Kelsey Barchenger
Morning Anchor | Kato Living Co-Host
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Kelsey Barchenger started at KEYC on December 31, 2014. She grew up in Elysian, MN, and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College. Kesley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies with a minor in English. She did her internships at KEYC, WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, and Radio Mankato. She began her career out of college at Waseca County News, where she worked as a Newspaper Reporter. In October of 2016, she was promoted to the Morning and Midday anchor for KEYC.
• Kelsey loves being able to build relationships with people all over southern Minnesota. The most rewarding part of her job is being able to see those same people at the mall or a coffee shop and talk with them.
• She hates the cold and would move to Hawaii in a flash if she didn’t love what she does every single day!
• What's your favorite part of your job?
I love having something different to do every single day.
• What's your dream story?
I’d love to do a story similar to the one the reporter did on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, where I’m reporting on delicious food falling from the sky.
• What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a doctor. That changed when one of my classmates fainted at the doctor’s office.
• What got you interested in the news?
When I was younger, I’d prop my dad’s camera up on our kitchen counter and create my own game shows. My mom was always the lucky contestant and she always went home a winner. I just loved the concept of taking my own ideas and making them into something bigger for everyone to see.
• Have you ever been told that you look like someone famous?
I’ve been called Miranda Lambert a time or two… maybe it’s just the blonde hair?
• If you could spend a week anywhere, where would you go?
I would be gone to Hawaii in a flash. I love the warm weather, beaches, and AMAZING Hula Pie!
• What's your favorite food?
I am in love with every single flavor of ice cream or frozen yogurt.
• What's your favorite sport to watch?
I love watching football! I bet on the Vikes winning the Super Bowl every single year… I lose money every single year.
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To honor Lisa, Kelsey reached out to the many she has impacted along the way.
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Meet Julia Pohlman! She’s a local woman who makes homemade cards -- and they’re not just any cards! Pohlman has already produced hundreds for several nonprofits, such as The Angel Card Project, Operation Gratitude and Cards for Kindness.
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Looking for a fun way to add some greenery to your home this Spring? Kato Living is all about eucalyptus wreaths. To talk more about it is Becca Herberg, of Lady Slipper Flowers in St. Peter, to talk more about those lovely leaves.
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Now that spring(-ish) weather has begin, TJ Jeannette of River Valley Running visited the Kato Living studio to talk about all things athletic shoes!
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There are so many choices these days for which grill or smoker to purchase, it can be overwhelming. Kato Living turned to the experts, Stunt and Jake, at the BBQ Show for some tips on what to look for!
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Kato Living kicks off a new Friday series on local breweries! Kelsey and Lisa start off with one that has a great story behind it, as well as great beer! Owned by Brewmaster John Mansfield, Wardhouse Brewery can be found at 308 South State Street in Waseca.
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Healthy dogs are happy dogs; and of course, that means their humans are happy, too! Joining the Kato Living studio with some ways to keep our dogs healthy and happy is Nicole, with Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital. in Mankato.
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Kato Living invited some MSU Mankato student athletes to the studio, to talk about their experiences balancing sports, grades and money!
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Andy Elofson visited the Kato Living studio to talk about PCs for People, and more about their mission and how viewers can get involved.
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Have no fear: Shockwave therapy is not as intimidating as it sounds! In fact, it could be a key treatment in helping viewers manage their pain. They found the only one in town: Schugel Family Chiropractic. Dr. Monica Schugel, D.C., gave Kelsey and Lisa a shocking look!
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Metta Meditation Retreat Center can be found at 3864 420th Ave in Janesville. The ladies of Kato Living found it to be a truly beautiful spot.
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Since its launch, Kato Living has featured a couple of different wood workers on the show. Kelsey and Lisa found another local wood worker, Harold Enamorado, that brings his unique perspective to the art, with CALA Contemporary Woodwork in New Ulm.
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Kelsey and Lisa met with up Chef Tracy recently in the Cherry Creek Kitchen for a delicious but simple dip idea.
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Catherine A. Haala, author of “Does This Thought Serve Me?,” and born in Sleepy Eye, visits the Kato Living studio to chat about her new book.
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Shayna Erickson (the self-proclaimed “Cleaning Chick”) offers Kato Living some tips on how to declutter and how to manage that spring cleaning!
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A couple of members of The Hoppers visited the Kato Living studio to perform live, ahead of a special upcoming show in Mankato!
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A new gaming center has opened in Waseca! Kelsey and Lisa stopped by Good Gaming Center, recently; and while the shop hadn’t opened for the day, quite yet, the owner, John Berg, did have a lot to say!
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The month of April actually has a lot of cool designations. Of course, Kato Living will get to a lot of them on the show. However, today’s spotlight is on National Tea Month! Kelsey and Lisa visited Curiosi-Tea House!
