Idaho Education News won 22 awards, including seven first-place selections, in the annual Idaho Press Club competition.
The Idaho Press Club is a statewide association of working journalists, from all media, that sponsors an annual contest to recognize the best work in Idaho.
Idaho Education News won the first-place award for General Excellence of Online Media.
The judge recognized the strong use of data, explanatory reporting, and long-form projects that add depth to daily news coverage. The organization and clarity of the website reinforces its role as a reliable public-service newsroom focused on helping readers understand how education policy affects communities across Idaho, according to the judge.
“Idaho Education News consistently delivers substantive reporting on legislation, school governance, and statewide education issues,” the judge wrote.
“I am so proud of our team, everyone is extremely talented,” said Jennifer Swindell, EdNews’ managing editor.
Senior Reporter Kevin Richert won eight awards, including first place for best blog and specialty column. He also won second place in reporter of the year for publications.
“Deft, authoritative and punchy style delivers quintessential analysis journalism,” the judge wrote of Richert.
Reporter Emma Epperly won three awards, including first place for special coverage for her reporting on teacher Sarah Inama and the “Everyone is Welcome Here” poster controversy.
Reporter Ryan Suppe won three awards, including first place for daily political report for a story on Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit. He also came in second place for the First Amendment Award for a report on a lawmaker who joked about deleting records.
Intern Kaeden Lincoln won three awards, including first place in general news story written by a student for his coverage of a Kuna school board meeting.
EdNews won the first place Media Innovation Award, second place for online only special purpose publication and third place for best audience engagement.
“Great variety of stories, smart, engaging,” a judge wrote. “Seems like a must-read for anyone in education.”
Click here for a complete list of winners.
