"I love what I do and I hope it shows."—Mike LaPoint

Mike LaPoint is Chief Meteorologist for Severe Weather Team 11 on Channel 11 News. Mike reports on Channel 11 News at 5, 6, and 11 PM, as well as on Channel 11 News at 7PM on PCNC, and Channel 11 News on Fox 53 at 10.

Mike is the only local chief meteorologist honored as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society (AMS). To earn the seal, meteorologists must undergo a rigorous written exam, meet strict educational guidelines, and must have samples of their weathercasts approved by AMS board members. It is the highest honor awarded by the AMS.

MEET THE CHANNEL 11 NEWS TEAM Newlin Archinal Timyka Artist Kevin Benson Stu Brown Bob Bruce Darieth Chisolm Jodine Costanzo Rick Earle Kimberly Easton Stacia Erdos John Fedko Peggy Finnegan Andy Gastmeyer Scott Harbaugh Lori Houy Alan Jennings David Johnson Mike LaPoint Gordon Loesch Amy Marcinkiewicz Danielle Nottingham Alby Oxenreiter Bill Phillips Trisha Pittman Vince Sims Dee Thompson Steve Teeling Becky Thompson Krista Villarreal Renee Wallisch-Kaminski Rich Walsh Karen Welles Marc Willis

Mike arrived at WPXI in January 2007. A native of Kansas, Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Kansas, and has years of experience forecasting weather and chasing storms in the infamous tornado alley. Before joining Severe Weather Team 11, Mike was meteorologist at Today’s TMJ4 in Milwaukee. Other positions he held include midday meteorologist at KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, weekend meteorologist at KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, weekend meteorologist and storm chaser at KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, chief meteorologist at KNDO-TV in Yakima, and weekend meteorologist at KSNT-TV in Topeka. Mike and his wife Jenny have a son, Michael.

Throughout his career, Mike has been honored and awarded for his forecasting. He was honored by the Oklahoma House of Representatives for his coverage, and given a Humanitarian Award by the governor. Other awards include a Guardian Award from the National Association of Broadcasters, a Media Award from Minnesota Emergency Managers, and an Emmy nomination.

The most memorable story of Mike’s career happened while working in Oklahoma City. “I was standing outside the station reporting live, when in a matter of seconds, a tornado touched down only 100 yards away.” In May of 1999, he was part of the weather team credited for saving thousands of lives from an F5 tornado that caused $1 billion in damage in Oklahoma.

Mike feels his greatest honor is receiving the CBM seal. He says, “I love what I do, and I hope it shows.”

E-Mail Mike!