Friends and coworkers are remembering longtime WAFB newsman Paul Gates, who died earlier today after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 69.
“Paul was tenacious and loved his work,” says WAFB News Director Robb Hays. “As serious as he was on air he was just as fun to be around when he was off the air.”
Gates joined the WAFB staff in 1977 and would spend the next 34 years at the station, both as an award-winning investigative reporter and, later, as its 5 p.m. anchor. His reports, “Paul Gates Investigates,” uncovered corruption, pollution and wrongdoing across the state.
“He set the tone for investigative reporting in Baton Rouge,” says Hays.
Gates retired in 2011, after revealing his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s on the air.
“Our prayers are with Paul and his family at this difficult time,” Hays says.
—Stephanie Riegel
