Community Investigative Journalism Prize

2026 Community Investigative Journalism Prize

The inaugural Community Investigative Journalism Award was presented to Todd von Kampen of the North Platte Telegraph. The award honors investigative reporting that demonstrates meaningful local impact and reflects the persistence, skill and public-service mission of journalists working in smaller newsrooms.

Pictured with von Kampen is Timothy Linscott, Nebraska Press Advertising Service president.

The Nebraska Press Association has announced a new Community Investigative Journalism Prize to recognize impactful, in-depth reporting produced by Nebraska’s community newspapers.

The award honors investigative stories that demonstrate meaningful local impact and celebrate the persistence, skill, and public-service mission of journalists working in smaller newsrooms.

Eligible entries are drawn from first-place winners in the In-Depth Writing category of the Nebraska Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest that do not receive an A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism award. Both weekly and daily community newspapers are eligible.

One winner will be selected annually and awarded $1,000, split evenly between the reporter and their newspaper.

The Community Investigative Journalism Prize complements the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism.