Joe McLean (KFVS) 25725p

Since Spring 2023, Joe McLean has produced stories covering the Missouri General Assembly, the state’s executive branch, the Missouri Supreme Court, and other statewide issues from the Capitol News Bureau in Jefferson City. 6s4l23

A native of Independence, Missouri, Joe McLean began his work in journalism by contributing to ABC 17 News (KMIZ) in Columbia, Missouri. There, he worked his way through multiple roles including production assistant, photographer, multimedia journalist, investigative reporter, and news anchor. Joe also occasionally anchored hourly radio news updates for 93.9 The Eagle FM and other properties of Zimmer Radio & Marketing Group.

In 2015, Joe earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, emphasizing study in convergence and emerging media. He also earned a certificate in multicultural studies at Mizzou. In 2019, Joe was appointed an adjunct faculty member at the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism, teaching applied projects for journalism and strategic communication. He returned to that teaching role in 2024. Joe is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

In a brief stint outside the Midwest, Joe covered education, politics, and breaking news in Jacksonville, Florida for News4JAX (WJXT) between 2020 and 2023. He was a frequent guest on WJCT News' ‘First Coast Connect’ Friday Media Round Table, offering analysis and commentary on the week's top stories. His work at News4JAX earned a Regional Emmy Award nomination in the Suncoast Region and went on to be featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary short film, ‘The ABCs of Book Banning.’

Joe’s investigative and breaking news reporting also yielded multiple accolades from the Missouri Broadcasters Association, the Kansas City Press Club, and the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists.