Elexander Michaelson[1][2] (born October 18, 1986) is an American television journalist and news anchor for CNN. From 2018 until his departure in 2025, Michaelson served as a co-anchor for KTTV's evening newscasts, as well as being host and producer of the station's weekly political talk show The Issue Is. On The Issue Is, he gained recognition for his coverage of local and state politics, conducting interviews with various officeholders, as well as providing sports coverage.
Michaelson was born on October 18, 1986, in Agoura Hills, California to David and Crystal Michaelson. His mother is a painter and mixed media artist, and in 2010, his family relocated to Venice, Los Angeles. He has a sister, Danielle Michaelson, who resides and works in Santa Monica, California.[3][4] Michaelson attended Agoura High School, where he served as the student body president and was a member of the school's basketball team.[5] In 2003, Michaelson received the Interscholastic Federation Award for Pursuing Victory with Honor in recognition of his leadership in several projects at the school, graduating the following year.[6][7] Michaelson then attended the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in both broadcast journalism and political science, also receiving Phi Beta Kappa honors.[8] He initially enrolled as a political science major and was accepted to the Annenberg School during the second round of applications.[9]
Michaelson began his journalism career as an intern at KTTV, after meeting with the executive producer by arriving unannounced and waiting for an in-person meeting.[5][9] He also held internship positions in Washington, D.C. and New York City before working at XETV in San Diego as a weeknight reporter and KABC in Los Angeles as a fill-in news anchor from 2010 to 2017.[10][11][12] He then returned to KTTV in 2017, joining the Fox 11 Morning News alongside Araksya Karapetyan.[10]
During his tenure at KTTV, he organized and co-moderated debates for various state and local political positions, in addition to covering national politics for the station. He became a "well-liked figure" in the Los Angeles media according to the Los Angeles Times, conducting interviews with national figures such as Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders, as well as state and local politicians including Gavin Newsom, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rick Caruso, and Karen Bass.[12][13] He also was known for providing interviewees and panelists with a box of desserts made by his mother, Crystal Michaelson. This gesture was noted by columnist Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times, who described the treats as a variety that "didn't last the drive back to Orange County."[14] In August 2025, he announced that he would be leaving the station for an opportunity that he was unable to disclose.[12][13]
On September 11, 2025, CNN announced that Michaelson would be joining the network to host a new late-night program from Los Angeles.[15] The new show, The Story Is with Elex Michaelson, would premiere on October 27, 2025.[16]
Personal life
Michaelson has participated in the Malibu Triathlon for several years to benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles, he stopped exercising and gained weight. He vowed to return to exercising after an incident where his pants split while doing the news.[17]
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