Latest news with #JournalistoftheYear
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kentucky Lantern journalists win regional reporting awards
Kentucky Lantern reporters, from left, McKenna Horsley, Sarah Ladd and Liam Niemeyer won regional awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for reporting published in 2024. (Lantern photo) LOUISVILLE — Kentucky Lantern staff took home seven awards at the regional Society of Professional Journalists awards dinner, held Thursday in downtown Louisville. The awards were for 2024 reporting on government, health and energy issues in Kentucky. Sarah Ladd, the Lantern's health and policy reporter, won four awards — first place in the social justice reporting category and second place awards in feature writing, health reporting and government categories. 'I covered a lot I am proud of in 2024, including the stories I wrote about kinship care, mental health, a mobile maternal health clinic in Eastern Kentucky and more,' Ladd said. 'I'm excited and humbled to have that coverage recognized by my professional peers. I love the chance to continue telling important stories in my home state.' McKenna Horsley, the Lantern's politics and government reporter, won a second place award for her education reporting on the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. 'Louisville is home to some of Kentucky's brightest journalists and it's amazing to see the Lantern shining among them,' Horsley said. 'I am grateful to my sources, my readers and public records for making my reporting possible.' Liam Niemeyer, the Lantern's environment and energy reporter, won a second place award for his coverage of energy issues facing Eastern Kentucky. 'It's always an honor to have our work recognized, especially with all the talented journalists in Louisville,' Niemeyer said. Additionally, Tim Sullivan, one of the Lantern's freelance journalists, won first place in sports reporting. Lucas Aulbach of The Courier Journal won Journalist of the Year and Piper Hansen of Louisville Business First won Rookie of the Year. The Lantern, which launched on Nov. 30, 2022, is part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network and makes its work free to read and republish under a Creative Commons license. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Los Angeles Magazine Garners Four Nominations from L.A. Press Club
Los Angeles magazine writers Malina Saval (Editor-in-Chief of Pasadena magazine) and Lina Lecaro (Senior Editor, Los Angeles) scored three collective nominations for this year's LA Press Club's 67th annual SoCal Journalism Awards. Freelance contributor Jon Regardie also got a nod in the Political Commentary category for his piece Mark Ridley-Thomas Begins His Appeal, With an 'Army of Supporters Standing Behind Him. Lecaro, a veteran pop culture reporter and previous nominee/2nd place runner-up for Journalist of the Year (Newspapers, over 50,000 circulation) four years in a row, has also won three LAPC awards previously. This year, she is a finalist in the Criticism of Music category for her work in Los Angeles including live music reviews of Madonna at the Kia Forum, The Rolling Stones at SoFi Stadium and the No Values punk music festival. Saval, an award-winning journalist, author and editor who has revamped Pasadena since taking the helm in July 2023, is a finalist in Entertainment Commentary, Arts category for her essay, Boaz, Bruce and 'Born to Run, which focuses on her experience taking her autistic teenage son to his first Bruce Springsteen concert. Saval, who has earned several SoCal Journalism awards and National Arts and Entertainment Journalism awards, is also a finalist in the Culture News, Film/TV related category for her story, Hiding in Plain Sight: How the Academy Museum Relegated Hollywood's Jewish Founders to the Ghetto portions of which were quoted in the New York Times.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Free Press reporter named Journalist of the Year; newspaper nabs dozens of honors
The Detroit Free Press won dozens of honors this award season — including recognition twice-over for one reporter as Journalist of the Year and recognition yet again for a photojournalist as Photographer of the Year. The work honored was deemed by judges as 'top-notch' journalism that 'sears into the reader's mind,' showed 'immense dedication and doggedness,' and was done with 'nuance and care.' Most recently, the Free Press nabbed 16 first-place awards in categories including education, environment, health and government reporting on May 14 through the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The newspaper also earned eight first-place awards, including for sports writing, columns, podcasts and photojournalism on May 8 through the Michigan Press Association. Additionally, this year, the newspaper's journalists were honored with the National Headliner Awards for their reporting on disabilities, the advancement of justice, and opinion writing. "I continue to be exceedingly proud of the journalism produced by the Free Press newsroom," said Nicole Avery Nichols, editor and vice president of the Free Press. "Our work continues to be relevant and impactful — prompting action