IndyStar wins Indiana journalism awards: Check out some of our best work of 2024
IndyStar's coverage of sexual harassment in Indiana politics was recognized as one of the top investigative stories of 2024 at an annual competition honoring the state's best journalism.
Last year, IndyStar reporters reported on sexual misconduct allegations on three different elected or appointed officials in state and local government: state Rep. David Niezgodski, state Sen. Greg Taylor and Thomas Cook, former chief of staff to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. Taylor was removed from his position as the Senate Minority Leader, and in December, the Indiana Democratic Party created an ethics committee and adopted a new code of conduct.
Hayleigh Colombo, James Briggs, Tony Cook and Kayla Dwyer took home second place for A-Mark Investigative Story of the Year at the state's Society of Professional Journalists ceremony on May 2.
IndyStar also took home nine first-place awards in categories including sports reporting, environmental reporting and news photography:
Coverage of government or politics, for statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer's work, including stories about cuts to a family caregiver program and the gubernatorial race.
Coverage of children's issues, for reporting on failures in child welfare by Tony Cook and Caroline Beck.
Sports reporting, for Dana Hunsinger Benbow's coverage including stories about a dying 22-year-old's experience of watching the Final Four from the hospital and an FBI investigation at a racing facility.
Multiple picture group, for Mykal McEldowney's gallery of Avon High School's mascot.
Environmental reporting, for Karl Schneider's coverage of the beat, including stories about a new fish and wildlife area and the history of Indiana's buffalo.
News photography, for Christine Tannous' pictures showing the aftermath of a car crash that injured six children and two adults.
Newsletter, for the politics team's Checks and Balances.
Non-deadline story or series, for a story by politics editor Kaitlin Lange and Mirror Indy deputy managing editor Ryan Martin on a gubernatorial candidate's failure to repay $69 million of a development loan from the city of Indianapolis.
First Amendment award, for 20 media outlets including IndyStar that worked together to cover the trial of Richard Allen despite strict restrictions from the court.
Other top awards included:
Story of the year: Mirror Indy's Out of Options, by Mary Claire Malloy and Jenna Watson, which described firsthand accounts of widespread abuse and neglect at a mental health facility in Lawrence.
Journalist of the year: Indiana Capital Chronicle reporter Casey Smith, whose coverage of state politics and courts in 2024 included stories about Indiana's first execution in years and the felony arrest of congressional candidate Gabe Whitley.
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