The Weather Channel's Mike Bettes to Host the 36th Annual Mid-America Emmy Awards

ST. LOUIS, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Mid-America announced today that The Weather Channel's Mike Bettes will host the 36th Annual Emmy® Awards Gala.  For the first time, the Gala will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the historic Midland Theatre.

Bettes is the co-host of The Weather Channel's "Your Weather Today" with Stephanie Abrams.  He appears regularly on "Wake Up With Al," and fills in on NBC's "Today."  For the last several years, he has also been the lead meteorologist of The Weather Channel's Tornado Hunt storm coverage.  The Tornado Hunt was part of Vortex 2, the largest tornado field experiment in history to explore the origins, structure and evolution of tornadoes. In 2011, the Tornado Hunt brought Bettes and his team to Joplin, Missouri, where he was the first national reporter on the scene, arriving just ten minutes after the tornado devastated the community.  Bettes' coverage garnered The Weather Channel first place in the National Headliner Awards for a major news event.

"Mike Bettes is an Emmy award winner who has a talent for combining both weather and television reporting skills," said NATAS Mid-America Chapter President and freelance anchor/reporter Angie Weidinger. "His ability to explain tornadoes, hurricanes and other severe storms, while emphasizing the importance of viewer preparedness, makes him one of the best on-camera meteorologists in America.  We are honored to have Mike host the Emmy's this fall."

Bettes has a degree in atmospheric science from Ohio State University.  He also holds the seals of approval from the National Weather Association and American Meteorological Society.  Bettes won his Emmy in 2001 for a series on tornado chasing.

"I've spent much of my career driving across the Midwest, chasing tornadoes and ultimately covering the unimaginable devastation in Joplin, Missouri," said Bettes. "The opportunity to come back to Missouri and host the 2012 Mid-America Emmy® Awards gives me a chance to talk about my passion for weather and TV, while helping honor the top television achievements across Mid-America."

This year NATAS Mid-America will present the prestigious Governor's Award for Lifetime Achievement to Hallmark Hall of Fame at the awards gala in September. For more than six decades, the series has captured the hearts and minds of television viewers across the country. It has received 80 Emmy awards and is the most-honored program in television history.

"There are many factors that have built the strength of the Hallmark brand over the years – but the Hallmark Hall of Fame and its mission of equating Hallmark with quality, good taste and enriching relationships has been one of the most important brand builders ever," said Brad Moore, president of Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions.  "We will be honored to accept the Governor's award, particularly in Kansas City, home of Hallmark."

The 2012 Mid-America Emmy® Awards will be held Saturday, September 22, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Midland Theatre in Kansas City.  The black-tie affair is open to the public.  A limited number of gala tickets are now on sale for $125, including dinner.  They are exclusively available by calling (314) 533-2993.

The Mid-America chapter of NATAS includes television markets primarily in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and surrounding DMAs. 

About NATAS Mid-America Chapter:
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award.  For more information visit www.emmymid-america.org.

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SOURCE NATAS Mid-America Chapter