Carla Castano

Carla Castano comes to Austin from Oregon. She reported news for KATU, KVAL and KCBY. Before that she worked as an associate producer at KOIN-TV and as a disc jockey at KBPS Radio in Portland.

What is your position?
News Reporter

When did you start at KXAN?
October of 2007

What was your most memorable story?
I was freelancing as a reporter in Portland when I was called out on a story where a police officer has accidentally run a stop sign and ran into a van. There were three immigrants in the van, one died. I was the only reporter who was able to interview the victim's wife, because she didn't speak any English, only Spanish. She was so grateful I was there to tell her story, and I felt blessed to have been given that opportunity. I felt like if I hadn't have been there, her story would not have been told.

How did you get started in TV?
I always knew I wanted to be a news reporter. I truly feel it is my calling. I have worked as a reporter at a few television stations in Oregon: KATU in Portland, KVAL in Eugene and KCBY in Coos Bay. Before working as a reporter, I worked as an associate producer at KOIN-TV and as a disc jockey at KBPS Radio in Portland. But my passion has always been in reporting. I love going out on stories and meeting new people. Since I started reporting, I have been honored with several Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalism awards in the breaking news, hard news and spot news categories.

Where did you go to college?
Portland State University

Where is your hometown?
Portland, Oregon

What's your favorite thing about Austin?
The diversity. There are so many people of different backgrounds.

What's your guilty pleasure?
Reading David Sedaris books.

How would you like to make a difference?
I would like to be the best person I can be. For people to know they can trust me and to know I always do my best to be accurate and fair.

What's your favorite band or musician?
Shakira

What's your favorite food?
fried platanas

Tell us about your family.
I could not ask for more supportive family members. My grandparents immigrated to the United States and are/were some of the bravest, strongest people I have ever known. I am the oldest of three children and am very close to my parents, as well as my brother and sister. I have been happily married since 2000 to my college-sweetheart, Ron.

You can e-mail Carla at Carla.Castano@kxan.com .