Lauren Johnson
After high school, Lauren attended Furman University as a member of the Women's Track and Field team. Struggling in the sciences, her mother strongly suggested a shift to the Communications department where a beloved English professor would push her towards a career in television.
Lauren traded in her dreams of becoming a doctor for storytelling and writing.
Lauren got her start in television during college as the anchor of college network, FUTV. During that time, Lauren completed internships at the local FOX station in Atlanta, NBC in Greenville and ABC News in New York City. It was working behind the scenes on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer that sealed the deal for a journalism career.
Lauren's TV career officially started in Orlando, FL at Central Florida News 13 in 2003 as a feature reporter.
After four years of soaking up sunshine, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee to become a health reporter at WHBQ-TV. During her five years in Tennessee, she
received several Emmy nominations for her coverage of children's healthcare issues. Lauren was later tapped to co-anchor the early edition of Good Morning Memphis.
Five years after leaving Orlando, she was back; this time, Lauren launched the weekend edition of "Good Day Orlando" for the FOX affiliate. During her second stint, she
covered the historic Trayvon Martin trial. In 2014, Lauren was tapped to launch a weekend edition of "Good Day Philadelphia." While reporting in Philly, Lauren covered the deadly Amtrak derailment, the Pope's visit to Philadelphia, the Democratic National Convention, the NFL Draft, the Eagles Super Bowl-winning season, both Bill Cosby trials, the novel coronavirus and the civil unrest surrounding George Floyd's murder.
In her spare time, Lauren enjoys decorating, reading, sleeping, shopping, traveling, working out, and spending time with friends and family, especially her identical twin nieces. She's the proud pet parent of a Morkie named Diamond.
Lauren's Stories
Duke cancer doctor, patient embark on unique cycling trip in Iceland
The pair are an unlikely duo - doctor and patient - with a shared passion for raising awareness and money for research into myeloma, a blood cancer -- and cycling.
Raleigh man leaves his hometown to join the Peace Corps, teach ESL in Mongolia
For some people volunteering is a love language, so much so - they pack their bags and suit up for service.
Self-described sneakerhead reveals the heartwarming story behind why she created sneaker expo
Few people know that the Kick Back Sneaker Expo is the product of a shared love between a grandfather and granddaughter.
New Raleigh police chief Estella Patterson aims to regain trust of the public
After a summer of civil unrest, the new Raleigh police chief Estella Patterson says regaining the public's trust is high on her wish list.