Francie Swidler joined NBC 5 Chicago in November of 2021 as a morning digital news and social producer. In addition to managing digital content, social media and breaking news for Chicago in the mornings, Francie writes and reports on everything from Chicago’s best bars and burgers, to COVID rules and restrictions, to hyperlocal and suburban Chicago stories.
From 2018-2021, Francie was an Audience Editor at Colorado Public Radio, where she initially served as the news organization’s Social Media Editor. In her tenure at CPR, she led and moderated workshops on journalist social media use and best practices, audience development and trust and reader conversion through newsletters and more.
Francie also produced several large scale pieces, including curating easy-to-read and easy-to-find information about Colorado elections, COVID vaccinations in the Denver area, timelines of major breaking news events like wildfires and more.
Prior to joining CPR, Francie was a digital and social producer for The Denver Post. Starting as an Editorial Assistant in 2012, Francie was on the team that won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage of the Aurora Theater shooting. She produced dozens of Facebook Live videos, countless Twitter threads and wrote travel, culture and lifestyle stories.
Francie took a step away from journalism briefly in 2017 to work in public relations at Angi Home Services (formerly HomeAdivsor and Angie’s List), but couldn’t stay away long. She returned to the industry after less than a year.
The Latest
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Suburban strip mall ordered to shut down after ‘severe code and safety violations'
A strip mall in Chicago’s southeastern suburbs has been ordered to shut down due to “severe code and fire safety violations,” according to village officials.
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Popular grocery store expanding to the western suburbs with new location
The upcoming Naperville store store marks Heinen’s 5th location in Illinois, and its first location in the western suburbs.
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More details emerge after CPD fatally shoots man with knife at assisted living home
Chicago police released more details after a shooting involving police officers inside an assisted living facility early Monday morning in the city’s Grand Crossing neighborhood.
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CPD involved in shooting inside assisted living facility; investigation underway
An investigation was underway with a large police presence in the Grand Crossing neighborhood after a shooting involving police took place overnight inside an assisted living facility.
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Publishers Clearing House is sending 280k people refund checks for ‘deceptive' practices. Are you getting one?
Publishers Clearing House is sending checks to more than 280,000 people — but the money isn’t part of a sweepstakes win.
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McDonald's adds 2 new items to menus permanently for the 1st time in years — and we tried it
McDonald’s — one of the world’s largest beef burger chains — is on a chicken journey, with a major change coming to menus permanently next month.
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Winners of $349M Mega Millions lotto ticket sold in DeKalb County claim prize
The lucky winners of a $349 million Mega Millions jackpot hit in a rural part of a far west Chicago suburb last month have officially claimed their prize.
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Mysterious police investigation at Des Plaines residence continues for a 3rd day
A mystery is unfolding in suburban Des Plaines this week after police were seen sifting through the backyard of a home since Monday, though officials have not provided details into why.
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New shopping, entertainment districts coming to Niles as part of major ‘renaissance'
After more than 45 years, suburban Niles is seeing a redevelopment “renaissance,” with two new shopping, dining and entertainment districts.
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Niles demolishes ‘Leaning Tower' YMCA building to make way for shopping, entertainment
A big wrecking ball was in suburban Niles Monday morning, right near the suburb’s historic “Leaning Tower of Niles” to make way for a giant new development with shopping and dining and more, according to an announcement. The Leaning Tower YMCA residential building, located at 6300 W. Touhy Ave., was demolished starting at 10 a.m., the announcement said. It’s...
