Person of Interest

A Typical Day in the life of an Investigative Journalist

Heather covering the 2019 North American International Auto Show Charity Preview. Photo credit: John Martin

But wait—there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ in the life of member Heather Catallo. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

By Past Commodore James L. Ramsey

Standing nearly six feet tall, with a cascade of blonde hair and an elegant Roman nose, she would be a standout in any setting. But Heather Catallo’s claim to distinction goes far beyond that. For more than 20 years now, she has excelled in a mostly male profession where perseverance, doggedness and a tough skin are prerequisites of the trade.

As an investigative reporter for WXYZ Channel 7 Action News, Heather’s job is to focus her journalistic spotlight on issues of every sort so people like us, watching from the comfort of our homes, can know the truth about what’s going on in metro Detroit. The backdrop for her work is often an array of raw images: flooded shorelines, burned-out buildings, pad-locked factories, prison walls and drug-riddled neighborhoods. By her own admission, her job is tough, sometimes chaotic, and she works at it seven days a week. Her task is often difficult because of widespread public disdain for the media.

“Some people hate us,” she says flatly. “It can be scary, even dangerous.”

Even so, her incisive reporting has reformed laws, brought criminals to bay, unseated corrupt public officials and helped everyday citizens prevail over bureaucratic indifference and civil incompetence. In return, Heather has earned some of her profession’s highest honors: no less than 13 EMMYs, a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and the duPontColumbia Award, said to be the most prestigious prize in all of broadcast journalism, the broadcast equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. In 2013, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters named her Reporter of the Year. She also won the ROY award three times previously, in 2010, 2009 and 2007.

So what is this intrepid crusader like in person? Answer: About as pleasant and down to earth as one could imagine. Forthcoming. A ready laugh. And laser focused. Heather was born in Detroit at Grace Hospital, attended Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills and earned her first paying job in broadcast at 16. By watching “Today” host Jane Pauley, she knew from an early age that there was a place in the world for women broadcasters, and she was determined to be one of them. A motivated Heather enrolled in what is one of the country’s top schools of journalism, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Her career focus and willingness to work soon paid off, and she was hired while still a student by NPR (National Public Radio) to anchor one of their radio newscasts. Heather’s performance was well-

work on the probate court system in Southeast Michigan is her most important. Heather’s investigation revealed major corruption in the system, which allowed predators to steal the estates of deceased owners from their intended heirs. Because of her diligence, three public officials were ousted and the state law was changed. From there, Heather focused on lax probate court guardians and conservators who arbitrarily and unfairly removed vulnerable adults from their families. After a First Amendment court fight, Heather’s side prevailed and her stories reunited several families.

Despite a work schedule that requires covering as many as three stories a day, Heather and her photographer are it. She has no staff, no researchers, no producers. She does all her own background work, all her own fact-checking and assembles her interviewees. She writes her own stories, attends to her own makeup and wardrobe, and delivers all that in front of the camera.

received, and upon graduation she was hired as a reporter by CBS affiliate television station KREMTV in Spokane, Washington.

“It was a great experience because I got to cover stories that were unique to the region -- stories I’ll probably never cover again – military deployments, wildfires, an avalanche, even a serial killer,” she recalls.

Heather moved back to the Detroit area two years later as a 23-year-old reporter for WXYZ. Once again, she clicked with her employer. “I was fortunate to have a boss who saw that I would go the extra distance to get the true story,” she says. “I never really thought of being an investigative reporter, I just sort of fell into it. But I was always willing to dig a little deeper, like go to the courthouse to find a document, to take things to the next level.”

Of all the stories she has covered, she believes her The bane of Heather’s existence is the misperception of her profession, due in no small part to social media. “We as professionals are heavily trained to

A typical day (continued)

be ethical, to be fair, to be thorough, to get every side to the story before it airs,” Heather says. “If I’m going to say something, it has to be true. Otherwise, it doesn’t go on the air.” To that end, she can spend an entire day trying to phrase one sentence because of the way it will impact a story. Unfortunately, that level of caring doesn’t occur everywhere, so all journalism gets tarred with the same brush.

Heather, who lives in Grosse Pointe Farms, became a GPYC member over 10 years ago. She saw the Club as a place to dine, relax by the pool and be with friends, of course, but also as a place where her daughter Addison, now 14 and the center of her off-camera life, could learn to play tennis and swim competitively. Another interest the daughter has apparently inherited from her mom is a flair for the stage. Before theatre closings were mandated by the pandemic, she won a spot as an orphan in the cast of “Annie,” performed by the Grosse Pointe Theatre, where she is said to have performed like a trouper. Heather was in attendance for nearly every rehearsal. And according to her, Addison is now quite interested in the theatre, perhaps even as a profession.

So this is Heather Catallo: award-winning journalist, devoted mother, GPYC member and all-around good person. Think of that the next time you turn on Channel 7 Action News and see her delivering a report.

Whatever the topic, you know Heather is doing her best to tell it straight.