Ana Cabrera.

Nationally recognized journalist, MS Now anchor and Murrow College alumna came back to Pullman, Washington, April 6th through 8th, 2026, to accept the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism.

At the 50th Murrow Symposium.

While back on the Palouse, Cabrera joined NWPB health care reporter Rachel Sun in front of a studio audience of staff and students to talk about her journey.

Hello, and thank you for joining us.

I'm Rachel Sun, reporter for Northwest Public Broadcasting.

I'm here today with Ana Cabrera, who's been honored with the Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ana is an anchor for MS NOW and formerly worked at CNN, KMGH TV, and Spokane's KHQ-TV Over the course of her career, she's covered major national events, including award winning coverage of the High Park Fire in 2012, the killing of Michael Brown, and subsequent protests in 2014, and the Unite the Right rally in 2017.

Ana is also a Washington State University and Edward R Murrow College of Communication alumna and former track and field athlete.

Ana, thank you so much for being here today.

How does it feel to be back home?

Oh, thank you so much for for having me to be part of this interview.

And it feels so good to be here.

It really does.

I feel like I've been walking around with a smile glued to my face, like my cheeks are starting to actually feel a little, you know, shaky because I'm smiling so much.

Just love this place.

There's something so, so special about just the cougar community and the warmth of the people here.

Just the beauty of the landscape with the Palouse.

It's just it feels amazing to be here.

I, I am having lots of great flashbacks in terms of the good memories made at this school.

Yeah, well, and we're so excited to have you here again.

Over the course of your career, you have grown to be a beloved and trusted source of quality journalism.

And I was wondering, when you think about the impact of your stories, what, what stories have been the most meaningful to you and why?

It's such a tough question to answer.

Because there have been so many stories, and I think it's the people at the heart of the story that, you know, impact me as a journalist.

But it's their story.

You know, it's it's really about making a difference in their lives and in the communities that we serve.

And, you know, being there for the audiences, through the work that we do as a public service.

And so it's hard to just narrow down one or 2 or 3 even stories over the course of my now 20 plus year career that, stand out the most.

I think, you know, one that really stands out is a story I covered early, very early in my career when I was, a reporter at KHQ in Spokane, and it was, a murder that happened in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, of a family, the Groene family.

And the reason that one stands out so much to me was at the time, I was having such a hard time doing live shots, and I felt so much stage fright.

And that was a story that allowed me to just really connect with the work itself and stop thinking about me and my performance.

You know, being on air and just wanting to do right by the community and by this family is there was a killer on the loose and these children who were missing.

And it been such a brutal crime that I, I just got out of my head and I realized the magic of connecting to the story, and the important service of informing the community, you know, being able to help keep people safe.

There's so many elements that really connected me to the work, within that one story.

So that was one that really, really hit me hard.

I think the Michael Brown story that you referenced was another when I was a reporter at CNN.

Just being in a situation that was so, volatile, frankly, in terms of the protests in the street following that shooting.

And there were so many layers in terms of injustice, that had triggered such raw emotion.

And there was, of course, just the questions that you have to try to answer as a reporter about what had unfolded to begin with.

But then there was like the deeper, broader context of some of the pain that was on display in the streets that we also wanted to dig into.

And so it was a really, I think, impactful story for the country, because it wasn't just about that one killing of a young black man, in fact, a black teen.

It was more about, you know, some of the experiences others had had in a broader level in terms of racial injustice.

So I think that was another story that stands out to me.

And then there are, you know, other stories that stand out in the most positive ways.

I highlighted a woman who was part of the series that we did called, it was it was about heroes, like everyday heroes.

And, this was a woman who it was judge by day and then, track coach by afternoon and evening with, a community that was underserved.

And it was, you know, providing a venue for children to empower, you know, and find out more who they are to, like, kind of build that confidence and self-esteem.

It gave them a venue to, be outside of kind of an environment that might have been very difficult at home or, you know, within their friend group.

A lot of violence, drugs, abuse.

So it provided them a safe place to, to grow as people and to put them on a better track that could be different, can make a difference in their lives and their future.

And so, highlighting that woman, coach Jean Bell, she, she was an amazing person.

