Lauren Watson 5c36e

Digital Content Manager a536v
4u2a3i
Lauren Watson

Lauren graduated from Louisiana State University in May 2022 with a degree in mass communication, focused on broadcast journalism. While at LSU, she worked at the campus station, Tiger TV, for two years. 2eam

During her time in school she also was a festival queen, traveling her home state of Louisiana every weekend and learning to love local communities and their stories, which contributed to her love of journalism.

After her family relocated from the New Orleans area to Colorado, she knew she wanted to stick around. Starting at KKTV as a Reporter and Digital Content Producer in 2022, Lauren has loved living and growing in Colorado Springs while connecting with the Southern Colorado community both on air and online.

National
The FBI called the attack an act of terrorism.

Number of victims in Colorado firebombing attack rises to 15 and a dog 583wk

Updated: Jun. 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
Officials say the number of victims of a firebombing attack that happened in Colorado over the weekend has increased to 15 people and one dog.

National
Law enforcement officials investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall, Sunday, June...

Family of Boulder attack suspect is taken into ICE custody 3v573

Updated: Jun. 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Dorothy Sedovic
The family of the man charged in an attack that injured 12 has been taken into custody by ICE.

National
Police in Durango doubled as kangaroo wranglers once more this week after officials said a...

Roo-peat offender: Police wrangle runaway kangaroo... again 1a6j6q

Updated: May 21, 2025 at 6:48 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Andrew McMunn
Instead of a downtown chase, police said the kangaroo made his way into a neighbor’s backyard after hopping through town.

National
A father died in Colorado Wednesday afternoon after trying to save several children who were...

53-year-old father dies trying to save struggling children in lake 6w1l3

Updated: May 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM CDT
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By Aspen Andrews, Lauren Watson and Debra Worley
Officials said four children were swimming in the lake and began struggling as the wind and waves picked up.

National
An active duty Fort Carson soldier, 41-year-old Joshua King, is being accused of stealing C4...

Active-duty soldier arrested on federal drug distribution charges 1f5b1u

Updated: May 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson, Brianna Leonard, Melissa Henry and Amanda Alvarado
An active-duty soldier was arrested on federal drug distribution charges.

National
A 200-year-old portrait of the first U.S. President was recovered late last week after it was...

Police recover 200-year-old painting of George Washington stolen from storage unit 5e266a

Updated: Apr. 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Dorothy Sedovic
A 200-year-old portrait of the first U.S. President that was stolen over a year ago from a Colorado storage unit has been recovered, law enforcement shared Monday.

National
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced the birth of a Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth on Dec. 18.

New Year, new resident: Zoo welcomes adorable baby sloth 4f5r4q

Updated: Dec. 31, 2024 at 3:48 PM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Emily Van de Riet
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced the birth of a Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth on Dec. 18.

National
FILE - A McDonald's Quarter Pounder sandwich purchased, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Chicago.

Family sues McDonald’s, Taylor Farms after allegedly contracting E. coli from eating Quarter Pounders 3qs64

Updated: Dec. 19, 2024 at 7:18 PM CST
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By Lauren Watson, Lindsey Grewe and Gray News staff
A woman is suing McDonald’s and Taylor Farms after her and her daughter allegedly became ill after eating food at the restaurant.

National
A Douglas County deputy was a hero’s hero on Wednesday when “Captain America” found himself...

Deputy helps man dressed as Captain America when his motorbike breaks down on the way to a Children’s Hospital 383m6a

Updated: Dec. 12, 2024 at 7:02 PM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Andrew McMunn
An American hero found himself in need on the side of a highway in Colorado Wednesday.

National
The man said he had “probably 10” drinks and then also told the officer he was a “professional...

Man tells police he’s a ‘professional drinker’ following multi-vehicle crash 67571v

Updated: Dec. 12, 2024 at 3:33 PM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Emily Van de Riet
A man was caught on police body camera claiming to be a “professional drinker” as he was being arrested for causing a multi-vehicle crash, police said.

National
Kathy Lawton

Woman stabbed 85-year-old husband to death in retirement community, police say 6f4l1d

Updated: Dec. 4, 2024 at 9:38 PM CST
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By Aspen Andrews, Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
Kathy Lawton was taken into custody on a second-degree murder charge.

National
FILE - This photo provided by the National Park Service shows a sign marking the north...

‘That was our mistake, and we acknowledge that’: Man speaks after Yellowstone Park ban 35e63

Updated: Nov. 13, 2024 at 9:23 AM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Amanda Alvarado
A man is sharing his story after he was banned from Yellowstone National Park.

National
Daniel Reyes is accused of lying about a fake kidnapping in Colorado.

