Author to Speak on "Dead Air: The Disappearance of Jodi Husentruit"

In the summer of 1995, Jodi Huisentruit was on her way to work at a Mason City TV station KIMT when she vanished without a trace. The case captivated a nation, but after almost 16 years there is little new evidence about the case.

Beth Bednar, former KAAL-TV (Austin, MN) news anchor, revisits the case in her book, Dead Air: The Disappearance of Jodi Huisentruit.   Bednar will  speak about her time as an anchor in the same Northern Iowa/Southern Minnesota market and the research she did for the book on Thursday, Sept. 8, 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Center for Multicultural Education, 109 Maucker Union, at the University of Northern Iowa.

Bednar’s book gives readers a glimpse behind the scenes of this true crime story and uncovers the cold case file of Huisentruit.  Bednar wants the book to increase coverage of the case because she believes there is more informationout out there about what happened to Jodi.

“Someone still harbors the truth about what really happened,” said Bednar. “This case still haunts the entire TV industry as well her family and friends and someone needs to stand up for Jodi and her story.”

Dead Air provides an inside look into the TV news business by a former TV anchorwoman and shines a spotlight on a missing person’s case that still poses more questions than answers.

Beth Bednar’s professional roles have included television news anchor, professional speaker, trainer, spokesperson, emcee, and host.  For nearly 20 years, she was a respected news anchor for ABC-affiliated KAAL-TV in southern Minnesota. Since 1997, she has pursued a successfully career as a professional speaker and seminar trainer, working with public and private corporate audiences across the United States. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to three foundations honoring Jodi’s memory.

Bednar's talk is sponsored by the Department of Communication Studies. Bednar will also appear at University Book & Supply in Cedar Falls, Sept. 8, 6-7 p.m. to speak and sign books.