Meet the Minnesota Live Team
MEGAN NEWQUIST
Megan Newquist is the co-anchor for “Minnesota Live” and anchors “5 Eyewitness News Morning” from 5:30-7:00 A.M. on KSTP.
Megan was hit by the journalism bug at a very young age – she recalls watching the nightly news before dinner as a child. Megan is a multiple Emmy Award winning journalist, being honored for her coverage of the rioting following George Floyds death, the loss of music legend, Prince, and the worldwide exclusive interview with the father of an Australian woman killed by police in Minneapolis.
Megan volunteers her time emceeing events and galas for numerous organization and non-profits. When she’s not working, you’ll find her camping at one of the state’s great parks, renovating her home with her husband, or cheering on her 10-year old twins at sporting events.
CHRIS EGERT
Chris Egert is the co-anchor for “Minnesota Live.” He starts his day early and anchors the 5:30-7:00 A.M. newscast with Megan Newquist on KSTP. Chris, an Edward R. Murrow award winning reporter and anchor, has received multiple Emmy awards for his work covering the people of Minnesota.
Chris and his wife Kate have a son who is a Type 1 diabetic and support local fundraising efforts to help find a cure. Chris is also a below the knee amputee after a series of unfortunate events stemming from his high school and college basketball career.
When he’s not at the TV station, emceeing a local charity event, or on some kind of sports court with his son or daughter, you’ll find him walking his family’s two rescue dogs or starting a home improvement project.
KEN BARLOW
Ken Barlow is the Chief Meteorologist for KSTP and contributes daily weather reports to “Minnesota Live.” He brings more than 30 years of weather forecasting experience, including 25 years in Minnesota, to the station. Ken earned the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) – a sought after mark of distinction.
Ken has been awarded the Paul Wellstone Advocacy Award from the MN Psychiatric Society and he serves on the International Bipolar Foundation’s Advisory Board. Ken is currently serving on the Board of Directors of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Mental Health Community Foundation, and is on the Steering Committee for Children’s Mental Health with the Park Nicollet Foundation. He’s a proud father to 3 grown children and loving husband to his wife Theresa.
ELIZABETH RIES
Elizabeth Ries has been the co-host of “Twin Cities Live” for 13 years and is also a weekly contributor to “Minnesota Live.”
She was raised in Apple Valley and is a proud Apple Valley graduate. Elizabeth has been growing food, raising chickens, composting and cooking in the city of Minneapolis for more than a decade. She believes every home can incorporate some homesteading principles – even if you have a tiny yard or an apartment balcony. She shares adventures in her garden and kitchen on her blog, Home to Homestead. Elizabeth is a proud parent to three active kiddos with her husband, Jay.
KELLI HANSON
Kelli Hanson joined the “Twin Cities Live” team in 2011, and her stories regularly appear on “Minnesota Live.”
As a reporter for the past 18 years, Kelli loves storytelling and meeting new people every day. When she’s not working, Kelli enjoys spending time with her husband Steve, two tween girls, snuggling her fur baby, Penny, and is always game for trying out a new restaurant or coffee shop.
KRISTIN HAUBRICH
Kristin Haubrich has reported for “Twin Cities Live” since 2020, and her stories regularly appear on “Minnesota Live.” Kristin is known for having a costume for whatever event or story she is reporting on. She loves bringing positive stories about our community to viewers.
She was previously a reporter in Denver, but she grew up in Shakopee. Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their two mini-Huskies. She enjoy running, volunteering, fishing, hiking up mountains and shredding the slopes.
MIKE MARCOTTE
As Executive Producer of Local Programming at KSTP, Mike oversees the “Minnesota Live” team.
Mike is a native Minnesotan, growing up in Blaine and graduating from Centennial High School. He majored in elementary education from Gustavus Adolphus College, but never went into teaching. Instead, he started working at KSTP at the age of 19, starting out as a temporary promotions staffer at the Minnesota State Fair.
During his first 9 years at “Twin Cities Live,” Mike moved from Assistant Producer to Producer to Senior Producer, coordinating several big giveaways and marriage ceremonies, including a wedding in Mexico. He left Twin Cities Live in 2020 to work for a nonprofit, but returned to KSTP in 2021 to launch “Minnesota Live.” In November 2022, he moved into his current position as Executive Producer for both shows.