Man lied about kidnapping of 13-year-old girl that led to a statewide Amber Alert, police say 72z1c

Updated: Oct. 17, 2024 at 12:31 PM CDT
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By Aspen Andrews, Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
An Amber Alert issued for the 13-year-old was canceled. Police also arrested the man accused of lying to police.

National
The pilot of a hot air balloon reportedly hit a gutter, causing the balloon to tear while...

Hot air balloon landing goes wrong when pilot snags gutter, tears hole in balloon’s side 44255j

Updated: Sep. 4, 2024 at 4:42 AM CDT
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By Lauren Watson, (FORMER EMPLOYEE) Tony Keith and Gray News staff
The pilot was able to land safely despite the tear in the hot air balloon, according to event organizers.

National
Park officials said Lucas Macaj, 23, was last heard from at approximately 1 p.m. Sunday when...

Body of missing Space Force Guardian recovered after days-long search in Rocky Mountain National Park 2m444p

Updated: May 20, 2024 at 12:47 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Andrew McMunn
Authorities said 23-year-old Lucas Macaj was located on Mills Glacier, near the base of Lamb’s Slide.

National
Lt. Zachary Galli died in a non-combat-related training accident, according to Fort Carson...

Soldier, 23, dies in non-combat training accident at US Army post 6m3oj

Updated: May 14, 2024 at 7:33 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Jordan Gartner
A soldier assigned to the Mountain Post at Fort Carson has died in a non-combat-related training accident.

National
Murder victim Maria Honzell.

Killing of 14-year-old babysitter solved nearly 50 years later, police say 2c745

Updated: May 9, 2024 at 10:30 AM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
Police said the case was solved using DNA found at the scene of the murder and matching it with other samples in a public genealogy database.

National
Brothers say they lost everything but their dog after arson sets home on fire

Brothers say they lost everything but their dog after alleged act of arson set their home on fire 28234i

Updated: May 1, 2024 at 7:32 AM CDT
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By Lauren Watson, Lindsey Grewe and Amanda Alvarado
Two brothers say they lost everything when someone allegedly set their home on fire.

National
Michael LaBarge said he hopes his actions inspire others with cancer diagnoses to keep taking...

Retired Marine and cancer survivor celebrates remission with 10-hour swim 623p4c

Updated: Apr. 4, 2024 at 3:48 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Andrew McMunn
Michael LaBarge said he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, grade IV brain cancer, 21 years ago on April 2.

National
Hank Frank and Katie Curcio say they've been creating snow sculptures following significant...

Artists building snow sculptures in neighborhood following significant snowstorms o1m1k

Updated: Mar. 21, 2024 at 5:39 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Jordan Gartner
The artists say they've been creating snow sculptures following significant snowfalls for the past few years.

National
A wildfire is burning on the south end of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Wildfire burns on Air Force Academy grounds 254c7

Updated: Feb. 26, 2024 at 11:43 AM CST
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By Lindsey Grewe, Kasia Kerridge, Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
The West Monument Creek Fire broke out early Sunday afternoon, and quickly ballooned.

National
Police say the remains of two children, Jesus Dominguez Jr. and Yesenia Dominguez, were found....

Arrests made after children’s remains found in container filled with concrete, suitcase 643461

Updated: Feb. 19, 2024 at 12:46 AM CST
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By Lauren Watson, Aaron Vitatoe and Gray News staff
A police investigation into the remains of one child found encased in concrete led to the discovery of the remains of another.

National
35-year-old Kimberlee Singler is being saught by police after the death of two of her children...

2 children killed, 1 injured inside Colorado apartment complex; police seeking mother as suspect 1v5i42

Updated: Dec. 28, 2023 at 6:29 PM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
Officials are seeking the mother of three children after two were killed and one was injured in an apartment in northeast Colorado Springs last week.

National
A Colorado woman is questioning whether or not her missing father has finally been found after...

Woman believes her missing father may be one of 2 bodies found in same grave 1o4e67

Updated: Dec. 21, 2023 at 3:36 PM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Dorothy Sedovic
Authorities are investigating the practices of a county coroner who may have allowed bodies to be improperly buried.

National
Sydney Meegan, 18, died unexpectedly from a severe allergic reaction last October and her...

Mother honoring daughter who died from severe allergic reaction with donation in her name 1o175y

Updated: Nov. 28, 2023 at 8:45 PM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Jordan Gartner
A Colorado mother says she is honoring her late daughter by making a donation in her name.

National
Law enforcement and crime tape off Werner and Highway 115 in Penrose on Oct. 5, 2023.

Number of individuals’ remains located in Colorado funeral home up to almost 200 6x201i

Updated: Oct. 17, 2023 at 6:10 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson
Investigators said all of the decedents were removed from the Colorado funeral home as of Oct. 13.

National
Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval was killed in an on-duty hit-and-run crash.

