Iowa Capital Dispatch won the prize for “Best News Story” for the second year in a row, as well as the top award for coverage of education in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests presented Thursday by the Iowa Newspaper Association.
Deputy Editor Clark Kauffman won first place in Division V of the contest for “Best News Story” for a story that uncovered how the nursing home industry influences government. Kauffman also took second place in the “Best Continuing Coverage” category for a selection of stories focused on coverage of abuse and neglect in Iowa’s nursing homes.
Reporter Brooklyn Draisey won first place for “Coverage of Education” for a selection of stories focused on higher education in Iowa, including “Iowans weigh in on state’s higher education future.” Draisey is a Report for America corps member who joined Iowa Capital Dispatch in July 2023.
This is the second year that Iowa Capital Dispatch has been eligible to enter the contest as one of the first two digital members of the newspaper association. Last year, Iowa Capital Dispatch also won first place in the “Best News Story” category, as well as “Best Video” and “Coverage of Courts and Crime.”
As a digital news organization, Iowa Capital Dispatch competes in this contest against the largest newspapers in the state. This year’s contest, which included more than 3,200 entries, was judged by the Kansas Press Association. Complete results are here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch editor Kathie Obradovich is a member of the Iowa Newspaper Association board of directors.