PITTSBURGH -- WTAE Channel 4 is honored with the IRE Medal, the highest honor bestowed for investigative reporting. Channel 4 Action News joins other 2007 IRE winners: The New York Times, The Washington Post and MSNBC. WTAE Channel 4 is the only television station to receive a medal.

In 2007, Channel 4 Action News exposed how PHEAA, Pennsylvania's state-run student loan agency, cost taxpayers more than $1 million in frivolous spending. The station's efforts were praised by decision-makers in Harrisburg forcing substantive changes in PHEAA personnel and polices.

IRE judges said, "Investigative reporter Jim Parsons pushed open the front door of a closed government agency, PHEAA, Pennsylvania's state-run student loan agency, revealing glaring examples of wasteful and abusive spending of taxpayer money. Travel documents revealed bureaucrats spent thousands of dollars on items and services such as tuxedo rentals, alcohol, flower arrangements, NFL tickets, aromatherapy massages and greens fees. Some employees ended up having to reimburse expenditures after Parsons' stories aired. Parsons took his advocacy on behalf of open records beyond reporting. He organized the first of four statewide forums on the Pennsylvania's Open Records Act and has been instrumental in obtaining legislative support in behalf of a new state Right to Know law."

"This solid, groundbreaking journalism is the sort of work we all dream of accomplishing in our careers. We were able to deliver culture-changing reporting of which we can be forever proud, thanks to Jim's hard work, support inside the station and Hearst-Argyle," said WTAE Channel 4 News Director Bob Longo.

Formed in 1975, Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting worldwide.

Earlier this month, Channel 4 Action News won a National Headliner Award for the same investigative story.