For folks who grew up in Las Vegas (or who at least moved to the Valley around 1992), Charlotte Evans was a trusted name, face and voice that played a part in many of our everyday lives. As an anchor on the Las Vegas CBS affiliate KLAS, for nearly 20 years we invited her into our homes to deliver the news of the day, trusting her well-honed storytelling skills to report truth and fact with a healthy dose of heart. Even amid the blur of a growing 24-hour news cycle and always-on networks like CNN and MSNBC, Las Vegans turned to Evans for a dose of daily local love. And as you’ll read below, the reciprocity of fanboy and fangirl love (looking at you, TJS co-founder Jamie Stephenson!) was something that always warmed her.

Today, Evans is still telling stories…now, from the other side of the anchor desk. Writing for publications like the trade pub Vegas Legal Magazine, she’s sought for the proverbial tough interview that requires the deft voice of someone who can wax poetic…but do it with some spunk. Recent profilees include local icons like land developer and former DragonRidge Country Club owner Rich MacDonald, and Las Vegas City Attorney Brad Jerbic, 

And, lo, she juices.

(What is it that we like to say? “Lucky us?” Yes. Lucky us.)

Meet Charlotte Evans.

All About Charlotte

I’ve lived in Las Vegas since… March of 1992. I was hired by KLAS to help launch Nevada’s first ever, hour-long morning newscast called Eyewitness News This Morning. The other local networks quickly followed suit, and the morning ratings battle was on! The live morning newscast quickly expanded to a three-hour-long marathon, packed with live crews reporting from across the valley. In the 1990s, the local news stations had more staff and resources at their disposal (like helicopters) to provide an owerwhelming live presence. In my opinion, it was the heyday of the local news.

I can remember when I decided I wanted to start (and keep) my adult life here. It was the year… 1994. I got married in Las Vegas and there didn’t seem any pressing reason to leave.

…and what appealed to me about living in Vegas was…the fantastic weather and the  beautiful year round recreational opportunities!

In my experience, the biggest misconception about living in Las Vegas is…that Las Vegas is all about the Strip. Many locals never go near the Strip, or gamble, or go to strip clubs.  Per capita, Las Vegas has one of the most faith-based populations in the country.

The thing I secretly (or not-so-secretly) love most about living here is…the excitement and the culture, especially now that The Smith Center is open.

If I had to pick a daily mantra or a quote I try to live by, it would be...don’t feed negative energy. Abandon it, and focus your sights on the people and activities around you that bring you the greatest joy.

A favorite Vegas spot of mine that never gets old is…the Peppermill lounge. Peggy who runs it is an “old school” Las Vegan and a class act.

If I had to pick a theme song for my life it would be…too early to call, I hope! I do like the Diana Ross song, I’m Coming Out and played it often when I hosted a radio show.

Charlotte’s mum.

A person who inspires me every day is…my mother. She is one of the most guileless, forgiving and giving people I have ever known. I wish I’d appreciated that more when I was younger. Lately she’s been comforting folks on their deathbed without giving much thought to whether she’s had any sleep, food or rest herself.

…and the way she inspires me is…see above 🙂

Something people would be surprised to know about me is…I was a contestant on Win Ben Stein’s Money. I didn’t win, unfortunately, but it was fun meeting former Las Vegan Jimmy Kimmel.

About Charlotte’s Work

I first started working in Las Vegas in the year…1992.

True or False: I get a lot of those, “Hey…don’t I know you from somewhere?” looks. Yes. Much moreso recently, for some reason.

I know I get those looks because in my former work life, before I was doing what I do today, this was my job: Television News Anchor for almost 18 years at KLAS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas.

Want to hear a little about the work that I did and how it influenced my life? Here’s some background: I’ve been gifted through my career with meeting world leaders, local politicians, international celebrities and businesspeople that ordinarily I would never have had the chance to meet. When these high-profile people show up at a TV studio at 5:30 in the morning to be interviewed, it’s quickly apparent that they are human, too, and they are frequently overwhelmed, stressed, tired, and wracked with worry like the rest of us.

