Lauren Westbrook

Lauren began her broadcasting career as a reporter in Central Texas after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2008. At KWTX, she covered the Fort Hood shooting in 2009 that claimed 13 lives, historic flooding, and took part in the annual Food for Families drive, an event that remains near and dear to her heart.

In 2011 Lauren accepted a morning anchor position at WAFB in Baton Rouge, La., and began anchoring the station’s noon show shortly after she arrived. Her teams earned Emmy nominations, first place Associated Press awards, and honors from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.

Lauren co-anchored coverage of a deadly police shooting in 2016 that earned WAFB an Edward R. Murrow Award.

A month later unprecedented flooding in Baton Rouge took lives and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Lauren stayed on the anchor desk for hours at a time over several days as floodwaters receded. The catastrophe inspired Louisiana natives Randy Jackson and Harry Connick, Jr. to co-host a nationally televised concert with Lauren to raise money for people whose livelihoods were destroyed.

She loves sports and says she is proud she covered the LSU Tigers’ National Championship win in New Orleans. She also co-hosted the victory parade through Baton Rouge, which aired statewide.

In early 2020, Lauren became the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters’ first Young Professional of the Year.

She is passionate about her work with the Boys and Girls Club and helped raise thousands of dollars for children in need. She also emceed countless events for charitable organizations and was actively involved with several animal rescue groups.

Lauren returns to Waco to anchor evening shows alongside friends she made at the beginning of her career. She says she’s honored to serve Central Texas again in a position that also puts her closer to family.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys volunteering, meeting new people, working out, anything involving animals, being outside, and heights. She’s been known to cliff jump and skydive on special occasions!

Feel free to send her a tip or say hello any time!