Marshanna Hester

Weekend Anchor/Reporter

NEW! Check out Marshanna's video bio here.

Marshanna Hester is the Weekend Anchor at 49 News.

She joined the 49 News team in January 2006 as the evening Web editor, and became a reporter later that year. In October 2007, she added on the responsibility of Weekend Anchor.

Marshanna grew up in the small town of Boonville, Missouri, where she developed a love for journalism while working on her high school newspaper, The Pirate Press. Her passion for the profession and desire for new surroundings led her to travel west two hours to study broadcast journalism at the University of Kansas instead of traveling east 20 minutes to study at the University of Missouri.

In December 2005, Marshanna’s hard work paid off when she received her Bachelor of Science degree in news and information. During her time at KU, Marshanna worked as a news reporter and sports producer/anchor for the campus television station, KUJH-TV.

Marshanna lives in Topeka, with her dog Sam, where in her spare time she likes to watch sports, see movies and play pool. In addition, she is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Marshanna is excited to be starting her career in the Capital City and looks forward to expanding her knowledge of the issues that surround the city and the state of Kansas.

Recent stories:

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On the air

See what's on KTKA 49 ABC on our online TV schedule here.

  • 11 a.m. - "College Football: Texas at Oklahoma"
  • 2 p.m. - "College Football: Arizona at USC"
  • 6 p.m. - "NASCAR Countdown"
  • 6:30 p.m. - "NASCAR Bank of America 500"

Coming up on 49 News this weekend --

  • Saturday after the race, find out why some Kansans are installing their own alternative energy sources, in spite of the high set-up costs.
  • The annual Parade of Homes goes on despite the rough economy. Sunday night, learn if organizers are having a tougher time putting on the show with the slumping housing market.
  • Coming up on Monday's 49 News Good Morning Kansas --Does snoring zap brain power? Researchers have long looked at the link between snoring and intelligence, but now, there's new food for thought. Find out about the research that highlights the relationship between snoring and intelligence in kids.
  • How is all the news about the shaky economy and the stock market crash affecting you? Let us know by weighing in on our Web poll.
  • Go farther on less. Check out Kansasgasprices.com.

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Digital Television Info

By Feb. 17, 2009, all television transmissions will be digital. KTKA is counting down to that day. Will your television screen go black? Tap into resources that will aid you in making the switch. Go.


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