Lauren Melendez joined the News 6 team in December 2025 as Morning Anchor and Community Correspondent for Winter Park, Maitland, Conway, Lee Vista and Eatonville, bringing her experience and and passion for journalism to Orlando.
She is a four-time Emmy nominated and Associated Press award-winning journalist who's spent the past eight years in markets including Peoria, Ill., Omaha, Neb. and Boston, telling community-focused stories.
Lauren is a Philadelphia native and self-proclaimed "proud nerd," completing a triple-major during her undergraduate studies at Syracuse University and also earning her Master's in Broadcast and Digital Journalism.
Over the course of her career she has moderated political panels, hosted primetime specials on race relations, emceed numerous fundraisers and events, and she volunteers regularly in every community she calls home.
Also as an Afro-Latina, Lauren is fiercely passionate about diversity and representation as it relates to media, journalism and mentorship.
When she’s not in the newsroom, she loves traveling, teaching group fitness, discovering new restaurants and being a cat-mom.
FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza & French Toast (carb enthusiast!)
FAVORITE ACTORS: Idris Elba and Natalie Portman
FAVORITE SPORT: People-Watching
FAVORITE MOVIES: My Best Friend's Wedding, Selena, Love & Basketball.
