Rajah Maples

Rajah Maples is excited and grateful to return to television news at WGEM to fulfill her life-long passion of storytelling in her hometown area.

Rajah has spent decades in various roles, at various news organizations telling stories that matter most to her readers, listeners and viewers. She started reporting as an intern at KHQA and later worked as a producer's assistant at the "The Today Show" and WNBC in New York City where she worked with and learned from Katie Couric, Ann Curry, Al Roker, Meteorologist Joe Witte, executive news producers and other news talent. She reported and anchored at KMIZ (ABC-17) in Columbia, Mo. in addition to more training at KOMU. Rajah also has served as news director of KWWC radio in Columbia, Missouri.

She's received awards from the Iowa Broadcast News Association, Illinois Broadcast Association and Missouri Broadcasters Association. Rajah appeared on CBS' "The Early Show" in June 2008, reporting on the Mississippi River flooding. Her stories have been distributed through, but not limited to, CBS Newspath, CNN Newsource and more national news outlets.

Rajah has covered many high-profile news events including protests in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2014. She's also covered the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Donald Trump and the race for Illinois’ 18th Congressional District. Rajah also has reported on many Tri-State dignitary visits, including President Barack Obama, Prince Albert of Monaco, Stephen Covey and Mike Huckabee and Emmy-award winner Ed Asner.

Rajah has spent many years working as a legal correspondent, working extensively with police departments, prosecutors, defense attorneys, crime victims, victims’ families, and defendants. Some of her work has appeared on national productions including CBS’ 48 Hours, Unsolved Mysteries, Relentless on Discovery+ and more.

Her fair, accurate and compassionate Cold Case storytelling is sought after throughout her viewing area. Rajah has taught News Writing, Speech, and other college communication classes at the college level. She is a requested speaker for various community events. You may even spot her singing the national anthem before your favorite sporting event.

She serves as a board member for the Quincy Humane Society, the International Radio and Television Society in New York City, and on the Board of Trustees for Stephens College - a private women's college in Columbia, Missouri- which is also the second-oldest women's educational establishment that is still a women's college in the U.S.

She received her bachelor's degree in mass communication from Stephens College, and her master's degree from the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia where she continued her doctoral studies in media effects and media law.