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# SD News Watch wins numerous awards
- URL: https://www.sdnewswatch.org/news-watch-updates/
- Published: 2024-05-08T10:45:46.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-08T14:58:59.000Z
- Description: Bart Pfankuch and Stu Whitney honored by multiple organizations
- Author: Carson Walker
- Tags: News Watch

South Dakota News Watch's investigative reporters took home several state and national awards recently. Here's a summary with links to the winning entries. 

### Stu Whitney, investigative reporter

**South Dakota NewsMedia Association**, multi-day publications:

- First place, best feature story non-profile, [Remembering Honor: A year later, boy’s death raises questions](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/honor-beauvais-rosebud-indian-reservation-ihs-2022-storm/). Judge's comment: "Wow, a devastating story, great photos, strong description of boy and his family, incredibly well done."
- Second place, best government story, [Noem’s demanding style sparks staff turnover, turmoil](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota-gov-kristi-noem-chief-staff-turmoil-turnover/). Judge's comment: "Excellent reporting, multiple sources, beautiful writing."

### Bart Pfankuch, content director 

**North American Agricultural Journalists:** Honorable mention, [Long-held rural values at odds in South Dakota gun range debate](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/rapid-city-gun-range-south-dakota-gfp-proposal/). Judge's comment: "Bart Pfankuch ... lets each side make their case in a straightforward way, while retaining the emotional overlay of the situation."

**South Dakota State Medical Association** Richard P. Holm, MD Media Award, which recognizes contributions by those who have distinguished themselves by serving as an effective advocate for patient care. 

**South Dakota NewsMedia Association**, multi-day publications:

- First place, best government story, [11 billion-pound mystery: The chemicals South Dakota trains carry](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota-railroad-trains-derailments-chemicals/). Judge's comment: "Great beginning to hook reader, thoroughly researched, excellent use of graphics, strong story structure."
- First place, best feature series, [Native American artists in South Dakota travel new paths to prosperity](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/native-american-art-south-dakota-kyle-oglala-lakota/). Judge's comment: "Impressive, multifaceted reporting, crisp writing, fantastic job of Solutions Journalism."
- First place, best portrait photo (image and story link below). Judge's comment: "This image immediately makes you feel the pain and exhaustion he has endured; he was clearly comfortable around the photographer."
- Second place, best feature story non-profile, [Camp Lejeune contamination leaves South Dakota Marines with cancer – and resentment](Lives of Marines altered by service at Camp Lejeune). Judge's comment: "Incredible job putting a face to this, photos are well done, terrible story well told."

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/ab/cbabab5e-2dc6-462c-94a0-b72956c0d224/content/images/2024/05/unnamed.jpg)

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ronald Lawson is mainly confined to his one-bedroom apartment in Sturgis, S.D. because he has throat cancer that prevents him from eating, knee and spine problems that limit mobility, and nerve damage that causes constant pain. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch, South Dakota News Watch)

*This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit news organization. Read more in-depth stories at* [*sdnewswatch.org*](http://sdnewswatch.org/?ref=sdnewswatch.org) *and sign up for an email every few days to get stories as soon as they're published. Contact Carson Walker at* [*c*arson*.walker@sdnewswatch.org*](mailto: carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org)*.*