Mirror Indy’s investigation into abuse allegations at Options Behavioral Health Hospital was named the state’s “Story of the Year” by the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
The award was among 23 Mirror Indy received May 2 at the annual Best in Indiana Journalism contest. “Out of Options” also placed first in a new statewide category called the “A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism.”
In the 3-part series, health reporter Mary Claire Molloy and art director Jenna Watson exposed the troubling experiences of former patients and employees at the Lawrence facility. The work also recently was named a winner in the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism national contest.
Mirror Indy’s “Broken Housing” investigation placed third in the A-Mark category. In that series, data reporter Emily Hopkins, economics reporter Tyler Fenwick and Watson exposed the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s failures to protect low-income renters.
IndyStar journalists James Briggs, Kayla Dwyer, Hayleigh Colombo and Tony Cook placed second in the A-Mark category for a series of stories into sexual misconduct allegations by public officials, including Indiana Rep. David Niezgodski, Indiana Sen. Greg Taylor and Thomas Cook, the former chief of staff to Mayor Joe Hogsett.
“The caliber of work we’ve accomplished since our inception is nothing short of amazing, and for that work to be recognized by peers makes these awards even more gratifying,” said Mirror Indy Editor-in-Chief Oseye Boyd. “Receiving two A-Mark awards and ‘Story of the Year’ was an unexpected honor that not only confirms the impact of our journalism but also propels us to always strive for excellence as we serve our community.”
Bro Krift, CEO of Mirror Indy support organization Free Press Indiana, said the recognition was a testament to staff and leadership, who are dedicated to making Indianapolis a better place for all.
“To think it has been just one year and the Mirror Indy team accomplished so much,” Krift said. “That is no easy task as a new organization in a state full of amazing newsrooms.”
Mirror Indy’s remaining awards were for publications with a circulation more than 10,000.
Investigative journalism: “Broken Housing” won first, “Out of Options” second and “Trapped” third. In the latter story, deputy managing news editor Ryan Martin, local government reporter Peter Blanchard and Watson exposed the impact of the abuse of power and sexual harassment allegations against Cook.
Non-deadline reporting: Martin and IndyStar’s Kaitlin Lange won first for reporting on a development loan Indianapolis signed with businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Brad Chambers. Hopkins and Watson placed third for a series looking into the impact on unmarked graves of the redevelopment of the Greenlawn Cemetery.
Government or politics: Fenwick, Hopkins and Blanchard won third for writing about ultimately unsuccessful state legislation that might have stopped IndyGo from building the Blue Line. The coverage closely followed the discussion around the proposed legislation, highlighting voices of community members who would be most directly impacted. Reporters also kept a close eye on state and local lawmakers, fact-checking claims about dedicated lanes and dissecting the deal that ultimately preserved the Blue Line.
Personality profile: K-12 reporter Carley Lanich won second for “Meet the Pike teacher who makes school feel like home.” The story introduced readers to Graciela Miranda, a northwest side teacher who connects with English language learners in a way that students say makes them feel safe to learn and grow.
Education reporting: Lanich placed third for her coverage of schools in Marion County. She wrote stories that helped readers better understand school funding, teacher retention and a complex debate over a new northside charter school. She also explained how one eastside school turned around its reading scores and how IPS students found their voice through a series of high school writing centers.
Medical or science reporting: Molloy won first for her coverage of Medicaid waitlists, sexual assault nurse examiners, pharmacy closures, a woman’s misdiagnosed heart attack and the legal issues surrounding abortion in Indiana.
Race and diversity issues: Molloy placed second for her coverage of doulas, sickle cell patients, the 2024 presidential election’s impact on Black women and a teenager who survived gun violence and found hope through a local mentor.
Social justice issues: Fenwick placed third for writing about homelessness and housing insecurity in Indianapolis.
Feature photography: Ted Somerville placed first for his photo of Janelle Monáe performing at I Made Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Multiple picture group: Somerville placed second for his photo coverage of Indy Taco Fest and Watson placed third for her photos of Daniel Mallory and Ty’trell Averitte-Bass.
Online multimedia: Martin, Blanchard and Watson placed first for “Trapped.”
Graphics and illustrations: Jeneca Zody placed second for illustrations that accompanied “Trapped.” Shaunt’e Lewis placed third for portraiture that accompanied reporting on Greenlawn Cemetery.
Best use of social media: Mesgana Waiss, Watson, Fenwick and Hopkins placed first for “Broken Housing.”
The Mirror Indy staff also placed second for “Election and Campaign Coverage” and third for “Best Journalism Website.”
Here’s a roundup of other statewide awards:
Indiana Journalist of the Year: Casey Smith, a reporter with The Indiana Capital Chronicle, won for her coverage of elections, education issues and state accountability, including the state’s first execution since 2009.
Slaymaker Service to Journalism Award: Cyndee Hebert of WTHR won for her work coordinating media coverage of the Delphi trial amidst tight court restrictions.
First Amendment Award: Roughly 20 outlets won for working together to share information about the Delphi trial.
Student Journalist of the Year: Wil Courtney of Purdue University won for organizing the Exponent’s coverage of the Delphi trial and elections, including exposing that there are no on-campus places for students to vote.
Scott Uecker College Scholarships: The entry fees for SPJ contest submissions help fund the chapter’s program. Recipients for the 2025-26 school year are Indiana University students Samantha Camire with a $2,500 scholarship and Isabella Vesperini with a $1,000 scholarship; Purdue University student Israel Schuman with a $2,500 scholarship; and Saint Mary’s College student Aynslee Dellacca with a $1,000 scholarship.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
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