Chandler Watkins

Reporter

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Chandler is excited to be in Shreveport covering the news that matters to you. Chandler graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in December 2017 after studying broadcast journalism and public relations. She worked for the student-run news station, News 6, as a reporter, anchor, and even news director! In her free time, you can find Chandler exploring Northwest Louisiana, watching sports, or trying out new foods.

Education:

University of Central Arkansas, Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations, 2017

Recent Articles by Chandler

Iowa moves forward with Hurricane Laura recovery efforts

Iowa, Louisiana is just another town in SWLA that was ravaged by Hurricane Laura, but just like others, they are determined to move forward.

Chandler Watkins

Published September 5, 2020 at 8:15 PM

Beauregard coming together as a community to rebuild

Beauregard residents are picking up the pieces one week after Laura hit their community as a Category 3 hurricane. Although it’s left devastation for many, the storm has also brought the community closer together.

Chandler Watkins

Published September 4, 2020 at 7:16 PM

Hackberry: damage, donations, and volunteers

Chandler Watkins and Caroline Habetz

Published September 3, 2020 at 7:22 PM

Sulphur receives 18-wheeler full of donations from North Carolina

Chandler Watkins and Caroline Habetz

Published September 2, 2020 at 7:09 PM

Sulphur residents who rode out the storm, speak on the damage

Chandler Watkins and Caroline Habetz

Published September 2, 2020 at 5:42 PM

Cameron Parish residents come back to damage

Chandler Watkins and Caroline Habetz

Published September 2, 2020 at 5:33 PM

Calcasieu Coroner’s Office damaged during storm

The Calcasieu Coroners Office sustained heavy damage after Hurricane Laura

Chandler Watkins and Caroline Habetz

Published September 2, 2020 at 1:47 PM

Casinos across Louisiana to close at midnight amid COVID-19 concerns

This is subject to an extension, if necessary.

Danielle Scruggs and Chandler Watkins

Published March 16, 2020 at 6:58 PM

Sulphur and DeRidder are two of the safest cities in Louisiana

The National Council for Home Safety and Security released a study showing DeRidder and Sulphur are two of the safest cities in Louisiana.

Chandler Watkins

Published February 17, 2020 at 10:17 PM

Secretary of State speaks about election security ahead of 2020 election

Chandler Watkins

Published February 14, 2020 at 10:26 PM

SWLA Lake Charles Launch encourages entrepreneurship

Chandler Watkins

Published February 13, 2020 at 10:54 PM

Senator Kennedy weighs in on President Trump’s 2021 fiscal year budget plan

Chandler Watkins

Published February 12, 2020 at 10:51 PM

Discussions for new concession stand, turf at Sam Houston tabled amidst concerns over Gillis Elementary

What began as a discussion proposing a new concession stand and football field turf at Sam Houston High School, quickly devolved into residents voicing their concerns with Gillis Elementary.

Chandler Watkins

Published February 11, 2020 at 11:03 PM

The I-10 Bridge: Past, Present, and Future

The Calcasieu River Bridge. Tens of thousands of people use it every day, but many say the aging bridge has seen better days.

Chandler Watkins

Published February 10, 2020 at 10:44 PM

Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office still searching for Bradley Stracener

The search continues for a missing Leesville man who hasn’t been seen since last year.

Chandler Watkins

Published February 7, 2020 at 10:15 PM

Washington-Marion students upgrade local park through Tellurian’s Youth LEAD Program

Several Washington-Marion students are making a difference in the City of Lake Charles through Tellurian’s Youth LEAD Program.

Chandler Watkins

Published February 5, 2020 at 10:26 PM

Life expectancy is up in the United States; how SWLA compares

Life expectancy in the United States is up for the first time in years according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chandler Watkins

Published February 4, 2020 at 10:28 PM

6 Cadets join Louisiana State Police Troop D

After 23 weeks of intense training, the Cadet Class 99 has been assigned to troops across the state. 6 have been assigned to Troop D, which covers Southwest Louisiana.

Chandler Watkins

Published February 3, 2020 at 10:36 PM

City of Lake Charles to hold panel on JFK’s 1959 Lake Charles visit

Before he announced his candidacy for president, then-Senator John F Kennedy made a 2-day visit to Louisiana in 1959. The tour ended at the Pioneer Club in Lake Charles.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 30, 2020 at 10:48 PM

DeRidder community comes together to help the homeless

“It almost makes you want to cry because you always hear the bad news, you know you don’t really hear about people being kind," she said. "That’s our big thing now. Be kind. I feel like this has really brought a small community together.”

Chandler Watkins

Published January 29, 2020 at 10:24 PM

Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office releases crime stats from 2018 and 2019

Sheriff Craft says when comparing their stats from 2018 and 2019 to the national stats put together by the FBI, the only stat that shows an increase in Vernon Parish from the national average is rape or sex crimes.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 27, 2020 at 10:39 PM

Children’s Miracle Network chooses 2020 Miracle Family in Southwest Louisiana

On Friday, the 2020 Children’s Miracle Network Local Champion Ceremony was held with the announcement of the 2020 Miracle Family: Scott and Kara Ortego and their daughter Bella Grace.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 24, 2020 at 10:34 PM

Lake Charles Police offering Safe & Secure Program for burglary prevention

Through this program, LCPD Property Crimes detectives and Community Policing officers will schedule a time meet with the property owner and complete a security check, including an inspection of both the inside and outside of the property to advise property owners of where improvements can be made in

Chandler Watkins

Published January 23, 2020 at 10:45 PM

It’s an alarming new version of an old scam where criminals try to convince you they have illicit recordings, photos, or information about you saying they’ll release it unless you pay up.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 22, 2020 at 10:24 PM

Car crashes into Carlyss mobile home following police pursuit

A car crashed into a mobile home in Carlyss following a police chase Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 21, 2020 at 2:23 PM

City of Lake Charles launches “The Veterans’ Oral Histories Project”

We can learn so much from older residents of Southwest Louisiana, especially from those who served our country. The City of Lake Charles has launched a new project to help tell local veterans’ stories.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 20, 2020 at 9:52 PM

USS Orleck passes major hurdle towards potential move to Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Downtown Development Authority unanimously approved the idea of the Orleck becoming a floating naval museum in the city.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 15, 2020 at 9:47 PM

“I can multiply”: Local group shows importance of knowing multiplication

You may have spotted them on the streets of downtown Lake Charles or at the mall: a group of locals is looking to spread the importance of math education one multiplication question at a time.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 10, 2020 at 10:59 PM

New restaurant coming to the Enterprise Boulevard Economic Development District

Burley Thompson calls it a passion project.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 9, 2020 at 10:31 PM

Ragley residents voice concerns over proposed compressor station at neighborhood meeting

Some Ragley residents are voicing concerns about a proposed compressor station that could be built in their area. Sunday they held a neighborhood meeting to discuss the project.

Chandler Watkins

Published January 6, 2020 at 10:31 PM

Currently in
Lake Charles, LA

Chandler Watkins

Reporter

Education:

Recent Articles by Chandler

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Chandler Watkins and Caroline Habetz

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Danielle Scruggs and Chandler Watkins

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