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There are valid health benefits to a regular mani-pedis. Kato Living visited Liv Aveda to see what trends have everyone biting their nails to get in on!
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Recently, Kelsey and Lisa went to the farthest reaches of their viewing area, in Belle Plaine, for this installment of Coffee Shop Friday! Welcome to Riverview Coffee, a unique location that does all of its own roasting! Owner Troy Weiland was happy to sit down to and discuss the method to his caffeinated madness!
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KatoLiving had new prom dress styles on the show a couple of weeks ago -- now its the guys’ turn! Kato Living’s friends at JLongs are in studio with prom fashions for the boys.
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It’s not easy eating green. Some folks need something to pizzazz their salads up a little bit. Dietitian April Graff visited the Kato Living studio with some ideas.
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IBE is a business program at MSU where students build a business from scratch, giving students real-life experience. Three members of Kato Collection joined the studio to show off their ideas.
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Everyone needs a good laugh, every once in awhile, and this group is set out to make that happen! The leader of the Greater Mankato Comedy Coalition, Dan Bacula, is in studio to talk about the local comedy scene.
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River’s Edge Hospital, in St. Peter, offers Rock Steady Boxing class, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:15 p.m. Deb Mattson, MPT, from River’s Edge was on hand to show the benefits of boxing,
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Ginger from Bonita stopped by to share a modern twist on the Easter basket to show they aren’t just for kids!
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Kelsey and Lisa visited the local spot for all things quilting in the region: River City Quilts in Old Town Mankato. It’s owner is committed to keeping the hobby thriving for all to enjoy.
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Kelsey and Lisa get their dancing shoes ready as guest Jennifer James, founder of JPJ Productions, a dance studio in Mankato, shows the folks at Kato Living how to really take center stage!
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It’s a stage of life many parents (including Lisa!) go through: empty nesting. Of course, empty nesting can sometimes also mean downsizing the home. Local realtor Candee Deichman of Century 21 Atwood visited the Kato Living studio for some tips on how to tackle the transition.
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It’s an event meant to raise funds and bring awareness to the problem of homelessness in our region. It’s called a “sleep out.” With more on the event is one of its organizers, Pastor Erica Koser with Connections Ministries.
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It’s time for Kato Living viewers to get their Rap on! This Tuesday Tunes performance is by New Ulm’s Flow Fanatic!
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Dr. Seth from Rising Sun Chiropractic in St. Peter visited the Kato Living studio to talk about a product that might help!
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Kato Living heads to New Ulm! This weekend is the grand opening for Sweet Haven Tonics. The cool thing about this story is that the Kelsey and Lisa met its founder two years ago, when she was just starting out making her tonics and looking for places to sell them. Now, she has her own place!
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Ahead of Easter, the Coyote & Bee Studio stopped by our studio to talk about unique ways to paint eggs.
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Ever heard of sound bath meditation? Learn more from the Vibrant Collective in Waseca.
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Experts say the biggest obstacle when it comes to finding gifts for others is time. Everyone has busy lives and every second is precious. But have no fear! There are some local folks from Zeitgeist Gifting who want to help out!
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From tree to bottle, its the time of year Maple Syrup will be ready to harvest from area trees.
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McKayla Kaardal stops by the Kato Living studio to talk about her small business that started with making blankets for family and friends and expanded from there.
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There are many ways to jump on the juicing trend. Juicy Mama joined the Kato Living Studio to share more about it.
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It’s an idea that started with two friends, Jace Marti and Nate Giesekee, who took an idea and just ran with it.
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Chris Hawkey and Rocket Club play their hearts out inside the Kato Living Studio!
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Kelsey and Lisa enjoy a good yoga workout, from time to time -- and they found a way to make its impact even greater.
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Kelsey and Lisa visited Costas Candies in downtown Owatonna for a behind the scenes look at how they make their creations that have been making southern Minnesota happy for more than 100 years.
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Heather Von Bank of MSU Mankato visited the Lisa and guest-host, KEYC News Now’s Meteorologist Caitlyn Lorr to talk about parenting, new technology, and how to keep up with the times!
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Recently Lisa and Kelsey had a chance to meet up with Chef Tracy in the Cherry Creek Kitchen for an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that will help the family bounce into spring!
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As National Caffeine Awareness Month continues, Kelsey and Lisa look look at the science behind everyone’s favorite buzz. Kato Living had Jen Donkin, a dietitian with River’s Edge Hospital in St. Peter.
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Alternative Roots Farm stopped by the Kato Living studio show off their own beauty: tall grass cider.
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Kelsey and Lisa are betting audiences won’t believe their eyes when they get to see what’s in store for them! Hint: Miss Mankato and Miss North Mankato are in the studio!
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Danielle Deopere of New Ulm’s More Than Music, which provides mindful meditation through the use of music, visited the Kato Living studio.
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