KTLA Reporter Keeps Composure as Cockroach Crawls on Air

A KTLA reporter in Los Angeles maintained her composure during a live broadcast on Tuesday night, July 14, 2026, when a large cockroach landed on her and crawled across her body. Reporter Rachel Menitoff was delivering a weather update on an ongoing heat wave from Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley when the insect interrupted her report.

As Menitoff discussed overnight temperatures remaining in the 80s, the cockroach landed on her stomach, crawled across her neck and chest, and briefly disappeared inside her shirt. It later climbed onto her microphone before flying away. Throughout the encounter, Menitoff continued speaking without visibly reacting or stopping her report. Her eyes widened slightly, but she delivered her segment to completion.

In a subsequent interview, Menitoff explained her decision to ignore the insect while on air. She said she was aware of the cockroach crawling on her but was concerned that reacting would prevent her from finishing the report. She told herself to get through the moment and then deal with it afterward. Menitoff noted the ironic timing, as her report focused on extreme heat, and she said cockroaches are attracted to warm temperatures and...