“Mental Competency Consequences: The Hidden and Unreliable Data Texas Tracks...or Doesn't"

Recipient of the BEST TELEVISION INVESTIGATIVE REPORT award in The Charles E. Green Awards (2021)
KXAN-TV, AUSTIN

Judge’s Comments:

This project exemplifies some of the best of what investigative reporters can do when given enough time and resources. The careful review of data and documents, the expert storytelling featuring the tales of real people and families affected by failures in the system, and the great writing and visualization are all elements of this project that every person involved can be proud of -- kudos to the team!

Dr. Debora Rae Wenger
Assistant Dean and Professor
University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media

Judge’s Bio:

Deb Wenger, a 17-year broadcast news veteran, is an assistant dean and professor who oversees undergraduate studies in journalism at the University of Mississippi.  Prior to her academic appointments, Wenger worked as a reporter, producer and newsroom manager within multiple TV stations, including WFLA (Tampa, FL), WSOC (Charlotte, NC) and WMUR (Manchester, NH).

Wenger conducts multimedia workshops in newsrooms around the country and is a trainer for SPJ in association with its Google News Initiative program. She is also co-author of two books, Advancing the Story: Journalism in a Digital World and Managing Today’s News Media: Audience First.

What she’s learning about journalism and new media can be found at www.advancingthestory.com.  Wenger received her Ph.D. from Kingston University in London and was named as a top journalism educator by NewsPro magazine in 2017.

To view this award-winning investigative report, visit the links below:

LINK 1 to content online
LINK 2 to content online
LINK 3 to content online
LINK 4 to content online
LINK 5 to content online
LINK 6 to content online
LINK 7 to content online