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Celebrating the Power of Journalism

On June 10, 2025, the Scripps Howard Fund revealed the winners of the 72nd Scripps Howard Journalism Awards, underscoring the essential role journalism plays in highlighting significant societal challenges. Spanning various critical issues from financial mismanagement in global healthcare to devastating wildfires, this year's awardees demonstrated exemplary dedication and craft in their reporting.

The Scripps Howard Journalism Awards, known for being one of the country's most esteemed journalism competitions, honors outstanding work across multiple media formats, including television, radio, and print. This year, nearly 600 entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel comprising veteran journalists and leaders in the media industry.

In total, the Scripps Howard Fund will distribute $140,000 in prize money to the winning organizations and individuals, including the prestigious Impact Award, which acknowledges the entry that made the most significant difference among this year’s honorees.

Recognizing Trailblazers in Journalism

Meredith Delaney, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Fund, commented on the winning entries, stating, "Collectively, these winners exemplify journalism's power to inform, engage, and inspire change. Their impactful storytelling highlights the need for accountability and the consequences of systemic failures on vulnerable communities."

Highlights of Award Winners

The following are some of the prominent winners of the 72nd Scripps Howard Journalism Awards:

• - Excellence in Audio Storytelling: KUOW Public Radio, The Seattle Times - "Lost Patients"
• - Excellence in Business/Financial Reporting: The Boston Globe, in collaboration with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project - "Spotlight on Steward Health Care"
• - Excellence in Environmental Reporting: The Guardian U.S., Forensic Architecture - "Marathon: The Huge U.S. Toxic Fire Shrouded in Secrecy"
• - Excellence in Local/Regional Investigative Reporting: San Francisco Chronicle & UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program - "Right to Remain Secret"
• - Excellence in Narrative Human-Interest Reporting: The New York Times - "America, Polarized"
• - Excellence in Opinion Writing: Detroit Free Press - "Michigan's Watchdog is 'On Guard'"
• - Impact Award: STAT - "Health Care's Colossus"

One of the standout entries was STAT's investigation into UnitedHealth, a corporation providing health insurance to over 50 million individuals. In their series, the STAT team unveiled how UnitedHealth leveraged its extensive network of doctors to reduce competition and maximize profits, often at the expense of patients. This profound storytelling incited calls for crucial reforms from lawmakers at both state and federal levels.

Expanding Educational Opportunities

Alongside the monetary prizes, winners of the Scripps Howard Journalism Awards will receive funding for travel to universities this fall, allowing them to showcase their award-winning work to journalism students. Mike Canan, the senior director of journalism strategies for the Scripps Howard Fund, expressed enthusiasm for this initiative, noting, "This unique program allows students to learn directly from some of the best journalists in the field, fostering networking opportunities and encouraging the next generation of storytellers to hone their skills."

In a collaborative effort with the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the Scripps Howard Fund also recognized educators dedicated to journalism. The awards for journalism education were presented to:

• - Teacher of the Year: Mark Horvit, University of Missouri
• - Administrator of the Year: Marie Hardin, Penn State University

As the 72nd Scripps Howard Journalism Awards ceremony concluded, it became evident that demonstrating journalism's influence and heartfelt commitment to uncovering complex stories can drive meaningful change in society. For more information and a complete list of past winners, visit SHJAwards.org.