local
'I knew it was on me': KTLA reporter powers through live report as cockroach crawls on her
By Lily Dallow at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
A cockroach made an unexpected appearance during a live KTLA weather report Tuesday night, but the reporter at the center of the moment didn't let it derail her broadcast. KTLA reporter Rachel Menitoff was reporting live from Sherman Oaks on the lingering effects of Southern California's heat wav...
Key takeaway KTLA reporter Rachel Menitoff was reporting live from Sherman Oaks on the lingering effects of Southern California's heat wave when the insect landed on her shoulder [...
Why this matters in The El Paso
For El Paso viewers, the resilience shown by KTLA reporter Rachel Menitoff in the face of a distracting cockroach during a live broadcast may evoke memories of their own encounters with the region's unique pests. El Paso's desert climate is home to various insects and animals that can be just as unexpected and unwelcome. While the city's location along the US-Mexico border can bring a distinct set of environmental challenges, local news teams are familiar with adapting to unexpected situations, whether it's a sudden change in weather or an unwanted critter. The ability to power through a live report despite distractions is a testament to the training and professionalism of journalists like Menitoff, and El Paso's own local reporters likely appreciate the skill and composure required to handle such situations. This incident may also spark conversations among El Paso's journalism community about their own experiences with unexpected interruptions during live broadcasts.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A cockroach made an unexpected appearance during a live KTLA weather report Tuesday night, but the reporter at the center of the moment didn't let it derail her broadcast. KTLA reporter Rachel Menitoff was reporting live from Sherman Oaks on the lingering effects of Southern California's heat wav...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lily Dallow at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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