And how she changed her community and the lives of so many others.

And it's, you know, such a thrill to be a journalist, to have the privilege to meet these different people and to explore these different subjects.

That's a great way to describe it.

A privilege, I'm curious because, you know, especially when you're going through journalism school, there's this very, important line that's drawn for you about being objective and keeping a certain amount of distance, distance between you and your subjects.

But I think as you're describing, that connection with people is really important to the work that we do.

Can you tell me about how you balance those two ideas?

I think we have to be objective because we want to get the truth out, and we also want to have trust with the community.

You know, whether you're interviewing an everyday person and trying to develop a rapport with them or you're, you know, interviewing a government official and having to hold that person accountable, you want to still have a respectful relationship with those people as well.

And so I think, you know, the distance comes in just that, like, you don't want to be seen as even if it was, you know, just perception as having, you know, a conflict of interest in a story.

But at the same time, we're all human.

And I think that's what makes a journalist impactful, is showing the humanity.

And I have never shied away from from that piece of me as a journalist, too.

I think I've leaned into it.

If anything, the ability to empathize with my interviewees, the people who are at the heart of the story, recently, you know, talking to a woman who was in a plane crash on, you know, the plane that crashed into an emergency vehicle on the runway of LaGuardia.

And this is a woman who had the wherewithal to help people off that plane not knowing what was going on.

And I, you know, couldn't help but put myself in her shoes.

Like, how crazy was that?

How, you know, how much fear were you feeling?

How did you know what to do?

I think, you know, in some ways, you know, connecting in that way makes me a better journalist because it helps me figure out the right questions to ask.

It helps me get to the heart of the story, or, you know, connecting with people who are victims of crimes or, you know, have or survivors of mass tragedies, which unfortunately we have to cover.

But like trying to really connect on an emotional level, it allows them to open up more and to get more comfortable, to feel like they can trust me.

And that's really important to me.

And at the same time, in order to, to tell a story in like the most responsible way, it depends again on the story itself and how you connect with it.

But, you know, it's I take that responsibility as a journalist about, you know, shining light and getting to the truth and probing, for that truth in, in every story, very, very seriously.

And so it depends on what the story is in terms of how much I put of myself into it.

But it's never about me.

It's always about the people who are are the subjects of the story.

Yeah.

You know, you're really well known today, but I know there was a time when you were a student, just like the students here today, just like I was a few years ago and still learning the ropes.

I was wondering if you could talk about what made you want to be a journalist and what's kept you in this career over the years.

So I think it was just, there wasn't a moment that was like, I, I want to be a journalist.

It wasn't like I grew up dreaming of being a journalist.

But there have been multiple points along the path that have inspired me to go to the next level, or to try harder and different ways to learn more, to get better to you know, hone the craft a little bit more.

And, and I think for me, it really started when I was in high school.

I had an opportunity in the Vancouver School District to do a little bit of reporting for the district, sort of news magazine.

And that was my first little taste of, of doing journalism.

And it was fun.

And I had the opportunity to to interview, President George W Bush, who at the time was actually a candidate he hadn't even been elected yet.

But, that was a real thrill.

Tom Brokaw had come through that school district, as part of his book tour for The Greatest Generation, and I had a chance to ask a few questions of him and being able to ask questions was something that connected with me.

Very early on.

And I was recruited to run cross-country and track here at Washington State, which brought me to this school.

And because I had enjoyed that little experience as a high school student in journalism, I thought, I'll I'll check out the comm program.

The Edward R. Murrow College.

Right.

And they have a, you know, a lot of resources that that back it up.

And so every step along the way, every experience led me to the next.

It was like, this is fun.

I'm learning a lot.

I want to learn more, I want more of it.

And, and that sort of has been the case throughout my career, where there have been people along the way who've helped to provide, a helping hand and, you know, a shining light.

Certainly the professors here helped make journalism even cooler, because they were so fantastic and all the hands on experience we got, as you know, students and being part of cable eight.

So that's, that's part of what really, you know, kind of pulled me into journalism.

And now I think what has has continued to, like, Keep the fire burning is just the, the people that you meet, the stories you get to tell.

There's, of course, the creative aspect of storytelling, which I really do love.

