INDIANAPOLIS — KARE 11's reporting on veterans' issues is being honored once again by the American Legion.
The organization will be presenting its Fourth Estate Award to KARE 11 Investigates for the "Broken Promises" series, which exposed a VA doctor who misdiagnosed veterans for decades, denying them medical care and the disability benefits they earned with their service. The Department of Veterans Affairs ultimately terminated the doctor and recalled approximately 600 Veterans for new neurological testing and potentially decades of backdated benefits.
"Broken Promises" was produced by reporter A.J. Lagoe and executive producer Steve Eckert, with photojournalists Gary Knox and Devin Krinke.
"The American Legion is extremely appreciative of the importance of a free and independent media," said American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer, in a statement. "As veterans, we defended the freedoms guaranteed by our nation’s Constitution. Our Fourth Estate winners represent the best in their field. These award winners are being recognized for outstanding works of journalism that not only stand far above normal media reporting but have had a positive impact on society."
Watch the full "Broken Promises" special below:
This is the second Fourth Estate Award for KARE 11 Investigates, which was also honored in 2018 for its "Invisible Wounds" series.
The American Legion has presented its Fourth Estate Awards to print and broadcast journalists annually since 1958, selected by a special Legion commission.
KARE will be honored alongside the Courier Journal newspaper from Louisville, Kentucky during the American Legion's 105th National Convention in New Orleans on Aug. 29.