13 WREX news anchor Kristin Crowley is Atlanta-bound

ROCKFORD — After nearly eight years on the anchor desk at 13 WREX, evening news anchor Kristin Crowley has been named the next investigative reporter at WXIA-TV in Atlanta.

WXIA, better known as “11Alive,” is an NBC affiliate.

“I’m incredibly honored to join the investigative team at 11Alive,” Crowley said in a news release shared Wednesday with the Rockford Register Star. “Their unrelenting work to find justice and truth is what journalism is all about, and it’s exactly what I want to be a part of.”

Crowley’s final day on air in Rockford will be March 31.

In joining the investigative team at 11Alive, Crowley will contribute to The Reveal, the station’s award-winning weekly show that focuses on equality and justice issues along with watchdog journalism.

“Investigative journalism is where my passion lies and I’m excited to make that my sole mission,” Crowley said in a message to her friends and viewers on her Facebook page Wednesday. “That being said, I’m incredibly sad to say goodbye. You are more than viewers, you are friends and family.”

In 2018, Crowley helped launch 13 Investigates, WREX’s investigative reporting team along with co-anchor James Stratton and investigative reporter Mary Sugden.

Crowley has received numerous awards for her investigative work, including a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, six Illinois Silver Dome Awards and five Illinois Associated Press Awards.

Crowley said she was drawn to investigative reporting about four years ago after she did a story about abuse allegations at a DCFS facility in Rockford and saw the impact it had on the community.

“I really loved the impact it had because then the facility closed, and I thought, ‘This is what journalism is about. It's about making change, getting justice for people and doing what people cannot do for themselves and being a voice for the voiceless,” she said.

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Crowley also investigated excessive use of force allegations against the Belvidere Police Department and contaminated drinking water in a southeast Rockford superfund site.

“Kristin has helped transform the way we do news here at 13 WREX,” News Director Audrey Moon said in the release. “We have undertaken several significant changes to our editorial process over the years and she has been a leader in making those changes impactful and meaningful to our viewers. Her expertise and ambition will be sorely missed.”

Gray Television Inc., parent company to Rockford’s WIFR news station, announced last month that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Quincy Media Inc., owner of 13 WREX along with WEEK in Peoria and WGEM in Quincy.

Crowley said her pending departure has nothing to do with the sale.

“This was in the works before I even know about the sale,” she said. “I had interviewed for the position late last year long before we even had word that Gray was going to be purchasing us. … It’s just the timing of everything.”

During her time in Rockford, Crowley was an active community volunteer, as well. She read to children in area schools with United Way of Rock River Valley’s I-Read program. She was also a board member for PAWS Humane Society.

In 2016, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce named her one of Rockford’s “Top 40 Leaders Under 40.”

“When I came to Rockford in 2013, I honestly didn’t plan on staying long,” Crowley said. “That changed when I fell in love with the city and its people. Now, eight years later, it’s hard to imagine saying goodbye.”

11Alive’s chief investigator is Brendan Keefe, who started his broadcast journalism career in Rockford at 13 WREX.

“Brendan is someone I’ve admired as a journalist for years,” Crowley said. “He has helped mentor me and has challenged me to reach new heights. Our shared connection of 13 WREX just goes to show what a small world, and small business, this really is.

“This is a dream job. This is a job I'm really passionate about, working in an area I really like and working with people who have the same passion and drive as me. It really became this thing that I couldn't say no to.”

Crowley, 35, is a Downers Grove native. Before arriving in Rockford, she worked for television news stations in Wisconsin, Indiana and Kentucky.

She is married to 13 WREX Vice President and General Manager Josh Morgan.

Corina Curry: ccurry@rrstar.com; @corinacurry