and inspiring hard conversations. "It feels good to see so many hardworking journalists be celebrated for operating in service of our communities." Criminal justice reporter Andrea Sahouri was named the Richard Milliman Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association Foundation. She also was named Young Journalist of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Bridge Michigan reporters Ron French and Robin Erb were named Journalists of the Year in that latter contest, with Free Press health reporter Kristen Jordan Shamus as a finalist in that category. Among Sahouri's notable works to secure her wins was coverage of accusations of racism by the private security police force at Detroit's iconic Renaissance Center. The day after her initial reporting, General Motors ordered those accused off their properties and later suspended the force's arrest powers. Lawsuits: White officers at RenCen have harassed, assaulted Black visitors for years More: Mother of 7-year-old girl attacked with knife in Detroit: 'Why did he aim for her?' One of the judges for the Milliman award, Magnus Wilson, called Sahouri's work 'highly incisive' in a news release. 'Ms. Sahouri cuts to the heart of some topics that we would rather not hear about but need to,' Wilson said. As previously reported, photojournalist Ryan Garza was named Photographer of the Year for the third consecutive year by the Michigan Press Photographers Association. Photojournalist Kimberly P. Mitchell placed second in the category. The National Center on Disability and Journalism awarded education equity reporter Lily Altavena a first-place Katherine Schneider Journalism Award for exposing how law enforcement is more frequently called to specialized schools with emotional impairment programs than nearby traditional schools. She also won first place for her education reporting through the Society of Professional Journalist's Detroit chapter, or SPJ Detroit. Reporter Keith Matheny and photojournalist Eric Seals were honored by SPJ Detroit with first place for environmental journalism that was described by judges as 'important and sobering.' Among their top works in 2024 was coverage of Canadian wildfires and how the smoke impacted the U.S. Investigative reporter Violet Ikonomova won first place for open government reporting through SPJ Detroit for her work covering nonfatal shootings by Detroit police. In a first-of-its-kind probe, she found more than a third of people shot nonfatally by police in a recent seven-year period either were not charged with a crime or not convicted of the conduct officers said prompted them to open fire. More: Nonfatal police shootings in Detroit: First-of-its-kind investigation raises questions More: Read all of the Free Press' recall investigation stories here Matthew Dolan, who has since departed the paper, also won first place for consumer/ watchdog reporting from SPJ Detroit for exposing how rarely dangerous defects on cars with recalls — particularly used cars — are being fixed. The work was described in the judge's comments as 'a useful public service announcement for consumers.' Health reporter Kristen Jordan Shamus won first place for health reporting through SPJ Detroit for an array of pieces, including stories on a young man's face transplant after a suicide attempt, the impact of avian flu, and how a mass shooting in the state impacted the ER doctors who treated the victims. Free Press staff won first place in community/ local news reporting from SPJ Detroit for its coverage of the war in Gaza through the eyes of the large Arab American and Jewish communities in metro Detroit. The newspaper also won first place through the Michigan Press Association, or MPA, for its special section on the reopening of Michigan Central Station in Detroit's Corktown. Investigative reporter Dave Boucher and reporter Darcie Moran were among the winners of the Wade H. McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice sponsored by the Michigan Press Association. The pair were honored for a series of stories on judicial accountability that showed Michigan judges are rarely held publicly accountable for misconduct, are more likely to receive private scoldings, and are impacted by the live streaming of court hearings. More: Visitors from Norway, fan pages, gifts: How judges' online fame affects Michigan courts Reporter Tresa Baldas won first place in news enterprise reporting from MPA for her coverage of the court cases of the gunman in the Oxford High School shooting and his parents. Columnist John Carlisle added to his slew of National Headliner Awards, winning first place for feature writing. Judges' comments in particular noted his pieces on a dying teen, a hidden library in the woods of the Upper Peninsula, and a mysterious hose in a 'ghost town.' They described his stories as 'beautifully written' work that 'transports his readers.' He also took home both first and second place for feature stories through MPA. More: Hidden library in U.P. woods reveals innermost thoughts of visitors More: Michigan woman shot in face as teen recounts chilling details of stepdad's murderous rage Columnist Jeff Seidel won first place in feature writing through SPJ Detroit