Raycom Adds Journalists To Investigative Unit

Raycom Media on Thursday announced three more journalists set to join its new national investigative unit led by Lee Zurik — Andy Miller, Jill Riepenhoff and Megan Luther.

“With the announcement of these three team members, Raycom Media is making a statement: we believe in research-based journalism and factual reporting,” said Pat LaPlatney, Raycom Media president-CEO. “We will provide the best possible investigative journalism and coverage on the items that matter to our audiences on the platforms they choose to utilize.”

Zurik, director of investigations, said: “Andy, Jill and Megan bring a diverse skillset with a clear understanding of how to produce impactful, interesting, and important investigative journalism online and on television. Each has done award winning work, and I’m confident our new team will produce stories that make a difference in all of our Raycom Media communities.”

Raycom described the new trio:

Andy Miller — “Miller’s style of showcasing issues with high production value and emotional connection to those impacted, has sparked positive change in multiple states. For the last Three years Miller has been an investigative producer/photographer at KMGH in Denver. The team there has been recognized with local and national awards for their investigative work.”

Jill Riepenhoff, investigative producer, “has worked since 1985 at The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio, where she has investigated, among other things, wayward teachers, predatory mortgage brokers, slumlords, guardians who neglect and steal from mentally incompetent adults, and college campuses where rapes and other violent crimes are hidden. Riepenhoff has also written about the dark side of youth, high school and college athletics. Winning dozens of state and national awards, Riepenhoff serves on the board of Investigative Reporters and Editors.”

Megan Luther, investigative producer, “comes to Raycom Media from IRE, where she served as training director since 2012. Luther has worked in radio, TV and newspaper. She was also a government reporter for the Argus Leader in South Dakota and a computer-assisted reporting specialist for The Atlanta Journal- Constitution.”

Viewers will be able to access investigations in long-form documentary style or shorter segments on the platform of their choosing.

Steven Ackermann, Raycom Media VP of news, added: “There could be no better time than now, for a broadcast company to form this team. They will create tools supporting our local stations, engage directly researching and reporting meaningful stories, and reinforce Raycom Media’s commitment to the true meaning of the First Amendment.”