Michelle Russell

About Me

I’m an Emmy-nominated television producer with over two decades of experience spanning live national morning news, court programs, and daytime talk shows.

Currently, I produce live segments for Banfield, NewsNation’s true crime show hosted by Ashleigh Banfield, where I cover major cases, breaking news, and exclusive interviews. Before that, I spent six years at Morning Express with Robin Meade, HLN’s flagship daily news program, contributing to breaking news coverage for major events, including COVID-19, President Trump’s inauguration, Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding, and Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Prior to HLN, I was a Senior Producer at Telepictures/Warner Bros., overseeing family court episodes of Judge Mathis while scouting talent for potential new talk shows. My career has also included producing live segments and field shoots for Good Morning America, The Tyra Banks Show, and Inside Edition. In 2006, I helped launch The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet for 20th Century Fox.

I earned my B.S. in Writing Arts from Oswego State University and currently reside in Chicago with my husband and two daughters.



NewsNation •

Karen Read retrial: Defense team includes juror from first trial | Banfield

Karen Read is going on trial again for allegedly running down her police officer boyfriend in 2022 after the first trial ended in a hung jury. This time, her defense team will include an attorney who served as an alternate juror in that first trial. Joining “Banfield” to discuss developments in the case is criminal defense attorney and podcaster Mark Geragos.

#KarenRead #Crime #Retrial

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All Americans.
Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Woman killed at conjugal visit, son not told immediately: Cousin | Banfield

Stephanie Dowells died during a conjugal visit with convicted murderer David Brinson back in November of 2024. Another woman, Tania Thomas, died in a similar way at the same prison during a conjugal visit as well. Jeanine Rojo, Tania's cousin, joins "Banfield" to talk about her death.

#ConjugalVisit #California #PrisonVisit

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All Americans.
Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Sudiksha Konanki 'could've disappeared at sea': Former detective on Lacy Peterson case

The man who last saw missing University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha Konaki, has had his passport taken and is not allowed to leave even though he is not named as a suspect. The man told authorities he and Konaki were caught by a wave at the beach and after making it back toward the shore, he lost sight of her.

"It could have been a situation where she disappeared out at sea, and with his sometimes condition cooperation, it's created some reasonable doubt," former Modesto Detective Jon Buehler said on NewsNation's "Banfield."

#sudikshaKonanki #dominicanrepublic #Missingstudent

Read more: https://trib.al/9UdizeA

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All Americans.
Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Dominican Republic resort guest: Nobody warned us about waves | Banfield

D’Lani Sweeney joins NewsNation to discuss the disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who vanished nearly five days ago while on spring break in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Konanki was last seen leaving a hotel bar with friends before heading to the beach. While most of the group later left, she stayed behind with a man — who eventually left without her. Sweeney, who was at the same resort that day, says the waves were dangerously high and has video evidence to support her claim.

#dominicanrepublic #missing #sudikshakonanki

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All America.
Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Elizabeth Smart: Boy found 7 years later proof we can't 'give up' | Banfield

Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped at the age of 14 and held for nine months in 2002, calls the discovery of reported kidnap victim Abdul Aziz Khan "a miracle" and says it serves as a powerful reminder that "we cannot give up on any missing person." Khan was reportedly kidnapped from Atlanta in 2017 by his noncustodial mother.

"We don't know what he went through, and as a survivor myself, I'm grateful that I was kidnapped by a stranger," Smart said during an exclusive appearance on "Banfield." "I'm grateful I was raped and abused by a stranger because I can't imagine how deep that betrayal would feel if it was by a family member."
#ElizabethSmart #AbdulAzizKhan #Banfield

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All America.
Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Cal Fire captain was 2nd spouse killed by Southern California woman: Officials | Banfield

Authorities have identified 53-year-old Yolanda Marodi as the suspected killer of a Cal Fire captain who was stabbed to death, and it appears this is the second time the woman person killed her spouse. Former U.S. Marshal Robert Almonte and former Palm Beach County, Fla., State Attorney Dave Aronberg join "Banfield" to discuss.
#RebeccaMarodi #CalFire #Banfield

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All America.
Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Luigi Mangione support is 'so backwards': Attorney | Banfield

Dozens of supporters were outside court as Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, made his first appearance. Defense attorney Joe Tacopina weighs in on "Banfield."
#LuigiMangione #UnitedHealtchare #Banfield

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All America.
Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Ellen Greenberg's death: Could a 2nd autopsy reveal the truth? | Banfield

The family of Ellen Greenberg reached a settlement agreement with Philadelphia officials to reopen the investigation into the teacher’s death more than 14 years after it happened. Retired forensic pathologist and medical examiner Dr. Michelle DuPre joins "Banfield" to discuss.
#EllenGreenberg #Banfield

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All America.
Weeknights at 10pm/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all America.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Caught on camera: Possible UFO reported over New York's LaGuardia Airport | Banfield

Michelle Reyes caught an image of a mysterious "flying cylinder," possibly a UFO, from her airplane window above LaGuardia Airport in New York City. Reyes joins "Banfield" to discuss. Ben Hansen, UFO investigator, also weighs in.

#ufo #mystery #nyc

Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All America.
Weeknights at 10pm/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all America.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
NewsNation •

Pennsylvania escapee 'has advantage at night': Former US marshal | Banfield

Authorities continued their search Monday for an escaped murderer who broke out of a southeastern Pennsylvania prison 12 days ago, saying Danelo Cavalcante changed his appearance and tried to contact acquaintances over the weekend. John Muffler, a retired U.S. marshal, weighs in on "Banfield."
Watch #Banfield: https://www.newsnationnow.com/joinus

On "Banfield," big-name celebrities, newsmakers and public figures join Ashleigh for a unique opportunity to sit down and talk. No debates. No shouting over each other. A conversation. Weeknights at 10pm/9C. #Banfield

NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all America.

More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/
Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp
Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG
How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij
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