‘My heart is broken’: Parole officer dies after being run over by wanted man in SUV 27174j

Updated: Sep. 29, 2023 at 9:10 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson, Lindsey Grewe and Jordan Gartner
Authorities in Colorado say one of their own officers was killed in a hit-and-run crash while on duty this week.

National
Police in Boulder said a man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly driving through...

Man arrested, accused of trying to run over several people in park 685m2s

Updated: Sep. 21, 2023 at 6:52 AM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
Police in Colorado said the driver “narrowly missed” a number of people, who ran to get away.

National
Lawyers have released court records related to the two Las Animas County sheriff's deputies...

Deputies fired for using stun gun on a grandfather 35 times 992b

Updated: Sep. 12, 2023 at 6:59 AM CDT
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By Lindsey Grewe and Lauren Watson
One of the deputies fired in connection with this incident has a history of criminal convictions, restraining orders and complaints against him.

National
11 News spoke with those now looking after Henrietta the bear (formerly the troublesome "Hank...

Bear formerly known as ‘Hank the Tank’ adjusting to life in Colorado sanctuary 6u2d6r

Updated: Aug. 29, 2023 at 5:20 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Gray News staff
The sanctuary’s executive director said it’s a chance not often granted to troublesome bears like her.

National
Tanis Gonzales and Samantha Piel are taking their “Love Story” to the next chapter after...

Couple celebrates their ‘Love Story’ with Taylor Swift concert proposal 645566

Updated: Jul. 21, 2023 at 12:13 AM CDT
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By Lauren Watson
The proposal happened early into the concert, which the couple described as “magical.”

National
Donnie Koval, 11, was seriously injured after being hit in the face at a baseball practice...

11-year-old recovering after devastating baseball practice injury w1365

Updated: Jul. 5, 2023 at 7:53 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson and Jordan Gartner
An 11-year-old baseball player is in the hospital after suffering a serious injury while practicing this week.

National
This photo provided by law enforcement shows Andrea Serrano.

Colorado woman who its to having sex with 13-year-old and having his baby sentenced 1s2025

Updated: May 18, 2023 at 3:14 PM CDT
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By Lauren Watson
A 31-year-old woman who itted to having sex with a 13-year-old boy and then having his child is headed to jail, despite the exclusion of jail time in the plea deal attorneys originally presented.

National
Alexa Bartell

3 men arrested in connection with Colorado woman’s rock attack death, officials say 226e12

Updated: Apr. 26, 2023 at 8:32 AM CDT
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By Lindsey Grewe, Lauren Watson and Gray News Staff
The three young men are accused of throwing large landscaping rocks at vehicles.

National
Nicole Namba and Wyatt Gray hold their newborn daughter, Lily, just after bringing her home....

Baby, it’s cold outside: Parents deliver daughter in subzero temperatures 481m43

Updated: Dec. 26, 2022 at 10:45 AM CST
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By Lauren Watson and Debra Worley
The temperature in Colorado Springs was below 0 degrees Fahrenheit that morning, accompanied by snow and ice.

National
Huge piles of tumbleweeds are not an uncommon occurrence in areas east and south of Colorado...

Man forced to rake his way into home due to massive tumbleweed pile 635170

Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 at 3:57 PM CDT
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By Lindsey Grewe, Lauren Watson and Emily Van de Riet
A man in Colorado found himself nearly unable to enter his home due to a massive pile of tumbleweeds.

Latest News 185z3m

What to know for Saturday with a First Warn Weather Day impacting early morning activity.
FIRST WARN WEATHER DAY: Batches of rain, thunderstorms throughout Saturday morning 3r236q
Exchange students in need of local host families
Visa restrictions aren’t stopping incoming high schoolers from studying in the metro 2r421
Chris Melchert
Deadly motorcycle wreck brings from hundreds in tattooing community 1o3160
Popular multi-day event Vintage Market Days of Kansas City has returned this weekend in a new...
Vintage Market Days of Kansas City returns this weekend b451d
FILE
Kansas City gardener accused of luring child behind bush before sexual assault 4wq4k

Latest News 185z3m

Grant Hardin captured (Courtesy: Arkansas Department of Corrections)
“Devil in the Ozarks” escapee Grant Hardin captured, according to officials 4b2n4c
FILE
Missouri lawmaker 1 of nearly 200 to call on continued funding for Job Corps 4o2p5z
Louis S. Allen
Years-long investigation results in child sex crimes charges for Independence man p5qm
FILE
Counterfeit bills spotted at local yard sales 492a3v
Organizers of Kansas City’s 50th annual Pride Festival say the celebration looks different...
‘We’re Still Here’ KC Pride Fest staying resilient amid budget cuts, loss of sponsorships 2m4w3v
FILE
Crash along rural Missouri highway leaves both drivers seriously injured 43v41