Tessa Mentus
Tessa Mentus has been working with New Mexicans to make our state a better place since 2014 when she joined KOB 4 as an evening anchor and reporter. On a day-to-day basis, Tessa helps lead the KOB 4 news team as New Mexico faces both good times and bad. “I love the variety of what I do – it reflects life. On one day, we may have a tragedy to report, but we also recognize a wonderful person here who has gone out of their way to help someone else.”
Tessa helped spearhead KOB 4’s ABQ4ward coverage — a series of solution-based reports on Albuquerque’s growing crime epidemic.
“As part of our solution search, I went to New Orleans to find out how that city reformed its police department after a Department of Justice intervention-the same thing we’ve faced here.” She’s also become a familiar face in Santa Fe during legislative sessions. “I genuinely like political reporting – untangling what’s really going on and letting people know how it will affect all of us.” She’s also questioned the governor and lawmakers about their plans to improve our state.
Prior to moving to New Mexico, Tessa worked at WTVY in Dothan, Alabama, and WTAJ in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She was nominated for a regional Emmy Award for her part in KOB 4’s “4 Our Kids” series, and ABQ4ward was a runner-up for the coveted Service to America Award. She also won numerous awards at her previous jobs for breaking news coverage, including a week-long assignment during a hostage situation involving a special needs child.
Tessa graduated magna cum laude from the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. She was honored as being one of only a dozen students selected as Newhouse Scholars. Syracuse University is also where she met her husband, Brandon.
When she’s not in the center of the newsroom or rushing around to meet deadlines, you’ll probably find Tessa enjoying a great cup of local coffee; taking in our local parks with Brandon, their two children and two rescue dogs; cheering on our young athletes (she’s a huge football fan) and exploring our beautiful state.