
Dale Russell
As the senior investigative reporter, Dale Russell is the FOX 5 I-Team’s government watchdog. He has spent more than 30 years investigating some of Atlanta’s biggest stories. His investigations have helped shape Georgia’s political history; toppling people in power, exposing waste and corruption, sparking criminal investigations, and changing laws.
Dale’s entire journalism career has been right here in Atlanta, where he began as a freelance newspaper and magazine writer. He went on to work as a reporter for WGST News Radio and then moved into television as an investigative reporter.
Dale has broken important stories while covering some of the nation’s biggest events, including the Atlanta Child Murders, the Olympic Park bombing, and the September 11th terrorist attacks. His exposes on Georgia’s Speaker of the House, Glenn Richardson, and presidential candidate Herman Cain led to dramatic changes in the state and nation’s political landscape. His examination of racial profiling by US Customs agents at Atlanta’s airport led to a nationwide overhaul of customs searches. In 2005, he traveled to Iraq to embed with the Georgia National Guard during its historic wartime deployment.
Dale has won more than 50 journalism awards, including broadcasting's highest honor, the George Foster Peabody Award. Atlanta Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Creative Loafing, and The Atlanta Press Club have all named him as the city’s top TV journalist. Georgia Trend Magazine selected him as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential People. He has been inducted into the NATAS Southeast Silver Circle, honoring the state’s top television professionals.
A former high school counselor, Dale is a board member of the First Amendment Foundation, which fights for openness in government. Dale attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Georgia State with a BS in education. The Atlanta native has two children and lives with his wife in the DeKalb County neighborhood where he was raised.
The latest from Dale Russell
Campaign finance case against nonprofits that raised money for Stacey Abrams in 2018 headed for trial
The State Ethics Commission found probable cause that two nonprofit groups in 2018 raised and spent millions to support Democratic candidates, including Stacey Abrams.
Trump election probe: Grand jury explores Trump's phone call to Georgia House Speaker
Speaker of the House David Ralston slated to testify before a special grand jury investigating whether former president Donald Trump and others interfered with the 2020 election campaign continues this week in Fulton County.
Georgia Supreme Court disbars Rockdale County lawyer, Commissioner Sherri Washington
The Georgia Supreme court has disbarred Rockdale County Commissioner Sherri Washington. The Court found Washington knowingly violated her duties to three different clients which resulted in serious or potentially serious harm to all three.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr testifies before Donald Trump grand jury
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr testified today before the Fulton County Grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump and others.
Top Georgia elections official testifies before special grand jury investigating former President Trump
Testimony before a special Fulton County grand jury investigating a host of alleged Presidential election fraud crimes continues this week.
Raffensperger testifies in front of Trump election probe grand jury
Thursday Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was the first subpoenaed witness to testify in front of a special purpose grand jury investigating whether anyone, including former President Donald Trump, should face charges for trying to influence the results of the 2020 election.
Fulton County grand jury investigating Donald Trump, others back in action
A Fulton County grand jury investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in Georgia is back in session.
Ethics Commission settles campaign finance case against John Oxendine
The longest running campaign finance case in Georgia Ethics Commission history has come to an end. The Commission voted to settle a case that has dragged on for some thirteen years against former Insurance Commissioner and Gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine.
GOP Labor Commissioner candidate Bruce Thompson faces campaign finance complaint
A Buford, Georgia woman has filed a campaign finance complaint accusing Republican Labor Commissioner candidate Bruce Thompson of violating Georgia campaign finance laws.
City of Atlanta fires two employees tied to Mitzi Bicker's corruption trial
The city of Atlanta has fired two top city officials, Rita Braswell and Cotena Alexander, after their names surfaced during the Mitzi Bickers bribery trial.