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Paul Van Osdol liked thisPaul Van Osdol liked thisOver the course of my career, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be part of newsrooms that believed deeply in the power of going beyond the daily story. The kind of journalism that asks “why?”… and then keeps digging. Long before “Chronicle: Restrained” at KMBC 9, I had the privilege of working alongside teams committed to in-depth, investigative reporting that took not days or weeks but years. Work that demanded hundreds of hours, relentless curiosity, and a willingness to tackle complex, often uncomfortable truths. In 2009, at WYFF 4, Chronicle: Paul’s Gift told the deeply human story of organ donation with extraordinary compassion and clarity. In the weeks following its broadcast, more than 500 people chose to become organ donors, directly citing the program. In 2015, at WTAE in Pittsburgh, Burning Questions: Fire Response Times uncovered critical gaps in emergency response, reporting that ultimately helped drive legislative change and improve public safety. And now in 2025, at KMBC 9, Chronicle: Restrained exposed a troubling pattern of misuse involving restraint chairs, reporting that has already led to policy changes, improved training, and, most importantly, saved lives. Each of these projects earned Peabody Awards. More importantly, each made a tangible difference in the communities they served. Those experiences shaped me in a lasting way. They defined my priorities when I became a News Director and continue to guide me today as a General Manager. Great journalism isn’t just about what we cover every day. It’s about having the courage, commitment, and support to go deeper when a story demands it. I’m immensely proud of these projects and incredibly grateful to the journalists who dedicated themselves to them. Their work is a reminder of what local journalism, at its best, can achieve.
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Paul Van Osdol liked thisPaul Van Osdol liked thisA new addition to add to the collection! Pinnacle Award 2024 UCB! Need another one for next year too!
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Paul Van Osdol liked thisPaul Van Osdol liked thisToday I’m thrilled to announce my next chapter as I leave behind a TV news career that spanned almost 30 years of telling the stories of Mid-Southerners. Starting March 24th, I’ll be sharing the stories of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in the role of Director of Strategic Communications! l am thrilled beyond words to be joining the communications team for Methodist Le Bonheur’s 6 incredible hospitals in the Memphis area. When deciding it was time to move on from local TV news, I knew I had to work for an organization whose mission I passionately believe in. Methodist Le Bonheur’s more than 100-year history in Memphis, not to mention its consistent ranking as one of the top 75 healthcare systems in the entire country, definitely qualifies. We are all fortunate to have Methodist Le Bonheur and their team of thoughtful professionals focused on providing quality, accessible and compassionate care to our community. Not just its many hospitals, outpatient facilities and minor medical clinics, but also initiatives such as “Healthier 901” - which is just one example of how MLH is invested in improving every life it touches. I can’t wait to tell the exciting stories coming out of this amazing healthcare system every day! My last day on ABC24 will be March 19th. Again, thank you for allowing me into your homes each night. Your support has meant so much!
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Paul Van Osdol liked thisPaul Van Osdol liked thisHonored to have received my fifth duPont-Columbia Award - and to be a voice for the voiceless.
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Paul Van Osdol liked thisPaul Van Osdol liked thisFinal Days bring big thoughts. More like they FORCE big thoughts. Work thoughts. As I step away from 40+ years in broadcasting – most in journalism as a reporter, then manager of newsrooms and news content, and finally as a GM and station team leader – I wonder what people, what energy & vibe, attitude and world view will replace the people, energy, attitude, morality that I have been saturated with over the decades. People like Brian Whittemore, Jeff Howlett, Arnie Rothschild, Mark Effron, Fred Young, David Barrett, Jim Hefner, Matthew Hilk, Marian Pitman, Bill Hoffman, Lorraine Simmons and others I am probably forgetting at this moment that I have been so very fortunate to have as advisors, mentors, co-conspirators and more - they have helped define and shape my worldview in some fashion for decades. Heaven help my wife Laurie, neighbors, friends and sons Nick & Alex as I search for new paths and sounding boards. But the wheel keeps on turning and it won’t slow down. I don’t consider this next step what it has been labeled – retirement, but rather, a rebirth of sorts. I won’t be living each day like it’s my last, but instead, like it’s my first. Sure, there’ll be less frenetic crazy and a different pace. More travel, fewer and different stresses. No middle of the night emergencies, hurricanes, planes falling from the skies. And after a still undetermined amount of time laying low skiing, biking, sleeping in, I intend to get back into what pushed me into this amazing career way back when – being creative, taking risks, trying new mediums, failing, succeeding and…I hope…having fun. I’ve got several potential books and a podcast rattling around in my brain – I plan on starting on those projects sometime in ’25. But before then, I’m gonna chill, take some time to appreciate what I have and who I have in my life and take a deep breath. I leave this current path and career in fine spirits and health. I love and am thankful for all that I’ve seen, produced, reported on and managed over the years – knowing full well some ventures have been amazing and others – not so much. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Honors & Awards
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George Foster Peabody Award
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Won Peabody Award for series of investigative stories about fire department response times
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National Headliner Award
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Won "Best of Show" in television for series of investigative stories on fire department response times
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Edward R. Murrow Award
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Recipient of 4 regional Murrow awards
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Emmy Award
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Won Mid-Atlantic Emmy awards in 2001, 2015, 2018 and 2019 for investigative and news feature stories.
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