Kiana Burks
Multimedia Journalist
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Kiana Burks joined the WCAX News Team in June of 2022 as a weekend Multimedia Journalist.
She was born and raised in south Texas and graduated in 2021 from Texas State University's College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
She loves to try new restaurants, draw, sing, dance and pet any cat she can get her hands on.
She is ecstatic to be a part of this exceptional news team and is looking forward to sharing impactful stories with our viewers.
Updated: Mar. 24, 2023 at 7:09 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
Castleton University students caught tampering with laundry machines on campus were apparently inspired by a TikTok hack to do their laundry for free.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 6:33 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont lawmakers are once again trying to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol. But there are continued concerns about the potential loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue from the products.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 4:38 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont lawmakers are trying to increase protections for victims of sexual assault or misconduct on college campuses.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 11:39 AM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
A controversial hill-leveling project in Morrisville is now moving forward.
Updated: Mar. 22, 2023 at 5:20 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
A Morrisville developer's plans to raze a hill and sell the gravel that creates is stirring up controversy in nearby communities. Our Kiana Burks explains why people say they want to save the mountain.
Updated: Mar. 17, 2023 at 7:51 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
Vermonters Friday celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with parades, green beer, and other celebrations of Irish culture.Reporter Kiana Burks was in Burlington to catch the party.
Updated: Mar. 17, 2023 at 4:34 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
Graduating students at UVM’s Larner College of Medicine learned about their immediate futures at this year’s Match Day.
Updated: Mar. 16, 2023 at 5:03 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont lawmakers are working to repeal the state’s prostitution laws, decriminalizing adult sex work in the state.
Updated: Mar. 15, 2023 at 4:56 PM EDT
|By Kiana Burks
More housing is in the works for UVM faculty, staff and students. Our Kiana Burks was at the groundbreaking Wednesday and has the latest on the university's solution to its housing struggles.
Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 5:20 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark Thursday said her office is launching a new effort to reduce scams in the state.
Updated: Mar. 8, 2023 at 6:05 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
As of Town Meeting Day, 100 Vermont cities and towns have adopted a "Declaration of Inclusion."
Updated: Mar. 6, 2023 at 5:55 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
As costs for pet health care and insurance rise, some veterinary professionals are on a mission to save animal lives and lend a helping hand to those who can't afford it. Our Kiana Burks reports.
Updated: Mar. 5, 2023 at 7:56 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Central Vermont pet health and safety advocates got together to help local pet owners get their furry friends prepared for extreme weather.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 4:48 PM EST
|By Kevin Gaiss and Kiana Burks
Would banning non-dairy alternatives like oat milk, soy milk and almond milk from using the word “milk” make a difference to consumers at the grocery store? Kevin Gaiss hit a breakfast spot to find out what people are reaching for to add to their coffee.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 7:57 AM EST
|By Kiana Burks
A Vermont tradition continued Friday as Governor Phil Scott celebrated the start of maple season with a ceremonial tree tapping.
Updated: Mar. 2, 2023 at 5:21 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
A bill that would prohibit losing primary candidates from running in the general election was debated on the House floor Thursday.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 5:27 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont housing advocates gathered at the Statehouse Wednesday to show their support for Act 250 reform efforts that could lead to new developments. But environmental groups are cautioning that any changes could have sweeping effects including sprawl in rural communities.
Updated: Feb. 24, 2023 at 7:29 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Long-term care advocates say there is not enough money flowing through facilities to support aging Vermonters. They gathered in the Statehouse Friday to push for more. Our Kiana Burks reports.
Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 6:13 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont lawmakers are trying to figure out a way to potentially double the amount of aid given to families and children in need.
Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 4:51 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
FDA officials say soy, oat, almond and other similar plant-based drinks can continue calling themselves milk, but they want companies to make sure people know what they're drinking.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 6:16 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
A revolutionary cancer treatment that doctors say cures up to 80% of blood cancer patients is now available in Vermont. Our Kiana Burks reports on the difference it can make for people in our area.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023 at 6:02 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
A small Vermont marijuana producer is moving after neighbors complained the business wasn't up to snuff. And the Cannabis Control Board says the complaints had some truth to them. Our Kiana Burks reports.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 5:07 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
As federal American Rescue Plan funds dry up, food stamps and other programs that benefited from the extra cash are preparing to make do with less. And many groups are looking to the state to try and help make up the difference.
