Michelle Bandur

Michelle Bandur’s award winning career has put her in the path of several deadly tornadoes, hurricanes, on death row and inside the Los Angeles Lakers locker room. That’s what she loves about being a reporter. “I go to work and have no idea what the day will bring. I learn something new everyday,” Michelle said. Born and raised in Omaha, Michelle originally joined KETV Newswatch in late 2009.

She rejoined the station as a reporter in November of 2016. “it’s in my blood,” said Michelle. Michelle graduated from Westside High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Iowa State University. Even in college, Michelle was hungry for learning the business. As a college senior, she anchored the morning news for WOI-TV. The studio located right on Iowa State’s campus.

Michelle started as a cub reporter and anchor in Lawrence, KS and then gained experience at WIBW-TV in Topeka, KS, KLKN-TV in Lincoln, NE, KABB-TV in San Antonio, TX, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, CA and Orange County Newschannel in Santa Ana, CA.

Michelle has covered important events in the metro including the reunion of the Woracek Twins with their rescuers, Von Maur shootings, the Little Sioux and Hallam tornadoes, the search for Plattsmouth boy Brendan Gonzalez and numerous Husker football and College World Series stories.

Michelle has also taken her passion for journalism in the classroom. She taught Broadcast Journalism writing at Cal-State-Fullerton, while living in California. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with students and rarely turns down an opportunity when invited to speak at career days.

She has also managed the TV/Media Program at Iowa Western Community College. The Nebraska Broadcaster’s Association has given Michelle its highest honor, recognizing her as one of the state’s top journalists for her investigative reporting.

Midlands Lutheran College awarded Michelle the Distinction of Journalism honor. Michelle has also earned numerous Associated Press and other awards as well, including a Regional Award in Southern California for a documentary she produced about the Boy’s and Girl’s Club. Michelle is honored to have her work recognized by her peers, but is humbled and inspired by the people she meets every day.

Michelle takes pride in telling the stories of her neighbors and helping them with problems or injustices they may run across. She also seeks out positive and inspirational stories, where ordinary people overcome obstacles to accomplish extraordinary feats. Michelle does have a life outside of work! She enjoys spending time with family and friends, many from her childhood.

She also enjoys spending time with her Border Collie, Archer. They’ve taken agility training classes together. Watch out Best of Show! You may see them running and hiking in various places around the area. Michelle is active in the endurance sports community and competes in triathlons. She has completed 6 Ironmans and is participating in the Ironman 70.3 Worlds Championship in France in a couple of weeks. She is also the co-founder of the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon Club and says “triathlon is my blood too,”.

She volunteers at races and is also active with Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners or GOATz. Michelle is also a member of the USA Triathlon Midwest Council. USAT is the governing body of the sport of triathlon. Michelle has also served on the Mayor’s Active Living Advisory Committee. Michelle is always asking questions and looking for stories. Just drop her an e-mail by clicking here. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Watch Michelle’s TEDx Talk My Big Fat Nose below.

Read more about Michelle in a recent Triathlete article here.