Kate Weidaw

Kate Weidaw is the reporter for Austin News Today from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.  She came to KXAN Austin News in 2004 from WHTM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where she was the reporter for the 11 p.m. newscast.

What's your name?
Kate Weidaw

What's your position?
Morning Reporter

When did you start at KXAN Austin News?
April 2004

What was your most memorable story?
When I was working in Roanoke, Virginia, I interviewed a woman whose dying wish was to take her kids to Walt Disney World. You see, this mother of three had a brain tumor as well as a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. After doing the story, it was amazing to see the response from viewers. Not only was she able to take her family to Disney World, they were given so much love and support from complete strangers. For a journalist just beginning in this business, it taught me that every story can have a profound impact on someone.

How did you get started in TV?
All my life, I knew I wanted to be a reporter. At first, I thought it would be fun to be on TV.  But you quickly realize it is a huge responsibility. During college, I interned at my hometown station KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pa and later at a station in Springfield, Massachusetts, which was close to my college. I sent out 50 resume tapes to try and get my first job and never heard back from anyone. I made another resume tape and sent out 50 more and received two offers. It taught me you have to work hard for something you truly want.

Where did you go to college?
I did my undergraduate work at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where I received a double-bachelor degree in Communication and Elementary Education. In May 2008, I received a Masters degree in Journalism at the University of Texas. Currently, I am working towards a PhD in Journalism at UT with an expected graduation date of 2013.

What's your hometown?
I call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home, but I was actually born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I lived there until third grade and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan until fifth grade when my family moved to Pittsburgh. They currently reside in the south hills of the city in a suburb called Mount Lebanon.

What's your favorite thing about Austin?
I love how everyone loves to exercise. I have always worked out, but once I moved here, I started running and did my first marathon in 2006. The Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail is such a gift to this city. I think I've also eaten my way through this city. My husband and I try a new restaurant every Friday. After several years, I still feel like we haven't scratched the surface. If you have any suggestions on great places to eat, let me know.

Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?
My parents. You see, my mother is a psychologist, and my father is an attorney. So growing up, I was analyzed and cross-examined, so it's no wonder I became a reporter. But they have taught me to work hard in life and in school to achieve what is most important to me.

What's your guilty pleasure?
Free time. With working full-time and going to school practically full-time, free time does not exist in my world. So whenever I have five minutes to just sit and think about nothing, I love it.

How would you like to make a difference?
The reason I'm going to school to get my Masters and hopefully PhD is so I can teach the next crop of journalists what it means to be a "journalist." So many times, interns tell me they want to be in this business so people will know their name, and they'll be popular on TV. So my goal in life is to try and teach them the responsibility of what being a journalist is all about and the fact that being on TV to present your work is just an added bonus.

What's your favorite movie?
Pretty Woman. Although, I think I've watched The Devil Wears Prada a zillion times since it came out on DVD.

What's your favorite food?
Anything with chocolate on it.

Tell us about your family.
I already told you about my parents. My brother Kenneth is four years younger and currently lives in Plano. He works for a marketing firm. My husband Nathan is also the man behind my camera every single morning. Yes, that means I work with my husband every day and then go home to live with him as well. But believe it or not, we really enjoy it! Especially when the alarm goes off at 2 a.m. and we have to go to bed at night at 7 p.m., it's nice not having to tip-toe around the house. We also have two cats, Sammy and Tarkin, who we consider our "kids." (If you're wondering where the name Tarkin comes from, Nathan is a Star Wars geek, so he tells me it's some character from the movie). 

If you ever have a story idea for us, we would love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at Kate.Weidaw@kxan.com .