Investigative Expert Kovaleski Back At KMGH

Tony Kovaleski, investigative journalist and winner of 28 Emmy Awards, is returning to Scripps-owned ABC affiliate KMGH Denver (DMA 17) for a new dual role that serves both the Denver market and Scripps’ television division. Beginning Nov. 30, he will be an investigative reporter at KMGH and a corporate investigative trainer to develop other Scripps investigative journalists across the country.

At KMGH, Kovaleski will team up with investigator John Ferrugia.

“The Denver community remembers, with great appreciation, Tony’s prior work as a determined investigator whose stories uncovered wrongs in business and government,” said Brad Remington, KMGH VP-GM. “His work in San Francisco in the past several years only expanded his reputation as a dogged journalist who turns local stories into content worthy of the nation’s attention.”

“This is a significant hire for Scripps,” said Sean McLaughlin, VP of news for the Scripps TV division. “Scripps recognizes Kovaleski’s unparalleled skills at investigations and sees the value he brings to both Denver and to fellow Scripps investigative journalists. He will conduct investigative training workshops across the company, helping other markets to produce the same high level of award-winning investigations.”

Kovaleski left KMGH in 2012 for the NBC O&O KNTV San Francisco. As NBC Bay Area’s chief investigative reporter, Kovaleski exposed significant security failures at critical electric substations in California. He also uncovered a major rodent infestation inside a California food distributor that forced a national food recall.

His work over his career has garnered numerous journalism awards including the duPont-Columbia, Edward R. Murrow, Sigma Delta Chi and National Headliner Award. He was Colorado’s Best Specialty Reporter in 2004 and 2006 and Reporter of the Year for the Texas Associated Press in 1997.

“I am honored to rejoin the talented team of journalists at Denver7,” said Kovaleski. “It is very clear that Denver7 is committed to hard-hitting investigative journalism. Investigative reporting is my passion and now I get to do it in the place I consider my home. I also look forward to my new responsibility as a trainer. It gives me the opportunity to work with some of the country’s top journalists to grow an already impressive Scripps legacy of investigative reporting.”

During his career, he has also worked for KNXV and KTVK Phoenix, KPRC Houston, KTVN Reno, Nev., and KIEM Eureka, Calif.

Kovaleski graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in broadcast journalism. He served as a faculty member of the National Center for Courts and Media with the University of Nevada’s Reynolds School of Journalism. He is also a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), the professional organization for investigative journalists.