Clarissa McClain

Clarissa McClain anchors WHNT News 19 at 5:00 with Lee Marshall and WHNT News 19 at 9:00 on WHNT2 with Greg Screws.

Helping people, keeping them informed, and inspiring them is what drives her passion for news. Her personal philosophy: "Everyone has a story -- good or bad, happy or sad -- It's my job to share it with others. One story has the power to change many lives."

One would think after years of pretending to be Vanna White, staging talk shows in her parent's living room, and developing a slight obsession with MAC makeup, she would have known all along that she was destined for a future in television. But it took her four years and two academic major changes to figure it out. In 2005, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Auburn University. WAR EAGLE!!!

Her broadcasting career began with an internship with the award-winning Investigative Team at FOX5 News in Atlanta, Georgia. Shortly after that, she landed her first job at WTVY News 4 in Dothan, Alabama. Clarissa spent one year in the Wiregrass, reporting on a range of topics from city government to the Enterprise tornado disaster. In April 2007, she moved to North Alabama to work at WHNT-TV.

Clarissa is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, yes a real native, (there aren't many left), but loves living in the Tennessee Valley. Clarissa is a newlywed. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, hanging out with friends, traveling, and cooking.

On her top five list of favorite things: two hour naps, shoe sales, singing loud and very off key in the car, old Disney movies, and playing with her terribly spoiled pooch Elle.

Email Clarissa a story idea.

Recent Articles

  • UPDATE: I-65 Traffic Moving Smoothly Again In Cullman/Morgan Counties

    Posted on: 10:13 pm, January 17, 2013, by , , , , and , updated on: 12:53pm, January 18, 2013

    CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – Good news — as of 12:45 p.m. Friday, I-65 northbound and southbound are open. According...
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  • Woman Meets Medical Team Who Saved Her Life

    Posted on: 5:06 am, December 22, 2012, by and

    ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) – Sandra Whitfield believes she is a medical miracle.  When you hear her story, you’ll be hard...
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    Miracle Story2
  • New Mandatory Liability Insurance Law Goes Into Effect January 1st

    Posted on: 7:21 pm, December 18, 2012, by , updated on: 07:24pm, December 18, 2012

    It’s a new year and law enforcement officers have a new tool to make sure Alabamians aren’t driving without insurance....
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  • Huntsville Police Investigate Shooting; Victim in Critical Condition

    Posted on: 10:20 pm, December 7, 2012, by , updated on: 10:49pm, December 7, 2012

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Huntsville police are investigating a shooting that happened Friday night. The incident occurred in the  3300...
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    univshooting
  • Arrest Made in Deadly New Hope Shooting

    Posted on: 10:03 pm, December 7, 2012, by , , and , updated on: 01:50pm, December 8, 2012

    MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – A 23-year-old Huntsville man is in the Madison County jail charged in connection with a...
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    Timothy James Goldsmith
  • Tornado Masters Court Hearing; Money Recovered for Victims

    Posted on: 4:53 pm, November 30, 2012, by , updated on: 04:54pm, November 30, 2012

    There are new developments in the case involving Tornado Masters. The company was accused of shoddy workmanship and exaggerated claims...
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    The court appointed receiver gives a report on the money recovered from the company in Judge Dennis O'Dell's courtroom.
  • Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle Delivers State of the City Address

    Posted on: 4:26 pm, November 16, 2012, by , updated on: 06:02pm, November 16, 2012

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle delivered his State of the City of address Friday afternoon at the...
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    Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle (Photo: Gregg Stone, WHNT News 19)
  • Salvation Army in Need of Volunteers

    Posted on: 5:51 pm, November 15, 2012, by , updated on: 03:46pm, November 26, 2012

    It’s the holiday season and for those less fortunate, the need is great. If you don’t have money to give,...
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    salvation army pic
  • Groundbreaking for New Intelligence Complex on Redstone Arsenal

    Posted on: 3:48 pm, November 5, 2012, by , updated on: 04:32pm, November 5, 2012

    REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) – There was a groundbreaking ceremony for the Missile and Space Intelligence Center’s (MSIC) new Explosive...
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    Arsenal_Groundbreaking_
  • State Board Votes Down Rule; Low Cost Spay-Neuter Clinics to Remain Open

    Posted on: 4:28 pm, October 10, 2012, by and , updated on: 10:54pm, October 10, 2012

    MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) – There was a decision Wednesday in Montgomery that will have a big impact Alabama’s homeless pet...
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    spay_neuter_clinic
  • Huntsville Spooktacular 5K Run Set for October 27th

    Posted on: 3:19 pm, October 3, 2012, by , updated on: 03:21pm, October 3, 2012

    Runners, get ready! The annual Spooktacular 5K Run and Monster Mile are taking place in downtown Huntsville on October 27th....
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