Monica Madden joins KXAN News as a Capitol Correspondent, covering statewide stories and reporting on the Texas Legislature in Austin for more than a dozen stations across the state. She joined the Nexstar Austin Bureau at KXAN in August of 2021.

Before coming to Austin, Monica was a political reporter and weekend anchor at Nexstar’s WHO 13 News in Des Moines. While in Iowa, she extensively covered the 2020 Iowa Caucuses and interviewed several presidential candidates. Monica enjoyed covering the state legislature, putting into context the policies and issues that affect all Iowans. She looks forward to doing the same in Texas.

Monica is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri, where she obtained a degree in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Business. During Monica’s time at Mizzou, she worked as a reporter, anchor and digital producer at the local NBC affiliate, KOMU 8 News. On campus, Monica was involved in lots of extracurriculars — including Mizzou Off Broadway, the Student Suicide Prevention Coalition, and various leadership roles in her sorority.

She was always keen on politics, but truly caught the bug after spending a semester in New York City interning at NBC for Andrea Mitchell Reports.

Outside of work, Monica loves being outdoors. She looks forward to taking advantage to all the trails and lakes Austin has to offer. She loves live music, theatre and spending time with friends over a good meal!   Monica grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and is overjoyed to be back where the weather is warm. She mostly covers politics, but is always open to a good story regardless of the topic. If you have story ideas, email Monica or connect with her on social media; Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @themonicamadden