Brian Dugger is an investigative reporter for WTOL 11, using what he learned from a line of talented Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists while working at the Toledo Blade for more than 20 years.

During his first year at WTOL, Brian conducted a months-long investigation into the wrongful conviction claims of two inmates. His investigation resulted in two key witnesses recanting, on camera, their original stories to police. The case also revealed the wide-disparity in appointed counsel ”caps”  between counties. As a result of his story, multiple counties adjusted their schedules. He also received multiple awards for his coverage of residents’ battles with a nuisance landfall, a cold case involving the disappearance of a single mother on a cruise, and the dangers of pedicle screws in spinal surgeries. At The Blade, he investigated a potential cancer cluster and uncovered the history of a veteran’s ashes abandoned in a storage unit. As a result, the ashes were buried with honors and after a community parade to the cemetery. He was also an editorial board member, where he wrote extensively about the opioid epidemic and championed the need for universal preschool. Journalism has been a passion for him since learning to read by poring over newspaper stories about his beloved Cleveland Indians as a child. He graduated from Bowling Green State University after interning at the BG News and El Pais in Madrid. Some may consider Toledo, Ohio, a small market, but there are always personal stories to tell and politicians who will need to be held accountable for their actions. To see “Guilty Without Proof,” please see here. 

Due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in accordance with health guidance from the CDC and WHO, we regret to inform you that the 2020 Innocence Network Conference, scheduled to take place at the Hyatt Regency Chicago March 27-28, has been cancelled. 

We know how much this gathering means to all of us, and a tremendous amount of thought and preparation has gone into planning the event. Deciding to cancel this year’s conference was an incredibly difficult decision that we have agonized over at length. However, the health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance and we are operating out of an abundance of caution. We are so very sorry for the disappointment that we know this announcement will cause. 

All conference registrations will be cancelled by the Network Support Unit and registration fees will all be refunded automatically. Once your registration is cancelled, you will receive an email confirming that it’s been done and any fees refunded. Currently, all tickets have been cancelled and all refunds have been processed. Please reach out to the Network Support Unit if otherwise. 

 We urge you to cancel your hotel rooms directly through the Hyatt Regency in Chicago and request a flight change/refund at your earliest convenience. Hotel and flight reservations must be cancelled directly by you; the Network Support Unit cannot cancel these on your behalf. Please keep an eye on our website for any additional information and please feel free to reach out with any specific questions or concerns. Though I know how tough it will be to not be together at the conference this year, my hope is that it will make next year’s conference (April 16-17, 2021 in Phoenix, AZ) all the more special.

Please note that the NACDL conference, taking place on Thursday, March 26, has also been cancelled. For more information regarding this, please visit the NACDL website. For specific questions in concerns pertaining NACDL, please connect with Vanessa Antoun.