Brittany Johnson

Emmy award-winning journalist Brittany Johnson joined WCVB Channel 5’s market-leading investigative unit, 5 Investigates, in June 2023. One of the most lauded investigative teams in the country, Brittany works alongside fellow 5 Investigates reporters Karen Anderson and Mike Beaudet.

A skilled investigative journalist, Brittany made the move to Boston from Hearst Television’s KCRA in Sacramento, CA where she served as an investigative reporter and primary fill-in anchor since September 2020.

While at KCRA, Brittany’s continuing coverage of failures by California’s Employment Development Department exposed abuses of the unemployment benefit system and a backlog in jobless and disability claims. The investigative team’s reporting, of what many called the worst fraud in the state’s history, led to changes in the legislature and rectified claims for numerous Californians. In another investigation, Brittany exposed fraud problems with the state’s Middle Class Tax Refund program. She also uncovered unsubstantiated medical bills resulting in the review of pricing practices and reversal of some charges. In addition, Brittany pushed Pacific Gas & Electric for answers about thousands of aging wood power poles at potential risk of failing from hidden dry rot, including some in high fire-threat areas.

Prior to KCRA, Brittany was an investigative reporter and anchor at KTVX in Salt Lake City, UT where she worked with Utah’s Attorney General and the U.S. Marshals Office to give viewers unprecedented access into human trafficking and child sex crimes plaguing the state. Some of Brittany’s work has led to legislative change. She discovered that Utah’s constitution still allowed slavery as a form of punishment. After Brittany broke the news, Utah State Representative Sandra Hollins immediately filed a bill to remove the wording from the state’s constitution. Through dogged determination, Brittany’s reporting led to a referendum on the November 2020 ballot and an amendment to the state constitution.

Before KTVX, Brittany was a news assistant and guest booker at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles, CA. During her time there, Brittany also worked as an investigative field producer, helping to expose government corruption and wasteful spending of taxpayer money.

Brittany recently received two 2023 Northern California Area Emmy® Awards, one for Breaking/Spot News – Multiple Reports, and the other for Politics/Government – News or Long Form Content. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and graduated from California State University-Northridge with a degree in broadcast journalism.

Originally from San Diego, Brittany is excited to call Boston home. She enjoys trying new restaurants, attending sporting events, exploring the outdoors, and above all, spending time with family.