Biography

Francisco Soto was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He attended Gadsden High School and was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Government. During his time at NMSU, Francisco anchored and reported for the student-run newscasts Noticias22 and News22. This is where he gained most of his television experience as he was able to shoot, write and produce stories in English and in Spanish.

Immediately after graduation, Francisco worked as a television reporter for NewsWest 9 in the Midland-Odessa area. In his short but valuable journalistic career, Francisco covered stories about the COVID-19 pandemic, commissioners court meetings, elections, and highlighted people with impactful stories around the community. As a first-generation college student Francisco understands the importance of education. A big part of his motivation to finish college was his parents, who have less than a high school education, but provided everything they could for him and his brother to have a good life.