WTAE investigative reporter Paul Van Osdol to retire after 26 years

WTAE investigative reporter Paul Van Osdol will retire at the end of March after 26 years with the Pittsburgh ABC affiliate.

Van Osdol joined the station in 1999 and became a leading figure in its investigative reporting unit, the station said.

His work included an investigation into fire response times that earned a George Foster Peabody Award in 2015. He also reported on the environmental and community impact of natural gas drilling in the series “Drilling Down,” examined youth head injuries in the 2013 Chronicle “Concussions and Our Kids” and covered child abuse deaths in reporting that received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award in 2018.

“Over the course of Paul’s career, he played a leading role in major coverage that informed viewers, drove accountability, and made a difference in the lives of Western Pennsylvania families,” said Charles W. Wolfertz III, president and general manager of WTAE.

“Paul has been a tremendous journalist, teammate, and mentor,” said Baylor Long, news director at WTAE. “Whether he was leading a major investigation, digging through complicated records, or helping a colleague make sense of a difficult story, Paul always brought intelligence, integrity, and heart to the job.”

“Working at WTAE has been one of the great honors of my life,” said Van Osdol. “I’ve had the privilege of telling stories that mattered, working alongside incredibly talented journalists, and serving a community that values strong local news. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Van Osdol’s final day at the station is scheduled for March 25.

Advertisement