The story I worked on that has stuck with me the longest is… I had the privilege of helping a local terminally ill boy who was a fan of mine meet his biggest hero, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. We never did a story on the meeting, because that wasn’t the point. I made some private phone calls, and Steven Tyler being the sort of person he is rolled out the red carpet for this boy and his family and even hosted them backstage at his concert. This beautiful boy has since passed on, but I hope some day I am reconnected with him (or his family) in some fashion.

The best perk about my former job was…being welcomed anywhere with smiles from total strangers.

The thing from my former work that taught me the most about myself was…losing my job. No matter how awesome any position is, jobs change over time. I need to be less resistant to change and more willing to take risks that may lead to something elsewhere that’s even better. Stagnation is not good.

Today, when people ask me where I work and what I do, I tell them…I’m a writer for Vegas Legal Magazine.

In 5 years, my “daffy desire” is to be doing…some sort of motivational work with people who are suffering or struggling in life. I’d like to spread as much positive energy as I can and help people who’ve found themselves stuck. I’ve been there.

The most surprising thing I’ve learned about myself in my post-television life is...that my carreer is not who I am. It is a tiny fraction of me.

Charlotte, with daughter Maddie.

…and, the thing I’m most proud of is…yet to come, I hope! My daughter is the most  obvious answer, but really she’s a gift in my life. I can’t take credit for how kind or awesome she is. She’s just naturally “good people.”

Today, my favorite way to give back to my community is…highlighting the good work that others are doing and lending a hand to their causes.  I’ve been asked to assist with the Police Unity Tour coming up soon and I’m really looking forward to it!

The advice I’d give my younger work self is…don’t spend too long working at any one place. The security you think it gives you is false. The same can be said of some relationships. Don’t confuse how things “could be one day” with “how they really are.”

The advice I wish someone had given my younger self is… slow down and the answers you need will come. So will the right people.

Charlotte On Health In Vegas

In my opinion, the biggest difference in Las Vegas’ healthy-living scene between when I first moved here and now is…well, it’s night and day! The publication Las Vegas Perspective most likely has numbers to support that. There are so many people coming here to live and work in the health and wellness industries and their enthusiasm is palpable. The valley is growing in a way that is inspiring.

No matter how busy I get at work, this is what I do to make sure I eat well during the week: I try to keep emergency healthy snacks and bottled alkaline water in my car because I never know where the day will take me. I make lists of what I need and try not to grocery shop when I’m hungry.

The fruit(s) or vegetable(s) you’ll always find in my kitchen are…strawberries, bananas, mangos, apples, pineapples and/or watermelon. We power through them. In my crisper you’ll find vegetables that I bought with good intentions, but allowed to rot.

My total guilty pleasure food I’ll never-forever give up is…bacon.  

The total guilty-pleasure habit that gets me made fun of the most is…it’s hard to say today, but I’m sure my daughter could tell you.  I’ve managed to break a lot of my unhealthy habits.  I just need to put healthy ones in their place.

Charlotte On Juice

True or False: I’m a total juicing newbee and hadn’t done a full juice fast until February. True

True or False: Juicing at home is a pain in the tail…which is why I tried TJS’s. Very true

The person who introduced me to cold-pressed juice was…my daughter’s father. He is very good about keeping physically fit.

The first time I drank green juice, I thought it was…much better than I expected!

On a scale of 1-10, this is how likely I am to incorporate cold-pressed juice in my life: 10.

The reason I believe I should drink cold-pressed juice is because…I started to crave it in a way that makes me think my body was missing nutrients that I was able to get from juice.

The reason I like TJS’s cold-pressed juice is because…it tastes awesome!  It’s a guilt-free beverage that can rival ice cream for it’s taste and sensory perks. I trust how they make it.

The funniest thing that happened to me while I was on my juice fast was…my trips to the restroom doubled.

My advice to a newbee juicer is…find a friend to do the cleanse with you so you can share your experience.