And, the, the people that you get to meet in all walks of life and just the constant learning that I get to do on all kinds of different subject matter.

And at the end of the day, it's been feeling like you're making a difference and like having it impact in the in the individual lives of the people who are at the heart of the stories, but also the the community, the broader audience that we're serving.

And that provides a lot of fulfillment for me.

Yeah.

And speaking of community, I know you were raised in a Mexican-American household right here in Washington.

I was wondering, if you felt that your cultural heritage affected your perspective as a storyteller and a journalist.

And if so, how?

I think my background, it affects.

And it's not just my my cultural or ethnic background.

It does affect my storytelling.

You know, I, I have those experiences that provide, you know, perspective in how I approach a story, how I connect with the people I'm interviewing who are impacted by these stories, how I connect with the audience at home.

I mean, there are people that have come up to me to say, you know, I want to do this job because I watched you and you made me realize I could do it.

When I started on air, there weren't very many Hispanic women who held a big news chair or news desk.

I was definitely inspired by people like Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer and, you know, the nightly news anchors were all men at the time, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings.

And they inspired me to.

But there wasn't, like a Hispanic woman in those chairs.

And so, to be representative of, you know, the Hispanic community now in the role as a journalist and being a role model to other people makes me realize that that really does matter.

And I get it.

Or I get interaction with people who are, viewers who say, I trust you because you look like me.

And I think that really matters.

But at the same time, I'm a mom, I am a runner, and all of those pieces of my identity also are part of me in how I approach my stories to and help me connect with people and help me connect with the story in some ways, in deeper ways, because I'm impacted by the same things I'm exploring for the communities that we're serving, right.

The issues that we're exploring, you know, whether it's also, just in an individual story.

I know you're a health care reporter.

You know, we've been covering just the rising health care costs.

My family has to pay for health care, too.

And, you know, I have had a sibling who had cancer.

So I know what that looks like.

And I, you know, I've told stories about other, other people who've experienced some of those health challenges.

And so all of my background helps inform me as a journalist.

It helps me, I think, be a better journalist.

Was there ever a story that really hit extra hard because of, you know, something you've experienced in your life?

That.

Yeah, just just sticks with you more because of that?

One that sticks with me is the Aurora theater shooting.

And, and I think part of that is like, we all go to the movies and, you know, that was one of those mass tragedies.

I also the mass school shootings that we've covered, because I have kids who are of that age, it's hard not to put your own child's face.

On, you know, the victims of some of those, those tragedies.

So those are some that have really stuck with me because of, of my own personal experience.

Yeah.

And, you know, speaking of tragic events, in 2017, you covered the London Bridge terror attack for roughly nine hours.

How do you power through when this job puts you in such a stressful, intense work environment for so long?

And then how do you manage your stress just in the day to day?

So breaking news is like our bread and butter.

I think, you know, so many of us do it because the the breaking news is, it's important.

It's important news.

If you feel that urgency and you're kind of driven by adrenaline and a lot of those moments.

So that example you gave, it was like, you just keep going.

You have more to uncover.

You're learning about it as it's unfolding and, and it's it's exciting in some ways.

There's just that natural intrigue.

And again, you're I'm a conduit for my viewers.

Like, they need me in those moments.

And I feel like the work that I'm doing, is important.

It's vital for our society.

So that's what keeps me going, and especially in those marathon moments and a great team, of course, it's like you don't do it by yourself.

You do it with people who are are there with you.

You're in the trenches together.

Me, producers, my videographers, you know, all all the folks who put on a broadcast or who are part of that journalism team on any given story or any given newscast.

So so that all helps.

And then, in terms of decompressing, because you're right, it's a it's a stressful business.

It the work is intense at times.

Sometimes a lot of the time.

But I, I still love to run and that that's sort of my moving meditation.

It helps me, you know, physically release that helps me kind of calm my mind.

So it's, you know, good for my emotional, physical health.

And that's the other way I decompress and then having, you know, my kids and I have two children, husband we love to spend time together.

So we still try to have family dinners when we can.

And, just those connections really make a difference.

What would you say the most valuable skill you've learned over the course of your career has been that's helped you stand out and is there anything that you wish that you learned in college that you didn't?

