Jana Shortal

Jana Shortal is an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist best known for her work at Minneapolis NBC affiliate KARE 11, where she has become one of the Twin Cities’ most recognizable and distinctive media personalities. Known for her conversational storytelling style, sharp wit, and authenticity on air, Shortal has built a reputation for blending hard news reporting with deeply human narratives. Over more than two decades in television journalism, she has covered everything from breaking news and politics to community stories and cultural issues, earning praise for her emotional intelligence and connection with viewers.

Raised in Jerseyville, Illinois, Shortal attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where mentors recognized her talent for storytelling and encouraged her to pursue broadcast journalism despite her early doubts about fitting into the industry. After graduating, she began her career at stations in Missouri before working at WDAF-TV in Kansas City. In 2003, she joined KARE 11, a station she had long admired for its innovative storytelling and journalistic standards.

At KARE 11, Shortal evolved from a general assignment reporter into one of the station’s signature on-air personalities, co-hosting and anchoring programs including "Breaking the News." She became widely known not only for her reporting but also for challenging traditional expectations surrounding television news anchors. Rejecting the “lady uniform” often associated with female broadcasters, Shortal embraced a more androgynous and personal style on air, helping broaden conversations about identity, authenticity, and representation in media. Her openness about being gay and her willingness to discuss the pressures of conformity in television journalism made her an important figure for many LGBTQ viewers and aspiring journalists.

Shortal has earned multiple Regional Emmy Awards and developed a loyal audience drawn to her emotionally grounded reporting and direct communication style. Whether covering moments of tragedy, civic unrest, or stories of resilience, she has consistently emphasized compassion and humanity in journalism.