2011 Awards

Society of Professional Journalists, DC Pro Chapter – The Washington Independent

• 1st place, Online-only news/features: Series on pipeline safety, Andrew Restuccia

Society of Professional Journalists, Page One Awards – The Minnesota Independent

• 1st place – Best Independent News Blog: The Minnesota Independent
• 1st place – Photo essay: President Barack Obama’s 2010 rally at the University of Minnesota, Kathy Easthagen
• 3rd place – Best Website: The Minnesota Independent

2010 Awards

Society of Professional Journalists, Page One Awards – The Minnesota Independent

• 1st place – Best Continuing Coverage, Online News site: Ongoing series on the controversial Christian band/public school ministry You Can Run But You Cannot Hide, Andy Birkey
• 1st place – Best Spot News Photo: Photo-essay on Barack Obama’s healthcare reform rally in September 2009, Kathy Easthagen
• 2nd place – Best Web Site, The Minnesota Independent

American Civil Liberties Union (New Mexico chapter) – The New Mexico Independent

• “First Amendment” award – for “Outstanding commitment to transparency and honesty in reporting, regardless of how it challenges popular opinion and the status quo.”

The Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors – The Michigan Messenger

• 3rd place – Online-Single Report for coverage leading to the arrest of a sex offender (Adrian Hill) who had eluded police for three years: Todd Heywood

The Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors – The New Mexico Independent

• 2nd place – Online-Single Report:“City contractor alleges corruption in Albuquerque City Hall,” Trip Jennings
• 2nd Place – Online-In-Depth Reporting: “Governor, entourage leave scene of Elephant Butte boat crash,” Trip Jennings

The Sierra Club of Michigan

• Online Environmental Reporter of the Year: Eartha Jane Melzer

2009 Awards

Society of Professional Journalists – The Washington Independent

• 1st place – Daily Newspaper Feature, Independent Web site: “Foreclosure Machine Grinds On Through Holiday Season,” Mary Kane
• 2nd place – Daily Newspaper Business Reporting, Independent Web site: “Fraud Worsens Foreclosure Crisis” and “The Reach of Redlining” two-part series, Mary Kane

Society of Professional Journalists – The Minnesota Independent

• 1st place – Best Single News Story, Independent Web site: “Convention Cash: A last look at the largest loophole in campaign finance laws,” Paul Demko
• 1st place – Best use of multimedia, Independent Web site: RNC Multimedia, Newsroom
• 1st place – Best use of video, Independent Web site: “The F30 Pedal Cloud brings people-powered protest to the RNC,” Paul Schmelzer
• 1st place – Best independent news blog, Independent Web site: “The Monitor blog,” Newsroom
• 2nd place – Best single news story, Independent Web site: “Are jihadist groups luring Minnesota Somalis back to fight?,” Abdi Aynte
• 2nd place – Best Web site, Independent Web site: Newsroom Staff
• 3rd place – Best continuing coverage, Independent Web site: “Nasser Kazeminy/Norm Coleman lawsuits,” Steve Perry
• 3rd place – Best single news story, Independent Web site: “Minneapolis parks’ Red Bull and Pepsi dealings put Coke contract at risk,” Chris Steller

Society of Professional Journalists – The Colorado Independent

• Top of the Rockies 2008 Awards Contest

McCormick Foundation Specialized Reporting Institute on Financial Crime – The Michigan Messenger

• Fellowship (one of 21) Eartha Jane Melzer

The Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors – The Iowa Independent

• 1st place – Beat Reporting, Online Division: Iowa Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling, Jason Hancock, Chase Martyn, and Lynda Waddington
• 3rd place – Columns/Commentary/News Analysis, Online Division: Chase Martyn
• 3rd place – In-Depth Reporting, Online Division: Investigating the state’s toxic coal ash regulations, Jason Hancock

The Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors – The New Mexico Independent

• 2nd place – Single Reporting, Online Division: “Malott’s firm has seen boom in state auditing contracts under guv,” Trip Jennings

2008 awards

Society of Professional Journalists – The Colorado Independent

• 1st place – Online/General Web Site Excellence: Colorado Confidential
• 1st place – Online/Interactive: Colorado Confidential
• 1st place – Online Blog: Cara DeGette
• 1st place – Online/Feature Story: Wendy Norris, Sandra Fish and Kerri Rebresh
• 2nd place – Online/Feature Story: Wendy Norris, Cara DeGette, Andrew Oh-Willeke, Kerri Rebresh, Leslie Robinson, and Erin Rosa
• 2nd place – Online Breaking News: Jim Spencer
• 3rd place – Online/Photo: Leslie Robinson
• Honorable Mention – Online/Photo: Kerri Rebresh
• Honorable Mention – Online/Web Site Design

Society of Professional Journalists – The Minnesota Independent

• Best Online News Story: Paul Schmelzer
• Best Independent Newsroom Blog: Eric Black
• 3rd place- Best Independent News Site

National Press Club’s Sandy Hume Award for excellence in political journalism – The Michigan Messenger

• Honorable mention: Eartha Jane Melzer

“Sexie” award for Sex-positive journalism – The Minnesota Independent

• Andy Birkey

The Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors – The Colorado Independent

• Honorable Mention: State House coverage, Cara DeGette

2007 Awards

Society for Professional Journalists – The Colorado Independent

• 1st place – Online Breaking News: Trailhead to Nowhere, Jason Bane and staff
• 1st place – Blog: Political Gravy, Jason Bane
• 1st place – General Web Site Excellence: ColoradoConfidential.com
• 2nd place – Online Breaking News Staff: Primary Election Coverage, Multiple stories
• 2nd place – Online Interactive: ColoradoConfidential.com
• 3rd place – Online Breaking News: GOP Takes Legally Questionable Gift from Oil and Gas Group, Wendy Norris
• 3rd Place – Online Photo Story: Hush, Hush and on the QT: Part II, Leslie Robinson

Society for Professional Journalists – The Minnesota Independent

• 2nd place – Best Online Reporting: Paul Schmelzer

Online News Association’s Online Journalism Awards- The Minnesota Independent

• Honorable Mention – Beat Reporting: Andy Birkey

2007 FRANK PREMACK PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOURNALISM AWARD, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM & MASS COMMUNICATION

• “Who owns the J-word? Videoblogger’s Jailing Raises Questions for Journalists”: Paul Schmelzer