Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Cummings.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From a young age, I’ve always had a big personality, a lot of charisma, and an extroverted spirit. That combination naturally pushed me toward performing, from theatre stages to a little bit of TV work early on.
Those same traits came in handy later in high school and college, where I often found myself in front-facing roles with different organizations. I graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, with a degree in Communication Arts and a concentration in Journalism. That’s where my love for storytelling really took shape. I helped build the college’s on-campus TV channel and news broadcast and gained hands-on experience through internships at NBC affiliates WPMI in Mobile and WDSU back home in New Orleans.
My career started in Rapid City, South Dakota, where I worked as a weekend anchor and multimedia journalist — covering everything from the Legion Lake Fire, one of the largest in Black Hills history, to the Buffalo Roundup and Sturgis Rally. From there, I moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, reporting and filling in on the anchor desk during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, St. Louis came calling. I joined 5 On Your Side as a reporter and now anchor Today in St. Louis Weekend Edition at 6 and 9 a.m. I’ve been fortunate to earn an Emmy Award, a Missouri Broadcasters Association Award, and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for my work on community-centered storytelling, particularly features that amplify Black and Brown voices and youth-led initiatives.
Beyond the newsroom, I stay connected to the arts and community. I’ve performed in local theatre productions, including The Color Purple: The Musical and When It All Falls, and I serve as Communications Chair for the NABJ–St. Louis Chapter, mentoring high school students through our annual journalism workshop.
It’s been quite a journey! One grounded in storytelling and connection!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve been fortunate to work in newsrooms and tell stories about people and places that have truly made this journey in television news meaningful. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented and grounded journalists across the country.
I came up in a news climate that can be tough to crack … one where trust isn’t given easily but earned over time. That’s taught me the importance of compassion and credibility in every story I tell.
One of the toughest parts has been seeing how quickly the business has changed. The broadcast landscape shifts daily as we find new ways to connect with audiences, often with fewer people in the newsroom. Still, I’ve embraced that challenge. I love being able to reach people where they are, to listen to their concerns, shine a light on their struggles, and celebrate the good happening in their communities.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a television journalist with nearly nine years in the business, and I currently anchor the 6 and 9 a.m. weekend newscasts at KSDK, the NBC affiliate here in St. Louis. During the week, I serve as a general assignment reporter — writing, shooting, and editing my own stories.
I’m known for bringing a lot of energy and authenticity to my live reporting, something that even earned me an Emmy nomination — but what I’m most proud of is my commitment to community-driven storytelling. I love getting to the heart of people’s experiences, not just covering their challenges but also highlighting the good happening around them.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in newsrooms across the country, from the Black Hills of South Dakota to Chattanooga, Tennessee, before making my way to St. Louis. Each stop has deepened my love for storytelling and my respect for the people who trust us to share their voices.
What sets me apart is my ability to connect … both on and off camera. Whether I’m anchoring a show, reporting from the field, or just chatting with someone in the neighborhood, I bring curiosity and a sense of purpose to every story I tell.
How do you define success?
I define success not by what I’ve achieved for myself, but by what I’ve been able to do for others through my work. If someone feels seen, informed, or inspired because of a story I’ve told, that’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nwtgroup.com/client/travis-cummings/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traviscnews/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravisCNews/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-cummings-5a845823/
