EDITORIAL

David Miller

Loveland, Ohio – Because the Ohio Capital Journal is such a vital part of our reporting to the Greater Loveland Area, we are thrilled that we can share that in the “Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest” from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Ohio Capital Journal won seven awards last week, including three first place finishes and four in second place. The contest covered stories and editorial from 2023.

Because of the Journal, Loveland Magazine equals any news outlet in the Greater Cincinnati Area in the number of reports from the Ohio Statehouse; and certainly the quality of the stories we are so fortunate to be able to publish is second to none.

In announcing the awards, Ohio Capital Journal Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Columnist David DeWitt said, “We are incredibly honored and grateful for this recognition from our fellow journalists. We are also humbled by and grateful for all of the support we receive from our readers and Ohioans across the state.”

That includes you, our Loveland Magazine faithful readers.

Congratulations Journal! We are certainly very grateful for your devoted work and dedication.

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The Ohio Capital Journal is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to connecting Ohioans to their state government and its impact on their lives. The Capital Journal combines Ohio state government coverage with incisive investigative journalism, reporting on the consequences of policy, political insight and principled commentary. They are part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

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The latest awards come after the Ohio Capital Journal won seven SPJ awards last year, and five the year before. Overall, the Ohio Capital Journal has won 19 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists awards in the last three years.

In digital media categories, Capital Journal Senior Reporter Marty Schladen won first place for best government/political reporting; reporter Megan Henry won first place for best education reporting; and Editor/Columnist David DeWitt and Columnist Marilou Johanek won first place for best overall commentary/opinion blog section.

Reporter Susan Tebben won second place for best education reporting; OCJ/WEWS reporter Morgan Trau won second place for best government/political reporting; reporter Susan Tebben won second place for best medical/science/health care reporting, and the Ohio Capital Journal won second place for best general news site.

Below we are sharing the award-winning entries.

Best Government/Political Reporting — First Place — Marty Schladen

Ohio utility regulator front and center in massive bailout scandal

Analysis: Bribery scandal shows how Ohio politics is polluted with dark money

Money paid, favors done. Messages detail relationship between Ohio regulator and energy executives

Best Education Issues Reporting — First Place — Megan Henry

A look inside classes at an Ohio prison

“Reading is a basic right.” Ohio parents of dyslexic students see benefits of science of reading

22 Ohio school districts have staff members authorized to carry weapons on school grounds

Best Overall Commentary/Opinion blog section — First Place — David DeWitt and Marilou Johanek

The shame of Ohio: Corrupt, gerrymandered Statehouse Republicans assault voters, again

Gerrymandered Ohio GOP lawmakers launch tyrannical assault on 170 years of majority voter authority

Ohio Issue 1 isn’t about any one issue — It’s about every issue and the power Ohio voters have

Best Government/Political Reporting — Second Place — Morgan Trau

Ohio Sec. of State LaRose admits making constitution harder to amend is ‘100% about… abortion’

Six transgender girls play sports in Ohio, but GOP wants them out

How Ohio’s Issue 1 could affect the rest of the country

Former Ohio House Speaker Householder sentenced to 20 years for state’s largest bribery scheme