If you’ve ever tuned into Boston’s morning news scene, you’ve probably encountered Sara Underwood’s warm presence on your screen. The Emmy Award-winning journalist spent over two decades becoming one of Boston’s most trusted news anchors before stepping away to focus on family. While her husband Michael Felger continues making waves on sports radio, Sara’s chosen the family path, though she hasn’t disappeared entirely from the spotlight.
Biography
Sara Underwood was born on September 8, 1969, in Palo Alto, California. Now 56, she’s lived a life that combines California roots with deep New England connections. Her family history carries an interesting twist. Through her paternal grandfather’s maternal line, she’s a descendant of Tristram Coffin, one of Nantucket’s earliest settlers who helped purchase the island back in 1659 for 30 pounds and two beaver hats.
She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), though her specific degree remains undisclosed. It’s worth noting that UCLA doesn’t offer a traditional journalism major, so she likely studied communications or a related field that set her up for her broadcasting career.
Today, Sara splits her time between Boston’s Seaport District and a charming summer home on Nantucket. She shares glimpses of her life on Instagram (@saraunderwoodtv), where she’s built a following of around 12,000 people. Her parents, who now live in San Diego, occasionally appear in her social media posts, though she keeps their identities relatively private. She has at least one sibling named Rebecca.
Career
Sara’s journey through broadcast journalism started small and steadily climbing to major markets.
Her television career kicked off in the mid-1990s at KIEM-TV in Eureka, California, where she worked as a news intern. She’s mentioned working out of a trailer in the middle of a pasture during those early days, but everyone has to start somewhere.
In 1997, she made her first significant move to WDTN-TV Channel 2 in Dayton, Ohio, an ABC affiliate. She started as a reporter before earning a promotion to morning show anchor. This is where her talent truly began to shine. During her time at WDTN, she won a Regional Emmy Award for breaking news coverage, the credential that opened bigger doors. She stayed until July 1999, using it as a launching pad to larger markets.
Sara’s agent shopped her work to various stations, landing her an offer from WTTG Fox in Washington, D.C., in July 1999. She worked as weekend anchor and weekday general assignment reporter at this FOX owned-and-operated station. Her responsibilities ranged from standard reporting to fill-in anchor work and occasionally serving as a backup helicopter reporter.
She spent approximately nine months there, but the stint proved pivotal for one reason beyond her career. It’s where she met Michael Felger in 2000, the man who would become her husband.
In April 2000, Sara moved to WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston, where she anchored the 6 PM newscast for both WBZ-TV and its sister station WSBK. She spent eight years building her reputation in the Boston market, becoming a familiar face to viewers across the region. However, her contract wasn’t renewed in February 2008, forcing her to explore new opportunities.
Fox 25 and Morning News Stardom
Sara joined WFXT Fox 25 (now Boston 25) in September 2008 as weekend anchor and weekday reporter. Her career there had its ups and downs. She departed in July 2011 while pregnant with her second daughter, then returned to part-time and freelance work.
Her dedication showed during the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013. Despite working freelance at the time, she stepped into primary anchor duties, broadcasting more than ten hours daily during the crisis.
In January 2015, she became the full-time morning news co-host alongside Gene Lavanchy, anchoring the 6 AM to 10 AM slot. She was committed to the role and often woke up as early as 2 AM to prepare for the show.
Back in 2010, Barstool Sports recognized her as one of Boston’s high-profile female news anchors, alongside Maria Stephanos and Bianca de la Garza.
Retirement and Brief Return
After more than 25 years in broadcast journalism, Sara retired from her full-time anchor position on August 27, 2021. Her departure was motivated by a desire to be more present for her daughters, particularly Emma, who was preparing for college applications.
She briefly returned to Boston 25 in March 2023 for approximately a one-month fill-in stint. Her last bylined article on the station’s website, dated March 8, 2023, covered a “Make Way for Ducklings” musical story. Since then, she’s maintained a notably low public profile with no documented on-air appearances.
Sara’s annual salary at Boston 25 was estimated at approximately £72,458. Her net worth estimates range widely from £300,000 to £400,000.
Where is Sara Underwood Now?
These days, Sara’s enjoying retirement on her own terms. She’s spending more time with her family and her two golden retrievers, being present in her daughters’ lives in ways her demanding career schedule didn’t always allow. While her Boston 25 News author page remains active, suggesting she might occasionally fill in, no recent appearances have surfaced. She hasn’t launched any new professional ventures, podcasts, or media consulting work, seemingly content with her quieter life.
Personal Life
Sara met Michael Felger on a television set in 2000, and their second date destination was Nantucket. They married on October 19, 2002, in a union strengthened by their shared understanding of media careers. She worked television news while he dominated sports radio.
Their marriage has weathered its share of public scrutiny. In December 2010, Michael stirred controversy when he asked his “Felger and Mazz” listeners to vote for Sara in a Barstool Sports “hot Boston reporter edition” poll. His on-air comments, “I need help because I don’t need the Wood killed. I’m asking you to marry her or [expletive] her,” drew criticism from Maureen Gallagher at Jane Doe Inc., a Boston nonprofit. She suggested Felger disrespected his wife. Sara never publicly commented on the incident, handling it privately as couples do.
Children and Family Life
Sara and Michael have two daughters. Emma was born in June 2004 and is now 21, currently attending college. Tess (sometimes spelled Tessa) was born in late 2011, prompting Sara’s hiatus from Fox 25 that year. She’s now approximately 14 years old.
Both girls spent their childhood summers on Nantucket, attending Strong Wings, Murray Camp, and Nantucket Community Sailing School. The family participates annually in the Daffodil Festival antique car parade, driving a cherry red 1975 Volkswagen “Thing.”
Sara’s charitable work included eight years participating in “Runway to Miracles” for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with her daughters joining her on the catwalk. In August 2017, she won Toucher & Rich’s Celebrity 98 Mile contest, generating a £10,000 donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in her name.
The family has faced recent challenges. Michael’s father, Rocky Felger, died in February 2025. Michael memorialized him on-air, crediting Rocky with instilling his love of sports, calling him “a crusty old sports fan who was always b****ing at the TV.” In August 2025, Michael was airlifted from Nantucket after a bike accident where he fell and hit his neck on the handlebars. CT scans revealed air pockets in his neck, but he received a clean bill of health.
