Idaho Statesman takes home 53 awards for 2021 reporting. Check out the winning stories
The Idaho Statesman won 53 awards Saturday at the Idaho Press Club contest, an annual competition that recognizes reporting from across the state.
The paper’s staff and reporters won first place in 16 categories, including special coverage of the Boise Towne Square mall shooting and media innovation around Spanish language reporting.
Other first-place honors went to Statesman reporters’ coverage of the pandemic, environment and business.
Darin Oswald and Sarah Miller, who make up the photo and video team, took home a combined 15 awards.
Read some of the Statesman’s award-winning reporting on business, crime, sports, agriculture and more below. A full list of the state’s 2021 winners can be found on the Idaho Press Club’s website.
General News Story:
Hayley Harding, first place, “Idaho’s new DMV system ‘a debacle’”
Hayat Norimine, second place, “Female staffer beaten by inmate in prison south of Boise”
Watchdog/Investigative:
John Sowell and Kevin Fixler, first place, “Why workers quit en masse at Boise shelter”
Ian Max Stevenson, third, “Commissioner’s vaccine fight, odd remarks, ‘bully’ tactics”
Sports Feature:
Rachel Roberts, first place, “Loville takes stand against racism by taking a knee”
Michael Lycklama, third place, “He was born with one hand. Now he’s Skyview’s ace pitcher”
Pandemic:
Audrey Dutton, first place, “Idahoans describe long COVID”
Business:
Paul Schwedelson, first place, “Should growth pay for itself?”
Hayat Norimine and Kevin Fixler, third place, “Idaho evictions rise as moratorium ends”
Outdoor Feature:
Scott McIntosh, first place, “Eight days on the Snake”
Ian Max Stevenson and Nicole Blanchard, second place, “Boise Marathon vows changes”
Environment:
Nicole Blanchard, first place, “Boise growth reaches areas at extreme wildfire risk”
Nicole Blanchard, second place, “Idaho family wants airstrip in Sawtooths. Neighbors don’t”
Editorial:
Scott McIntosh, first place, “Idaho’s Republican legislators: Woman’s place is in the home”
Scott McIntosh, second place, “Boise State has workplace liability with professor”
Serious Feature:
Kevin Fixler, second place, “Afghan bomb expert safe in Boise”
Religion:
Sally Krutzig, second place, “Remember Robert E. Lee window? A new figure replaced him”
Ian Max Stevenson, third place, “LDS bishop removed, faces charges”
Agriculture:
Rachel Spacek, second place, “Former labor camp residents remember their community”
Crime/Courts:
Kevin Fixler and Jacob Scholl, second place, “Idaho death row inmate gets rare clemency hearing”
Ian Max Stevenson, third place, “Boise family tries to move on from stabbing rampage”
Spot News Coverage:
Ian Max Stevenson and Kevin Fixler, second place, “200-acre grass fire near Eagle knocked down”
Light Feature:
Joni Auden Land, second place, “Men replaced lawns with fake grass. Neighbors threatened to sue”
Nicole Blanchard, third place, “Lost dog is found 18 miles away”
Sports Prep:
Michael Lycklama, second place, “‘It was just stupid nuts.’ Weiser football wins state title”
Arts / Entertainment:
Dana Oland, second place, “Doerr is flying high with ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’”
Michael Deeds, third place, “‘Harassed’ by aggressive customers”
Political:
Hayat Norimine, third place, “Medical marijuana activists fight uphill battle”
Elections:
Rachel Spacek, third place, “Why were Meridian’s City Council elections so close?”
Education:
Becca Savransky, third place, “Idaho parents push for resources for dyslexic children”
Specialty Column:
Michael Lycklama, third place, Idaho high school sports
Sports News Photography:
Darin Oswald, first place, “Hair Whip Header”
Photo Package:
Sarah Miller, first place, “Twilight Criterium”
Darin Oswald, third place, “Mall Shooting”
Best Online-Only Video:
Sarah Miller, first place, “All-Terrain Wheelchairs for Kids”
Best Online-Only Video Program – Public Affairs
Ian Max Stevenson, first place, “COVID-19 omicron: Idaho health experts answer your questions”
Best Use of Drone:
Darin Oswald, first place, “Low Water at Lucky Peak”
Best Online-Only Video:
Darin Oswald, second place, “Short Irrigation Season”
Darin Oswald, third place, “Ammon Bundy Protest at Judges Home”
Best Online-Only Video Program, General:
Darin Oswald, second place, “One Year of COVID-19 on the Front Lines”
General News Photography:
Sarah Miller, second place, “First Responder 9/11 Fog”
Feature Photography, Serious:
Darin Oswald, second place, “Student Protester”
Darin Oswald, third place, “Coroner’s Morgue”
News Portrait Photography:
Darin Oswald, second place, “Black Boise Backlash”
Food Photography:
Darin Oswald, second place, “Tacos Barria”
Photo Essay:
Sarah Miller, third place, “Veterans Memorial Statue”
Special Coverage:
Staff, first place, Boise Mall Shooting
Staff, third place, Biden Visit
Media Innovation Award:
Nicole Foy with KIVI reporters Richardo Coronado and Stephanie Garibay, “Idaho News in Spanish,” first place
Rookie of the Year:
Ian Max Stevenson, first place
Photographer the Year, Publication:
Sarah Miller, third place
Website, Daily:
Statesman staff, third place
General Excellence, Daily Print:
Statesman staff, second place
Editor’s note: This story was updated May 2, 2022, to reflect two awards that were missing from the Idaho Press Club’s online list.
This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
