Laura Waluszko is a "friend" people turn to each day to keep them plugged in to the real world and keep them abreast of what's happening in their community.

The Lake Station native has been the voice the Calumet Region for more than a decade, as the news director and news anchor for the four Northwest Indiana radio stations under the Valparaiso-based Radio One Communications umbrella -- WZVN (Z-107), WLJE (Indiana 105), WXRD (X-Rock 103.9) and WAKE/CNN-AM 1500 -- and years before, she did the same duties at Hammond's WJOB-AM.

"Regardless of a person's taste in music, they want to know what's going on in their community. I may rewrite some things here or there, but the listening audience of all four stations get primarily the same news information," she said.

The 1983 graduate of River Forest High School, loves her job as it enables her to help region residents in their daily lives -- whether its informing them of "water boils"; advising of school closings; proudly heralding the homecoming of local soldier; or guiding them through disastrous situations like the September flooding.

"No one likes being the bearer of tragic news, but it has to be done and it's a part of life, the bad comes with the good," she said. "But I make sure to report also on all the good things going on in our communities."

Waluszko wakes at 3 a.m. each day to give region residents their 5 a.m. "wake up call" on the state of their world and region. She continues reporting well into the afternoon.

"At Radio One, we focus heavily on reporting Northwest Indiana news and events. I'm from here and I still live here. If it's important to me as a resident, I know it's also important to others from the region who turn to (our stations) to hear news that affects them," she continued.

By sixth grade Waluszko knew she wanted to be a reporter. Receiving her bachelor's degree from Purdue University Calumet Campus in the mid-80s and her master's degree from Indiana University Bloomington, in the early '90s; she then interned at a National Public Radio station in Bloomington, a local cable television station, and an ABC-Radio affiliate in Chicago.

Along with reporting the news, Waluszko also co-hosts Indiana 105's popular morning show, "The Dawn Patrol," with Steve Zana.

Her dedication and professionalism has earned Waluszko many prestigious broadcast awards, proudly displayed on the walls and in cases around the Radio One Communications building.

Last month, after being nominate for three consecutive years, Zana and Waluszko won the Indiana Broadcasters Association's prestigious 2008 Spectrum Award for "Best Radio Station Broadcast Personality or Team."

According to the IBA, the Spectrum Award recognizes "broadcast excellence for outstanding achievement."

Those words sum up Waluszko well. Just ask the thousands of regionites who "wake up" with her every weekday morning.