Updated: Feb. 13, 2023 at 5:14 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Federal funds are going towards rehabbing the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, creating one of the largest trail systems in the Northeast.
Updated: Feb. 10, 2023 at 5:06 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont State University administrators announced this week the school's libraries will go digital. Friday, Castleton University students lined up to let leaders know they don't like it. Our Kiana Burks reports.
Updated: Feb. 9, 2023 at 3:52 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
A Plattsburgh school is making the switch from fresh to frozen, with the idea of saving money and making healthy and tastier meal options for students in the process.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 3:55 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont’s efforts to take aim at smoking just isn’t cutting it, according to a new report from the American Lung Association. Now. health experts and state officials say they’re trying to change their approach.
Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 5:54 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
In freezing conditions like this, the best bet is to stay inside. But that can be a problem for people without permanent housing. Our Kiana Burks reports on how organizations are helping those stuck outside.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 5:20 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Brutally cold weather is expected to hit the region early Friday, causing life-threatening conditions through the first part of the weekend.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 6:20 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
How far would you go for Wi-Fi? For one woman in Northern New York, the answer is to the top of a mountain. But now she and her community are asking the state for help finding something more permanent. Our Kiana Burks reports.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 6:28 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
A new effort to consolidate Vermont state government offices could mean the sale of a large office building in downtown Burlington.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 5:32 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Keeping Vermont's landmarks and important historic buildings in top shape-- that's the goal of the 2023 Historic Preservation Grant Awards.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 7:25 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
State officials say people don't need to worry about catching bedbugs at the Walmart in Derby anymore.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:57 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Vermont lawmakers have updated the state’s pesticide regulations for the first time in over 30 years, but some environmental groups say the changes don’t go far enough.
Updated: Jan. 22, 2023 at 11:19 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
One of the most popular weapons against slippery roads and paths is salt, but it can also be harmful to the environment.
Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 6:24 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
BFA Fairfax is banning fans from future basketball games while it investigates accusations of racial slurs being used by fans.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 6:16 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
The Newport Healthcare Center says it’s due to financial troubles, and state officials say other facility closures could follow.
Updated: Jan. 18, 2023 at 6:04 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
The groups presented research to lawmakers Wednesday showing the potential of developing unused commercial space to create housing opportunities for Vermonters.
Updated: Jan. 15, 2023 at 6:42 AM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Burlington’s Development Review board officially signed off on the demolition permit for the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception this week. Channel 3′s Kiana Burks spoke with those for and against the demolition about the church’s next steps.
Updated: Jan. 14, 2023 at 8:00 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Urban Park Rangers hosted the first ever BIPOC Winter Community Day in Leddy Park.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 5:52 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks and Calvin Cutler
Vermont families who have been getting extra money for food assistance as a result of the pandemic will soon see their benefits cut dramatically.
Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 at 5:10 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
The Town and City of St. Albans have reached a long-term agreement over police and water services as part of a decades-long plan.
Updated: Jan. 8, 2023 at 10:23 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Police in Burlington are investigating what they are calling a suspicious death.
Updated: Jan. 6, 2023 at 6:02 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Stowe Electric, Burlington Electric, Washington Electric Co-op, Vermont Electric Co-op, and Morrisville Water & Light are all attempting to increase their utility rates.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 5:30 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
The City Council also tried to sell the 250-year-old Wheelock Building in 2019 but later backed out after concerns about not receiving meaningful offers.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 4:37 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
The Vermont Historical Society in Barre will soon be allowing public access to thousands of historical treasures currently locked away in storage.
Updated: Jan. 4, 2023 at 6:18 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Many dental practices around the region have been dealing with staffing shortages over the past few years. Now, a South Royalton nonprofit clinic is looking to overcome the workforce shortage by recruiting newly minted dental workers.
Updated: Dec. 28, 2022 at 6:27 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
An upcoming ban means you won't be able to find a popular lightbulb in stores anymore. Our Kiana Burks tells you which bulbs are on their way out, and what you should do if you have one.
Updated: Dec. 27, 2022 at 5:24 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
Last year marked a record for suicides in Vermont and data shows this year trending even higher. Our Kiana Burks reports on a new resource available to help those struggling in the aftermath of suicide.
Updated: Dec. 26, 2022 at 4:47 PM EST
|By Kiana Burks
The holiday shopping deals don't end when Christmas is over. Our Kiana Burks found many shoppers in Burlington on Monday taking advantage of post-holiday bargains.