The I-Team, WAGA-TV’s renowned investigative unit, has officially disbanded, marking a significant loss for Atlanta’s journalistic landscape. The unit began its journey in 1977 as “The Special Unit,” emerging at a time when broadcast television thrived amid a rising tide of investigative journalism spurred by events like Watergate.
Originally led by Richard Belcher and Jim Axel, the I-Team quickly became synonymous with powerful journalism in Atlanta. Belcher, who later transitioned to Channel 2 Action News (WSB-TV), expressed his profound sense of loss, stating, “It’s like a death in the family.” Throughout his prestigious career, he reveled in moments where he reported substantial stories, including a cheating scandal that exposed corruption within the Atlanta Police Department.
Jeff Hullinger, who contributed nearly two decades to WAGA, lamented the closure of the I-Team as a sign of the end of an era, emphasizing the might and influence the unit had in storytelling and community impact.
Despite a change in WAGA-TV’s affiliation to Fox in 1994, the commitment to investigative journalism did not wane. The I-Team retained a consistent group of highly experienced reporters, including Dale Russell, Randy Travis, and Virginia Ellis, who started the tradition of deep-dive investigative reporting. Ellis was succeeded by Fowle in 1999.
The I-Team stood out for its ability to delve into various issues, and its legacy is marked by significant achievements, including legislative changes and criminal prosecutions stemming from their investigations. Travis, with 30 years in the unit, reflected, “Our stories led to prosecutions that put people in prison. It was the pinnacle of my journalism career.”
Russell, who dedicated 38 years to the I-Team, noted that the unit was more than just a news team; it was a standard-bearer for accountability in Atlanta journalism. Through rigorous investigation, they gave a voice to the voiceless and spearheaded important changes that improved the community.
Over its prolific tenure, the I-Team garnered multiple prestigious awards, including Emmys, Edward R. Murrow, and Peabody awards. Notably, Russell received a Peabody in 1999 for exposing racial profiling by customs agents at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Furthermore, in 2018, the I-Team was awarded a Peabody for a project led by Travis, revealing serious flaws in how police conducted field tests of suspicious substances, leading to wrongful arrests.
As the I-Team closes this chapter, recent investigations continue to resonate with the public. Among these are Edwards’ exposé about a DeKalb County home used for rowdy parties and Fowle’s investigation into the legal battles of a property owner managing to win against the city concerning an $81,000 water bill.
The disbandment of the I-Team leaves a palpable void in investigative journalism, with many reflecting on its legacy and the substantial contributions it made to the field. The echoes of its impactful stories will undoubtedly be remembered by the community and journalists alike.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/2025/06/like-a-death-in-the-family-fox-5-atlanta-eliminates-i-team-after-48-years/
