Clarissa McClain

Anchor/Reporter

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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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    “The Juniors” help local youth learn the competitive game of pool

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – There are many activities for kids to participate in these days — baseball, soccer, gymnastics, ballet.  The list goes on and on.  However, a Huntsville woman is using a less conventional sport to give back to the community. Lee Zeiher oversees the non-profit Junior American Poolplayers Association of North Alabama. “We love pool, we love what we do,” she said.  Their group also loves to show kids something new. “There are a lot of kids out there who don’t play […]

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    Kaitlyn McClung’s volunteer work and community contributions recognized

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Young people can and are making a difference in our communities. WHNT NEWS 19 is Taking Action to Pay it Forward highlight these rising leaders each Monday at 6:30 during May. At the end of the month, you will have a chance to vote on the winning recipient. Kaitlyn McClung is 17 years old, but already knows the importance of giving back. The young poet has participated in more than a dozen different community service projects […]

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    Cameron Swain delivers care packages to the homeless in Huntsville

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – WHNT NEWS 19 is Taking Action to bring you positive and uplifting stories of people in north Alabama. This month, the focus is on the youngest among us. We’re recognizing rising leaders in the Tennessee Valley each Monday at 6:30pm. At the end of the month, you will have a chance to vote on the winning recipient. Many kids are blessed with great parents that will move heaven and earth to get them everything they need […]

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    Locally grown strawberries delivered to area middle schools

    MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – Many of you have likely heard of farm to table. It’s the idea that if something’s grown here, it should stay here. There’s a push to get locally grown produce in local schools. This week, middle school students are savoring the sweet taste of strawberries. They came from Brown Farms in New Market. It was made possible by a new initiative at the Food Bank of North Alabama called the Farm Food Collaborative. “We help […]

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    Huntsville teens serve the community as part of the Rocket City Life group

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – You will have the power to pick who gets the $319 Pay it Forward money. WHNT NEWS 19 is recognizing rising leaders in the Tennessee Valley each Monday at 6:30pm during the month of May. At the end of the month, you will have a chance to vote on the winning recipient. We’re taking action to lift up the younger generation. Tonight’s candidate is the Rocket City Life group. Nine-year-old Priscilia comes to the Huntsville Inner […]

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    Jalyn Gill’s painting projects raise money for bikes for kids in need

    FLINTVILLE, Tenn.  (WHNT) – WHNT NEWS 19 is Paying it Forward with a new twist. You can make sure the $319 makes it into the most deserving hands. We’re recognizing rising leaders in the Tennessee Valley each Monday at 6:30pm. At the end of the month, you will have a chance to vote on the winning recipient. We know there are many motivated and generous young people and this is our way of lifting up the younger generation. Our first […]

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    In-home storm shelters increase after April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak

    MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) – The April 27, 2011 tornadoes brought personal preparedness to the forefront for thousands. No more waiting until the last minute to find a safe place to go. For many people, that included making plans in advance and setting up shelters inside their own homes. WHNT News 19 met with one of the many families that’s not taking any chances when it comes to the severe weather. The Parkers live in western Madison County. While they enjoy […]

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    WHNT seeks Pay it Forward nominations to recognize rising leaders in the Tennessee Valley

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – WHNT NEWS 19 is Taking Action to Pay it Forward with a new twist and we need your help! The Tennessee Valley is filled with motivated and generous young people. Help us recognize these rising leaders by submitting a nomination. Tell us how they are inspiring others around them and making a difference in their community. Are they collecting supplies for the needy? Did they start an organization that fills a void? Did they display generosity […]

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    Unsung Hero Scholarship Fund helping kids overcome challenges and thrive

    ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) – Many children are blessed with both parents and a supportive home. Because of that, they thrive! But not every child is that fortunate and those obstacles can cause them to struggle in school and life. Maybe it’s the death of a parent, an illness, or having to work full time. WHNT NEWS 19 Pays it Forward to Jan Matthews, a woman who’s making sure those kids are celebrated and not left behind. Proverbs 22:6 reads: “Train […]

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    Morgan County special needs softball league begins a new season

    HARTSELLE, Ala. (WHNT) – There is a group of people in Morgan County that really looks forward to the months of April and May each year. It’s softball season for special needs individuals. Players, ages five and up, get their gloves out and spirits lifted. WHNT NEWS 19 pays it forward to the woman who makes it happen. The red dirt, white lines, and green grass are all prepped and ready for action at the field at Sparkman School in […]

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    Hartselle Morgan County Community Task Force tutor recognized for ‘tough love’ approach

    HARTSELLE, Ala. (WHNT) – The school year is coming to a close, but there is still work to be done. Many of us remember that one teacher in school that really pushed us and wouldn’t let us get away with anything. Tera Tapscott is that teacher for kids that come to the Hartselle Morgan County Community Task Force building for tutoring. WHNT NEWS 19 showed up after school one day to Pay it Forward. Education is the foundation for success, […]

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    Kingslea Merkel Liver Disease Foundation raising awareness and money

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – A Huntsville woman went from being healthy to hospitalized in a matter of months. Even though she’s battling non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, she’s committed to helping others too. Kingslea Merkel has been dealing with this illness for more than six years. She is on the active liver transplant list, but that’s not all there is to her. Merkel is full of energy and hope! Clementine’s is known in the Huntsville community for its tasty chicken salads. […]