2025 Investigative Reporting (Small Newsroom) Finalists
Nadra Nittle
The 19th
Part 1: She Was a Rising Senior on the Honor Roll. ICE Just Upended Her Life. Part 2: Nory and Her Mother Were Deported Together. Then She Was Orphaned.
- She was a rising senior on the honor roll. ICE just upended her life.
- Nory and her mother were deported together. Then she was orphaned.
Comments From the Judges:
“Beautiful writing, heartbreaking story. It is crucial reporting on an issue that has caused enormous harm. The impact of the reporting was undeniable with a law firm taking the subject’s case pro bono. The second story illuminated a lesser discussed side of the issue – the sometimes fatal side effects of immigration enforcement efforts.”
“I remember reading this story when it came out. I found it really strong then and I still do. There is a good, moving individual story up front, then it zooms out to add in important context. It makes this transition deftly throughout the story, including when including the factors that lead to migration from Guatemala. Nory becomes a fully fleshed out person on the page, with all the details about her. The reporting is also very solid – talking to family members in Guatemala and the US, teachers, etc. Second story shares many of the same strengths, especially in helping us see her mother as a full person in her own right.”
Jennifer Pignolet
Akron Beacon Journal
Investigation of Akron’s Superintendent
- ‘I should just fire you all’: Staff says Akron superintendent threatens, berates them
- Garfield, Buchtel students say they felt disappointed, used by Akron superintendent meeting
Comments From the Judges:
“This story starts out really strong – laying out the main findings of the reporting with authority, placing them in context and explaining why it matters. I also appreciate how she holds the board to account and doesn’t just make it about the superintendent’s behavior. I love that she managed to do a piece full of student voices as a follow up. I found this an incredibly well reported, clearly written and important read.”
“Very thorough reporting. The reporter clearly did her homework, interviewing dozens of sources, including students, many of whom spoke on the record. Their accounts were clear and consistent, demonstrating the accuracy of the work. The reporter also scooped a law firm investigating the same allegations that arrived at the same conclusions. It was strong accountability work.”
Jeremy Turley & Lauren Wagner
Flatwater Free Press & The 74
Despite the Law, Nebraska School Districts Denied Transfers to Special Ed Kids
Comments From the Judges:
“A richly-told story about the exclusion of special needs students from transfers. The piece provides some good perspective about burnout among special education teachers as a reason behind the challenges faced by schools and districts. Good incorporation of stories of real families trying to traverse the system, advocating for their children’s needs.”
“This story has one of my favorite hallmarks of classic investigative work: It seemed like a number should have been public knowledge, but wasn’t. So reporters hunted it down. And in doing so, they did a big public service. I also appreciated that they had compelling anecdotes throughout and looked at past legislation to offer a road map for how this program could actually be fixed in a way that worked better for schools AND districts.”
