EdNews recognized for achievement in journalism

Idaho Education News this weekend took home 16 awards, including seven first place honors, for its journalism in 2023.

The Idaho Press Club, a statewide association of journalists, Saturday announced the results of its annual contest recognizing the best reporting and public relations work for the prior year. The press club held a banquet in Boise to celebrate the winners.

Among hundreds of entries from across Idaho, EdNews journalists were lauded for achievement in reporting, photography, podcasting, data analysis and reader engagement. EdNews is a nonprofit news organization whose mission is to produce independent, comprehensive and thoughtful journalism about public education policy and practice in Idaho.

EdNews reporter Darren Svan won first place in Spot News Photography at the Idaho Press Club’s 2023 annual contest for capturing a mother testifying in a legislative committee on behalf of her autistic son.

The contest’s top honors in Education and Special Purpose reporting went to EdNews reporter and blogger Kevin Richert for his coverage of a turbulent year at the University of Idaho. Richert’s work shed light on how the Moscow community grappled with the stabbing deaths of four students and on university officials’ controversial push to buy a for-profit online university.

Richert also placed second in the First Amendment category — for advancing the cause of freedom of information — and third for Reporter of the Year, which recognizes outstanding individual performance in enterprise reporting.

Reporter Carly Flandro’s series “Still Here: Tribes fight to be seen in Idaho” won first place for Special Coverage. The series spotlighted a scarcity of Native American teachers and perspectives in Idaho schools. Flandro’s podcast “Teacher’s Lounge” was recognized for achievement in interviewing.

Reporter Darren Svan won several awards honoring his photography, including first place in Spot News Photography for capturing a mother testifying at a legislative committee on behalf of her autistic son.

Former EdNews reporter Sadie Dittenber won the press club’s Media Innovation Award for her daily project tracking state superintendent Debbie Critchfield’s first 100 days in office. The award goes to journalists who use innovative methods in any medium, including print, broadcast and web.

For the second year in a row, CEO and managing editor Jennifer Swindell’s Friday morning dispatches won top prize in the Best Newsletter category. Subscribe here. Swindell and data analyst Randy Schrader also achieved top honors in Best Graphics for their work on Idaho EdTrends, a website that tracks public school achievement data.

EdNews reporter Ryan Suppe was recognized for political, business and health reporting in his previous role with the Idaho Statesman. He was runner-up to Swindell in the Best Newsletter category — for the second consecutive year.