Penny Kmitt joined the News 3 team in September 2021.
Penny knew she wanted to work in news since she was just 13, after volunteering to broadcast the 8th grade morning announcements at her grade school in North Royalton, Ohio.
Prior to calling Hampton Roads home, Penny covered breaking news and filled in on the anchor desk at KFDA in Amarillo, Tx. The Texas Panhandle gave Penny a variety of experiences, including working closely with law enforcement during a string of drive-by shootings, researching long-term side effects of COVID-19 such as hair loss and high blood pressure, and even a 3-part series on the opening of Amarillo's first luxury boutique hotel (that was a real speakeasy back in 1920!).
Before entering the world of news, Penny had a career in sports as a digital producer and writer for NBC Sports Washington, where she interned before becoming a freelance employee. Penny then took her sports expertise to the NCAA, working as a sideline reporter and on-air talent for The Patriot League Network and American University, covering men's and women's division I basketball.
Penny graduated in 2020 with honors from American University in Washington, DC, where she double majored in Journalism and American Studies. While in the nation's capital, she covered the city's newly passed marijuana laws and regulations and helped develop social media strategies for a upcoming museum, The National Museum of the American People.
Penny has allowed her passion for storytelling to take her everywhere and anywhere. Penny spent half a year living in Copenhagen, Denmark studying mass communications and social media (and traveling around Europe any chance she could). Penny also spent a summer interning for NBC Universal at Bravo in New York City. At Bravo, Penny learned a lot about the podcasting industry, writing interview questions for members of The Real Housewives and editing Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live podcast.
In her spare time, Penny loves spending time in the community hearing people's stories. Penny enjoys volunteering with local women's shelters, previously helping at Amarillo's Downtown Women's Center, which assists women overcoming addiction obtain jobs, and build a different life for themselves.
Penny also loves a good Sunday brunch, walks along the water, and trying new places to eat -- making Hampton Roads the perfect home! Penny cannot wait to learn more about the community, start volunteering with community members, and try a bunch of new restaurants.
Have a breaking story? Give Penny a shout at penny.kmitt@wtkr.com!
