KUSI’s Michael Turko retires after 20 years

After 20 years of brilliant investigative journalism for KUSI-TV, Michael Turko is calling it a career. The complete last “Turko Files” can be seen here.

Over the last two decades, Turko has stood up for the little guy. Turko helped thousands of San Diegans stand up to government overreach and large corporations who wrongly used their power. You can watch all the past “Turko Files” by clicking here.

Turko publicly announced his retirement via twitter saying, “After almost 20 years I am retiring from KUSI-TV and the news business this coming Friday. It’s been a great run! San Diego is a truly great place! I will miss it all, but it is time for me to move on. My final report will air Thursday at 10pm. Thank you and God bless you all!”

Michael Turko attached a photo of the letter he hand delivered to the owner of KUSI-TV and McKinnon Broadcasting, Michael D. McKinnon. Turko wrote,

“This letter will confirm our recent discussions about my retirement. As I mentioned, I will be leaving the best job I have ever had and look back very fondly on almost 20 years of employment at KUSI-TV. After a lot of reflection my wife and I have decided it is time for us to move on to a new chapter in our lives. I can’t say enough about the support and encouragement I have received from KUSI management through the years, and want to especially thank both Mike McKinnons and News Director Steve Cohen for nurturing my career and supporting the evolution of the Turko Files. Together we made a real impact on the San Diego community and the surrounding area, and have brought positive change to uncounted organizations, families and individuals through the years. I will genuinely miss San Diego and the KUSI family. I’m proud to have been part of this organization, and believe that it is the finest proudly independent television station in America. I trust you will find a way to carry on the Turko Files tradition, while maintaining the strong streak of solid community reporting you are so well known for. I don’t seek and special accolades or public recognition for my years of service. I feel my body of work speaks for itself, and have been showered with gratitude many times by the people we have helped. That is truly the best reward I could ask for. Please accept my resignation effective March 23, 2018. Again, I can’t thank you enough for the tremendous opportunity you provided me so many years ago when I accepted your offer to become part of the McKinnon Broadcasting team. Very Sincerely, Michael Turko”

After almost 20 years I am retiring from KUSI-TV and the news business this coming Friday. It’s been a great run! San Diego is a truly great place! I will miss it all, but it is time for me to move on. My final report will air Thursday at 10pm. Thank you and God bless you all! pic.twitter.com/ztCXJGel4N — Michael Turko (@turkofiles) March 20, 2018

Below are a few “Turko Files” memories.

Turko’s hunt for the worst street in town:

Turko Files music video:

Lil Turko – A young student imitates Turko’s style for a school project