Whitney Ward is an investigative reporter, anchor of KREM 2 News at 4 p.m. and co-anchor of KREM 2 News at 5 and 6 p.m.
She proudly attended both Eastern Washington University and Washington State University. After spending three years at Eastern, she transferred to WSU for its esteemed Edward R. Murrow Communications program.
After graduating college, Whitney began her career at KFYR, the NBC affiliate in Bismarck, North Dakota. She worked as a reporter and weekend anchor for three years, covering politics and countless National Guard stories for military operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. North Dakota is also known for its severe weather, so it was not uncommon for her to do live shots in temperatures 30-40 degrees below zero!
Whitney's career took her to the CBS affiliate in Youngstown, Ohio, where she served as the main evening anchor at WKBN. Her work allowed her to cover two Presidential elections, numerous tornadoes, and countless stories about crime, politics, and business.
She even got to tour the world-famous Handel's ice-cream shop. (National Geographic ranked it as one of the best in the WORLD!)
Whitney then made the decision to return to her home state of Washington to be closer to family and friends. She spent two years as the main anchor at KEPR-TV in the Tri-Cities. During that time, she was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists with an "Excellence in Journalism" award for Investigative Reporting after helping expose a $1.7 million fraud case in the Franklin County Public Works Department.
Since joining KREM in 2013, she has continued her exemplary work shedding light on mismanagement of government resources, university cover-ups, and toxic chemical contamination. Her investigations have helped lead to change in state policy as well as local government procedures. Whitney has also earned multiple journalism honors for her investigative reporting.
In 2013, she revealed startling gaps in the Idaho foster care system. Her report "Bring D Home" won a regional Edward R. Murrow award for Investigative Reporting.
In 2014, she provided unparalleled coverage after the Carlton Complex wildfire burned hundreds of homes and more than a quarter-million acres in Central Washington. Her multi-part investigation uncovered many instances of state resources standing idle while homes and business burned to the ground.
In 2015, she again brought unrivaled wildfire coverage when the even-bigger Okanogan Complex fire killed three firefighters and burned more than half a million acres, much of it in the same areas that had burned just one year prior. Her relentless pursuit for truth after both fires helped bring attention to serious flaws in response protocol. Washington lawmakers later enacted new legislation to help prevent catastrophic wildfires and protect fire victims.
In 2016, Whitney conducted an in-depth investigation of the WSU Bear Center, after learning about the deaths of two yearling cubs at the animal research facility. Her eye-opening report "Bear Facts" earned a regional Edward R. Murrow award for Investigative Reporting, and also received a regional Emmy nomination for Investigative Reporting.
In 2017, Whitney took on one of her biggest stories yet -- widespread groundwater contamination at Fairchild Air Force Base in Airway Heights. She uncovered decades of unchecked chemical pollution and directly questioned Fairchild's highest ranking Base Commander about possible solutions for contamination victims. Her lengthy investigation earned a regional Edward R. Murrow award for Investigative Reporting.
Whitney is also passionate about her work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. As a past victim of a drunk driver, she is a strong advocate of education programs for youth and stronger penalties for offenders.
When Whitney isn't working, she loves to enjoy a glass of fantastic Washington wine. She never misses a chance to get outside! She enjoys skiing, hiking with her dog, or spending time out on the boat with her family.
You can contact Whitney at wward@krem.com or follow her on Twitter:
