The Courier Journal wins big at Kentucky Press Association awards. Here are the winners

The Courier Journal won 22 awards in the Kentucky Press Association awards Friday night.

The newspaper staff won awards in the Daily 2 category, including second place in the General Excellence category. The category applies to newspapers that publish four days per week or more with a certified circulation of 10,001 and above, according to the Kentucky Press association awards.

"It's always great for The Courier Journal journalists to be recognized for their work," Courier Journal Editor Mary Irby-Jones said. "We really strive to do journalism that has an impact on our community, and that changes the lives and hold people accountable."

Enterprise reporter Stephanie Kuzydym won the 2023 Jon Fleischaker Freedom of Information Award, presented by the Associated Press, in the Daily Division, for her Safer Sidelines project, which investigated "sudden death in high school sports." Her work also won first place in the Best Investigative Story or Series.

"It is also an honor for us to win the Jon Fleischaker award for the second year in a row," Irby-Jones said. "We will continue to do work that seeks to have open government and seeks to provide a way for the public to access public information."

First place

• Best editorial writer, 1st place — Courier Journal editorial board, "Editorial: Louisville mourns mass shooting and legislative stubbornness"

• Best breaking news coverage, 1st place — Krista Johnson, "'I was a dad': JCPS Pollio has heated exchange over media availability amid busing disaster"

• Best columnist, 1st place — Maggie Menderski, "'Doesn't make sense.' Louisville grieves as Old National Bank goes from crime scene to memorial"

• Best investigative story or series, 1st place — Stephanie Kuzydym, Safer Sidelines

• Best editorial page, 1st place —Bonnie Jean Feldkamp

• Best headline writer, 1st place—Veda Morgan, "Gerth: Queer ducks, transgender deer and the fight over gay pride books in Oldham County"

• Best feature picture, 1st place— Sam Upshaw Jr.

Second place

• Best breaking news coverage, 2nd place —Courier Journal Staff, "A Louisville corner changed forever: How 9 minutes of terror unfolded at Old National Bank"

• Best general news story, 2nd place — Olivia Krauth, "At 11th hour, Kentucky Republicans resurrect, expand and pass anti-trans bill"

• Best columnist, 2nd place — Joe Gerth

• Best business/agribusiness story, 2nd place — Matt Glowicki, "Whiskey Row was once 'left behind.' Now it's the tourism jewel of downtown. How it's changed"

• Best headline writer, 2nd place — Nick Hollkamp, "Did lawmaker goof on Kentucky's anti-trans bill 'or' not? SB 150 may have loophole"

• Best general news picture, 2nd place— Jeff Faughender

• Best picture essay, 2nd place tie— Michael Clevenger

• General Excellence (Daily 2 division), 2nd place — The Courier Journal

Third place

• Best breaking news coverage, 3rd place —Lucas Aulbach, "Louisville shooting aftermath: 'You would've thought Godzilla was coming down the street'"

• Best enterprise/analytical coverage, 3rd place — Deborah Yetter, "'How is this acceptable?' Flaws in Louisville's mental health system draw federal scrutiny"

• Best ongoing/extended coverage, 3rd place — Krista Johnson, "JCPS schools closed: Marty Pollio calls first day a 'transportation disaster'"

• Best business/agribusiness story, 3rd place — Morgan Watkins, As Kentucky debates medical marijuana, McConnell's hemp push already lets people get high

• Best lede, 3rd place — Maggie Menderski, "Why this family is gifting millions to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville"

• Best sports picture, 3rd place— Sam Upshaw Jr.

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: See who from The Courier Journal won a Kentucky Press Association award