What's the most interesting story you've ever covered? "This is a question I get often. It's not easy to answer because there have been so many fascinating stories. And the stories behind the stories can sometimes be just as interesting," says reporter Olga Halaburda.
"For example, there was the time I interviewed a man who stumbled upon the dead body of a woman in the deep woods of East Texas. The woman was stabbed to death. I interviewed the man about that experience. A day later, police arrested HIM for the murder. It appears he told me more than he told police because my interview was subpoenaed and used in the murder investigation. The man I interviewed was convicted," says Olga.
"As a general assignment reporter, I get to cover a wide range of stories and sometimes I even get to be a part of the story. For example, I shared my experience as an election observer in Ukraine's December 2004 repeat presidential election with viewers. I consider this the highlight of my career. I'm a first-generation Ukrainian-American. And I can say it was a thrill to travel to and report on Ukraine's Orange Revolution, which was a peaceful fight for free and fair elections. I was a witness to history and I watched democracy take hold in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic," says Olga. "But, on a day to day basis, I report on issues and occurrences close to home."
Since 1994, Olga has made Green Bay her home. She's originally from Warren, Michigan. Olga Halaburda graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI in 1990 with a B.A. degree in Journalism. Eager to begin her career in Journalism, Olga earned her degree in three years. Olga began her career working as an editorial assistant for Detroit Monthly magazine, a Crain Communications publication. In 1991, she moved to Mason City, Iowa to work as a news reporter at KIMT-TV. Later that same year, Olga moved to Tyler, Texas to work as a reporter for KETK-TV. In 1994, Olga joined WFRV-TV. Since 2001, Olga has been reporting from WFRV's Fox Valley bureau, which is now located in Little Chute.
Olga is active with Urban Hope, Entrepreneur Center, in Green Bay. Urban Hope gives individuals an opportunity to realize the American Dream of owning and operating their own businesses. Olga serves on Urban Hope's Advisory Board and is a volunteer marketing teacher. She instructs budding entrepreneurs. In 2004, Urban Hope named Olga a Volunteer of the Year. Olga is an entrepreneur herself. In 2000, Olga founded her own business, Ukrainian Power Videos, Inc. Olga created the "Ukrainian Power" series because she wanted her preschool aged nieces, Natalie and Emily, to have access to professionally produced, easy to understand, fun Ukrainian children's videos. "Ukrainian Power’s" mission is aimed at teaching children about the Ukrainian language and culture. Olga used her television background and connections to assemble a skilled staff of 47 people to work on the "Ukrainian Power" productions. Among those hired: a Sesame Street puppeteer, professionals from the television industry and several leaders from various Ukrainian communities around the United States. Olga also launched free, educational interactive Ukrainian games on her www.ukrainianpower.com website.
The Green Bay Jaycees named Olga Halaburda as a 2005 Outstanding Young Wisconsinite for her contributions to the community.
Olga has also earned recognition and honors for her work in journalism. In 2002, Olga was nominated for an Emmy Award for her 8-part series "Kurgan, Fox Cities: Mission of Caring." Olga traveled to Western Russia to a remote region of Siberia with a Sister City delegation from Appleton and chronicled the life and struggles of the Russian people.
Olga's reporting on the re-examination of the Maloney murder case earned her more accolades, including a First Place award in the Hard News category from Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in 2004 as well as an Edward R. Murrow award for Investigating Reporting in 2005. (You can watch the Maloney videos here) Olga's 7-part series on the review of the Maloney murder case also caught the attention of the CBS news program, "48 Hours - Mystery." The CBS program shared in its broadcast information revealed in Olga's series. "48 Hours" also hired Olga to serve as an Associate Producer on the program focusing on the Maloney case, which aired in March 2004.
But as mentioned above, the highlight of Olga's career, thus far, has been her opportunity to cover Ukraine's Orange Revolution and Ukraine's repeat presidential election. It was Olga's first trip to Ukraine. In addition to reporting on the historic events of Ukraine's fight for democracy, Olga served as an election observer in the country's December 2004 re-run election. Ukraine's election gained international attention after reformer candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, was poisoned with dioxin and mass voter fraud voided the November 2004 presidential election results. Olga's coverage from Ukraine included a personal account of her experience as an election observer as well as a focus on the revolution that forced the repeat election. Olga's 5-part series from Ukraine was broadcast by WFRV and also CBS stations in New York, Dallas, Sacramento and San Francisco. (You can watch the Ukraine series here) Since returning from Ukraine, Olga has given numerous speeches about Ukraine to a variety of groups in Green Bay including: Globalists Initiative and Friends of International Students and Scholars, Institute for Learning in Retirement, Bellin Psychiatric and UWGB Cross Cultural Human Diversity.
"I enjoy learning new things and sharing what I've learned with others," Olga says.
Olga and husband, Dan, are proud new parents. They recently welcomed Maksym Richard into the world and into the Channel 5 family.
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