for his series on a gun violence survivor's journey. The Free Press won first place in editorial writing through SPJ Detroit for the work of editorial page editor Nancy Kaffer and deputy editorial page editor Khalil AlHajal. AlHajal was also honored in the same contest with first place for general column writing, with the judge's comments noting that he brought 'insider insights and passion to the Gaza War, which was hugely important to Michigan and the 2024 presidential choice.' More: Opinion: At my Arab American parents' dinner table, debating the Trump-Harris ballot Investigative columnist M.L. Elrick, who previously won the Pulitzer Prize, has been named a finalist for excellence in opinion writing nationally through the Scripps Howard Journalism Awards. He also won best columnist through MPA. Dining and restaurant critic Lyndsay C. Green, a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist and current nominee for a James Beard Media Award, was awarded first place for criticism through SPJ Detroit for her food and cultural criticism. The Free Press had already won a slew of sports reporting honors this year, with photojournalist Junfu Han, columnist Seidel and the whole team being recognized as Top 10 in multiple categories of the Associated Press Sports Editors awards. On top of that, Lions beat reporter Dave Birkett recently won first place in sports reporting through SPJ Detroit for his 'punchy writing with strong images and no wasted words,' judges said. He also won first place in sports writing through MPA. Seidel won first place for sports column writing through SPJ Detroit, and sports columnist Shawn Windsor won second place in the category through MPA. As previously reported, Free Press photojournalists won 20 awards through the Michigan Press Photographers Association and photojournalist David Rodriguez Muñoz won first place in the general news story category for the National Press Photographers Association. More recently, photojournalist Kimberly Mitchell won first place in feature photography through SPJ Detroit, with the judge's comment highlighting her ability to capture a fleeting moment of schoolchildren catching snowflakes on their tongues. She also won first place for her news photo of flooding on Interstate 275 through MPA. Photojournalist Ryan Garza won first place in news photography through SPJ Detroit for his work capturing images of arrests during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Michigan. More: See Free Press photographers' winning photos from MPPA conference The Free Press won best podcast through MPA for its series 'Where Secrets Go To Die: The Disappearance of Derrick Henagan,' which explores an Upper Peninsula missing person case and questions around Michigan State Police. More: Where Secrets Go To Die: The Disappearance of Derrick Henagan The podcast also earned national recognition, nabbing third place in the National Headliner Awards for a digital criminal justice and/or crime podcast. The Free Press won first place for digital presentation through MPA and swept SPJ Detroit's headline writing category, with web editor Tanya Wildt nabbing first. Deputy sports editor Ryan Ford won first place for sports page design and third place for page one design through SPJ Detroit. He also won second place for best page design through MPA for the October 2023 farewell to Detroit Tigers' great Miguel Cabrera and third place for special section design for the Free Press' preview of the Lions' 2023 season. Former Free Press journalists Alex Cruden, Kirthmon F. Dozier, Daymon J. Hartley, Dorothy Jurney, Keith Owens and David Zeman were among those inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. Additionally, Free Press team members won numerous other second-, third- and fourth-place awards in the contests for work on topics, including EVs, eviction, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy embezzlement scandal and personal finance. Among these wins were two runners-up for the Sojourner Truth Award — reporter Niraj Warikoo and contributing columnist Darren Nichols — for work exposing bias and addressing racial justice. Lansing bureau chief Paul Egan also was a runner-up for an MPA public service award for his coverage of the Flint water crisis 10 years later. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Free Press honored for watchdog, education, sports reporting and more
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's most talented young journalists celebrated at awards
