Shirin Rajaee
Who would have thought this California girl would be living in D.C.? What an amazing opportunity! I'm so thrilled to be here.
I remember years ago, before I even landed my first job in news, my brother and I visited D.C. as he was interviewing for medical school. I fell in love with the energy of this beautiful, vibrant and diverse city. My brother even videotaped me doing mock news reports in front of the White House for my résumé tape. Now, it's pretty amazing to see that story come full circle.
I got my start in news working behind the scenes at CNN in Los Angeles (my hometown). I owe a lot to my CNN family who believed in me, trained me and who ultimately helped launch my career.
This is not an easy job, and I hold a lot of respect and gratitude for those who have helped shape me into the journalist I am today.
I joined FOX 5 in January 2020 as the weekend evening anchor and nightside reporter. Before I got here, for the past four years, I was the weeknight evening anchor/reporter for KOVR CBS in Sacramento, where I covered state politics and big breaking news stories, including the Northern California wildfires, mass shootings in Gilroy and Las Vegas as well as immigration and terrorism stories. Prior to CBS, I was an anchor/reporter for KEYT ABC in Santa Barbara.
I would say my favorite person to interview has been Oprah. The story that has had the biggest impact on me was the nearly two years of continuous coverage of the controversial police shooting of Stephon Clark in Sacramento that drew national attention.
On a personal note, I come from a big Iranian and Middle Eastern family. (Think My Big Fat Greek Wedding!) My parents and brother's family live in Los Angeles.
I also just recently got engaged! Which means, yes, I'm in full-blown wedding planning mode, counting down to our 2020 summer wedding in San Diego! Things are a bit crazy! My fiancé and I were competing anchors in Sacramento, but now we play nice on the same team. We're so excited to check out all the sites and history D.C. has to offer.
I'm a big foodie and I'm always looking for a good concert or live music event! If anyone has suggestions, please hit me up!
The latest from Shirin Rajaee
When do cicadas come out in 2024? What to know ahead of emergence in MD, VA and DC area
Get ready! 2024 will be the year of the cicada! Here's when and where they will emerge in the Washington, D.C. area.
Commanders raffle winner says $14,000 check bounced
A check written by the Commanders to a fan who won the 50/50 raffle bounced when he cashed it in.
FDA looks to pull pre-term pregnancy drug Makena
The Food and Drug Administration wants to withdraw Makena, a drug that claims to reduce the risk of pre-term births. The FDA says the drug doesn't work — but the pharmaceutical company that produces it says the FDA's study didn't include enough Black women, who are at a higher risk for preterm birth.
Local artist paints Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson mural in Northwest
A local artist is memorializing Ketanji Brown Jackson with a mural in Northwest.
Latino construction workers targeted in rash of armed robberies across the District
Immigrant construction workers are being targeted in a rash of armed robberies across the District.
Arlington County turns to telehealth pilot program for emergency calls
Hospitals and emergency crews are stretched thin across the region, which has Arlington County turning to telehealth to help.
Loudoun County school board responds to recent sexual assault sentencing
The Loudoun County school board is responding after a teenager charged with sexual assaults at two different high schools in the county was found guilty this week.
Why some medical experts suggest new testing method for COVID-19 omicron variant
When it comes to the COVID-19 omicron variant, some medical experts say we may not be testing properly for the virus.
COVID-19 vaccine dosage mix-ups among children at local pharmacies leads to hesitancy among parents
Recent cases of COVID-19 vaccine mix-ups for kids have been reported in the DMV, leading some parents to be more hesitant about getting their child vaccinated.
DC Public Health Lab discovers dangerous new drug through needle exchange program
A new drug has been discovered on the streets of D.C. and is raising some major concerns as experts say it is more potent than fentanyl.