Growing up on a farm in the small town of Panama, Iowa, Jenny always knew that she wanted to be a reporter. While other kids were going to slumber parties on Friday nights, she was in her pajamas at home - getting ready to watch "20/20" and the nightly news with her parents. And forget about watching morning cartoons - after her early morning paper route, Jenny would quickly turn on "Good Morning America" or the "Today Show" instead. She says always knew she wanted to be in the shoes (or high-heels) of Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, and Katie Couric.
Jenny attended high school at Harlan Community High School in Harlan, Iowa and quickly took on the roles of being the high school newspaper and yearbook editor.
When it came time to choosing a college, she stuck close to home - Creighton University. Jenny says she instantly fell in love with the campus, the students, and the journalism professors. She also became involved with two student-produced television shows - "Creighton Review" and "Creighton Corner."
Jenny interned with KETV in the fall of 2004 before leaving for Washington, DC. While in DC, she attended American University and interned at WTTG Fox 5. Jenny says that interning at Fox 5 opened her eyes to an entirely new world of journalism. She assisted producers, directors, anchors, and reporters for the #1 rated morning show, and was able to help cover stories such as the death of Pope John Paul II and Terri Shaivo, as well as the annual cherry blossom festival.
After a spring semester in DC in 2005, she returned to Creighton and interned with KETV for two more semesters. She says she was labeled as "the intern that will never leave".
After graduation, Jenny went back to Washington, DC to produce and report a website for KETV called "The Washington Notebook." She covered White House press conferences, the Nebraska Breakfast, senate-staffer softball games, interviewed Nebraska and Iowa senators and congressmen, and more. Jenny says she had the time of her life, and was able to meet some of her life-long idols like Charles Gibson, Brian Williams, and Bob Woodruff. She says she was even able to spend an evening with the person who's picture was on her bedroom wall when she was a little girl . . . Katie Couric.
After spending nine months in the nation's capitol, Jenny says she is glad to be back in Omaha, and is excited to be a part of the KPTM FOX 42 news team. She says it's an honor to be able to report on issues that affect the people of Nebraska and western Iowa. If you have a story idea, email Jenny at jnowatzke@kptm.com.
