2015

For criminal justice stories about the rise of police involvement in the lives of everyday citizens and the resulting collateral consequences. Was credited by then-Attorney General Eric Holder with informing the reform discussion.

WHITE HOUSE PRESS CORRESPONDENTS’ ASSOCIATION – Edgar A. Poe Award

MOLLY JOURNALISM AWARD (Finalist)

NEW YORK PRESS CLUB AWARD 

2014

For stories on mental health, including barriers to treatment, shortages of doctor and the use of jails and prisons as treatment facilities. Stories were integrated into a Congressional mental health bill that became law.

NEW YORK PRESS CLUB AWARD 

DEADLINE CLUB AWARD 

NATIONAL HEADLINER AWARD 

NEW YORK PRESS CLUB AWARD 

 2013

For a series about the intraracial nature of violence and improvements in the treatment of trauma that have lowered the national homicide total.

NEW YORK PRESS CLUB AWARD

 2012

For a series that highlighted the rise in the number of regulations and criminal laws that no longer require defendants to be aware they are violating the law. The stories showed an astonishing array of penalties levied against people for acts that would be considered mundane, including one father and son penalized for such as searching for arrowheads on public land, although they did not find any. The series led to Congressional hearings.

NEW YORK PRESS CLUB AWARD 

NATIONAL PRESS FOUNDATION FEDDIE AWARD

Gary Fields & John R. Emshwiller accept the Feddie Award

 

2009

For a series about violence in America, including the rise in assaults and killings of mourners at funerals.

NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS AWARD 

 2007

For the tale of a mentally ill man sentenced to death in Tennessee who was ruled unable to aid his defense but remained on death row awaiting execution.

THURGOOD MARSHALL JOURNALISM AWARD

For stories about the unequal justice system created for Native Americans in tribal lands, including the denial of constitutional rights at trial.  

JOHN JAY COLLEGE EXCELLENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTING AWARD

 2006

Lifetime achievement award in criminal justice reporting.

FAMILIES AGAINST MANDATORY MINIMUMS JUSTICE AWARD

2005

For stories about the unequal justice system created for Native Americans in tribal lands.

JAMES ARONSON AWARD FOR SOCIAL JOURNALISM 

For stories showing the real-world consequences of criminal justice reform resulting from the creation of the federal Sentencing Guidelines in the 1980s.

NEW YORK BAR ASSOCIATION CRYSTAL GAVEL AWARD 

2002

For coverage of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

PULITZER PRIZE  – BREAKING NEWS, Wall Street Journal staff 

1997

For coverage of unreported church arsons. Reporting led to changes in multiple federal laws, dozens of state laws and the creation of a joint ATF/FBI investigative division.

 JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS 

1989

For reporting on race relations in the aftermath of a police-involved shooting and riot that led to city and police reform in Shreveport, LA.

BEST OF GANNETT