Nancy Parker, New Orleans TV anchor known for hard news with heart, dies in plane crash
By Vanna Quiroz
/ CBS News
New Orleans TV anchor Nancy Parker died in a fatal plane crash along side pilot Franklin Augustus on Friday, according to Mayor of New Orleans. The small aircraft went down in a field near New Orleans Lakefront Airport, CBS affiliate New Orleans WWL-TV reports.
The award-winning anchor was working on a story about a pilot whose work included helping at-risk youth when the fatal crash occurred. Parker spent 25 years as a broadcast journalist at WVUE Fox 8 and earned a reputation as a journalist who covered hard news but with tremendous heart, according to WWL-TV.
Parker was also active in the community as a speaker and active supporter of dozens of non-profits as well as community groups.
Trending News
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell released a statement expressing admiration for Parker's work as a reporter. "She told it to us straight, but with a combination of professionalism, intelligence, warmth and grace we may never experience again. New Orleans did not just lose a five-time Emmy-winning journalist, or a familiar, comforting face on our TV screens. We lost a loving mother of three, a beautiful human being, and an invaluable member of our community," Cantrell said.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards called the fatal crash a "shocking loss" in a statement on Twitter. "Please join your prayers to mine and Donna's for Nancy's husband and three children as they come to terms with this shocking loss," Edwards wrote.
An Emmy-winning reporter, cancer advocate and author, Nancy used her platform to tell stories that mattered to the people of our state. Please join your prayers to mine and Donna’s for Nancy’s husband and three children as they come to terms with this shocking loss.
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 17, 2019
WWL-TV reports Parker and her husband, Glynn Boyd, met while covering a political race in Tuskegee, Alabama. Boyd, who now works as a public information officer, also spent many years as a TV reporter.
"I remember noticing her when I walked in," Boyd said about meeting Parker for the first time. "I noticed she was really aggressive and asking all of the smart questions."
First published on August 17, 2019 / 11:45 PM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
"More than anything, I'm a granddaughter": Tlaib tells supporters
Irael upended diplomatic norms earlier this week by barring her and fellow freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from joining a trip attended by other lawmakers
4H ago 
Heavy rains flood Istanbul's historic Grand Bazaar
A car was dragged into a pit caused by a collapsed road but its passengers escaped without injuries
6H ago 
Explosion rips through wedding hall in Afghanistan
Officials were not expected to release a toll until daytime Sunday
3H ago 
Rescued baby dugong dies of shock with a stomach full of plastic
"Her death will remind Thais and people all over the world not to dispose trash into the oceans," a Natural Resources and Environment Minister said
12H ago 
Thousands of veterans fear "burn pits" have exposed them to lethal disease
At some of military bases in Afghanistan, waste materials were disposed of in so-called "burn pits"
13H ago 
New Orleans TV anchor dies in plane crash
The TV news anchor died in a plane crash while working on a story about a pilot
15M ago 
A Marine colonel's widow fights for the truth behind his 2008 death
A Marine colonel is fatally wounded in Iraq; authorities say it was a suicide, but his wife says it was murder and she is determined to prove it
57M ago 
Woman fights for her brother's honor after brutal N.C. murder
The Irish businessman was beaten to death with a brick paver and a baseball bat in 2015 by his American au-pair-turned-wife and her father, a former FBI agent – who claim it was in self-defense
Jun 5 
7 shot at Houston "instant house party" formed on Snapchat
"It was just a random group of people receiving an invite (on the app)," Houston police said
3H ago 
He worried no one would attend wife's funeral. Hundreds came
"We told him that El Paso loves him and this is his home — and he has family here and he is not alone," said one woman who attended
7H ago 
Beto O'Rourke visits gun show in Arkansas, NRA responds
NRA mocked the Texas Democrat's standing the polls, and O'Rourke responded with poll numbers about "70% of Americans support an assault weapons ban"
53M ago
"More than anything, I'm a granddaughter": Tlaib tells supporters
Irael upended diplomatic norms earlier this week by barring her and fellow freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from joining a trip attended by other lawmakers
4H ago 
2020 Daily Trail Markers: Harris unveils "Camp Kamala en Español"
Harris looks to train Spanish-speaking volunteers, Klobuchar pitches gun control in South Carolina, and Democrats target Amash's seat
Aug 16 
Warren releases massive plan to address issues facing Native Americans
Native American leader praises Warren's proposal ahead of candidate forum on indigenous issues
Aug 16 
Trump calls supporter he mocked at rally
President Trump called a supporter he mistook for a protester and mocked at his New Hampshire rally
Aug 16 
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" animator Richard Williams dies
Oscar-winning animation director brought cartoon characters like Jessica Rabbit and the Pink Panther to life
5H ago 
Woodstock at 50, in the words, and music, of those who were there
A half-century after a mass of humanity converged on a farm in Bethel, N.Y. for three days of peace and music, musicians and concert-goers recall a unique moment for their generation
Aug 4 
How a writer's love for "The Boss" inspired "Blinded by the Light"
"Blinded by the Light" tells the story of a Pakistani teen living in Britain who finds salvation in Springsteen's music
8H ago 
Eyal Shani on his revolutionary approach to dining: "It has to be a miracle"
Shani said his secret is believing that each ingredient is a living creature with its own will
11H ago 
Molly Tuttle performs "Take the Journey"
Singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle began playing guitar when she was eight. The California native joined her family band at 15, and then started a solo career, releasing her first album "When You're Ready" just this spring. In her national television debut, Tuttle performs three songs off the new album.
