Tony Kovaleski
Encyclopedia
Tony Kovaleski is an award-winning investigative reporter at KMGH-TV in Denver, Colorado where he has worked since 2001. Kovaleski was born in Iron River, Michigan and attended San Jose State University.
In December 2008, more than 100 people were on Continental Flight 1404 when the pilot lost control. The plane slid off Runway 34 Right and burst into flames during take-off. Kovaleski obtained records of the ambulance response showing the first emergency ambulance needed 33 minutes to reach the scene. The investigative documentary "33 Minutes to 34 Right" aired in March, 2009 and lead to significant changes in Denver's ambulance procedures and policies including the permanent assignment of an ambulance at DIA.
In May 2010, Kovaleski reported on several state-appointed board members of a quasi-government agency accepting gifts and an all- expense-paid trip to Pebble Beach from executives at Pinnacol Assurance. The board was tasked with oversight of Pinnacol Assurance including the agency's spending. Kovaleski's investigation forced an overhaul of the board including the appointment of a new president and the implementation of strict regulations on travel and gifts accepted by board members.
Professional Career
In the summer of 2008, Kovaleski aired a series of stories that chronicled problems with emergency ambulance service in Denver including response times that were nearly double the national standard. The stories also showed there was no permanently stationed ambulance at Denver International Airport even though the facility was more than twenty miles from the city center.In December 2008, more than 100 people were on Continental Flight 1404 when the pilot lost control. The plane slid off Runway 34 Right and burst into flames during take-off. Kovaleski obtained records of the ambulance response showing the first emergency ambulance needed 33 minutes to reach the scene. The investigative documentary "33 Minutes to 34 Right" aired in March, 2009 and lead to significant changes in Denver's ambulance procedures and policies including the permanent assignment of an ambulance at DIA.
In May 2010, Kovaleski reported on several state-appointed board members of a quasi-government agency accepting gifts and an all- expense-paid trip to Pebble Beach from executives at Pinnacol Assurance. The board was tasked with oversight of Pinnacol Assurance including the agency's spending. Kovaleski's investigation forced an overhaul of the board including the appointment of a new president and the implementation of strict regulations on travel and gifts accepted by board members.