Nathan O'Neal
Nathan O’Neal is an award-winning investigative reporter at FOX 9. He joined the FOX 9 Investigators in September 2021 to focus on in-depth and accountability journalism.
Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, Nathan worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico at KOB-TV. He was named a 2020 National Health Journalism Fellow with the University of Southern California’s Center for Health Journalism. During his time in New Mexico, Nathan produced a news documentary highlighting the disparities on the Navajo Nation at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. His reporting was recognized with a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. His investigations also exposed widespread failures within New Mexico’s police oversight agency which led to ongoing efforts to overhaul how it handles police misconduct investigations.
Nathan also reported in Las Vegas, Nevada at KSNV. He was among the first reporters on the ground during the Las Vegas mass shooting – and his reporting was recognized with both a Regional Murrow award and Emmy award. Later that year he would also cover the Vegas Golden Knights’ historic run to the Stanley Cup Final and lead coverage of the state’s launch of recreational marijuana.
Nathan got his professional start at KVOA in Tucson, Ariz., shortly after graduating college. He graduated in 2012 with a combined Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Master of Mass Communication degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. A documentary he produced about immigration and borderland issues in the Dominican Republic was honored with a Robert F. Kennedy Award in Journalism. He also spent time in Washington, D.C. interning with ABC’s "This Week with Christiane Amanpour." He is an alumnus of the Institute on Political Journalism.
Nathan grew up in the small mining community of Globe, Arizona. He’s a ‘pretty decent’ cook, can make homemade tortillas and can be found exploring the outdoors with his very needy beagle Vosot.
The latest from Nathan O'Neal
Teacher sex abuse cases expose 'flaw' in how Minnesota schools report misconduct
Advocates for victims of sexual abuse say a teacher’s recent arrest is now exposing a flaw in the state’s mandated reporting requirements.
Supreme Court to consider Biden 'ghost guns' rule as charges surge
The U.S. Supreme Court announced this week it will consider whether the Biden administration has the authority to regulate ghost guns.
Smelling weed allowed police to search your car in Minnesota. Not anymore.
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently ruled that the smell of marijuana alone is no longer enough to search someone’s car.
22 Minnesota communities impacted by new PFAS drinking water limits
The Environmental Protection Agency announced today the first ever nationwide standard for PFAS chemicals in the country’s drinking water. It’s a move that the White House says will save tens of thousands of lives.
Minnesota capped loan interest rates but some banks still charge 150%
Loan documents and corporate financial records reviewed by the FOX 9 Investigators show companies are regularly charging triple-digit interest rates. One loan came with a rate of nearly 350%.
Burnsville gunman wanted his firearm rights restored. This is why the system blocked him
Shannon Gooden desperately wanted a gun. Years before he shot and killed three Burnsville first responders, Gooden argued for the court to lift his lifetime ban on owning firearms.
Minnesota Marijuana: Inside the emerging world of homegrown weed
A bookshelf covers an entire wall in Bob Walloch’s Minneapolis home. From floor to ceiling, it’s filled with popular novels, art pieces and family photos. However, with one swift pull, Walloch reveals a hidden passageway to his personal crop of homegrown marijuana.
Fake reviews? Minnesota dentist’s 5-star ratings under investigation
The flurry of five-star reviews and vaguely written comments seemed too good to be true.
Minneapolis PD has paid $300K to confidential informants but how reliable are they?
The use of confidential informants by the Minneapolis Police Department is a program that operates largely in secret. The FOX 9 Investigators have learned MPD has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to confidential informants in recent years. However, it’s unclear how effective and reliable they are.
More than 140 lakes, rivers and streams in Minnesota had fish contaminated with forever chemicals
At least 148 lakes, rivers and streams in Minnesota were found to have had fish contaminated with so-called forever chemicals, according to state testing data obtained by the FOX 9 Investigators.