Rachael Penton

Chief Meteorologist Rachael Penton holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from the University of South Alabama in Mobile as well as a Master of Science in Geoscience from Mississippi State University. Rachael holds the title of "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" from the American Meteorological Society, the highest honor in the field of broadcast meteorology.

Rachael started her career at KALB in 2012 as weekend meteorologist and multi-media journalist, also anchoring Jambalaya before moving on to Baton Rouge where she worked as a meteorologist and multi-media journalist for WVLA.

In 2015 Rachael left the south for an opportunity to work at KTVA in Anchorage, Alaska. Rachael forecasted the weather for the entire state, reporting on everything from extreme cold and winter storms to the aurora borealis and earthquakes. She also hosted a cross country skiing segment.

In 2017 Rachael and her videographer husband took a 5,700-mile road from Anchorage to Ohio to work at WSYX in Columbus, Ohio as a meteorologist and reporter. In Ohio Rachael covered severe weather and winter storms in addition to reporting on a variety of environmental and general assignment topics.

Rachael rejoined KALB in 2019 as a meteorologist and reporter and was named "2020 Reporter of the Year" for the small market category by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. She is also an FAA-certified drone pilot.

She is a native of Mobile, Alabama but now has roots in central Louisiana after marrying a central Louisiana native. When she's not working, she loves planning trips and traveling internationally, gardening, reading, hiking, and cycling.