By Mark Lagerkvist
My career in journalism was a long and winding road through television and newspapers.
During my first five years, I worked at daily papers in Muskegon, Milwaukee and Traverse City. Then I transformed into a TV investigative reporter for seven years in Grand Rapids and Tampa. That was followed by five years at New Jersey’s Asbury Park Press, first as investigative reporter then investigative editor.
I preferred the role of an on-air reporter. Not only were the pay and perks better in television, but there’s something special about telling an investigative story with your own voice.
When News 12 Long Island called in 1993, I decided to return to the tube.
News 12 was the nation’s first 24-hour regional cable news network. Starting with its first newsroom on Long Island, the operation eventually expanded to ring New York City with channels in New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County and The Bronx.
During my nine years at News 12, I enjoyed an unusual amount of time, resources and freedom to pursue in-depth investigations that won 35 journalism awards. In addition to the videos on the front page of Lagerkvist Online, here are five additional reports from my days at News 12:
Medical Secrets exposed the systemic efforts by hospitals and government agencies to conceal information on thousands of dangerous doctors from the public. The report received a New York Emmy for outstanding health programming in 1998.
The investigation first appeared as a four-part series on evening newscasts. The stories were reconstructed into a this half-hour special that aired on weekends.
Bad Medicine focused on deadly mistakes by pharmacists – and the lack of any legal requirement for pharmacies to notify patients or state authorities when a serious error is discovered.
This report also first aired as a series of stories on evening newscasts that became a half-hour weekend special.
Bitter Pills examined the high cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. compared to other nations. For a firsthand look, I traveled to Mexico for a shopping trip. The video features the three-part series.
While the abuses in the medical were fertile ground for investigations, I also investigated other areas of interest – including politics and pensions.
Cash, Trash & Politics unearthed the dirty deals between municipal officials and garbage carters tied to organized crime. The reports revealed a secret campaign contribution by a carter to the township supervisor.
In direct competition with national news organizations, my report won the 1998 New York Press Gold Typewriter Award for outstanding public service.
One year later, The Sopranos debuted on HBO – and in retrospect, I realize I could have gotten whacked doing this story. This story was the first of a four-part series.
Double Deals features a New York state senator caught taking a free ride plus more. The senator drove a luxury car leased with campaign funds. To make matters worse, he charged taxpayers for the same car expenses paid by his political campaign.
The confrontation interview with the senator as he walked to the car in his office parking lot is a classic TV moment.
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A Paean to the gods of SEO
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News 12 investigative reporter Lagerkvist
News 12 investigative reporter Lagerkvist
News 12 investigative reporter Lagerkvist
News 12 investigative reporter Lagerkvist
News 12 investigative reporter Lagerkvist
News 12 investigative reporter Lagerkvist
News 12 investigative reporter Lagerkvist