It was the beginning of a dream come true when I joined the Eyewitness News Team in June 2008. I have wanted to be a News Reporter since I was a little girl, and actually being able to work in front of the camera has exceeded all my expectations and is more fulfilling than I ever imagined. My job as the Morning Reporter is quite possibly the least boring, most exciting job around; everyday I get to learn about a new topic, whether it's a story about home foreclosures, a house fire, snow on the Grapevine, or a local charity in need of donations. The best part of my job, is without a doubt, meeting all the wonderful people of Kern County and getting to put their faces and stories on TV!

I grew up in San Francisco and I absolutely love all the outdoor activities, culture and delicious food the Bay Area has to offer. But, I left the comfort of home and fog horns for boarding school and Fall leaf changes when I moved to Western Massachusetts for high school where I quickly discovered I wasn't cut out for New England's icy cold winters, which is how I ended up back in California for college at UCLA. Go Bruins! While in school I worked as a Production Assistant, Tape Librarian, Assignment Editor and Edit Coordinator at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles where I learned the ropes of a newsroom. My experience at the duopoly helped me land a job as a Reporter at Hawthorne Cable Television, a community based station in the LA's South Bay area, where I covered everything from neighborhood gang troubles to fundraisers for the local police department's K-9 Unit. When I discovered there was an opening at KBAK I jumped at the opportunity; I sent the station samples of my work and interviewed. But, before they would let me have the job I had to try-out. I got sent out to follow-up on a fire that had destroyed a single Mother of seven's home in South Bakersfield and despite the fact that I have never been so nervous in my life, I got the job and they used my story in the 5 O'clock news.

When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my cats, working out (only the part where I feel good afterward), reading and watching TV (I'm allowed to say that since it's part of my job description). On the weekends I love visiting with my family and friends, over-indulging on food and shopping and NOT waking up at 3 in the morning. I also love outdoor activities and am looking forward to skiing, rafting and camping in our nearby mountains.

You can watch my reports Monday through Friday from 5-7 a.m. on KBAK and 7-9 a.m. on KBFX. I would love to meet you and tell your story, so if you have something you would like me to cover, please call me at (661) 325-6397 or send me an e-mail using the link below.

You can e-mail Kate at klarsen@bakersfieldnow.com