The Wyoming Truth Honored with Over a Dozen Journalism Awards

DENVER, Colo.— In its first full year as a daily news operation covering the state of Wyoming, the Wyoming Truth was honored for virtually every aspect of its journalism, winning awards for long-form feature writing, general reporting, social justice reporting, editorials, political news, political features, education features, front page design, editorial cartoons and feature photography.

The Wyoming Truth won 13 awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, one of the industry’s standard bearers, in a competition that includes print, online and broadcast news outlets in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

The Wyoming Truth, which competed in the “Top of the Rockies” small newsroom division, was recognized Saturday night at an awards ceremony in Denver hosted by the SPJ Colorado Pro chapter. The 2023 contest drew more than 1,750 entries from over 100 news media outlets and freelancers. The entries were judged by journalists in Illinois and Ohio.

“It’s an honor for the Wyoming Truth to be recognized for bringing important and compelling journalism to the people of Wyoming,” said Alec Klein, president and co-founder. “The awards are a reflection of the great work of our writers, photographers, cartoonists, designers and editors and many others behind the scenes who are committed to bringing fair, impartial and penetrating news to Wyomingites.”

“I’m really proud of our team,” added editor Cynthia Hanson.   

Klein won both first and second place for long-form feature writing for “The Michael Lynch Case: What Really Happened” and “Hot Water for a Group of Teens and Young Adults who Find Little Mercy,” stories that examined overreach in the criminal justice system. He also won third place for social justice reporting for a series of stories, “Abuse of Power in Wyoming,” and for an “Op-Ed: A Troubling Case.”

The Wyoming Truth won first place for general reporting series or package for “The Rising Cost of Everything: How Spiraling Inflation is Hitting Everyone’s Wallets Throughout Wyoming.” It was written by Kaycee Clark-Mellott, Ellen Fike, Amber Gibson, Jennifer Kocher, Jonna Lorenz, Melissa Thomasma, Elizabeth Sampson, Jake Sorich and Shen Wu Tan.

The Wyoming Truth won first place for education features for its “Wyoming Schools at a Crossroads” series about the challenges facing schools statewide. It was written by Jacob Gardenswartz, Jennifer Kocher, Elizabeth Sampson and Shen Wu Tan.

The Wyoming Truth won first place for political news for “The Road to the Capitol: From Cheyenne to Sheridan, Wyoming Voters Speak Out” series. It was written by Shen Wu Tan.  

The Wyoming Truth won first place for cartoons for “Wyoming GOP Race for the U.S. House of Representatives: Harriet Hageman v. Liz Cheney” by Mark Hill.

The Wyoming Truth won second place for general reporting series or package for “The Search for Irene” about a Kenyan nursing student who mysteriously disappeared from her Gillette home. It was written by Jennifer Kocher.

The Wyoming Truth won second place for political features for “The Prime Time of Harriet Hageman.” It was written by Shen Wu Tan.

The Wyoming Truth won second place for editorials for “What I Saw on Capitol Hill: Wyoming Congressional Intern Speaks Out (Parts 1 and 2). It was written by Rachelle Trujillo. 

The Wyoming Truth won second place for front page design by Ina Murdock-Santos.

The Wyoming Truth won third place for feature photography/videography for “A Window on the World with Matt Stirn: Hiking Scotland.” Matt Stirn provided photos and text.