Elliott Davis has distinguished himself as the investigative reporter for FOX 2’s You Paid For It, KTVI’s popular ongoing investigations into government waste in our area and one of the area’s longest-running franchises.
Elliott has questioned officials from mayors to governors to presidents in search of answers. Elliott also co-anchors evening newscasts on FOX 2 on Saturday and Sunday.
His diverse career path led him to FOX 2 in May 1980, when he joined the station as a weekend writer/editor. He was selling newspaper advertising for the Suburban Journal newspapers before that.
Elliott’s You Paid For It series has made him a champion of the underdog and taxpayers in our area. His hard-hitting investigations have brought about many changes such as:
- Helped spark the Missouri legislature and governor to overhaul vehicle emissions testing program to make it easier for motorists.
- Prompted Illinois to pass legislation signed by the over to outlaw the towing laws that were a burden on drivers especially low-income drivers who often lost their vehicles due to high towing fees.
- Led Missouri Department of Education to dissolve Wellston School District in St. Louis County and terminate the school board and superintendent. All this was to increase the educational opportunities of kids in the school district in the impoverished community
- Led Illinois education department to dissolve Venice School District and fire the school board. A new system led to improved learning for kids.
- Led HUD to $7 million government takeover and renovation of troubled St. Charles Public Housing Complex as a result property values of neighboring subdivisions began to rise again.
- Led to massive St. Louis city government plan to tear down unsafe buildings that children in the neighborhood were playing near.
- Led Missouri attorney general to file civil and criminal cases against tow company operator with contracts to tow cars for north county police departments. That tow operator later went to federal prison for 10 years.
- Led to the ouster of numerous officials misspending public funds.
While these are some of the major success stories there are many smaller injustices that have been righted as a result of You Paid For It probes.
Elliott has received numerous awards for his efforts and was inducted into the Regional Emmy’s Silver Circle in 2018. He won the Regional Murrow Award for Excellence in Social Media in 2019 for his work covering the plight of the homeless.
Elliott’s hard work and commitment to excellence in broadcasting were recognized in 2002 with an Emmy Award for the best investigative report, and the St. Louis Black Journalism awards for best television series in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Elliott has received numerous nominations for Emmy Awards. He is a past winner of the Illinois Broadcaster’s Award and is a past recipient of the National Black Journalist award for best television series.
A native St. Louisan, Elliott attended Vashon High School and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Want to send me a news tip? E-mail: elliott.davis@tvstl.com
