Michelle Esteban is a reporter and weekend anchor at KOMO-TV.
She joined KOMO News in 2000 and has won multiple Emmy Awards for her reporting including awards for breaking news, special project reporting, and the coveted best reporter.
Michelle has 13 Regional Emmy awards - two for reporting on inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Michelle discovered most patients never heard of IBC until they got it. Her initial report was so popular that over than 20 million people downloaded it from KOMO’s website. Her reports triggered a chain reaction of IBC reporting nationwide. The country's first IBC clinic opened in Houston, Texas, at MD Anderson in October of 2006. The clinic's founder said her reporting helped to pave the way for the clinic.
The reports led U.S. Senator Patty Murray to add IBC to the Congressional Record on November 16, 2006.
In 2008, Michelle won the prestigious Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for her reporting. She proved how even with your cell phone turned off - software could be used against you to listen in on your phone conversations.
She took home two Emmys for her Problem Solver Reports on James O'Neal, “The Man with Half a Face.” Her reports told the story of O'Neal, who was born with a genetic disorder that covered half his face with tumors. Despite his disfigurement, O'Neal chose to never hide and inspired so many - including the Seattle Seahawks.
Her reports on the dangers of a toy (magnetic building sets) led the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall 3.4 million Magnetix building sets. Michelle reported that the tiny magnets found inside the plastic building pieces could easily fall out and could be swallowed or aspirated by children. Michelle's investigation began when she first reported a Redmond toddler died after he swallowed magnets from the toy that twisted and blocked his small intestine.
She also was presented with the Glenn Galbreath Award for “outstanding reporting on disabled veterans” issues.
Michelle is all about connecting with people and sharing their stories, helping to keep viewers informed, and affect positive change in the community.
Michelle anchors KOMO's weekend evening newscasts and is right at home on the anchor desk, covering everything from major news events to people’s stories. She believes every story written and delivered from the weekend anchor desk has our KOMO viewers in mind - with an emphasis on the important news of the day, the events that impact us, accountability reporting, stories about our community and region, the people with stories to tell and a dose of the quirky and fun.
During her off time, she loves time with family and exploring the PNW, from the mountains and the water to live music and good food!
Michelle and her husband share a passion for golfing, hiking, house projects, and cooking. She grew up in her beloved Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Go Steelers) and fell in love with Seattle from the air, flying over the city on a bluebird day in December of 1999. She moved to Seattle 6 months later.
