Amanda Johnson
Digital Producer
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Amanda Johnson is a digital news producer at KPLC. As a native of Lake Charles, she loves writing about the Southwest Louisiana area. She has been writing stories since she learned to hold a pen.
Amanda fell in love with newswriting at McNeese State University, where she majored in journalism and attended conferences with the Society of Professional Journalists. She graduated in 2020. When outside the newsroom, Amanda enjoys traveling, reading, baking and writing fiction.
Updated: Mar. 24, 2023 at 6:10 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
A new family entertainment center on Country Club Road is set to formally open to the public at noon on Wednesday, March 29.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 8:46 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
The 2023 Vernon Parish Special Olympics is set for Friday, March 31, at the Rosepine High School football stadium.
Updated: Mar. 8, 2023 at 8:54 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA has announced the date for the 2023 Spring Art Walk in downtown Lake Charles.
Updated: Mar. 2, 2023 at 3:53 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA has announced the music lineup for Live @ the Lakefront 2023.
Updated: Feb. 20, 2023 at 4:50 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
A Texas man is facing several charges and a possible hefty fine after allegedly harvesting and selling seafood with fraudulent licenses, authorities say.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023 at 2:25 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
When water service is restored, affected residents will be under a boil advisory until further notice.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 3:12 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Weaver Road will reopen to vehicle and pedestrian traffic in both directions at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, according to the City of Lake Charles.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 9:17 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The 35-year-old white man was last seen wearing a white shirt and black pants, according to the Coast Guard.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 7:24 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
A Leesville man is jailed after a mother caught him sexually abusing her seven-year-old daughter, authorities say.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 8:10 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Wild Cajun Meals, LLC is recalling over 18,000 pounds of frozen, fully cooked “Lady Jambalaya” jambalaya and gumbo products sold in retail stores in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 5:20 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson and Joel Bruce
The Lord and Lady of the 12th Night Royal Court for the City of Lake Charles were given their crowns Friday.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 8:21 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Beauregard Electric Cooperative officials said power for some customers will not be restored until Thursday, Jan. 26.
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 3:15 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
LDWF officials said this is a rare opportunity to catch non-native fish in Louisiana waters.
Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 6:19 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The playground and Indian Bay Pavilion at Prien Lake Park will close on Jan. 23 for hurricane repairs, according to parish officials.
Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 1:56 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
An Amelia home was evacuated and searched by a bomb squad after the homeowner received threats and a suspicious object, which turned out to be an egg.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 8:24 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
A five-year-old boy was fatally shot at a home in Jennings Thursday, according to police.
Updated: Jan. 18, 2023 at 7:05 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
A Leesville man is jailed after allegedly stealing an air conditioner and air conditioner parts in the area.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 7:55 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Local fire officials are reminding residents to use caution with outdoor burning after an active afternoon for firefighters.
Updated: Dec. 28, 2022 at 8:18 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
A 105-year-old building in DeRidder is in for a $10,000 restoration.
Updated: Dec. 23, 2022 at 8:43 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson and Jakob Evans
A round of arctic air is beginning to make its way towards SWLA. We have a list of resources for people who need shelter over the next few days.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2022 at 9:40 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
A Vinton man has died from injuries from a crash on the I-210 Bridge Thursday morning, police say.
Updated: Dec. 16, 2022 at 10:35 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson and Barry Lowin
Oh, the Who-manity! If there’s anything we hate, hate, hate, double hate, loathe entirely, it’s someone trying to steal Christmas cheer.
Updated: Dec. 16, 2022 at 9:24 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Separate crashes in Allen Parish claimed the lives of two SWLA men Friday afternoon.
Updated: Dec. 16, 2022 at 4:06 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Sale Road will remain closed to through traffic between West Prien Lake and Burton Lane as the widening project continues.
Updated: Dec. 14, 2022 at 3:37 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Boyd “Lurch” Hagood of Baytown, Texas, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Wednesday for his involvement in the killing of Dustin Hammons in August 2017.
