Randy Travis
Randy Travis is a Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter for FOX 5 Atlanta. Randy joined WAGA in 1990. In 1994 he moved to the station's distinguished investigative unit, the FOX 5 I-Team. Since then, his stories have led to businesses closing that misled the public, exposed government waste and corruption and even sparked criminal investigations that ultimately sent people to prison.
His biggest accomplishment, however, was to keep the innocent from being jailed in the first place. A series of stories in 2018 about police roadside drug test kits revealed how people wound up wrongly jailed because the tests falsely determined they had drugs in their car. His investigation discovered 145 false positives in Georgia in just one year. That project, "$2 Tests: Bad Arrests," prompted law enforcement agencies worldwide to review their drug test kit policies, with some dropping the use of them completely. That investigation also won the prestigious 2018 Peabody Award, one of only 30 honorees from around the world.
Over the years, Randy’s investigative work has also garnered two national Edward R. Murrow awards, plus more than 20 regional Emmy awards. He's also the recipient of the Henry W. Grady Mid-Career Alumni Award from the University of Georgia. In 2015, Randy was named to the Silver Circle, a lifetime achievement honor given by the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Before joining FOX 5, Randy reported for WMC-TV in Memphis, TN; WYFF-TV in Greenville, SC and WMAZ-TV in Macon. His first professional job in journalism came in 1979 as a sports writer for his hometown newspaper, the Athens Banner-Herald. Randy also worked full-time as sports editor for the Athens Observer in 1982 while completing his journalism degree at the University of Georgia.
At 29, Randy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. To control his disease, he turned to running. Since then, he has become an avid marathoner and has competed in every Peachtree Road Race since 1993. Randy is also a lifelong Braves fan, a choice that somehow has had no negative effect on his happy marriage.
The latest from Randy Travis
GGC criminal justice professor busted for felony shoplifting
An unlikely shoplifting suspect faces multiple counts.
Allowed to keep all fees for herself, first-year probate judge expected to pocket $280,000
Judge Christina Peterson was elected last year. She's due to make more than the governor, Supreme Court Chief Justice, and the state's two U.S. senators because county commissioners allow her to keep all vital records fees for herself.
Gwinnett medical examiner explains why she didn't call police over concerns about missing narcotics
But former investigators for the Gwinnett County medical examiner tell the FOX 5 I-Team she ignored their warnings about lax security measures that may have allowed seized drugs to disappear.
Gwinnett medical examiner staff forced to work for free, watch colleague be fired over Zoom
Former investigators of the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s office describe to the FOX 5 I-Team a place of emotional abuse, where some were forced to work for free and staff was once required to join a Zoom call to watch a colleague be fired.
Fire hazards discovered at SK Battery contractor job site
The city of Commerce found multiple fire code violations at an off-site building used by two SK Battery contractors.
College severs relationship with Atlanta JUCO football program after FOX 5 I-Team probe
A FOX 5 I-Team investigation could help some frustrated junior college football players get a refund on their tuition.
Former players tried to warn others about Atlanta JUCO football owner
Two years ago, Deishan Lane of Fort Myers, Florida tried to warn others about a troubled college prep football program in Atlanta by using a typical Gen Z strategy:
Probate judge orders Thailand native jailed after trying to correct marriage license
Douglas County’s probate judge — already in trouble with the Judicial Qualifications Commission — now faces new questions over why she ordered a Thailand native to be jailed because she came into the office asking to correct a marriage certificate.
Douglas County judge slapped with 2nd state complaint in first year of office
Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson must answer a second state complaint of wrongdoing.
He promised them a 2nd chance at college football. Then he spent their tuition money on himself
Dozens of young men looking for a second chance to play college football wound up instead learning a painful and expensive lesson: be careful who you trust.