The annual Nevada Press Association’s Awards of Excellence contest was held this weekend in Las Vegas, in which Carson Now was honored with a dozen awards including a top honor for Carson Now’s Co-Editor Kelsey Penrose.
Penrose was selected for the top honor of Outstanding Journalist of the Year for her rural news coverage, joining her colleagues honored in the divisions of urban, magazine and college.
In choosing their selection for Outstanding Journalist of the Year, the judges wrote:
Kelsey Penrose demonstrates the public-service purpose of rural journalism at its best, combining persistent reporting, careful source protection and clear explanations of complex public systems. Her work gives vulnerable residents a voice while holding powerful institutions accountable, and the courage, depth and community relevance of this portfolio set it apart.
On her win, Penrose wrote:
I am notoriously terrible at accepting praise, but I feel incredibly honored to have my work highlighted in this way. Because for me, it’s not only a reflection of our work at Carson Now, but more so a reflection of the trust our community holds for us.
This year, we covered a number of very difficult stories, with real impact on real people. We would not have been able to cover those stories if it weren’t for the bravery of those who brought these stories to us, and that’s a responsibility we take seriously.
In the age of AI, misinformation, and the intentional stripping and decommissioning of long-standing local news organizations by wealthy corporations, it’s more important now than ever before for independent news organizations to stand together, especially in the rurals, to support each other as the last bastions of the truth. Not only the caliber of work but the level of camaraderie displayed at this year’s awards ceremony gives me hope for the future of our collective work.
In addition to Penrose’s win, Carson Now brought home 11 additional awards, which can be seen below.
We were not the only Northern rural news organization to be honored, however; congratulations to our colleagues at the Nevada Appeal, Record Courier, Lahontan Valley News, Fallon Post, and Fernley Reporter. Excellent journalism was demonstrated by all, with awards well deserved. In special Editorial awards, the Record-Courier received both Excellence in Print and General Online Excellence, the Nevada Appeal‘s Kyler Klix took home Outstanding Graphic Designer, and Fallon Post’s Leanna Lehman took home the special award in overall Community Service Journalism.
First Place: Education Reporting
Judges remarks: Persistent and consequential local education reporting that gives parents, students and educators a voice while testing district statements against records, surveys, policies and state law. The bullying investigation is the category’s strongest accountability work, and the eligible package also includes meaningful reporting on student rights, career education, school policy and student civic action.
Judges remarks: Careful reporting, comprehensive document research and effective visual storytelling transformed a complex subject into a compelling investigation. It flows very well and is very engaging.
First Place: Government Watchdog / Accountability Reporting
Judge’s Remarks: This ambitious three-part series uses one victim’s experience to expose broader structural failures involving bail, plea agreements, public records and victims’ rights. Seven months of reporting, court documents, statewide data and persistent questioning of officials produced a deeply reported and consequential examination of a justice system that ordinarily operates outside public view.
Judges remarks: A wonderful and helpful series demonstrating how to meet readers where they are at. I think every publication could make better efforts to provide similar helpful stories to their respective communities.
Second Place: Government Watchdog and Accountability Reporting
Judge’s remarks: Through extensive interviews, official discipline data, internal climate surveys, state law and district policies, this investigation convincingly challenges the district’s reassuring narrative about declining bullying and violence. The breadth of families contacted, protection of young victims and direct inclusion of the district’s responses make this an authoritative and responsibly handled piece of accountability journalism.
Judge’s remarks: Well-reported story tracks the motivation behind and success of the grass roots “Wait Until 8th” campaign started by two local mothers. The campaign asks parents to pledge not to buy their kids smart phones until at least end of 8th grade. Story cites research showing early access to smart phones contributes to lower test scores, sleep hygiene issues, weight loss and social issues, such as loneliness.
Judge’s remarks: This ambitious investigation tests official claims against state statistics, district surveys, policies, case documents and accounts from families across nearly every elementary school. The reporting exposes consequential gaps between the district’s public data and conditions described by families and educators, delivering meaningful public-service journalism.