14H ago 02:53 
Funeral homes now live streaming memorial services
Roughly 20% of funeral homes in U.S. offer an online option to grieving family and friends who can't attend the event
Aug 15 
Overstock shares sink after CEO comments about "Deep State"
Investors are fleeing retailer Overstock after its CEO issued a bizarre statement about the "deep state" and "men in black"
Aug 15 
U.S. lawmaker joins international Facebook investigation
Rep. David Cicilline joins the International Grand Committee on Disinformation and "Fake News," as lawmakers from a dozen countries seek answers on election influencing
Aug 15 
WeWork filed its IPO â now meet its We Double
A Wyoming company with a Chinese address and $441 in the bank seems poised to benefit from WeWork's buzzy IPO
Aug 14 
Dream Chaser spaceplanes to launch on Vulcan rocket
Sierra Nevada Corp. picks ULA's Vulcan rocket to boost Dream Chaser spaceplanes into orbit
Aug 14
Rescued baby dugong dies of shock with a stomach full of plastic
"Her death will remind Thais and people all over the world not to dispose trash into the oceans," a Natural Resources and Environment Minister said
12H ago 
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
Aug 16 
Varnish and rubber found in Arctic snow, according to study
The study postulated that the pollutants were potentially carried via air
Aug 15 
July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth
On the last day of the month alone, 11 billion tons of ice melted across Greenland â contributing to record low sea ice levels
Aug 15 
Nature up close: Theodore Roosevelt, the conservation president
The conservation movement in the U.S. dramatically advanced under the 26th president's watch, as he established 5 national parks, created the National Wildlife Refuge System and U.S. Forest Service, and oversaw the protection of 230,000,000 acres
Aug 15
Thousands of veterans fear "burn pits" have exposed them to lethal disease
At some of military bases in Afghanistan, waste materials were disposed of in so-called "burn pits"
13H ago 
Salmon caviar recalled due to botulism fears
Product sold in four states is possibly tainted with toxin that can cause life-threatening illness or death
Aug 16 
Tyson recalls chicken patties because of "extraneous matter"
Some consumers reported finding pieces of a mechanical seal or gasket in the Weaver fully cooked patties
Aug 16 
Ebola outbreak spreads, claiming first victims in a new region
Government in Congo's previously unaffected South Kivu province says 1 person there has died and their child is being treated
Aug 16 
FDA wants to put graphic warnings on cigarette packs
In a move to amplify the health risks, images would show neck tumors, feet with amputated toes, and diseased lungs
Aug 15
Salmon caviar recalled due to botulism fears
Product sold in four states is possibly tainted with toxin that can cause life-threatening illness or death
Aug 16 
Recession fears are back — should you be worried?
