November 2007 Interview with Cristina Mendonsa

Emmy Award winner Cristina Mendonsa has been an anchor at KXTV News10 since December 1995. She came from KUSA-NBC 9 News in Denver, Co where she was the morning anchor for the top rated newscast. Since with News10 she has travled around the world on assignment and can be found on News10 at 5, 6, 11 p.m. weekdays. She has co-anchored with Alan Frio from 1995-1997 and Dale Schornack from 1997- to present. Cristina Mendonsa can be contacted at CMendonsa@news10.net

Name: Cristina Mendonsa
Height: 5'7''
Hometown: Fair Oaks, Ca
Birthday: November 11th

What made you become a Journalist?
I love to write, research and tell great stories. I worked in newspaper and radio and found a home in TV.

If you could Interview anyone famous, who would it be and why?
I have too many to mention.

What is your favorite type of music artist/band?
I like a wide variety of music. Right now I'm listening to Mika, my chemical romance, and a selection from the 80's

What is an interesting fact about you?
I like Star Trek. I attended a few conventions when I was younger

Where was your first TV job?
I was a writer at channel 31. My first on air job was at KRCR in Redding

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to get into TV News Reporting/ Anchoring?
Work hard, be patient, no job is beneath you and find the oldest, crustiest reporter in your first newsroom and listen to everything she/ he tells you.

What is your favorite type of food and dessert?
My favorite combo is red wine and dark chocolate. My favorite snack is crackers dipped in low fat cottage cheese.

What is something you usually do for fun (Hobbies)
Krav Maga, creative> writing, reading, running with my dog

If you weren't a Journalist, what would you be doing today?
Several things sound attractive: international business, federal law enforcement or political strategist

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you live on TV?
I've been caught in mid-yawn and I've been mauled by a drunk frat guy during a live shot.

September 2007 the month interview with Gregg Lalka

Gregg Lalka came to News10 as the weather anchor in June 2005. He currently works on the weekends monitoring the weather and also reports from time to time. He came to News10 from the CBS affilate in Reno, NV and can be contacted at GLalka@news10.net you can also catch him Mon-Tues on News10 Midday at 11 a.m. forecasting the weather and filling in for another Meteorologist. He is September 2007's interview of the month.


'''SEPTEMBER 2007 INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH'''

Interview with News10 Weather Anchor/Reporter Gregg Lalka

Name: Gregg Lalka
Birthday: March 12th
Hometown: Mahwah, NJ
Height: 6 ft.
Date Hired: June 2005

Whats your favorite singer/band and type of music?
Bon Jovi, Beastie Boys, 80s hair bands. really anything, but NO COUNTRY!

What made you decided to become a Weather Anchor/Reporter?
I originally wanted to work behind the scenesd in tv. Editing, shooting video, etc. A producer in NYC insisted I get in front of the camera. The rest is history. In the beginning I was strictly a reporter. Weather was added more and more over my 7 years in the industry.

What college did you attend/major/ graduated date?
Connecticut School of Broadcasting, Graduate: 2001

Who is your role model?
WABC's Bill Beutel ( I grew up watching him in NJ),
NY Yankee's Don Mattingly ( He lived across the street from me when I was 13 years old. He was a class act and taught me the way to conduct yourself no matter how successful you may or may not become).

If you weren't a Weather Anchor/Reporter, what would you be doing today?
Hopefully something in tv. Again I love video, but still photography was always a hobby of mine when I was younger. Who knows. Maybe this would be my career if I wasn't in news.

If you could own any car today, what car would you drive?
The next generation of the Nissan Skyline GTR। I believe it will finally be out in the US in 2009

What is your favorite season time of year?
Spring… Baseball gets underway and everything starts over.

Whats one thing you like about your job?
I love breaking news, whether it be weather or general assignment news. It is a rush like nothing else.

What is your favorite dinner plate/ dessert?
I love cooking and it is a hobby of mine. I'll take a good italian meal any day of the week. Tiramisu is the best dessert.

Where was your first TV job and what was your position?
WMBC-TV 63 in NJ. I was a reporter and fill-in anchor.

If you could give any advice to someone who is interested in becoming a Weather Anchor/Reporter, what would it be?
If you want to get into weather, major in meteorology and get into tv later. If reporting is your thing, major in journalism. Get an internship and try to get in front of the camera as often as you can. The industry is changing. Being able to pick up a camera, shoot and edit will help in the future.