Former Baton Rouge News Anchor Finds Purpose After Retirement

Longtime WAFB reporter and anchor George Sells continues his passion for reporting in his retirement at St. James Place senior living community.

Sells currently volunteers with a group led by Judge Kathleen Richey to help CASA, an organization that supports children who have experienced abuse or neglect, throughout Louisiana. He has worked with them to create radio and television ads to promote the organization and gather more volunteers. The ad campaign runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.

“This organization means so much to me because it’s helping advocated for kids who can’t do it themselves,” Sells said. “Everyone can use a helping hand.”

At St. James Place, Sells continues to report for the community and freelance for himself, including providing coverage of St. James Place’s own Mardi Gras parade and writing pieces for the community newsletter.

“I’m glad I still have chances to be a journalist through my retirement,” Sells said. “Living at St. James Place allows me to continue doing what I love.”

While reporting for WAFB, Sells travelled internationally to cover the installation of cardinals, and he handled coverage for CBS News at the Vatican in Italy. In 1987, Sells won an Emmy for his reporting on the existence of the Ku Klux Klan in Michigan in a series titled “The Cross Still Burns.” Other job assignments included reporting on aviation security in Yugoslavia, the auto industry in Japan, and hurricanes in Honduras.

Sells reported in major markets around the country, including Nashville, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, Denver, Detroit, and Baton Rouge. During his career, Sells earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters and the Associated Press award for the Best Newscast in Louisiana twice.