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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Restoration Hardware to open huge outlet store in suburban Chicago shopping center
It’s official: A popular furniture outlet store is coming to a busy north suburban shopping center.
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A Restoration Hardware Outlet store appears to be coming to a Chicago suburb
A Restoration Hardware outlet store appears to be opening in a Chicago suburb.
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Mariano's to close busy north suburban store
A popular Mariano’s grocery store in a North Shore suburb will soon close its doors after it says it won’t renew its lease.
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‘Slick is an understatement:' Ice-covered roads, sidewalks lead to treacherous conditions
It may look dry out there, Chicago, but it’s icy, with sheets of ice encasing untreated sidewalks and roadways across the area as a winter weather advisory continues through 6 a.m. for all of Northeastern Illinois.
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Chicago weather: Dense fog advisory in effect followed by heavy rain during morning commute
Heavy fog descended on the Chicago area early Friday morning, creating patches of low visibility ahead of widespread rain set to move in for the rush hour commute.
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Endeavor Health to lay off approximately 100 people at suburban Chicago hospital
Endeavor Health will lay off approximately 100 people and “discontinue inpatient psychiatric services” at one of its suburban Chicago hospitals, according to company spokesman,
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Advocate Health Care to close all clinics inside Illinois Walgreens
The 47 Advocate Health Care urgent care clinics spanned the Chicago area, with locations across the city and multiple suburbs.
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Spirit Airlines' dress code? Airline says certain clothing, tattoos could get you kicked off flight
Planning on flying Spirit Airlines soon? Make sure you follow the airline’s dress code.
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North suburban mall sees one of its few remaining stores close for good
Lululemon, one of the few remaining retail stores at the once-popular Northbrook Court mall, has closed, according a message from the shop.
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Chicago weather: ‘Intense' bursts of snow could lead to slick commute, reduced visibility
Light snow falling across the Chicago area Thursday morning could create slick and slippery road conditions for the morning commute, the NBC 5 Storm Team said.
