Reporter Unfazed by Cockroach Incident During Live Broadcast

A moment of unexpected drama unfolded during a live TV broadcast in Los Angeles featuring KTLA 5 news reporter Rachel Menitoff. Her late-night report on a heat wave in Sherman Oaks took a surprising twist when a cockroach appeared on camera.

While Menitoff covered the ongoing weather conditions, viewers watched as the insect landed on her stomach and crawled across her neck and chest. Despite the distraction, she maintained her professionalism, continuing the report without missing a beat.

Menitoff stated, ‘It’s more comfortable now, but temperatures remain in the 80s in the Valley. Overnight temperatures aren’t dropping, reducing recovery time from daytime heat.’

Colleagues showcased her composure during the clip, with Menitoff calmly brushing the pest off after the segment ended. ‘Oh gosh. Oh, I feel something,’ she exclaimed after finishing the live report.

Praising Menitoff’s calm demeanor, reporter Eric Spillman commented on her ability to continue despite the distraction. Anchor Megan Henderson also applauded Menitoff’s professionalism, stating she wouldn’t have managed to remain as composed.

Kirk Hawkins, a meteorologist reacting to the incident, humorously admitted, ‘That’s terrifying. Now we’re all going to have nightmares about flying cockroaches.’

During an interview with KTLA, Menitoff revealed she was aware of the cockroach crawling over her but chose to continue the broadcast. She stated, ‘I said to myself, just get through this moment and then kind of shake it off.’

Menitoff explained that the story’s focus on extreme heat was ironically fitting given that roaches are attracted to heat and camera lights.

Fox News Digital reached out for a comment but did not receive an immediate response from Menitoff.

The viral clip inspired varied reactions online. Jeff Vaughn, anchor of ‘The Daily News Drop,’ admitted he would have reacted wildly had he been in the same situation. Conservative commentator Steve Guest criticized the city’s cleanliness, saying, ‘Karen Bass’s LA is overrun by cockroaches.’

Former Los Angeles mayoral contender Spencer Pratt commented on the area’s conditions with a critical tone, while Gio Benitez from ‘Good Morning America’ playfully noted Menitoff’s potential on the show ‘Fear Factor.’