Hunter’s Hope, spokesperson for Hospice Buffalo and cheerleader for the Buffalo City Animal Shelter.
As a breast and thyroid cancer survivor, Pellegrino has also been a vocal advocate of women getting annual mammograms. Linda and her husband, Bob Stotz, have one son, Brett, a student at the University of Pittsburgh.
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