TEGNA Station KXTV Wins Prestigious 2025 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award
Tysons, Va. – TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced that KXTV (Sacramento, Calif.) received a 2025 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award which honors excellence in broadcast, online and documentary journalism. KXTV won for “The Wild West of Education,” an ABC10 Originals investigation into a Sacramento charter school’s questionable practices.
“Our local journalists help drive meaningful change through their investigative work, exposing important issues within the communities they serve,” said Lynn Beall, EVP and COO for media operations, TEGNA. “Congratulations to the team in Sacramento for receiving this well-deserved recognition.”
Over the course of two years, investigative reporter Andie Judson, producers Sabrina Sanchez, Mike Bunnell, and executive producer Gonzalo Magaña, along with photojournalists Tyler Horst, Vanessa Bozzuto, Rachel Boyoung Kim and Xavier Uriarte, investigated Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools. Their reporting, “The Wild West of Education,” uncovered widespread financial mismanagement, unethical practices, a toxic work environment, and systemic failures. Highlands, one of the largest adult charter schools in California, has received approximately $500 million in public funds since its founding but has been accused of fraud, excessive class sizes, misuse of funds for luxury travel and gifts, and retaliating against whistleblowers. The investigation led to legislative action, audits, and the resignation of top leaders. Whistleblowers within the school played a key role in exposing these issues, and ongoing investigations are exploring potential reforms in California’s charter school system. With multiple audits still underway, KXTV/ABC10 will continue reporting on the outcomes, potential consequences, and changes driven by this investigation.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) serves local communities across the U.S. through trustworthy journalism, engaging content, and tools that help people navigate their daily lives. Through customized marketing solutions, we help businesses grow and thrive. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches approximately 100 million people every month across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. For more information, visit TEGNA.com.
# # #
For media inquiries, contact:
Anne Bentley
Vice President, Chief Communications Officer
703-873-6366
abentley@TEGNA.com
For investor inquiries, contact:
Julie Heskett
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
703-873-6747
investorrelations@TEGNA.com