Hi, I’m Paris Flannigan — a hungry, driven, passionate, and fearless storyteller. I was born in Houston, Texas, but raised in the small country town of Lawtell, Louisiana — the kind of place where you can hear cows mooing in the distance and spot chickens crossing a two-lane highway at noon. I have to ask my neighbors if those are edible one day.  

 

Growing up, I never imagined I’d one day be the girl on the TV screen. That dream didn’t take shape until college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where I originally thought I’d become a police officer (yes, really — that was the plan, lol. I wanted to solve murders and catch the killer).

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But everything changed in 2016, just weeks after graduation, when I got my first shot in the news business. From that moment on, I was hooked — and I haven’t looked back since. This work is more than a job to me. It’s a calling. Storytelling is in my blood. It challenges me, inspires me, and most importantly, connects me to the people around me. The stories I get to tell are often raw, powerful, and touching to the soul — and I consider it a privilege to share them.

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What gets me out of bed every morning? The unknown. The thrill of a new story. The people I’ll meet along the way.

My name is Paris Flannigan, and I’m a passionate journalist with a heart for storytelling—especially the kind that makes your pulse race or brings tears to your eyes. Journalism, for me, is a love-hate relationship but in the end it's awarding to the soul. 

 

There are days when the weight of it makes me want to quit—and days when I know, without a doubt, I was born to do this.

​This career demands courage, resilience, faith, and confidence. It’s not for the faint of heart. You don’t just choose journalism—it chooses you.

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I didn’t always know this was my path. I started behind the camera, drawn to the power of visual storytelling. Being on camera didn’t come naturally at first—but I put in the work, found my voice, and five years later, I’m still here… chasing the stories that matter.

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What a journey it's been. One day, I’m a beekeeper. The next, a firefighter. After that, a storm chaser. At the heart of it all, I’m a storyteller and a voice for my community—the one who asks the tough questions when no one else will, who stands in the storm to deliver life-saving information or simply offers a listening ear.

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I launched my news career in 2016 at KLAF News 15 in Lafayette, Louisiana. Since then, I’ve built a strong foundation in storytelling through hands-on experience at WBRZ in Baton Rouge and KATC TV 3 in Lafayette, taking on multiple roles as a photographer and multimedia journalist. Each opportunity has shaped me into a tenacious, dependable, and impactful storyteller with a deep sense of purpose. I also took time to expand my experience beyond the newsroom, serving as a Public Information Officer for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. In that role, I led communication efforts through campaigns, press releases, and video production, while serving as a key liaison between the school system, stakeholders, and media outlets.​

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My most proudest accomplishment was developing and executing the “Supporting Our Girls” campaign, providing hygiene products to over 1,000 girls in underserved communities in East Baton Rouge Parish. 

  

Some of my most impactful work includes:  

• Serve as the primary spokesperson, delivering clear and accurate information to the public and media

• Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories, and official statements in AP style

• Coordinate and conduct press conferences, media briefings, public announcements, and campaigns 

• Manage media relations by responding to inquiries and building relationships with journalists and outlets

• Translate complex policies, legal matters, and public safety information into clear, accessible messaging

• Monitor news coverage and public sentiment to inform communication strategies

• Develop and execute communication plans for emergencies, crises, and major public initiatives

• Maintain and update official social media platforms and digital content to ensure timely public communication

• Collaborate with leadership, government officials, and departments to ensure consistent messaging

• Prepare talking points, speeches, and briefing materials for executives and public officials

• Ensure all communications align with legal standards, public records laws, and organizational policies

• Handle sensitive or high-profile situations with professionalism, accuracy, and discretion

• Coordinate community outreach efforts to increase public awareness and engagement

• Track and analyze media coverage and communication effectiveness

• Manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines in fast-paced environments ​​

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Beyond hard news, I focus on building trust within the community and producing impactful storytelling that drives real-world change—whether in news reporting or communications. At the end of the day, I will always be a storyteller. 

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