The longest economic expansion in U.S. history suddenly looks wobbly — but here's why it's too soon to freak
Aug 16 
U.S. kids are quitting sports amid rising costs, inequality
Youth sports participation is rising among richer families, as children lower down the ladder exit the field
Aug 15 
If black families had white wealth, economy would be $1.5 trillion bigger
The typical white family in America has 10 times as much as the typical black familyâand that hurts everyone
Aug 15 
IRS budgets cuts costing the feds billions of dollars
A sharp decline in funding for the tax agency has impaired its ability to audit big corporations and millionaires
Aug 16
A Marine colonel's widow fights for the truth behind his 2008 death
A Marine colonel is fatally wounded in Iraq; authorities say it was a suicide, but his wife says it was murder and she is determined to prove it
57M ago 
America's deadliest mass shootings
These are the deadliest mass shootings in American history
Aug 5 40 photos
Woman fights for her brother's honor after brutal N.C. murder
The Irish businessman was beaten to death with a brick paver and a baseball bat in 2015 by his American au-pair-turned-wife and her father, a former FBI agent – who claim it was in self-defense
Jun 5
7 shot at Houston "instant house party" formed on Snapchat
"It was just a random group of people receiving an invite (on the app)," Houston police said
3H ago 
Jeffery Epstein's lawyers threaten to go to court over medical ruling
Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers are threatening to go to court. They're disputing the medical examiner's claim that their client committed suicide. And they want to see the prison videos. Kenneth Craig reports.
4H ago 02:07
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
Aug 16 
Milky Way black hole emits mysterious light flare
Scientists spot a flare of light coming from a black hole in the Milky Way. Syracuse University physics professor Duncan Brown explains to CBSN how the mysterious event may have occurred.
Aug 15 06:27
Dream Chaser spaceplanes to launch on Vulcan rocket
Sierra Nevada Corp. picks ULA's Vulcan rocket to boost Dream Chaser spaceplanes into orbit
Aug 14 
Our galaxy's black hole suddenly flashed a bright light
Scientists called the flashes "unprecedented"
Aug 15 
How to watch the Perseid meteor shower peak Monday night
Anyone trying to watch the Perseid meteor shower should try to stay away from bright city lights
Aug 12 
Jason Corbett murder: A look at the evidence
In August 2015, former FBI agent Tom Martens and his daughter Molly Corbett admitted killing her Irish-born husband Jason Corbett, insisting they beat him in self-defense with a brick paver and a baseball bat because Jason was choking Molly and threatening to kill her
2H ago 11 photos 
Michael Gargiulo case: Stabbing deaths of three women linked to suspected serial killer
Investigators link murders of Tricia Pacaccio, Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno to same suspect: Michael Gargiulo
Aug 15 13 photos 
The worst movies of 2019
The worst films of the year star big name actors, including Keanu Reeves, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Hemsworth.
Aug 9 51 photos 
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
A traveling exhibition of gothic and occult art, sideshow performers, and bizarre specimens stopped outside Chicago, where CBS News photographer Jake Barlow took in the odd sights
Jul 22 24 photos 
New York's Central Park
America's first major landscaped public park, the 840-acre park in Manhattan welcomes more than 37 million visitors every year
Jul 21 25 photos 
Popular
Widow's War
"48 Hours" Presents: A Marine colonel is found shot in his bunk. Authorities say it was a suicide, his wife says it was murder — and she is determined to prove it. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates.
updated 53M ago 43:37 
Ex-FBI agent to 911: "I may have killed him"
Listen as a 911 dispatcher in Davidson County, N.C., directs Tom Martens and his daughter Molly Corbett how to perform CPR after Martens called for help the night of Aug. 2, 2015. Martens says he had to intervene in self-defense after his son-in-law Jason Corbett got into fight with his daughter.
2H ago 01:53 
In Jason's Name
An Irish businessman is killed by his American au-pair-turned-wife and her father. They claim self-defense. The dead manâs sister fights to clear his name. "48 Hours" correspondent Maureen Maher investigates.
1H ago 42:51 
A climate reckoning in the heartland
A historic flood in March 2019 left much of America's heartland under water. Grain farmers already struggling to bounce back from the Chinese trade war must now grapple with the realities of climate change that threaten to change the future of farming forever. Now, some farmers are implementing practices that could potentially reverse the effects of climate change â and provide a bigger profit. In this CBSN Originals documentary, Adam Yamaguchi travels to Nebraska, where he meets two farmers on different paths, both determined to pass their legacies on to the next generation.
Jul 26 23:07 
Child Victims Act opens the door to lawsuits
In New York, the Child Victims Act has opened the door to a rush of lawsuits. So far, more than 400 have been filed. The law creates a one-year window for child sex abuse victims to seek justice, no matter how long ago the abuse took place. 45 judges in New York have been assigned to deal with the cases. Nikki Battiste reports.
3H ago 02:26
