Michelle Gallardo
Before coming to ABC 7, Michelle spent three years as weather anchor/reporter at Univision Chicago. In all, Michelle has over 20 years of producing and reporting experience that includes local, national, and international news.
Michelle also has extensive experience in the area of documentary production. In 2004, following the Asian tsunami, she travelled to Thailand and Sri Lanka to cover its aftermath. Airing on The Weather Channel and National Geographic's Storm Stories series, the resulting shows earned "Best Documentary" awards at the 2005 Telly's.
Originally from Mexico, Michelle began her on-camera career as an entertainment reporter for Television Azteca in Mexico City. While there, from 1998 to 2000 she travelled to the U.S frequently, interviewing the top celebrities of the day.
Exciting as that was, Michelle jumped at the opportunity to freelance at CNN's Mexico City bureau. This was during the now historic 2000 presidential elections, in which Mexico's ruling party lost power for the first time in 70 years.
Some of Michelle's earliest experience however was gained through opportunities provided to her by Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, where she attended graduate School. Both in 1996, they include a brief stint as Washington correspondent for WMAQ radio, and as production assistant for GMTV (Good Morning Television) in London. It was upon returning to the U.S that Michelle began her career in earnest. She landed jobs in Washington DC as an associate producer and field producer for Hearst-Argyle TV and Conus Communications respectively.
Born in Mexico City, Michelle is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico and is fully bilingual and bicultural. She was raised spending school years in Mexico City and summers with her American family in New York.
Michelle received her undergraduate degree in international relations from the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla, in Mexico. She also holds a Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
Michelle currently lives in downtown Chicago. She's a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete. She also enjoys scuba diving, theater, film, art, reading, cooking and travel.
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Twitter: @mlgallardo.
Michelle's Stories
Foul smell 'like rotten eggs' pervading south suburbs amid nearly full reservoir, residents say
The Thornton reservoir has been in operation for 11 years, but residents say a persistent smell of raw sewage continues to spread through the village when heavy rain combines with heat, sometimes lingering for days.
Girl, 8, killed by lightning strike in LaSalle County, coroner's office says
An 8-year-old girl was killed after being struck by lightning last week, the LaSalle County Coroner's Office said.
New stormwater storage tanks almost complete in effort to reduce West Side flooding
There are massive new underground water tanks on Chicago's West Side.
Judge orders detention of Libertyville teacher charged with child pornography offenses
A Lake County judge on Monday ordered Marshall Sheffer detained while awaiting trial, saying there was no other way to prevent him from continuing similar behavior.
Teens among at least 7 people hurt in 2 shootings on same Garfield Park block, Chicago police say
Video captured apparent gunshots ringing out as at least seven people were injured during a large gathering on Chicago's West Side, what neighbors described as the second "teen takeover" in the area in just over two weeks.
Nearly 200 charged in anti-violence initiative in Chicago, Rockford: US attorney
The U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois on Thursday announced what it called a first-of-its-kind, multiagency enforcement effort that resulted in nearly 500 people being taken off the streets over the past two months.
Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling announces retirement
Praise poured in as Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced his retirement, but the decision has also raised questions about the department's leadership as the city heads into the summer months.
Woman dead after being hit by CTA Brown Line train on North Side; trains resume service
A 35-year-old woman died after a northbound CTA Brown Line train hit her at the Addison station Tuesday morning, officials said.
CPD speaking with 3 persons of interest after news crew attacked near Adler Planetarium
Chicago police are speaking with three persons of interest after a CBS2 Chicago news crew was confronted by a group of men who attempted to set a dog on them
Men direct dog to attack local news crew, then damage their belongings near Adler Planetarium
A CBS2 Chicago news crew preparing to go live was confronted by a group of men who attempted to set a dog on them while yelling racial slurs, according to police and the station.