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

  • Limestone County Moves Toward New Community Corrections Facility

    Posted on: 12:12 pm, May 29, 2012, by , updated on: 12:42pm, May 29, 2012

    Commissioners in Limestone County have taken steps to establish a new community corrections facility. Commissioners recently voted to purchase the...
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    LI Community Corrections Facility
  • Special Report: The HIV Test

    Posted on: 4:26 pm, May 17, 2012, by , updated on: 02:01pm, May 18, 2012

    HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It was first recognized in 1981 and is still prevalent...
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    hiv test web pic
  • Ambulance Service Debate Heats Up in Athens

    Posted on: 8:52 pm, May 15, 2012, by and

    There are clearly differing opinions when it comes to ambulance service in Limestone County. “We just think if you have...
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  • Independence Tube in Decatur Holds Grand Re-Opening Celebration

    Posted on: 3:59 pm, April 27, 2012, by , updated on: 09:13pm, April 27, 2012

    An EF-5 tornado heavily damaged a Decatur business last April. Independence Tube Corporation is a leading manufacturer of structural steel...
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    independence tube
  • Lights Out in Alabama Social Media Fundraiser

    Posted on: 4:16 pm, April 25, 2012, by , updated on: 07:18pm, April 25, 2012

    Teenagers text, tweet, and talk via Facebook all the time. Now, they’re doing all that for a good cause. A...
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    lights out in alabama
  • After the Storm: Survival and Recovery in Dekalb County

    Posted on: 3:47 pm, April 24, 2012, by , updated on: 07:52pm, April 25, 2012

    Dekalb County lost 35 residents on April 27th, 2011. Since that day, work began to restore the area to the...
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    dk tornado
  • Stomach Virus Outbreak at Decatur Elementary School

    Posted on: 3:15 pm, April 20, 2012, by , updated on: 05:57pm, April 20, 2012

    A stomach virus has sickened dozens of students at an elementary school in Decatur. The Morgan County Health Department is...
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    school
  • The Caring House: One Agency Helped by United Way of Madison County

    Posted on: 3:58 pm, April 18, 2012, by , updated on: 06:00pm, April 18, 2012

    WHNT News 19 is teaming up with the United Way of Madison County for a “Day of Action.” This Friday,...
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    caring house
  • Volunteers Still Needed for 2012 Panoply Arts Festival

    Posted on: 3:45 pm, April 17, 2012, by , updated on: 04:05pm, April 17, 2012

    The 2012 Panoply Arts Festival is less than two weeks away. It’s being held on April 27-29th in Big Spring...
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    panoply400
  • TSA Unveils Advanced Imaging Technology at Huntsville International Airport

    Posted on: 3:09 pm, April 10, 2012, by , updated on: 07:24pm, April 10, 2012

    The next time you pass through the security screening at Huntsville International Airport, things will be different. New technology has...
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    TSA WEB PIC
  • New Development To Go On Councill Courts Site

    Posted on: 4:24 pm, March 20, 2012, by , updated on: 07:19pm, March 20, 2012

    Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle has announced that parties are near an agreement to start a major downtown retail, commercial and...
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    councill courts