Report for America corps members are producing award-winning journalism in newsrooms across the country. These are just a few examples.
Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting
Michelle Liu, Associated Press, won the Shorenstein Center’s Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting for her contribution to Mississippi Today’s investigation into the state’s penal system, “Think debtors prisons are a thing of the past? Not in Mississippi.”
National Press Foundation Poverty and Inequality Awards
Amelia Ferrell Knisely, Mountain State Spotlight, won the National Press Foundation’s Poverty and Inequality award for best reporting from a small newsroom for her story, “School’s back, but hunger persists. West Virginia still struggles to feed its neediest kids, especially remote learners.”
National Awards for Education Reporting
Becky Dernbach, Sahan Journal, was a finalist for the Education Writers Association’s National Awards for Education Reporting for her beat coverage of “Education in Minnesota’s Immigrant and Refugee Communities.”
NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards
Manny Ramos, Chicago Sun-Times, won first place in business reporting from the National Association of Black Journalists for “Why tearing down Englewood to save it hasn’t worked.”
SPJ Northern California Excellence in Journalism Awards
Jackie Botts, CalMatters, was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California for explanatory journalism for her contributions to “Close Quarters: California’s overcrowded homes fuel spread of coronavirus among workers.”
2020 Jacque I. Minnotte Health Reporting Fellow
Lucia Starbuck, KUNR Public Radio, was named the 2020 Jacque I. Minnotte Health Reporting Fellow by the Radio Television Digital News Foundation. This fellowship recognizes excellence in health or medical television and radio reporting.
Top Ten Military Veterans in Journalism
Chris Jones, 100 Days in Appalachia, was named among 2020’s top ten veterans in journalism by Military Veterans in Journalism for “Who watches the polls? WV election officials dismiss federal concerns over threat of domestic extremism.”
SPJ Northern California Excellence in Journalism Awards
Laurence Du Sault, Mercury News, was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California for investigative reporting for her contribution to “California’s Criminal Cops” series, “This Central Valley police chief forced an officer to remodel his home; now he’s California’s latest criminal cop.”
Minnesota Monthly: Champions of Change in Minnesota
Jaida Grey Eagle, Sahan Journal, was honored by Minnesota Monthly as one of 22 Champions of Change for her photojournalism, including documenting the perspectives of immigrant businesspeople.
Wyoming Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest
Jessi Dodge, Buffalo Bulletin, won first place portrait from the Wyoming Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest for her portrait of “Father Halloween.”
Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
Alexandra Watts, WFAE, won first place news series from the Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, for her Mississippi Public Broadcasting report: “It just keeps getting worse, Delta flooding still a concern.”
Mental Health Advocates of Western NY Advocacy Award
Camalot Todd, Spectrum News Buffalo, was recognized by the Mental Health Advocates of Western New York for her #IAm1in5 series, a four-part television series highlighting how stigma is a barrier to mental health care.
Public Media Journalists Association Awards
David Fuchs, NPR Utah, won first place for continuing coverage from the Public Media Journalists Association for “The burden of proof: Kane County residents worry proposed frac sand mine may jeopardize aquifer.”
Public Media Journalists Association Awards
Eve Zuckoff, WCAI, won first place sports feature from the Public Media Journalists Association for “Racing against climate change: Falmouth Road Racers feeling the heat.”
Maine Press Association Awards
Samantha Hogan, Maine Monitor, won 11 awards from the Maine Press Association, including six first-place honors, like best investigative story for her reporting on the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services.
Idaho Press Club Awards
Megan Taros, Arizona Republic, won first place in religion reporting in the Best of Idaho Press Club Awards for her Times-News article, “Holy Night: How an Idaho church is adapting to a growing demographic.”
Notable Alumni
- Manuela Tobias, Fresno Bee, was named in the Los Angeles Times’s Best California Writing of 2020 for “Systemic racism isn’t just about police brutality — and it has a long history in Fresno.”
- Mara Abbott, Buffalo Bulletin, won first place for business reporting in the 2020 National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest for her article, “Trump’s ruling dashes hopes for Wyoming uranium mines.”
- Will Wright, Caity Coyne and Molly Born, in partnership with the Lexington Herald-Leader, Charleston Gazette-Mail and West Virginia Public Broadcasting, were finalists for the 2019 Livingston Award for their collaboration on the series, “Stirring the Waters: Investigating why many in Appalachia lack reliable, clean water.”