Rhea Panela

Sunrise Co-Anchor/Multimedia Journalist, NewsChannel 21

I joined the NewsChannel 21 team in June 2019 as a multimedia journalist. In October 2020, I started my new role (and changed my sleeping schedule!) as one of the NewsChannel 21 at Sunrise co-anchors!

I've worn many hats during my time here. I have learned how to shoot, write, and edit my own stories as a multimedia journalist, and anchored/produced weekend evening newscasts.

I came to the High Desert from the rainy city of Seattle. Bend has welcomed me with its beautiful natural wonders and  I look forward to exploring more of what this city has to offer.

I’m a proud graduate of the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) where I majored in journalism and picked up two minors in English literature and diversity. I also completed one semester of law school with a concentration in intellectual property law at Seattle University before following my heart back into journalism.

Before joining NewsChannel 21, I was a morning news intern at KIRO 7, Seattle’s CBS affiliate station, and a digital production intern and on-camera talent for Seattle’s public broadcasting station, KCTS.

In addition to English, I can speak two Filipino dialects (Ilocano and Tagalog) and understand conversational Spanish.  I am a member of the Asian American Journalists Association.

In my spare time, I can be found reading a young adult/sci-fi/fantasy fiction book, trying out new restaurants, or playing with my pit bull, Ollie Pawter. I am so thrilled and grateful to start my career in beautiful Bend.