Jana Shortal

Jana Shortal is a reporter and co-anchor of Breaking the News on KARE 11.

Hailing from small town southern Illinois, Jana is learning a whole new meaning of “winter” here in the Twin Cities. Jana began reporting for KARE in December of 2003, just in time for the temperatures to fall below her idea of freezing. But, she’s excited about the opportunities to live and learn here in the north.

Jana has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. She loves to run, having been in road races for more than 10 years. She’s a writer as well and says she’s working on making her journal into something the masses will read.

When I was young, I wanted to be: Older

Favorite story you ever worked on: I actually wrote my own biography at age 7. I illustrated it as well. Clearly, only small things separate me from Picasso.

Favorite food: I love food that is brought to me while I am laying on my couch watching C-Span or The West Wing.

Describe your perfect day: It begins with a great cup of coffee, then a phone call home, brunch with friends who make me laugh too hard and think too much, a nap (if I can pull it off, not much of a napper) followed by the Sunday New York Times…maybe a walk around a lake or two, the Walker, dinner with someone special and a last call of the day…whomever it is that makes me laugh too hard, again, and think too much.

Favorite movie: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”

Proudest moment: Winning the Illini Junior High Talent Show for my lip-sync/dramatic interpretation of Young MC’s “Bust a Move.”

Your inspiration: I get inspired every day by people I love, people I know, those I don’t, those I will never meet. So, if I had to say a “well known” inspirational figure it would be Martin Luther King, Jr. The other two most of you don’t know – but you should – my nieces Katelynn and Annie Walker. One day with them feels like the whole world is on my side.

Favorite subject in school: Medical ethics or my mom’s English class. No kidding. My mom was my English teacher.