Morgan, who has been at WREX since 2013, has accepted the role of Director of Digital Media at CBS46 (WGCL). Morgan’s wife, former WREX evening anchor Kristin Crowley, recently accepted an investigative reporter position at 11Alive (WXIA) in Atlanta last month.

“While I am so sorry to see my time at WREX come to an end, I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish together,” Morgan said. “Rockford will forever have a large piece of my heart.”

Morgan served as news director from 2013 through 2019, before becoming station manager, followed by his promotion to VP/GM in 2020.

During his time at WREX, the 13 News team won more than 150 state, regional and national awards, including 21 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, two National Murrow Awards and a dozen Regional Emmy Awards, among several others.

Morgan has been on the INBA board since 2016 and served as president from 2018-2020. During his time he helped coordinate judging for the SINBA awards and the awards presentation. He also organized INBA’s Spring 2020 convention in Rockford, which was postponed to Fall 2021 due to the pandemic.

“INBA is an organization every journalist in the state of Illinois should be a part of,” Morgan said. “The people, the resources and opportunity to grow is unmatched by other professional organizations out there.”

Morgan will be replaced by Ed Reams, the current news director at WKOW in Madison, a sister station of WREX. Reams has been the news director at 27 News since 2014. Reams is an industry veteran, having worked at several stations across the country, including, WISN in Milwaukee, WHSV in Harrisonburg, Virginia and WDSU in New Orleans, among several others.

WREX and WKOW, who are both owned by Quincy Media, were recently purchased by Allen Media. The close of that acquisition is expected sometime later this year.

Morgan’s last day at WREX will be May 21.

Do you know an Illinois journalist who has been promoted, published great work, or just deserves recognition? Email INBA board member, Molly Jirasek, to submit story suggestions for our website: molly.jirasek@gmail.com.

WXIA, better known as “11Alive” in the local news business, is an NBC-affiliate in Atlanta, Ga., the seventh-largest market in the country. It’s known nationally for its dedication to investigative reporting.

“I’m incredibly honored to join the investigative team at 11Alive,” Crowley said. “Their unrelenting work to find justice and truth is what journalism is all about and it’s exactly what I want to be a part of.”

Crowley will also contribute to 11Alive’s award-winning, and nationally recognized, weekly program, The Reveal. The Reveal is an investigative show exposing inequality, injustice and ineptitude created by people in power throughout Georgia and across the country.

Crowley is no stranger to investigative reporting, helping launch Rockford’s only investigative reporting team back in 2018, 13 Investigates. Since that time, Crowley, her co-anchor James Stratton and investigative reporter Mary Sugden, have revealed major stories to the Rockford area.

“From exposing unfair billing practices to shedding light on police misconduct, working on these stories with our talented team at 13 WREX has truly been the opportunity of a lifetime,” Crowley said. “13 Investigates will never stop fighting for justice.”

Crowley, who has been an INBA member for several years, has received numerous awards for her investigative work, including a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, six Illinois Silver Dome Awards and five Illinois Associated Press Awards. She has also won five Regional Emmy Awards, dozens of other statewide awards, and had her work recognized as part of
13 WREX’s National Edward R. Murrow Award in 2018.

“Kristin has helped transform the way we do news here at 13 WREX,” said News Director, Audrey Moon. “We have undertaken several significant changes to our editorial process over the years and she has been a leader in making those changes impactful and meaningful to our viewers. Her expertise and ambition will be sorely missed.”

Crowley says working at a small market television station is like working with family. A family she has grown close to and relied on for support several times over the years.

“The people I work with are more than colleagues, they’re family,” Crowley said. “Their support, and genuine care, is what makes our team so special. I will miss them more than they will ever know.”

Crowley will join 13 WREX alumnus, and Chief Investigator at 11Alive, Brendan Keefe. Keefe began his broadcast career at 13 WREX back in 1991.

“Brendan is someone I’ve admired as a journalist for years,” Crowley added. “He has helped mentor me and has challenged me to reach new heights. Our shared connection of 13 WREX just goes to show what a small world, and small business, this really is!”

Crowley’s last day on the air at 13 WREX will be Wednesday, Mar. 31.