Mara MacDonald knows Detroit. After all, she grew up here.

Mara became a member of the Local 4 News team in March 2004.

Born and raised in Michigan, she honed her skills in television mostly outside of the metro Detroit area.

Mara's first job in television was as a producer with WKBD-TV in Southfield. She then took on the challenge of becoming a reporter in Lansing and Richmond, Va. She also served as lead reporter for WITI-TV in Milwaukee, Wis.

Her outstanding achievement in television reporting earned her an Associated Press Award for "Best Spot News" coverage in 1998.

Mara is a graduate of Detroit Country Day School. She received a bachelor of arts degree in diplomacy and foreign affairs from Miami University in Ohio.