ABOUT | Frankie McLister

About

HEY,

I'm FRANKIE

I’m an on-air-reporter for WCCO, CBS News Minnesota, and someone you’re likely to find as you scroll, too. As a reporter and multi-skilled journalist, I’m well-versed in the platforms people turn to for news today and tell stories in both English and Spanish, using each medium with a clear sense of how people take it in.

I’ve been on the front lines of some of the biggest stories of the last decade, covering everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to Operation Metro Surge – the federal government’s large-scale immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities, contentious election cycles, southern Arizona’s largest wildfire and yes, unfortunately, a school shooting is on the list, too.

I’ve always been driven by curiosity and drawn to the world beyond my own backyard, whether spending time abroad, learning a new language or connecting with people across cultures and sharing their stories in ways that feel human and authentic - especially at a time when trust in media doesn’t come as easily as it once did.

At my core, though, I’m just an inquisitive guy with a great eye for a story – and a sharp instinct for how to tell it. Sometimes, it’s in front of a mic, sharing a minute-by-minute account of a late-breaking story. Other times, it’s in front of a crowd, capturing the energy of the moment and translating it into something clear and compelling. Of course, every storyteller gets his start somewhere, and I’m no exception.

I graduated with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Certificate in International Business from the Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University. I also worked in the aviation industry and studied abroad in Seville, Spain, where I immersed myself in the Spanish language before eventually returning to the Cronkite School to secure a Master of Mass Communication degree.

I’ve also taken on a range of roles and projects that continue to shape my work as a journalist and emcee. Since 2019, I’ve served on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the Emmys), reported for KTVK/KPHO-TV and KVOA-TV, and worked for American Airlines, The Kim Komando Show, NBC’s TODAY Show/Megyn Kelly TODAY and WJLA-TV.

When I’m not in front of a camera, you can find me stepping into some of my favorite roles as “funcle” and Godfather, cheering on the Washington Commanders, raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease or finding the best spicy or authentic cuisine in any given city.

Whether I’m on the road or on a story, I try to stick to a simple mantra: “Work Hard & Be Nice to People,” or "trabaja duro y sé amable con la gente." I don’t take the first amendment - or the chance to do this job - for granted, approaching every story with purpose, respect and a real appreciation for the people who trust me to tell it.

VIEW RESUME

LET'S CONNECT

BEYOND THE NEWSROOM

MORE THAN A JOURNALIST

While journalism remains the foundation of my work, I also appear as an emcee, moderator, and public speaker for live events, panels, and community conversations -- bringing the same clarity, curiosity, and storytelling approach from broadcast journalism to live audiences.