Chris Slaughter is retiring from WDSU, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in New Orleans, after more than 45 years as a local journalist in Louisiana.

Slaughter, who began his career in 1976, has held roles at WAFB in Baton Rouge and WWL and WDSU in New Orleans.

He’s worked his way up the ladder in local television from the production crew to news producer, assignment editor, managing editor, assistant news director, and news director, before he ultimately finished his career as the executive producer for WDSU Investigates.

Slaughter has covered nearly every big story in Louisiana in the past four decades.

In 2005, he was a part of WWL’s history-making news management team during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath as the station provided uninterrupted live coverage from ground zero during and immediately following the storm.

The coverage was broadcast world-wide and was recognized with three national awards: The Edward R. Murrow, the Alfred I. duPont and the George Foster Peabody award.  Slaughter was subsequently invited to attend the prestigious Aspen Institute as part of a panel exploring ways of improving news coverage of such massive events.

In 2016, while working at WAFB Baton Rouge, Slaughter was part of the team covering the police-involved death of Alton Sterling. While covering the resulting protests, Slaughter was arrested by Baton Rouge police.  The charges were later dropped after the District Attorney determined the police had no cause to make the arrests.

“Chris is the pinnacle of what it means to be a local journalist,” says Mike Neelly, WDSU’s GM. “Simply put, his extraordinary career and commitment to serving the people of Southeast Louisiana has made this a better place to live.  I am honored to have worked with him and congratulate him on his well-earned retirement.”

Slaughter has spent much of his later career focused on ground-breaking investigations. While at WDSU, the team has exposed several important stories including an ongoing report on staged car accidents.  The federal investigation has brought more than 50 indictments to-date.

“Spending your career in your hometown is a rare and wonderful blessing,” Slaughter said. “I’ve had a front row seat to some of the most critical events in Southeast Louisiana’s recent history. My passion for journalism has always been deeply grounded in public service and a commitment to helping make my community a safer place to live. It’s been an extraordinary ride!”

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