Oh, that's a great question.

I don't know what my most valuable skill is.

I think one is just knowing how to learn.

Honestly, being a good student is something that I take to heart.

I still feel like a student.

I study hard every single day to prepare for my next day, to just learn about as much as I can, on any story, to make sure that I'm armed with the facts and understand, different dynamics so that I can tell the full story.

So being a good student is one of those things.

And I think the other piece is, just trying to be myself, like I, you know, have a lot of colleagues who I am envious of because of their ability to write so brilliantly or to articulate so well in the moment.

And, you know, sometimes I wish I had more of this or that, but one thing that somebody early in my career told me is like, you got to be yourself and tell stories your way, and that authenticity is so important.

And so I think that's one thing that I wish I thought more about in college, which is like, how do I bring myself, you know, to this work as opposed to trying to emulate other people?

Like you can learn from a lot of other people to help hone your craft and figure out your own voice.

But it's still really important to, like, bring yourself to wherever it is that you're if you're going in, whichever news organization that you're a part of, like, don't try to be like them, like bring yourself to them and to the viewers.

Because that authenticity connects.

Yeah.

How do you find your own voice?

Because it's it's easy to hear, like be yourself.

And that sounds simple.

But when you're also trying to follow the the professional standards and hit certain marks, that seems like it would be difficult.

It's trial by error in so many ways.

You just got to do the work.

The more you do it, the more you find your voice.

And it's taking risks, right?

Trying some different things doesn't always work out, but being willing to to try some different things to define what works for you, I think is, is how I have found it.

I still feel like sometimes I'm finding my voice.

You know, the more you write, the more you realize how you, you know, communicate and you can continue to improve in that way.

So just do it honestly.

Like you just got to go through it.

You got to keep working at it and and never just accept.

Yeah, I know that you've done a lot of live interviews.

I'm curious what you've learned from doing those in an increasingly confrontational climate that we're in.

I always approach interviews with respect and being respectful to every person that I talk to.

And yet sometimes there's confrontation.

But I deal with that by making sure I'm armed with the facts.

It's not my opinion that I'm trying to like, you know, debate somebody with.

It's, you know, it's making sure to hold them accountable with the information that matters.

And it's also, you know, always reminding myself that, again, I'm in a position and it's my responsibility to get answers for the people that are watching.

And that helps me to try to I think, have the right tone in some of those interviews.

Right.

And I do think when you lead with the facts, it's, it's hard for somebody to call you out.

It's not me trying to insert myself.

It's just making sure that the audience is informed and making sure, you know, the person who I'm interviewing isn't able to just take a narrative and run with it and control the message.

If it's not based on facts.

Yeah.

And then I have one more question before we turn it over to our audience members.

You've called Edward R. Murrow, your North Star, or Guiding Light in this profession.

What are some of the qualities or practices of his that guide you today?

I think it's his courage, and I think this job takes a lot of courage.

You know, you're out there, courage on on many levels and doing the work itself.

And, you know, having those confrontations with people in who are in positions of authority, it's, you know, having to move from one city to another in order to continue to advance in your career and to grow, which is along the way.

So you're putting yourself in uncomfortable positions a lot.

And that's certainly something that Murrow just was so good at, right?

He he was so gutsy.

Whether he was a World War Two correspondent or in his confrontations with McCarthy, Senator McCarthy during that era of McCarthyism, he was just so fearless.

So that's one thing that I think about.

And then I think the other really and most important piece of kind of like the tenets of journalism is, is to seek truth and to follow the facts wherever they lead, to report without fear or favor, to ask the probing questions, to get to that truth, making sure that, viewers are informed, that's something that's at the heart of all the stories that we do.

And part of that is making sure you have the complete story.

I think in the age that we're in with all these different information outlets, all these different platforms, all of these echo chambers that people sometimes choose to stay in, it's hard to necessarily break through.

But I do believe that now, as much as ever, people need accurate, revelatory reporting.

And so the Murrow tradition and that Murrow legacy continues to be, I think, the gold standard for journalists.

And it's also the way that we serve our audiences the best and have the deepest impact.

It's a good answer.

Anna, thank you so much.