WBUR announces Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize winners: Jared Bennett and Justin Hicks from Louisville Public Media

WBUR has announced that Jared Bennett and Justin Hicks from Louisville Public Media (LPM) are the winners of the annual Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize. Their winning entry, "Invasive and Incomplete: How flood cleanup left eastern Kentucky feeling violated and vulnerable" is an investigation for The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting.

The investigation raises questions about the effectiveness and sensitivity of disaster response strategies in rural areas, ranging from incomplete cleanup efforts to invasive methods used by cleanup crews in Kentucky. Capturing the emotional toll experienced by residents alongside data and official records, their reporting comes to life in an hour-long audio story and online digital feature.

Jared Bennett is an investigative reporter for LPM's Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting team. Previously, he was a reporter and digital editor at the Center for Public Integrity, and a digital producer for WBUR in Boston. Justin Hicks is a data reporter serving the Kentucky Public Radio network, as well as LPM's daily newsroom and the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. He's especially passionate about using data to uncover issues that disproportionately affect rural and Appalachian communities.

"Invasive and Incomplete" was among 49 submissions for this year's competition with entries spanning 27 U.S. states. The Schorr Prize judges finalist judges — NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid and Here & Now co-host Scott Tong — said: "As listeners, we were struck by the richness of the residents who told their stories of grief and loss. Jared and Justin's team combined these voices with appropriate music mixed to deliver first-hand experiences to the audience. It's an engaging listen… also a testament to solid investigative reporting delivered to the listener by audio and illustrated to the web audience online."

The Prize is named for late NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr who believed in supporting talented, young journalists. The annual $5,000 award salutes a new generation of public radio reporters under 35. Bennett and Hicks will be presented with the Prize at WBUR's two-night gala, "Bright Nights," which takes place April 30 and May 1 at WBUR CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center.

WBUR has presented the Schorr Prize since 2007. Past winners include Emily Feng (2022); Samantha Max (2021); Nate Hegyi (2020); Nora Saks (2019); Hannah Dreier (2018); Wilson Sayre (2017); Sarah Gonzalez (2016); Patrick Madden (2015); Devin Katayama (2014); Becky Vevea (2013); Grace Hood (2012); David Greene (2011); Ailsa Chang (2010); Chana Joffe-Walt (2009); Guy Raz (2008); and Laura Sullivan (2007).