Updated: Dec. 14, 2022 at 3:03 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Judge Derrick Kee has announced his plans to retire from the Fourteenth Judicial District Court of Louisiana.
Updated: Dec. 13, 2022 at 6:27 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Calcasieu Parish is reopening applications for its Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to help residents with housing and rental expenses.
Updated: Dec. 8, 2022 at 8:01 PM CST
|By Sudan Britton and Amanda Johnson
Multiple Green Acres residents reported that their packages had been stolen on Tuesday afternoon, according to the DeRidder Police Department. Victims and neighbors shared surveillance video with police, showing the suspect vehicle and one of the suspects.
Updated: Dec. 6, 2022 at 2:44 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The former Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino will reopen as Horseshoe Lake Charles on Monday, Dec. 12, to be declared “Horseshoe Day” by Westlake Mayor Dan Racca.
Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 5:47 PM CST
|By Patrick Deaville and Amanda Johnson
Crime Stoppers is still offering a $500 reward for any information leading to the arrest of Nick Ashworth.
Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 2:29 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Small, locally-owned businesses in Lake Charles can apply for forgivable loans of up to $5,000 through the city’s Small Business Stabilization Fund.
Updated: Nov. 29, 2022 at 4:22 PM CST
|By Patrick Deaville and Amanda Johnson
Portions of the canal are currently closed for cleanup.
Updated: Nov. 28, 2022 at 5:21 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express is returning to the rails this year, and it has stops planned for five Louisiana cities, including DeQuincy and Leesville.
Updated: Nov. 25, 2022 at 5:46 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Early voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Nov. 26 through Dec. 3, excluding Sunday.
Updated: Nov. 16, 2022 at 3:12 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office is hosting a free two-day hunter education course on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 at 9:49 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
The 2023 Grammy nominations were announced Tuesday, and a unique album that captures the soul of Louisiana is on the list.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 at 9:06 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
With temperatures falling lower than usual for this time of year, fire officials are reminding residents to keep safety in mind while using heaters.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 at 7:23 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Dozens of pets at the Vernon Parish Animal Shelter are waiting for their forever homes.
Updated: Nov. 11, 2022 at 6:27 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Boombox Frozen Pops and Ice Cream is asking fans to make an extra visit to their Country Club Road shop so their remaining inventory does not go to waste before they permanently close on Dec. 30.
Updated: Nov. 10, 2022 at 9:24 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Out with the old to make room for the new - the demolition has begun on part of our old KPLC building.
Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 11:24 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Cameron Parish voters decided on two tax propositions in Tuesday’s election - one consolidation and one renewal.
Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 10:32 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Cameron Parish voters decided on two tax propositions in Tuesday’s election - one consolidation and one renewal.
Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 10:12 PM CST
|By Amanda Johnson
Cameron Parish voters decided on two tax propositions in Tuesday’s election - one consolidation and one renewal.
Updated: Nov. 4, 2022 at 2:59 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
McNeese State University received an award recognizing the school’s success in rebuilding its online platform after it crashed in the aftermath of hurricanes Laura and Delta.
Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 at 4:38 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
Cameron will vote on two parishwide tax propositions in the Nov. 8 election.
Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 at 4:12 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
Early voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Oct. 25 through Nov. 1, excluding Sunday, Oct. 30.
Updated: Oct. 21, 2022 at 10:31 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
Chuck Fest returns to downtown Lake Charles Saturday with a full day of music, food and fun.
Updated: Oct. 18, 2022 at 3:48 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
Federal investigators have closed the case on the 2021 SEACOR Power liftboat capsizing, which killed 13 people near Port Fourchon.
Updated: Oct. 17, 2022 at 7:54 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
A nonprofit summer camp in Vernon Parish is raising money to replace their pelican statue after it was stolen - again.
Updated: Oct. 11, 2022 at 9:37 PM CDT
|By Amanda Johnson
The American Legion’s Oratorical Contest is coming to Lake Charles this year, providing an opportunity for high school students to win college scholarships up to $25,000.
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