Laura Bowen
Anchor/Reporter
Parkersburg, WV

An enthusiastic multimedia journalist dedicated to informing and connecting the public through clear, concise reporting.
Education
Affiliations
Updated: 7 hours ago
|By Laura Bowen
This year’s decorations at Crown Decor and Gifts are making people extra sentimental.
Updated: 7 hours ago
|By Laura Bowen
People sat in anticipation, trying to outbid each other to walk away with one of the themed-trees.
Updated: Dec. 6, 2023 at 12:04 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
PHS’s Christmas tree lighting is a long-held tradition going back over 80 years.
Updated: Dec. 5, 2023 at 11:26 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
The competition is presented by Buddy Valastro, who most know as The Cake Boss. The first place winner will take home $10,000 and will be featured in the Bake From Scratch Magazine.
Updated: Dec. 4, 2023 at 9:59 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
This Tuesday, navigator staff will help you with whatever you need, whether you have a couple questions or want to be walked through the application process.
Updated: Dec. 2, 2023 at 12:57 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Since 2000, people have been guided through the Julia-Ann Square Historic District to learn more about Parkersburg’s history and step inside its historic houses.
Updated: Dec. 2, 2023 at 12:33 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
The Little Red Stocking Campaign is the biggest annual fundraiser for Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. It will run until Christmas Eve.
Updated: Dec. 1, 2023 at 7:19 PM EST
|By Phillip Hickman, Sarah Coleman and Laura Bowen
The victims have been identified as 45-year-old Thomas J. Platt of Parkersburg and 43-year-old Christy L. Roseberry of Vienna. Estranged husband of victim named suspect.
Updated: Dec. 1, 2023 at 12:39 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP has more on how used bikes are transforming Circles participants' lives and the plans for the program to expand to the rest of the community.
Updated: Nov. 30, 2023 at 11:35 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Step into The Castle and you’ll be transported back to Christmas in the late victorian era.
Updated: Nov. 30, 2023 at 12:57 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley has been running the the Secret Christmas Project for over 25 years now.
Updated: Nov. 29, 2023 at 11:29 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Trimmed is a competition that’s a part of the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley's annual Festival of Trees.
Updated: Nov. 29, 2023 at 12:15 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
During sessions, certified therapy dogs listen to kids read out loud.
Updated: Nov. 28, 2023 at 11:26 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Patriot Center Apartments will have 33 units for older people 55 and up.
Updated: Nov. 27, 2023 at 10:28 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
The ordinance would ban camping on public grounds.
Updated: Nov. 22, 2023 at 10:00 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP talked to Dawn Werry with the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness about what you should do if you’re on the verge of becoming homeless.
Updated: Nov. 22, 2023 at 1:27 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Officials want the property to become a community center.
Updated: Nov. 22, 2023 at 12:51 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP has more on how you can save a buck and help the Salvation Army’s mission by shopping at their thrift store.
Updated: Nov. 20, 2023 at 11:33 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP got some holiday fashion advice.
Updated: Nov. 17, 2023 at 7:32 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Parkersburg Bridge Partners has launched a Military Appreciation Program.
Updated: Nov. 16, 2023 at 11:41 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Both vehicles were towed.
Updated: Nov. 16, 2023 at 11:37 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
He will now be taking on the role as the city’s community development director.
Updated: Nov. 16, 2023 at 11:23 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Diabetes can put people at risk for multiple eye diseases.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2023 at 11:19 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
They’re doing this through their temporary shelter program.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2023 at 11:00 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Alpaca Run Farm’s first alpacagram was a birthday surprise. In-theme, the alpacas arrived in party hats.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2023 at 12:21 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
For three years now, Wood County Schools have partnered with the Wood County Prevention Coalition to tackle vaping in local schools through a vaping prevention campaign.
Updated: Nov. 14, 2023 at 11:24 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Her secret to a long life is smiling at everyone.
Updated: Nov. 13, 2023 at 9:59 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
A disclaimer that this is not the legislation’s final reading.
Updated: Nov. 13, 2023 at 9:50 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
The show features big quilts, small quilts, antique quilts, and even a wooden quilt.
Updated: Nov. 11, 2023 at 12:13 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP talked to key figures of WTAP’s history to better understand what made WTAP WTAP.
Updated: Nov. 10, 2023 at 11:26 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Vienna City Council greenlights economic impact analysis for the planned Spencer's Landing amphitheater.
Updated: Nov. 10, 2023 at 10:59 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
They’re looking for hats, scarves, gloves, socks, chapstick, toiletries, toothbrushes, etcetera.
Updated: Nov. 10, 2023 at 1:09 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Vienna's public works director expressed concern about the city’s ability to keep sewer, streets, and storm water department employees with their current wages.
Updated: Nov. 9, 2023 at 11:34 PM EST
|By Laura Bowen
All the proceeds go toward Operation Transportation, which gives veterans in the Mid-Ohio Valley free bus passes.
Updated: Nov. 8, 2023 at 3:42 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP spoke to multiple winners.
Updated: Nov. 7, 2023 at 2:17 AM EST
|By Laura Bowen
Officials discussed location, parking, green space impact, and more.
Updated: Nov. 4, 2023 at 1:35 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
Salvation Army’s Megan Barker has seen first-hand how much these donations mean to people.
Updated: Nov. 4, 2023 at 1:18 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
Williamstown Bank also presented Parkersburg South with a check at a football game.
Updated: Nov. 3, 2023 at 12:02 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
This project will create a training center for the Marietta Fire Department as well as a couple local volunteer fire departments.
Updated: Nov. 2, 2023 at 11:23 PM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
Janine Stange made a documentary about it too.
Updated: Nov. 1, 2023 at 9:05 PM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley is looking for more people with developmental disabilities to get involved.
Updated: Nov. 1, 2023 at 12:40 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP has more on how this device would impact patients and how you can contribute.
Updated: Nov. 1, 2023 at 12:03 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
Of the many candy stops made in Parkersburg, there’s one that’s hard to miss.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2023 at 11:29 PM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
Ghost tours at The Castle are a long-time tradition.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2023 at 11:06 PM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP gets a rundown on how to be proactive against breast cancer on the night of Williamstown's pink out game.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2023 at 12:53 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
A candlight vigil was held to remember those who’ve died due to domestic violence and to honor those who’ve survived.
Updated: Oct. 26, 2023 at 12:14 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
Charlie Murphy is a graduate of the Children's Home Society's Transitional Living Program. She remembers homelessness as lonely and scary.
Updated: Oct. 25, 2023 at 1:13 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
Tracy Jones published ‘I’m Not Afraid of THAT Sound’ after her son died. Now she's making a difference through AJ’s memory.
Updated: Oct. 25, 2023 at 12:35 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
The city's development director says that the improvements will make the pond better for parkgoers, wildlife, and fishers.
Updated: Oct. 24, 2023 at 1:43 AM EDT
|By Laura Bowen
WTAP takes a closer look at the story behind the legislation.