“I’ve always dreamed of working in the Twin Cities,” says Kristi Piehl. “5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has such a long-standing tradition of quality news that I’m excited to be part of the team.”

Previous experience
Kristi joined 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in February 2006.  She was previously a reporter at WDTN-TV in Dayton, Ohio.  Prior to that, she was a reporter for WKEF-TV in Dayton for two years.  From 1998 to 2001, Kristi also worked at KELO-TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as weekend anchor and reporter.  She got her broadcasting start at KEYC-TV in Mankato as an intern, reporter and weekend anchor.  Kristi is currently a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc., an organization that provides educational services to those interested in investigative journalism.

Education
Kristi graduated with honors from Bethel University with an emphasis on professional writing.  She is also a graduate of Hutchinson High School.  An avid golfer, Kristi’s high school golf team was third in the state during her senior year.

Awards
In 2008, Kristi won two Upper Midwest Emmy awards; one for her investigative report of the "Smiley Face Killers" and one for the "Beyond the Bridge" news special.  In 2008, Kristi won two National Broadcast News Association awards for her coverage of the I-35W bridge collapse in August the previous year.  One was for "Beyond the Bridge", a 30-minute special, and one was for "Survivor's Story".  In 2006, Kristi was nominated for a regional Emmy for her story "Arson Investigators".  She has also received numerous awards for her work in South Dakota, Ohio and Minnesota.

Personal interests
Kristi was involved with the Children’s Home Society in Sioux Falls as a big sister mentor to abused children.  She also organized a 2005 Relay for Life team in Dayton.  She enjoys spending time “up north” at the family lake cabin, reading, attending local theater and attending sporting events (“Go Vikes!”).  Kristi married her high school sweetheart, Ben, and has two sons, five year-old Eli, and Alec, who was born in April 2007.  Kristi is excited to be back in the Twin Cities: “Minnesota is home, and there is no place like it!  While in other states, I missed family, friends and lakes, but not the mosquitoes!” says Kristi.

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