Investigative Photojournalist

Chris Nelson is a twenty-year veteran at KXAN and a new addition to the station’s investigative team. A Texas native, Chris earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Houston and began his career in journalism at CNN in Atlanta. As part of a massive news gathering organization, Chris acquired a passion for visual storytelling covering breaking news and weather events, presidential campaigns, and the Persian Gulf War.

Chris brought that experience to KXAN where he’s covered several sessions of the Texas Legislature, breaking news and general assignments. Chris has worked frequently with the investigative team over the years, including its largest Catalyst project to-date – “Locked in Limbo” – which highlights mental competency challenges in Texas jails, “Mother’s Erased” – an investigation into maternal mortality rates in Texas – and “Pandemic Pass or Fail: Solutions for Education Equity” – a solutions journalism project focusing on the impact of the coronavirus on local school districts, teachers and students.

For his efforts, Chris has been honored with eight Emmys, three Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards and an Edward R. Murrow award. In his spare time, Chris likes to spend time with his family, ride his bike and enjoy everything the city of Austin has to offer.