Beyond his job at “Minnesota Live”, Mike is an official adjudicator with Guinness World Records. He loves to travel, try new restaurants, and play with other people’s dogs. His journeys are posted on his website, Give Me The Mike.
Caroline Rode
C.C. Rode is the senior producer for “Minnesota Live”, and produces for “Twin Cities Live”, too.
C.C. grew up with a love for local TV. Unofficially, the first show she produced was at Oakwood Elementary School in 4th grade, Eagle Eye News. She is an Associated Press winning journalist. Before producing the morning and evening news at KSTP-TV from 2018-2021, she was a morning TV producer in Portland, Oregon and Waco, Texas.
She is a proud University of St. Thomas alumna – and studied Communication, Journalism and Film. When not working, she enjoys performing in local theatre, painting abstract art, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, and spending time with her family. But, her favorite place at work is in the control room with our awesome directors – finding moments to dance it out!
Betsy Melin
Betsy Melin is a producer on Minnesota Live and Twin Cities Live.
Betsy has been working at KSTP since September of 2021 and in that time has found her place reviewing beauty hacks and products as a part of “Betsy’s Beauty Basics”, planning day trips with “Betsy’s Best Day” and recapping “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” series (and the Golden series too!). With a passion for broadcast and production Betsy loves putting together something new everyday in the exciting world of live television.
Betsy was born and raised in Edina, Minnesota, graduating from Edina High School in 2014 and Loyola University Chicago in 2018, after a brief adventure in Thailand and over a year reporting in Bemidji, Minnesota, Betsy is happy to be back closer to home telling stories from across the state.
Outside of the office Betsy loves spending time with her Fiancé, friends, and family. She loves to check out new restaurants or walk around one of Minnesota’s over 11,000 lakes. You can catch her trying out the latest makeup and beauty products and is always ready to dish on the latest pop culture moments.
Ashley Clemens
Ashley Clemens is a producer for Minnesota Live and Twin Cities Live.
Ashley grew up in Orono, Minnesota before flying the coop; studying Magazine Journalism and Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University in upstate New York. She worked in Albany as a news producer for two years before coming back home. She loved the pace of news but wanted to focus on happier stories within the community.
In her free time, Ashley loves trying out new restaurants, playing games with her friends, or burying her nose in a book – especially something Sci-Fi or Fantasy.
BILL MIDDEKE
Bill Middeke is a photojournalist for “Minnesota Live.” He has over 25 years of videography and storytelling experience and is part of an exclusive club – he’s worked at all 4 TV stations in the Twin Cities (of course KSTP is the best.)
A proud graduate of Waldorf University in Forest City, IA, Bill is a NPPA Regional Photographer of the Year and multi-time finalist for NPPA National Photographer of the Year.
Bill and his wife, Kari, are the proud parents of three children – with four legs each (two dachshunds and a cat.) They enjoy movies, traveling, and just exploring what is around. In 2017, Kari convinced Bill to start their YouTube channel – “KABI Treks“, where they vlog their vacations – especially Disney – and other events around Minnesota and beyond.
SCOTT CARLSON
Scott Carlson was born and raised in Minnesota and went to school in Stillwater. Go Ponies!
Graduating from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 2004, Scott was hired as a production assistant and worked his way up to Director for “Minnesota Live” and “Twin Cities Live”. Scott and his family like to relax in their downtime and find plenty of time in the summer for camping, playing games and traveling to their relatives houses.
KATE BENDELL
Kate Bendell is referred to as a “0.3 producer” for “Minnesota Live.” She works behind the scenes pitching story ideas, creating social media content, and working with outside partners to support the station’s initiatives. She has been with the station since 2004. Kate grew up in Wayzata, met her husband at Gustavus Adolphus College, and lives in Excelsior with her 2 teen boys and 2 yellow labs. She enjoys gardening, crossword puzzles, being on the water, and traveling with her family.
MANDY TADYCH
Mandy Tadych is the creator of “Twin Cities Live” and oversees “Minnesota Live” as the Director of Programming and Promotions for KSTP and 45TV. You will occasionally see her on air giving a “Dancing With the Stars” recap or sharing her love for locally made products.
Mandy was born and raised in Dayton on a hobby farm. Mandy is passionate about creating television that celebrates the community we live in.
She is a huge country music fan and has an enviable collection of cowboy hats and boots. Mandy lives in Blaine with her husband and two busy children, plus their Bassett Hound puppy and senior Chihuahua.
