Kirsten Swanson


“My job is to work for you. To hold leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. And to find out what stories are important to you and your family.”


Previous Experience

Kirsten joined KSTP 5 Eyewitness News in January of 2016. Before that, she was a reporter at KOAT in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She began her career in South Dakota, reporting and anchoring the weekend news in Rapid City at KNBN.

Awards

In South Dakota, Kirsten was honored by the Associated Press for Best Spot News reporting in 2014. For several years in New Mexico, she covered a wide variety of issues, including the legislature. In 2015, the station’s coverage of the session earned an award from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association.

Kirsten also contributed to KOAT’s investigative unit, uncovering wait time issues at the Albuquerque VA Hospital. She also reported on the U.S. Department of Justice reforms handed down to the Albuquerque Police Department.

Education

Kirsten grew up in a small Western Nebraska town and went to college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism there and spent time as an intern in Denver, Colorado and New York City.

Personal interests

In her spare time, Kirsten loves to cook and bake, read and travel. She skis and also loves to explore the great outdoors.