Karen Hensel is joining the team at NECN and NBC Boston as an investigative reporter, New England One has learned.
"One of the priorities for our newsroom is to build an investigative and consumer unit that will help distinguish us from the broadcast competition in the market" NBC said in an announcement.
Most recently, Karen had been an anchor and chief investigative reporter at WISH CW 8 in Indianapolis, IN for almost 14 years. She left in January 2015 shortly after the station lost its affiliation with CBS.
During her career, Karen has won many broadcasting honors, including multiple Emmy awards, two Peabody awards, the first Robert Wood Johnson Medical Peabody award, and a national Edward R. Murrow Award.
"I've spent my career with one goal: hold the powerful accountable, change laws and change lives, empower viewers" Karen said in a statement.
"I've covered investigations all over the globe, including covering U.S. troops in Baghdad, Balad and Fallujah in Iraq, going to New York on 9/11 and anti-terrorist training with weapons of mass destruction including live VX nerve agent and Sarin gas" she said.
Karen, the daughter of a U.S. Marine, documented concerns about the traumatic brain injuries caused by the blast impact of roadside bombs while in Iraq. The report prompted change: Marines issuing protective helmet padding.
Locally, Karen's investigation into arsenic-tainted wood used to build decks and playgrounds prompted national legislation to keep families safer. Her bullying investigation went undercover to school playgrounds across Central Indiana and brought about statewide changes to protect children with a new bullying law.
Prior to working at WISH, Karen was a reporter at WANE CBS 15 in Fort Wayne, IN.
Karen is a graduate of Purdue University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in radio and television. She starts at NECN/NBC Boston this summer.
