TEGNA Station WXIA Wins Prestigious 2026 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for Groundbreaking Investigation, ‘Help that Harms’

Rhea-AI Summary

TEGNA (NYSE: TGNA) announced that WXIA (11Alive) in Atlanta won a 2026 Alfred I. duPont‑Columbia Award for the investigation "Help That Harms." The series examined how families with infants were swept into child abuse allegations and prompted reforms.

The reporting spurred statewide dialogue, influenced court decisions, led to passage of Ridge's Law granting parents a right to a second medical opinion, and prompted the Department of Family and Children Services to improve its review process.

Positive

• WXIA (11Alive) won a 2026 Alfred I. duPont‑Columbia Award for investigative journalism
• Ridge's Law was passed, granting parents a legally protected right to seek a second medical opinion
• Reporting influenced court decisions and sparked statewide public dialogue on child welfare practices
• Department of Family and Children Services updated its review process, increasing oversight and consistency

Negative

• None.

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TYSONS, Va., Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced that WXIA (11Alive), the local news and technology company’s NBC affiliate in Atlanta, has received a 2026 Alfred I. duPont‑Columbia University Award, which honors excellence in broadcast, online and documentary journalism. The station won for “Help That Harms,” a groundbreaking investigation exposing how families across Georgia were swept into devastating child abuse allegations when bringing infants into the emergency room with unexplained injuries.

“Our journalists work tirelessly to shine a light on systems that profoundly affect the lives of the people we serve,” said Adrienne Roark, chief content officer at TEGNA. “The team’s courage, rigor, and deep commitment to accountability reporting brought urgent reforms to Georgia’s child welfare system. This recognition is incredibly well‑deserved.”

Over several months, investigative journalist Rebecca Lindstrom, along with executive producer Kristine Anderson, investigative producers Ciara Frisbie and Gabriella Nunez, and photojournalists Darrell Pryor and Michael Botsford, examined the frequency with which parents rushing infants to the emergency room with unexplained injuries were accused of abuse. The investigation revealed a pattern: families who brought infants to the ER with unexplained injuries were swiftly separated and suspected of abuse, even in cases where parents and independent medical experts raised doubts about the diagnoses.

“Help That Harms” uncovers systemic and discriminatory barriers that made it nearly impossible for families to obtain independent medical evaluations. The series sparked statewide dialogue, influenced court decisions, and empowered both families and physicians to challenge questionable abuse allegations. Lindstrom and the 11Alive team’s reporting also prompted significant statewide reforms. The Georgia legislature passed Ridge’s Law, granting parents the legally protected right to seek a second medical opinion, and the Department of Family and Children Services improved its review process for abuse cases, increasing oversight and consistency.

“‘Help That Harms’ reflects our mission as journalists: to serve our communities by holding powerful institutions accountable, and driving reform,” said Todd Spessard, content director, 11Alive. “I am proud of the work our team does every day to ensure everyone in our community has a voice and an opportunity to be heard.”

About TEGNA 

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news. For more information, visit TEGNA.com. 

For media inquiries, contact: 
Danielle Ingram
Specialist, Corporate Communications
703-873-6440
dingram1@tegna.com

For investor inquiries, contact:
Julie Heskett
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
703-873-6747
investorrelations@TEGNA.com

FAQ

What did TEGNA (TGNA) announce on January 29, 2026 about WXIA (11Alive)?

WXIA (11Alive) won a 2026 Alfred I. duPont‑Columbia Award for the investigation "Help That Harms." According to the company, the series exposed patterns of child abuse allegations tied to unexplained infant injuries and led to policy and legal reforms in Georgia.

What is the investigation "Help That Harms" that earned WXIA the 2026 duPont award?

"Help That Harms" is an investigation into families accused of infant abuse after ER visits with unexplained injuries. According to the company, the series documented barriers to independent medical evaluations and systemic practices that separated families and triggered legal scrutiny.

How did the WXIA investigation affect Georgia law and agencies, per TEGNA (TGNA)?

The reporting prompted passage of Ridge's Law and procedural changes at DFCS. According to the company, Ridge's Law grants parents a protected right to a second medical opinion and DFCS improved case review oversight and consistency.

Who led the WXIA reporting team for the award‑winning "Help That Harms" series?

Lead journalist Rebecca Lindstrom and a team of producers and photojournalists produced the series. According to the company, executive producer Kristine Anderson and investigative producers Ciara Frisbie and Gabriella Nunez were key contributors.

What impact did WXIA's reporting have on families and physicians in Georgia, according to TEGNA?

The series empowered families and physicians to challenge questionable abuse determinations. According to the company, the investigation influenced court decisions and enabled greater access to independent medical evaluations for affected families.

Why is the duPont‑Columbia Award significant for WXIA and TEGNA (TGNA)?

The duPont award recognizes excellence in broadcast and documentary journalism for impactful reporting. According to the company, the honor validates the team's accountability reporting and its role in driving concrete reforms in Georgia's child welfare system.