Early Life and Education

David Begnaud was born and raised in Louisiana. He developed an interest in journalism early in life and began his career shortly after high school, working as a reporter at KLFY TV 10 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005.

Broadcast Journalism Career

Begnaud’s journalism career includes work across several major news outlets. He gained recognition while reporting for Newsbreaker at ORA TV in Los Angeles, California. From 2007 to 2010, he worked at KOVR-TV in Sacramento, California, and later joined KTLA in Los Angeles from 2010 to 2012. These roles helped solidify his reputation as a diligent and versatile field reporter.

He joined CBS News in August 2015 as a Miami-based correspondent. In January 2017, he was reassigned to the network's Dallas bureau. His reporting regularly appears on various CBS News platforms, including CBS Mornings, the CBS Evening News, 48 Hours, CBS Sunday Morning, and CBSN, CBS News' 24/7 digital streaming service.

Coverage of Hurricane Maria

David Begnaud earned widespread acclaim for his in-depth and persistent reporting from Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017. Initially sent to cover Hurricane Irma, Begnaud remained on the island for extended coverage of the devastation caused by Maria. His on-the-ground reporting provided critical updates and helped bring national awareness to the humanitarian crisis unfolding there. Over time, he became a trusted source of information in Puerto Rico, where many residents praised his commitment and transparency.