Clarissa McClain

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Clarissa McClain anchors WHNT News 19 at 6:00 with Greg Screws and WHNT News 19 at 10:00 with Jerry Hayes. She also brings you our weekly Pay It Forward segment Mondays on WHNT News 19 at 6:30.

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 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.

In 2014, Clarissa and several of her colleagues received a regional Emmy award for "Boys & Girls", a special report on the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama.

Clarissa is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, 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 to clarissa.mcclain@whnt.com.

Recent Articles

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  RiahRose Home for Children Helping Women Become Self-Sufficient

  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Young and pregnant. One Huntsville woman knows exactly what it’s like to be in that position.  She grew from it, earned a college degree, got married and became a teacher.  Now, she’s helping young women in that same situation be successful. Carolyn Jackson and her husband, both retired educators, opened the RiahRose Home for Children in 2000. “I had my first child at a very young age and he had his child at a young age,” […]

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  Make plans to attend Huntsville’s first ‘Mercury Rising Chili Festival’ Sept. 27

  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Make sure you’ve got September 27 on your calendar if you love good chili.  This is your chance to try some of the area’s best and learn a thing or two to perfect your own recipe. The inaugural ‘Mercury Rising Chili Festival’ is Saturday, September 27 in Big Spring Park.   Local teams have registered for the CASI-sanctioned chili cook off, which stands for Chili Appreciation Society International.   Teams will compete in various categories. The event […]

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  Athens Woman Uses Card Ministry to Brighten a Person’s Day

  ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) – There are some things we expect to get every month in our mailboxes that aren’t that pleasant, like junk mail or bills.  But what if you had something to look forward to? One Athens woman is making it her mission to brighten a person’s day through the mail. Every month without fail, Bernice Sanderfer sends out cards in the mail. These aren’t just any old cards. Sanderfer designs the cards in her home office. They include […]

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  Boys and Girls Club Director Surprised with $319

  SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (WHNT) – The Ben Sanford Boys and Girls Club in Scottsboro is a busy place these days. One parent in particular is especially grateful for the club and its director, James Allen. Brittinny Smith Utech sent us an email, that reads in part: “James Allen is such a loving, caring person. He takes care of children in our community with tons of different stuff for them to do each day. They love him and would love for you […]

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  Shamballa Wildlife Rescue Provides Safe Haven for Animals

  WOODVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Rescue, rehab and release. That’s what a couple in Jackson County is dedicated to doing for wild animals in north Alabama. Fawns freely walk around in the wooded area behind the home of John and April Russ. “It’s fun to see them running around and playing,” says April Russ. “They’ll take off in here sometimes just streaking back and forth,” adds John Russ. In 2012, their eight and a half acre property became Shamballa Wildlife Rescue. […]

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  Suspended Coffee Movement Happening in Decatur

  DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) –  Paying for the person’s food in the car behind you  or buying your coffee and the coffee of the person in line after you has been done before. Have you heard of suspension?  Suspended Coffee Decatur is adding a twist to the Pay it Forward concept. Volunteers are hoping to start a positive movement in the River City. There’s a lot going on behind the counter at Java Jaay Cafe in Decatur. Coffee is brewing and […]

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  SARTEC K-9 Search and Rescue Unit Serving the Community

  MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) – If someone you love goes missing, you want to find them as soon as possible. Searches require resources. There’s one group that’s ready to respond when called on for help. The SARTEC K-9 Unit is an all-volunteer unit based in Madison County. They assist law enforcement agencies and emergency services organizations. When WHNT NEWS 19 showed up at one of the training exercises, a dog named Crato was searching through a woods for a moving target. […]

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  J.F. Drake State sets renewed focus on excellence in new semester

  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – A new semester began Monday at J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College.  There’s a new acting president and a renewed focus on excellence. Students have plenty of options to propel them into their dream job, including students still in high school. “We have one of the only two satellite tracking stations in America that tracks the four-inch CubeSat 55 — the little miniature satellites,” said Dr. John Reutter, Drake State’s acting president.  “We’re going to be able […]

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  Sheffield Church Serving Community Through Bread, Feeding Ministry

  SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WHNT) – Feeding people physically and spiritually, and doing it with compassion is the mission of a Shoals church. Every week, members of Abundant Grace Church go outside the church building to reach people in need. Steven Pochop says he isn’t your typical pastor. “Because I’m an ex-alcoholic, ex-drug addict and I’ve been homeless,” explains Pochop. “I’ve been in jail 48 times and prison twice. God saved me in prison and the day he saved me in prison […]

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  Christian Women’s Job Corps of Madison County Helping Women Move Forward in Life

  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – WHNT NEWS 19 made Elaine Dickson’s day when we showed up with $319 in cash! She’s part of an organization that’s helping women do so many positive things. That could be getting a GED, landing a scholarship, finding a job or improving their resume. The Christian Women’s Job Corps of Madison County is truly motivating women to be the best they can be. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans […]

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  Special Olympics Golf Team Receives Money to Help with Upcoming Tournament

  FAYETTEVILLE, TN (WHNT) -Many folks enjoy hitting the greens. In Tennessee, one man dedicates a great deal of his time and money to making sure disabled adults get to enjoy the game of golf. Sherry Carter nominated Bill Daniels, the Special Olympics golf team’s head coach. She sent us an email that reads, in part: “Bill Daniels provides transportation and is constantly trying to raise funds for the team. Bill says that what he gets back from the team is […]

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  Merrimack Hall Offers Fun, Artistic Opportunities for Special Needs Children

  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Dance camps, art classes, and yoga are all activities kids participate in during the summer. There’s a place in Huntsville where special needs children get to enjoy the same things! Kerry Burden nominated Merrimack Hall. Her daughter is in the Dance Your Dreams program. In her email, Burden writes: “It is the most amazing program I have ever seen and I never make it through a performance without tears. Merrimack Hall has successfully created a program […]