Ryan Raiche
“I work tirelessly to find the truth, expose the wrong, and – with a little luck – stumble upon a solution that could change some minds or maybe even lives.”
Ryan Raiche joined KSTP-TV as an investigative reporter in June of 2017. His TV career started at 9&10 News in northern Michigan and included a stop at ABC Action News in Tampa, Florida.
How did Ryan get here?
I ended up in journalism by accident. Back when I was a senior in high school I convinced the program director at my local radio station in northern Michigan that I had the swagger to be a DJ on the 100-thousand watt, top-40 station. (Narrator: he didn’t.)
But I was hired anyways to play the hits and give the weather every 20 minutes. Never news. Except one night — the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003. My fellow DJ ran in the studio and said we have to break in with this breaking news. I was transfixed by the gravity of the moment. And that’s when I knew what I wanted to do with my life.
Fast forward almost 20 years: I no longer have the request lines open — but I now get the thrill of breaking news and see the impact of accountability journalism.
I feel like my job is more important than ever before. While constantly battling the stain of disinformation, it’s our responsibility to expose wrongdoing and hold powerful people accountable. Whether it’s revealing a pattern of excessive force at a police department, exposing a pattern of misconduct at the state’s largest railroad, communities are counting on us whether they’re willing to admit it or not.
Highlights and Accolades
By the very nature of our job, journalists are a witness to history. These moments are memorable for a variety of reasons – some are tragic and awful, others make you smile even years later when you share with friends at a dinner party.
Some of the most memorable stories I’ve covered include the murder of George Floyd, and the tear gas and pepper spray we endured to cover the civil unrest that followed. I was one of the first reporters to arrive after a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. We spent a full week on scene telling the stories of heartbroken loved ones and the heroic actions of first responders and total strangers.
The most rewarding stories are the ones that lead to change or have real impact. My investigative series on police car chases led to several departments in Minnesota changing their policies. Our eye-opening reporting from Philadelphia alerted Minnesotan’s on the alarming next phase of the fentanyl crisis.
I have been honored with numerous awards over the years from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Associated Press, and the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Emmy’s.
Personal Interests
I grew up in Petoskey, Michigan and later graduated from Central Michigan University with a focus on broadcasting. When I’m not on a hot story I’m probably either on the golf course or spending time with my family.