CHARLOTTE, N.C. — TODAY host Craig Melvin wears his Palmetto State pride on his sleeve.
"My colleagues give me a little grief," Melvin said to WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson. "Their eyes roll in the back of their heads anytime there's a South Carolina reference,"
The news anchor is known for his frequent shout-outs to his home state during the broadcast.
"It is God's country for me," he said, a frequent reference he makes on-air.
Melvin was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. He then attended Wofford College in Spartanburg and started his TV career in his hometown. Although he now works in New York City and lives in Connecticut with his wife and two kids, most of his family still live near Columbia.
"Literally all of my family lives within a 20-mile radius," he exclaimed.
Beyond the frequent on-air mentions, Melvin also helps put a spotlight on his home state, providing local expertise to national stories. Work has brought him home frequently over the years. He's extensively covered the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial, the 2015 Charleston church shooting, and South Carolina's influence on presidential politics.
"For me, it's a treat to be able to come home on the company's dime," he joked.
But it's not always business. His family spends a week every summer at Hilton Head, and they usually squeeze in a winter trip to Charlotte.
"We go to a Hornets game every December when I'm back for the holidays," he said.
You can watch Melvin on TODAY every morning at 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte.
Contact Ben Thompson at bthompson@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte’s Wake Up Charlotte has the latest news and weather from the WCNC Charlotte morning team. Watch all the latest stories from the Wake Up Charlotte morning team in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
FREE PODCASTS
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || Google Podcasts || iHeart
Locked On is the leading podcast network for local sports and is owned by WCNC Charlotte's parent company TEGNA.
Listen to Locked On here.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.
MORE ON WCNC