Francie Swidler

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

Recalls 22 hours ago

16K bottles of popular laundry detergent recalled due to ‘risk of bacteria'

A popular brand of liquid laundry detergent is recalling thousands of bottles due to “risk of exposure to bacteria,” according to an announcement from the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall, issued Mar. 20, applies to 50 fluid-ounce bottles of liquid Woolite Delicates detergent, the announcement said. Approximately 16,200 bottles were recalled, with lot codes S24364, S24365 and S24366….

Air travel Mar 21

Closed Kennedy, express lanes lead to ‘significant' O'Hare traffic delays amid spring break travel

As the busiest spring break travel day at O’Hare Airport gets underway, officials are warning that traffic to the airport could lead to major delays.

Chicago Severe Weather Mar 20

Chicago-area school cancels classes after severe weather tears through roof of gym

“You can actually see the sky from the gymnasium,” a school official said.

Shoppers walk in front of a Kohl’s store in Mount Kisco, New York.

Retail Mar 19

Kohl's ‘temporarily' stops accepting Amazon returns at some stores

Some Kohl’s stores are no longer accepting Amazon returns, the retailer confirmed to NBC Chicago.

Aurora Mar 12

Popular celebrity chef to open 2 Italian restaurants in Chicago suburbs

Popular celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis will open two restaurants in the Chicago suburbs, according to a press release, with the first set to open as early as this year. De Laurentiis, known for hosting several popular Food Network shows throughout recent years like Giada at Home and Giada Entertains, will open Sorellina by Giada at the future Hollywood Casino in...