Charles Burkett
Reporter
Monroe, La.
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Charles is a reporter for KNOE 8 News.
Born and raised in Texas, Charles loves local food, flavors, and people. He enjoys meeting new people and talking about their passions. A graduate from the University of North Texas in Denton, he found his passion in reporting about local businesses, events, music, and people that make a town what it is.
Before he studied journalism, he had a few other careers. One of those was being a pastry chef for a four-star restaurant after he attended cooking school.
He is married to his wife Jessica and has a son, Jackson. He is a fan of craft beer, karaoke, and loves to learn about new things.
Charles recently moved to Louisiana, which is his first time living outside the Lone Star State. He already loves the people, atmosphere and food, and says that Monroe reminds him of Denton.
He loves talking to others about the things they enjoy in life, so if you see him around town, say hello!
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“Well, some of the initial results are really showing a lot of progress. We’ve heard from parents that if they employed the tutoring during the spring semester that their children were really showing a lot of growth in school.”
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Casey Sandidge, owner of the Blue Taco truck from Columbia, is changing the idea that tacos are only designated for Tuesdays.
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“Having something like this in Rayville is pretty exciting. I’m glad about this, I love ice cream. So, I’m happy,” said Messina.
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Go Care is relocating to a location on Crosley Street in West Monroe and will be not only expanding its footprint but also its offerings.
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If you enjoy a diet-friendly snack in the afternoon, head out to Lifestyle Nutrition in West Monroe for a sweet treat to keep you on track.
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Vaping has become popular as an alternative to smoking, especially among teens.
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New Monroe charter school proposed named the Academy of Collaborative Education for students on the autistic spectrum.
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New Town Burgers in Oak Ridge is a place that will surprise you with flavor and more. Mike and Tammie Morgan make sure you will leave full.
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The Academy of Collaborative Education, or ACE, administrators have submitted an application to the Louisiana BESE board. They are looking for teachers, LSPs, TAs, and a principal to fill roles within the school. They are in the preliminary stages of getting ready to start.
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Mayor Crystal Marshall of Crossett, Arkansas, is looking for candidates to fill her intern position working beside her in the community this summer. It is an opportunity for a student to get a behind-the-scenes experience of city government.
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Despite the chances of contracting West Nile being minimal, the impact can be serious. Professionals say there are ways to help avoid the possibility of getting the disease.
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Crawfish is a serious business in Louisiana, and for many, it is something that reminds them of a Louisiana family gathering. And one place in West Monroe has a feel and flavor that have customers coming back.
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Lake D'Arbonne residents are experiencing issues with the lake levels, like trash, smells, and water damage to property. The DOTD is working to get the Tainter gate repaired to help lower lake water levels.
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Despite the chances of contracting West Nile being minimal, the impact can be serious. Professionals say there are ways to help avoid getting the disease.
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“We have to celebrate our local musicians and artists to make all of this work together.”
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Victory Pizza inside Flying Tiger Brewery in Monroe is making a name with unique pizza flavors that will entice foodies and more. The pizza and beer is paired perfectly to create a one-of-a-kind craft beer and pizza destination.
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Victory Pizza inside Flying Tiger Brewery in Monroe is making a name with unique pizza flavors that will entice foodies and more. The pizza and beer are paired perfectly to create a one-of-a-kind craft beer and pizza destination.
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Whether you call it a cup of joe, a cup of java, or an americano, almost everyone loves coffee. And in Ruston, there is a new shop serving coffee with a purpose.
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If you find yourself heading through Vidalia, Louisiana, there is a place you will want to visit that has some great cuts of meat that are juicy and tender.
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“There are two types of landowners in Louisiana, those that have feral hogs and those that are going to have feral hogs.”
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In Mrs. Jill Humpherys’s classroom, you will hear the whizzing and whirring of gears, getting ready for the Arkansas robotics state championships in Russellville, Arkansas.
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Hearing the sizzle on the grill of fresh meats and the smell of spice in the air, people can hear and smell fresh tortillas being made, there is one place to go if you are looking for a true Mexican meal.
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The idea of high tech in a rural space is something new. Chester Wilson, president of Pelican Defense Technologies, LLC, said he drove through the Farmerville area and saw something more.
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“It reminds them of their younger days because we even have the music playing, too,” said Traylor.
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“It reminds them of their younger days because we even have the music playing, too,” said Traylor.
Many of the customers love the place, reminding them of a time in their youth.
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The City of El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce has updated its website. Chamber CEO Bill Luther said the old one was outdated and needed improvements. They have linked to the City of El Dorado’s site and have fixed issues when searching.
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In the Bawcomville area of West Monroe, on your way to Chenerie Park on Edwards Road, sits a small, local food secret that residents have been going to for a meal, like at grandma's house.
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The Louisiana Tech Center for Economic Research report shows Louisiana lost 50,000 workers since the start of the pandemic. Here in Northern Louisiana, wages are below the state average.
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"It's just for the first time they light up like a kid in a candy store. It doesn't matter if they're five or 95. They light up the first time they see all of this."
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Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley and District 5 BESE Board Member Ashley Ellis stopped by Boley Elementary on February 3 to recognize the school as a comeback campus.
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Just off Highway 165 on Renwick by Carroll High School is a place you can get a great meal, and simplicity is what makes the place special.
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The Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center has seen its client numbers quickly grow since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of last year.
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Off Highway 165, just past the turn to ULM, sits a restaurant where quality is the main ingredient.
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If you are south of I-20 on Highway 80, stop at the little shop next to Calhoun Middle School, it will surprise you.
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The University of Louisiana Monroe was awarded grants totaling over $2.5 million for two projects that will help communities in Northeast Louisiana.
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Supply chain issues from the COVID-19 pandemic are still impacting industries throughout the United States, including the pharmaceutical industry. A few months ago, Adderall went on the FDA short supply list.
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The Dixie Center for the Arts is making some needed repairs to its theater and needs more people to help with support.
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The City of West Monroe officials hopes that a grant survey gets a high response to increase the chances for a grant.
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CASA of Northeast Louisiana saw a decrease in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that kids are back in school, that number has risen to 108 cases, and they are in need of volunteers.
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If you are looking for a change of scenery at the start of your morning, there is one place to put on your list in Ruston.
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Monday night’s storm directly hit electric infrastructure in Union Parish, causing power outages.
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Despite the warnings of cold weather, seven student housing units had pipes that burst due to the sudden drop in temperature over the Christmas break.
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Farmerville families are recovering after the tornado, many are still rebuilding. Some residents at Union Village were able to move back into their apartments.
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On the back roads of Louisiana, you can find some hidden gems. The best ones are the small local restaurants, one of which is the Amazin’ Cajun Grill on LA-17 in Epps.
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Staff and students at St. Fredrick High School honored veterans with homemade cookies.
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A hole-in-the-wall, family-owned restaurant that has been in Vicksburg, Mississippi for 66 years, and the locals love it.
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“How can we make food accessible, more accessible to anyone whenever they need it most?”
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If you find yourself in Caldwell parish and need a bite to eat, head to Columbia to The Barn Home Cookin’ a place that is a mix between a diner and a candy shop.
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West Monroe Police Department’s Belgian Malinois, Darko, is looking for votes in an online voting contest for a chance to win $2,500.
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Veterans from nursing homes across the area came to Winnsboro Municipal Airport for an exhilarating experience.
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