Robert Arnold is an Emmy award winning investigative journalist who joined the Local 2 family in July 2000.

His thorough, diligent investigations have earned Arnold the honor of being named the "Best Reporter" in Texas four times -- twice by the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters, once by the Houston Press Club and once by the Headliners Foundation of Texas.

Arnold's work covers a range of issues from transportation to the environment to exposing corruption and waste in government. Arnold's work in these areas prompted changes in the law both locally and nationally.

Some of Arnold's recent work includes a yearlong investigation into the standards and enforcement of the commercial trucking industry -- an investigation that exposed flaws in both the licensing and drug testing of new drivers.

Nationwide changes were also made after Arnold uncovered how crane operators were routinely violating safety standards when working near power lines. This work earned him one of two Gavel Awards from the State Bar of Texas. His first Gavel Award came after a series of reports exposed how questionable evidence led to a botched gang task force drug raid.

Arnold was also honored by the national Mothers Against Drunk Driving Association after exposing a loophole in the law that allowed drunken drivers to avoid serious charges by not having their blood drawn following serious accidents.

On the state level, Arnold's investigation into the Texas Lottery exposed how lottery winners were being denied valid prize claims and how the Lottery Commission would continue selling tickets for scratch-off games even after all the top prizes had been won. This work prompted the Lottery Commission to change the way ticket validations are handled by local retailers and ended the practice of continuing to sell scratch-off tickets for games where all the top prizes had already been collected.

State law was also changed after Arnold's investigation into the sexual assault of elderly woman exposed how many nursing homes were not conducting proper background checks on employees.

Arnold's expose of waste in the Houston Fire Department and the questionable work ethic of a top city official also earned him two Emmy awards.

Arnold was also the lead reporter for a team that covered a series of acid attacks on several Houston abortion clinics. This work led to a national Edward R. Murrow award.

His six-month long investigation into the treatment of mentally ill Harris County residents won the Mental Health America's National Media Award and the Harris County Medical Society's Award of Excellence.

In addition to investigative reporting, Arnold has been dispatched to cover nearly two dozen tropical storms and hurricanes hitting the United States and Mexico.

Arnold is definitely a local boy. He graduated from the University of Houston before obtaining his first job in radio as a police beat reporter at KNUZ/KQUE radio. From there, Arnold moved onto KTRH radio as a police beat and investigative reporter before coming to Local 2.

Arnold is a long-time member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. He is also a volunteer for Taping for the Blind Houston.

Aside from his passion for journalism Arnold enjoys working out, reading (horror is his favorite genre) and watching movies. His guilty pleasure -- video games. "Yes, part of me is still 12 years old," he said.

If you would like to e-mail Robert, drop him a line at rarnold@click2houston.com.