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.

Pump the Breaks: Minnesota is in a traffic safety crisis

As of May 12th, there have been 129 deaths on Minnesota roads this year, 56 involving speeding.

Sen. Smith introduces bill to bring more mental health professionals to shortage areas

The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates there will be a shortage of more than 250,000 mental health resources by 2025.

Although some people are returning to the doctor's office, telehealth is here to stay

Mayo Clinic is beginning to see a decline in telehealth visits, but not down to pre-pandemic levels. About 20% of Mayo appointments are virtual.

Byron school voters reject more than $41 million referendum

Byron Public Schools says the referendum did not pass Tuesday, with a majority voting "no."

Rochester man charged with Howard County catalytic converter thefts

A Rochester man is now in custody after being found removing catalytic converters from a home outside Lime Springs on Friday, May 7th.

Keep Jack Frost from nipping at your garden

Frost is a possibility Tuesday night, and that means trouble for green thumbs. According to KIMT Storm Team 3, frost is possible even without temperatures dipping below zero.

Mayo Clinic encourages safety and prevention during National Trauma Awareness Month

May is trauma awareness month. More people age 45 and younger die from injury or violence than any other cause of death.

MnDOT recognizes Worker Memorial Day

Since 1960, 35 MnDOT workers and 16 contractors have died while working on Minnesota highways. Seven are from Southeastern Minnesota.

Austin Police Department uses social media to talk about mental health

APD handles around 100 mental health incidents, 125 calls for people who are suicidal, and 600 welfare checks each year.

MPCA and Southeastern Minnesota community leaders call upon lawmakers to pass extreme weather preparedness funding

According to the MPCA, Minnesota's water infrastructure is designed for a climate of the past. Minnesota now ranks second in the nation for extreme weather events, second only to California.

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 591445

Reported Deaths: 7367

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 366827

Reported Deaths: 5937