As a kid growing up in Burnsville, one of John’s favorite summertime activities was the Hanson family’s yearly trip to the Minnesota State Fair. But unlike many kids, who looked forward to the Midway and the animals, John spent most of his time hanging around the TV and radio stations, trying to absorb as much as he possibly could.
It appears that he picked up the necessary pointers, because John enters television for the first time as co-host of TWIN CITIES LIVE, his career up to this point has been in radio. John moved home from Las Vegas, where he spent that last nine years as the program director for two sports talk radio stations.
John was one of 500 people who showed up for the public casting call at Mall of America in July 2007. “I was in town for family reasons and hinted to my mom that if the right job came up I’d like to move back. She got really excited and insisted I audition for this new local show coming to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. I knew it was a long shot, but I waited in the long lines because I just couldn’t disappoint my mom," said John.
Following the casting call, John was among a handful of people called back for additional screen tests at the station. “John is witty, genuine and likeable…and every time he gets in front of the camera those qualities shine." said Mandy Grosser, Executive Producer,
TWIN CITIES LIVE.
Don’t be surprised if you run into John at a local sporting event. He is an avid U of M Gopher fan and enjoys watching almost any sport live. John grew up playing baseball at Apple Valley High School and he still enjoys the occasional backyard game with his buddies. Besides sports, John loves to try new restaurants and prides himself on finding the best bargains in town.
John is thrilled to be closer to his parents and large extended family. He recently moved into a condo in Minneapolis and is working hard to fine-tune his handy man skills. “I’m really looking forward to working with Rebekah and having new and sometimes unpredictable experiences each day. I don’t cook, I don’t worry about how my clothes fit and I don’t wear makeup…well, until now. So I’ll be learning a lot."
If you have a story idea or comment for John, email him at jhanson1@kstp.com
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“We’re home!" Those are the words Rebekah yelled as she crossed the border from Wisconsin into Minnesota, ready to start a new adventure with her husband Corey and two young daughters, Hathaway (3) and Delaney (2).
“Hosting TWIN CITIES LIVE is truly my dream job. Where else can you celebrate Minnesota, and actually give people information they can use? Plus, I get to be home most nights by dinner time. Life doesn’t get much better," says Rebekah. Working as an evening anchor in Milwaukee for the last five years didn’t allow for much family time. Now, Rebekah and her family are looking forward to more visits to the zoo, Twins games, and BBQs at their home in Woodbury.
Rebekah is also thrilled to be closer to her parents and three sisters. Rebekah grew up in Willow River, Minnesota, just south of Duluth. “Growing up in a small town taught me to be resourceful! There wasn’t always a lot to do so my siblings and I had to be creative," laughs Rebekah. That strong work ethic continued as Rebekah grew older. She landed her first television job as a morning anchor in Duluth while she was still in college at the University of Wisconsin–Superior. Rebekah worked overnights for nearly four years before heading to Wisconsin to gain even more experience.
When she’s not working, you’ll find Rebekah checking out a new restaurant, shopping with her sisters, or trying to teach her daughters a few tricks in the kitchen. Rebekah and Corey also love to travel even if it’s just for the weekend. Their favorite spots include Chicago, Green Lake, WI and anywhere along the North Shore. “We just love to get out and experience new things every day," says Rebekah.
Rebekah’s zest for life became instrumental when Corey was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2003. Initially, doctors told Corey he had 3 to 5 years to live, but he is proof that positive thinking goes a long way. Corey recently finished 18 months of chemo and never missed a day of work. “You would never guess that he’s fighting brain cancer. He’s the strongest person I know," says Rebekah. Now finding
a cure for the disease is one of the family’s top priorities, along with enjoying every new adventure that comes their way.
If you have a story idea or comment for Rebekah, email her at rwood@kstp.com |