IRELAND'S potential future media stars were praised at this year's annual Young Journalist Ireland Awards. The winners of the Young Journalist Ireland awards, run by NewsBrands Ireland, were announced at a ceremony in the Aviva Stadium, celebrating the outstanding work of secondary school students across the country. Prizes were awarded across five categories: Features, Opinion, Sports Journalism, Photojournalism, and School Newspaper. The Student Journalist of the Year went to Grace Callaghan of Pobalscoil na Trionoide, Youghal, Co Cork. The Christians Chronicle from Christian Brothers College, Cork won school newspaper and the Opinion category went to Tara Walsh of Salerno Secondary School in Galway. Jessica Murphy of St Mary's Secondary in Macroom, Co Cork won Sports Journalist. And Anna Lohunova from St Clare's Comprehensive, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim won for Photojournalism. The Overall Student Journalist of the Year 2025 was awarded to Grace Callaghan of Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork for her courageous and deeply personal feature recounting her journey through scoliosis diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. Speaking about her winning piece, Chair of the Judging Panel and Business Post Editor Daniel McConnell said: 'Grace Callaghan demonstrated an ability to write a truly evocative piece about wrestling with preconceptions around body image and seeing scars not as imperfections but as symbols of resilience in the face of adversity.' The winning judges' citation reead: This year's winning feature is a courageous and deeply personal journey through scoliosis diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. "This piece stands out for its ability to reframe a medical condition not as a limitation but as an opportunity for growth. "Grace challenges societal ideals of perfection and instead offers a powerful message: that scars, far from being blemishes, are markers of survival, strength, and authenticity. Her story does not just inform—it uplifts and empowers." Now in its 13th year and formerly known as Press Pass, the Young Journalist Ireland programme reaches over 10,000 Transition Year students annually. The initiative is designed to build media literacy skills, foster critical thinking, and inspire the next generation of journalists. Students learn to assess sources, identify misinformation, and create their own journalism, guided by professional journalists and editors. Young Journalist Ireland Awards 2025 – Winners Overall Student Journalist of the YearGrace Callaghan, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork School Newspaper1st Place: Christians Chronicle, Christian Brothers College, Cork2nd Place: Woodbrook Word, Woodbrook College, Bray, Co. Wicklow3rd Place: Pressing Matters, Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, Co. Kerry Opinion1st Place: Tara Walsh, Salerno Secondary School, Galway2nd Place: Daisy Braithwaite, Friends' School, Lisburn3rd Place: Leah Vance, Our Lady's Secondary School, Terenure Sports Journalism1st Place: Jessica Murphy, St Mary's Secondary School, Macroom, Co. Cork2nd Place: Claire Harty, Salesian College, Limerick3rd Place: Ava Ashman, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork Features1st Place: Grace Callaghan, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork2nd Place: Vikoriia Sydorova, Elphin Community College, Co. Roscommon3rd Place: Rachel Twomey, St Mary's Secondary School, Macroom, Co. Cork 1st Anna Lohunova, St. Clare's Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim 2ndEimear Carey, St. Aloysius' College, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork 3rd Grace Callaghan, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Indiana Capital Chronicle takes home awards for top journalist, best website
Senior Reporters Whitney Downard, left, and Casey Smith hold the Indiana Capital Chronicle's seven awards following a Society of Professional Journalists banquet on May 2, 2025. (Submitted photo) The Indiana Capital Chronicle took home seven awards from the Society of Professional Journalists' annual Indiana chapter banquet Friday evening — including a top recognition for Senior Reporter Casey Smith, who was honored as the Journalist of the Year. SPJ board members cited Smith's accomplishments as an education writer while announcing the award, as well as her investigative work into Jamey Noel, a disgraced former sheriff now serving time in prison for misusing public funds for private gain. Judges also recognized Smith as likely being the first reporter to witness a state execution. Smith earned the trust of Joseph Cochran's defense team and was invited as part of Cochran's personal guest list. That work earned Smith — and ICC Editor-in-Chief Niki Kelly — a first-place nod in the criminal justice category. Kelly has covered Cochran's case since the beginning, when she was a courts reporter with the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Smith also won a second-place finish for her environmental reporting on a 2024 bill seeking to exempt certain products from being defined as toxic PFAs 'forever chemicals.' The ICC's four-person team won five other awards on Friday, including first place for best journalism website and third place for the publication's daily newsletter, Fast Break. Senior Reporter Whitney Downard nabbed a first-place win for her personality profile of Abbey Hall, a Hoosier who traveled to Illinois for an abortion after learning her daughter would be born with a detrimental birth defect. Downard also won second place in the Medical and Science Reporting category for her story about transportation troubles for adult day care recipients following a transition to managed care. To see a full list of nominees, visit SPJ's website. Winners were simultaneously announced on SPJ's X account. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
