Lauren Martinez
News Anchor/Multimedia Journalist
Biloxi, MS
Lauren Martinez is a reporter for WLOX News Now and the weekend evening anchor.
Prior to joining WLOX, Lauren worked as an entertainment reporter where her focus was television and film.
Lauren is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but spent most of her life in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended Clark Atlanta University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in Radio/TV/Film.
During her time in Atlanta, Lauren covered major events including a Super Bowl, the Miss Universe pageant, and the 2020 Presidential election. Lauren's work has been recognized by Deadline, Yahoo! News, and the Toronto International Film Festival. She's also a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Construction on the Performing Arts Center is scheduled to begin early summer of this year and be completed winter of 2025.
Frustrations are growing among tenants in a Pascagoula apartment building over poor living conditions, which have been going on for years.
Visa and Mastercard have reached a major settlement with U.S. merchants that could bring relief to small businesses.
Memorial Health System closed out Women’s History Month with an important discussion as part of its DEI program.
Several insurance companies are leaving high-risk climate areas, limiting Coastal residents with affordable coverage options.
For foodies on the coast, restaurant changes are happening in the Long Beach area.
A proposed deal with the National Association of Realtors could change how real estate agents are paid.
A disabled Perkinston man is in need of a wheelchair ramp, but getting one is no easy task.
The 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade made a grand entrance in Pass Christian on Saturday thanks to the Krewe of Blarney.
The state title holder visited the University of South Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and Center for Fisheries Research & Development to get an up-close look at the blue crab and oyster industries.
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, a 22,000-square-foot facility, is now complete.
Tuesday morning, polls will open across Mississippi for the 2024 primary elections, thousands of Mississippi voters casting their ballots. Ahead of the big day, the Harrison County Commission is prepping for the rush.
The show allows over 10,000 spectators to view up-close and purchase top-notch products with boat dealers and manufacturers.
Around eight hundred students received a glimpse of what the future holds as Bayou View Middle School invited nearly forty work professionals to its 2024 Career Day.
South Mississippi’s longest-running multi-genre convention has returned to Biloxi.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for 63-year-old William Charles Brondum III of Escatawpa.
Prom season is here and so are the increasing chances of young people losing their lives to drunk driving.
For the third year, the Memorial Hospital Gulfport staff and community members came together in celebration of black excellence.
As shoplifting is ramping up across Mississippi, the state is cracking down on the growing issue.
Saturday is an exciting time for members of Delta Sigma Theta as they commemorate a long legacy of sisterhood and service at the Coast Coliseum.
The Wiggins Fire Department and Stone County Fire Service are working to update communication equipment by applying for a federal grant.
The observance honors over two million veteran women across the country and celebrates the bonds the women have formed through years of service.
Riders between the ages of six to 80 years old are participating in the popular horse show circuit.
The Krewe of Real People returned to Bay St. Louis for Mardi Gras 2024, bringing a boatload of beads, throws, dance moves, and parade-goers from all walks of life.
With Valentine’s Day just two days away, florists on the Coast are busy prepping for the holiday rush.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has now made one come true by sending 14-year-old Arieal Wills to Disney World.
100-year-old Arleaner Washington was joined by her family, friends, and caretakers to honor her milestone with a proclamation.
Since 1965, Epitome has been the home to some of the finest cigars and pipe tobacco from across the world.
On the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, WLOX News heard from a woman’s resource expert and a real-life testimony from a woman who made the decision to keep her baby in the midst of adversary.
With freezing temperatures still hammering South Mississippi, outdoor workers have been left with no choice but to brave the cold.
Preventing your pipes from bursting is a must, according to Ethan Robinson of ASAP Plumbing in Gulfport.
As MLK Day approaches, many events are taking place across the U.S. and the Gulf Coast to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
After months of hard work, construction on the home is nearing completion but ahead of the open house patients, builders, contractors, and all who provided a helping hand are signing off on the successful project.
AHA and DSV Global Solutions visited students at West Harrison High School to give them a demonstration on how to save lives.
Moss Point residents are hoping to never experience a life-altering storm again, but Monday’s severe weather could pose a new threat to the River City.
In between Sunday services, members of St. Peter’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church indulged in a bountiful selection of king cakes to celebrate the start of Mardi Gras and Epiphany.
Many New Year celebrations are underway, but what’s a party without delicious food, especially dishes with positive meanings to pair with them?
On Wednesday, the Coast Transit Authority (CTA) helped thousands of coastal residents by offering free rides to work.
On the eve of Christmas, Sweet Enchantments Bakery hosted a festive class filled with cookies, sprinkles, icing, and a fun-loving group of South Mississippians.
Audrey Duncan is known across the Gulf Coast for cooking delicious southern cuisine, but today she’s being recognized for her giving spirit.
The Fisher House is recognized as a home away from home for hundreds of veteran and military families.
With the help of dedicated community members, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department assisted dozens of area families with Christmas presents.
The holidays are here and Christmas is just around the corner. However, for those in the market for a new Christmas tree, one thing might stick out to buyers — spiked prices.
On Saturday, Morning Star Baptist Church dedicated their morning to reaching the needs of dozens of low-income families in Harrison County.
The Jackson County community is banding together to help distribute thousands of toys this Christmas. The annual initiative is led by Ingalls.
Through their business venture, the duo hopes to educate people on gun safety by offering real-life scenarios, target accuracy, and interactive games without live fire.
Through the partnership, 150 bikes and helmets will be distributed at the Salvation Army Center for Hope in Gulfport.
Saturday morning, people in need lined up for the chance to receive items to keep them warm during the cooler months at Gulf Coast Community Ministries’ 11th Camping for Hope.
Jackson County aims to increase the resiliency of the beaches, provide incidental hurricane and storm damage risk reduction benefits, and expand nesting habitat for shorebirds and other marine animals.
Local non-profits across the state could be eligible for tax credits thanks to House Bill 1723.
