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
New commissioners challenge power structure in Douglas County
On his 71st birthday, retired Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller took his place on the Board of Commissioners dais, looked out at a somewhat angry crowd, and wondered what he had just done.
Mental health courts: How much can they help jail crisis?
Her baby appeared to be only a few months old. But for at least one day, his mother was going back to jail.
Like so many GA mentally ill inmates, Winston Powell still waits in jail for help despite court order
A Haralson County man appeared in court for the first time in more than 400 days, much of that spent in an isolation cell waiting for trial on non-violent charges.
Vet school grad admits illegally taking horses across The Southeast
Fallon Blackwood wanted to be a veterinarian. But her decisions while in school has left her with a criminal record instead of a license to practice.
After nearly 40 years, FOX 5 senior I-Team reporter Dale Russell retires
FOX 5 senior I-Team reporter Dale Russell is putting down his notepad, his microphone and yes, retiring. A look back on his storied career.
Clayton DA: 'We're drowning' in mental health criminal cases
Most people who suffer from a mental illness in this country never touch the criminal justice system. They lead productive lives.
A mentally ill inmate has waited in a Georgia isolation cell 468 days for help. He's not alone.
For 468 days and counting, Winston Powell has known little else than the walls of a barren isolation cell. He's in limbo because the average wait to see a state forensic psychologist in Georgia is over 10 months.
Fire victims: Apartment knew sprinklers were broken but never issued warning
All they wanted was a warning.
Lawsuit: Jail medical contractor ignored treatable illness that led to inmate's death
An autopsy revealed the 24-year-old inmate at the Gwinnett County Jail died from a bleeding ulcer after weeks of complaining about his health. His family believes he would still be alive if someone would have helped him.
Who will Gov. Kemp choose to replace indicted Douglas County commissioners?
With 40 percent of the Douglas County Commission currently suspended after indictment, the remaining members met Monday morning promising citizens won't notice any difference.