Fallen officer's legacy lives on through young police academy graduate
Vicki Melancon and Madalynn Jarreau formed an extraordinary bond after Melancon's son was fatally shot in the line of duty.
David Begnaud is a CBS News contributor and previously served as the lead national correspondent for "CBS Mornings," based in New York City. He joined the network in 2015 and his reporting — featured across all CBS News broadcasts and platforms, including "CBS Evening News," "48 Hours," "CBS Sunday Morning" and CBS News 24/7 — has earned him some of journalism's most prestigious awards.
One of Begnaud's most notable assignments was his coverage of Hurricane Maria when it hit Puerto Rico in October 2017. He spent more time covering Puerto Rico's recovery than any other network news correspondent, traveling to the island countless times and breaking numerous significant stories. His distinctive, unmatched reporting resulted in government action, and throughout the crisis, he delivered sustained coverage on all platforms — especially on social media. His coverage of Hurricane Maria earned him the prestigious George Polk Award for public service in 2018, which was the first time given to a journalist since 1978. The award, as the nominating committee states, places "a premium on investigative work that is original, resourceful and thought-provoking." Begnaud also received Radio Television Digital News Association's First Amendment Leadership Award for his significant contribution to the protection of the First Amendment and freedom of the press.
At CBS News, Begnaud covered major news stories around the world including the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the terrorist attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, and the devastating earthquake that hit Ecuador in April of 2016 leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured. In the summer of 2017, he covered Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Hurricane Irma in Florida, and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Begnaud's coverage of important national and international stories is also featured prominently on CBS News 24/7.
Prior to CBS, Begnaud covered a wide variety of national breaking news from weather to crime for several news organizations. Previously, he created and reported for "Newsbreaker" at ORA-TV, a social media platform for current events and breaking news and was a contributing correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight," the No. 1 syndicated entertainment newsmagazine in the world.
His career began in local news at KLFY-TV as an unpaid "teen reporter" while in high school, in his home state of Louisiana. Upon graduation, KLFY-TV hired him as a full-time reporter. He later became the weekend morning and evening news anchor. During the week he attended college, and graduated from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette in 2005.
Vicki Melancon and Madalynn Jarreau formed an extraordinary bond after Melancon's son was fatally shot in the line of duty.
Jason Crawford was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to 99 years in prison. In an exclusive interview with "48 Hours," Crawford maintains he's innocent and that his wife shot herself, despite what a jury decided.
Callum deQuevedo has an incredibly severe case of Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder that can cause tics ranging from repetitive eye blinking to uncontrollable vocal — and physical — outbursts.
Since "CBS Mornings" lead national correspondent David Begnaud's original report in December, more than $40,000 in donations rolled in to help create more of these specially designed wheelchairs.
In September during alopecia awareness month, Aziza Shuler revealed to CBS News Philadelphia viewers that she has alopecia.
Roberta Bell was fired after saying she would temporarily care for an inmate's baby until the woman was released.
"CBS Mornings" lead national correspondent David Begnaud was surprised with a last-minute plane ticket, embarking on a challenge to find a story within 48 hours of arriving at his destination.
Wilbert Boyce, believed to be Savannah's last shoe shiner, has decided to retire — marking the end of an era for the 78-year-old and his vanishing craft.
Robin Allgood, a volunteer pet rescuer, saw a plea for help and took matters into her own hands.
When David Begnaud first met Josette Cook Surratt in 1998, she was teaching English and he was a gay high school freshman living with Tourette syndrome.
Poet J. Ivy was a teenager struggling with his parents divorce when he met Paula Argue, the high school teacher who opened a whole new world to him.
Robert Carter's determination to provide three boys with the love and support he lacked in childhood led him to seek out their sisters.
Keith Thomas' life changed forever when he miscalculated a pool's depth and took a dive that broke his neck. Brain implants have helped him regain some independence.
Schanda Handley details how she survived an abduction and later found video linking her estranged husband Michael Handley to the crime.
David Breaux dedicated his life to studying compassion, initiating thought-provoking conversations on a downtown street corner in Davis, California.