ABOUT ME:

Inquisitive by nature, I’m always asking questions. I want to know the who, what, where and why, but also the how and what it made you feel like. So when I stumbled into my first journalism opportunity, immediately things just clicked. I was able to embrace my need to know, and the rest is history.

When it comes to my work, I pride myself on getting it right and putting together compelling stories that are easy to digest.

Currently I'm a morning reporter at KHOU-TV in beautiful Houston, TX. I'm the go-to for big, breaking stories in the overnight/morning hours. I was the first reporter on air after the Santa Fe HS shooting. My live shots and interviews were aired on CBS News and KHOU later earned an Edward R. Murrow Award for our coverage of the tragedy. I've also lead morning show continued coverage of the 2018 Austin serial bomber, the funerals for both President George HW Bush and first lady Barbara Bush, the Jazmyn Barnes case, the ITC fire, and the Maleah Davis case, among many others.

I thrive in breaking news situations. I can gather and comprehend information quickly and then convey whatever I’ve learned in an easy to understand way for viewers. I’m able to pick up context clues in the field and piece together information from paying attention to my surroundings - that often leads me to having information other reporters don’t.

I made my way to H-town after spending 2+ years doing it all at WLOX-TV as the weekend morning anchor and Jackson County bureau chief. There I covered everything from the 2017 tornados in the Pine Belt, to getting the first interview with a local man who survived the Pulse Nightclub Shooting and being a part of go teams dispatched to cover Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Nate for the Raycom News Network. I am also experienced in anchoring extensive wall-to-wall severe weather coverage.

I am a proud alumna of Cornell University, where I studied Communication and Sociology and was a student-athlete on the volleyball team. I then followed my passion for news and pursued a master's of science in journalism from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.

When I’m not chasing a story, I’m usually traveling, curled up with a good book or going on adventures with Jax, my rescue pup.

Thanks for visiting my page, and I look forward to connecting with you!

 -Janel