Naples Daily News, News-Press journalists win state awards for Ian coverage, more

Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News
·3 min read

Hurricane Ian and a school sex scandal dominated headlines in Southwest Florida the past year, and the Naples Daily News and News-Press thoroughly reported on both major stories.

Fellow editors recognized the two newspapers for that coverage and more at last month's 2023 Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State Awards ceremony in Fort Lauderdale. Both papers took home a total 13 awards.

The Daily News and News-Press won the top award for Disaster Reporting for its Ian coverage. All journalists and editors from both newsrooms ― with help from other members of the USA Today Network-Florida ― covered before, during and the aftermath of the strong Category 4 storm that made landfall Sept. 28, 2022.

Stan Pentz walks out of a Iona neighborhood on Thursday Sept 29, 2022, A day after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2022. He survived by swimming in an holding onto items around his home.
Stan Pentz walks out of a Iona neighborhood on Thursday Sept 29, 2022, A day after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2022. He survived by swimming in an holding onto items around his home.

The News-Press and Daily News are members of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, made up of 19 news operations across the state.

Rest of the award winners

Barbara A. Petersen Freedom of Information Award ― Finalists: Kate Cimini and Rachel Fradette ― who now works for the Indianapolis Star ― for their stories on the sexual abuse scandal at Parkside Elementary School in Naples. Their coverage detailed how a teacher, a prolific and determined sexual predator, abused nearly two dozen elementary school children in Collier County’s Public School system.

Breaking News Reporting ― First place to staff of Daily News and News-Press for its Hurricane Ian coverage.

Non-Deadline News Reporting (Large Newspapers) ― Second place to Cimini and Fradette for their school sex scandal coverage.

Non-Deadline News Reporting (Small Newspapers) ― Second and third place to Dan Glaun, for his stories on the state's toll "black list" to spy on highway drivers, and his coverage of a 10-year-old's perp walk video that went global.

Kenny Washington has been shrimping for decades. He survived Hurricane Ian by jumping off the Perseverance, behind him, to the Green Flash, upper center.
Kenny Washington has been shrimping for decades. He survived Hurricane Ian by jumping off the Perseverance, behind him, to the Green Flash, upper center.

Feature Reporting (Small Newspapers) ― Second placed to Janine Zeitlin for her story Shrimp and Grit about Fort Myers Beach shrimpers who fought to save their fleet after the hurricane. Photojournalist Andrew West told the shrimpers' story visually with gripping photos and videos, which earned him first place for Portrait/Personality.

Beat Reporting - Arts ― Second place to Charles Runnells for the arts and entertainment journalist's collection of stories including one about hurricane waves breaching a Fort Myers theater and a holiday tradition continued on Fort Myers Beach.

Beat Reporting - Business & Consumer ― First place to Laura Layden for her collection of stories from the business journalist like her coverage of a rental car company headquartered in Southwest Florida.

Beat Reporting - Sports ― First place to Dustin Levy for his collection of stories.

Breaking News Photography ― Second place to Andrew West for his Hurricane Ian aftermath coverage.

Feature Photography ― First place to Amanda Inscore Whittamore for Shaved heads fundraiser.

Newspapers also won regional, national awards

The staff of the Daily News and News-Press earlier this summer won 20 total awards including the top prize ― the Gold Medal for Public Service ― from the Florida Society of News Editors for Ian stories. Both papers earlier this year also won a prestigious national award from Sigma Delta Chi, or SDX, for storm coverage.

"Demonstrating excellent work amid extreme conditions, the teams' ability to think on their feet and figure out workarounds was apparent," said SDX judges with the Society of Professional Journalists.

Riverdale athletic director Justin Budmayr reacts to having his head shaved during a pep rally on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Riverdale High School. The event was to raise money for Golisano Children's Hospital and to raise awareness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Riverdale athletic director Justin Budmayr reacts to having his head shaved during a pep rally on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Riverdale High School. The event was to raise money for Golisano Children's Hospital and to raise awareness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

In addition, the papers earlier in 2023 won a Green Eyeshade Award for Ian coverage. Green Eyeshades since 1950 have recognized the very best journalism in the southeastern United States.

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane Ian, school sex scandal stories earn NDN, News-Press awards