Weekend Anchor

Title: Weekend Anchor

ajohnson@kimt.com

@annalisejohnsonKIMT

@AnnaliseReports

Annalise Johnson is an Iowa native, born and raised in Decorah, but now calls Southeastern Minnesota home. After graduating early from college, she joined KIMT News 3 as a reporter in February 2018. She was promoted to Weekend Anchor in October 2020. She anchors the Saturday 6 PM, Saturday 10 PM, Sunday 5:30, and Sunday 10 PM newscasts. You can sometimes find her filling in at the desk during weekday newscasts. When not anchoring, you'll see her reporting three days a week on KIMT News 3 First at Four, 5, and 6.

Her passion for writing began when she was a child writing songs and short stories. However, her interest in news journalism began in high school, where she was an All-State Speech-winning anchor in the television news category.

She attended Luther College (’18) in Decorah, Iowa, where she received a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a minor in English writing. Her senior research paper, “The Effects of Self-Disclosure in Interpersonal Relationships Post-Sexual Assault: Giving Survivors a Voice,” received the Top Student Paper Award at the 2017 Iowa Communication Conference and was published in the 2018 Iowa Communication Journal. During her time at Luther, she spent a semester studying abroad in Thailand at Mahidol University; a month studying in Europe; and a month studying in Belize. She also sang in choir, volunteered as a certified sexual assault and domestic abuse victim counselor, and was co-captain of the cheerleading squad. Go Norse! She is passionate about traveling and is a certified SCUBA diver and Teaching English as a Foreign Language teacher.

When she is not bringing you your local news, Annalise enjoys cuddling with her MinPin Norman, listening to true crime podcasts, trying new recipes, and reading Harry Potter. If you have a story idea or just want to say hello, you can reach her at ajohnson@kimt.com.

Rochester Police Department recruits train beyond the badge within community

As part of the 8-week training academy, they're volunteering this week with local organizations such as the Salvation Army, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, and the Women's Shelter. The Beyond the Badge initiative dates back to 2019.

Planning a safe Halloween celebration

Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic, tells KIMT that outdoor fall activities like apple picking, visiting a pumpkin patch, and trick-or-treating are low risk.

Rochester Fire Department's big red trucks go green with new idle reduction system

The Rochester Fire Department recently retired two vehicles and replaced them with truck 42 and engine 5. These vehicles have new technology to be more environmentally friendly.

Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service accepts Battle of the Badges trophy for second year

Although the competition is over, Mayo Clinic's need for donations is ongoing.

Historic clock face on display at Rochester Fire Station 2, restoration project moves forward

The restoration of Rochester's 1899 clock and bell tower is moving forward. Now, the public has the opportunity to see a piece of Rochester history up close and personal.

1 transported to hospital for self-inflicted gunshot wound after traffic stop at Olmsted County Fairgrounds

A suspect was transported to St. Marys Sunday evening for what police say appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a traffic stop.

Rochester's Link transit project nears completion of station design

The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center held two virtual informational sessions on Wednesday to update the public on the progress of the bus rapid transit project, known as Link.

Rochester firefighter retires to focus on battle with cancer, encourages others to take prevention seriously

"It's pretty obvious when you have heat and flames coming at you. There's things you can do to adjust it but you really don't see the cancer coming at you until it's too late," explains Capt. Solseth.

Product shortages reminiscent of early 2020 are returning

KIMT News 3 spoke with Rayce Hardy, economics instructor at Riverland Community College, about what is straining the supply chain.

Olmsted County 2021 Food Security Assessment complete

The COVID-19 pandemic increased food insecurity in Olmsted County, which was previously at a historic low in the county and nationwide pre-pandemic.

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 770246

Reported Deaths: 8661

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 474151

Reported Deaths: 6785