HOUSTON - Houston native Katherine Whaley joined KHOU 11 News in August of 2009 as the Beat the Traffic Reporter. In addition to reporting on the Bayou City's busy streets and freeways, Katherine also contributes lifestyle, entertainment, and consumer-related segments to KHOU 11 News at 4 p.m.
Katherine returned to Houston from KVBC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she served as a weathercaster, anchor and reporter. Before heading west, Katherine anchored and reported at KLFY-TV in Lafayette, Louisiana, and worked as a one-man-band reporter and weathercaster at KAVU-TV in Victoria, Texas. While in Lafayette, the Louisiana Associated Press recognized Katherine s work, selecting her as 2007 Reporter of the Year - Division B.
Katherine is proud to call Houston home. She attended Memorial High School and graduated with a degree in History from Rice University. IN 2011, Katherine graduated from the Broadcast Meteorology Program through Mississippi State University. Houston is also where Katherine got her first taste of television news as an intern and editor at KTRK-TV.
When she s not reporting traffic in your neighborhood, Katherine enjoys playing tennis, and finding Houston's best museums, parks and restaurants. Katherine takes every opportunity to travel. She even spent a college semester learning Spanish at the University of Seville in Spain and a summer interning at People Magazine in London. Now, as a traffic reporter, it is no surprise that she enjoys hitting the road with friends and family to explore Texas.
Katherine feels privileged to bring people information to help make positive change, especially in the community where she grew up.
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Getting to know KHOU 11 Traffic Reporter Katherine Whaley
How long have you lived in Houston?
I was born in Houston, went to Rice University, and then after various field trips to other cities, came back here in 2009. I love the Bayou City.
What is your favorite mobile app?
KHOU 11 News (of course!)
Where is your hometown?
Houston, Texas
Do you have any pets?
Two cats, Remy and Sophie. They were shelter kittens I adopted while working at KLFY-TV in Lafayette, Louisiana. I was only planning to take home one, but they were buy-one-get-one-free! Sucker!
What is something you wouldn t leave the house without?
A nail file. Gotta keep the hands pretty.
What is your favorite part of working in television news?
I love that every day is an opportunity to learn. People and their stories can teach you so much.
If you could trade lives with someone for a day, who would that be?
Anthony Bourdain. He is a TV chef and writer. He travels, samples the world's most unique cuisine, and meets a variety of interesting characters.
What is your favorite movie in 2011?
The King's Speech.
What are you reading right now?
The Smartest Guys in the Room (about the fall of Enron)
What are your favorite books?
I love non-fiction, but my favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird.
What are your favorite foods?
Dare me to eat it, I will. I have an adventurous palette. I love a medium-rare steak, I have a weakness for Mexican food, and dark chocolate is a staple in my diet.
What kind of music do you like?
I listen to a lot of country and Rodeo time! Lately, I've been into electronic music. Good for working out.
What is always in your refrigerator you cannot live without?
Granny Smith applies. An apple a day!
Coffee or tea or neither?
Coffee. Are you kidding? I get to work at 4 a.m.
What is one thing you dream to do?
Traveling is a favorite hobby. I'd love to visit every continent. I've been to four, so far.
What is one thing about you most people might be surprised by?
In 2011, I graduated from the Broadcast Meteorology Program through Mississippi State University. I'm a weather nerd, too!
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Take me to the beach! There's just something so alluring about the ocean.
Where was your last vacation?
Costa Rica
What is your favorite soft drink?
Coco-Cola Classic, out of a bottle.
Do you have any siblings?
One younger sister, Jenna Beth. She just moved back to Houston from Austin. Great to have another Whaley girl in town!
What else might we like to know about you?
I'm a huge foodie. I love trying new restaurants and creating new dishes at home. Food is art, and cooking is a form of expression.
What is your favorite pastime?
Tennis and reading, but really anything that allows me to spend quality time with friends and family.
If you had 1-million dollars, what would you do with it?
Invest....and tithe.
Did anyone inspire you in your life?
More people than I can name. My parents - my dad is the definition of the self-made man, and my mother is the most kindhearted person I know. She's witty, to boot! I aspire to be like them both.
