Barbara Harrington joined NewsCenter 16 in June 2011 as a reporter.

Before coming to Michiana, Barbara worked as an anchor, reporter and producer at WEIU, the PBS affiliate in Charleston, Illinois. During her time with the station, she received numerous awards for her public affairs and investigative work, including four regional and national student EMMYs. She was also awarded First Place for both feature and hard news reporting and Second Place for radio sports reporting in the 2011 Society of Professional Journalists' Mark of Excellence Awards.

Along with her time at WEIU, Barbara honed her journalism skills as an on-air intern at WGLT radio in Normal, Illinois and as an intern at CNN's Washington, D.C. bureau.

Barbara grew up in Normal, Illinois -- home of Steak 'N Shake and Beer Nuts! She attended Eastern Illinois University, where she graduated Magna Cum Lade and as the top scholar in the Journalism Department.

When she's not covering school board meetings or neighborhood crime, Barbara enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. Her most popular recipe so far is chocolate cupcakes topped with peanut butter frosting and stuffed with a peanut butter cup -- they quickly disappear in the newsroom!

She also enjoys reading, running and antique shopping.

Barbara's honored to be part of Michiana's Breaking News and Weather Authority.

Feel free to contact her with any story ideas at Barbara.harrington@wndu.com and follow her on Twitter @bjoyharrington and on Facebook for the latest Michiana news.