Amanda Rooker joined the KCCI news team in July 2021 as a dayside general assignment reporter.

Amanda's excited to return to the Midwest after a year in Washington, D.C. There, she earned her Master's at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a specialization in politics, policy and foreign affairs. She also worked as a D.C. correspondent for KVRR Local News in Fargo, North Dakota and as a researcher in the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit.

During her time in Washington, Amanda covered the 2020 presidential campaign closely as well as the death of former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol and the Inauguration of Joe Biden.

Amanda also attended Northwestern University in Chicago where she earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. Go 'Cats! Her work has taken her across the globe, having reported on environmental issues in Cuba, immigration and legal affairs in Chicago and the impacts of uranium mining on Navajo Nation in New Mexico.

She got her first taste of political reporting when she covered the Iowa Caucuses in February 2020 and she's been hooked ever since! She's excited to be back in Iowa and looks forward to covering the Iowa legislative session and learning more about Iowa politics.

Although Amanda was born and raised in San Clemente, California, she's happy to call the Midwest home. When she's not working, Amanda loves to travel, explore local coffee shops and try new restaurants.

You can catch Amanda on KCCI 8 News at 5pm and 6pm most nights. Be sure to follow her on Twitter at @AmandaRookerTV.

If you have a story idea, restaurant suggestion, or just want to say hi, you can email her at amanda.rooker@hearst.com.