Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation President Scott Peterson presented the first and second place A-Mark Prizes for Investigative Journalism on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Peterson made the presentation before the start of Rounds 3 and 4 of the Wisconsin Civics Games Championships.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Ozaukee Press were the top finishers in the inaugural Wisconsin A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism competition. The award recognizes excellence in investigative reporting. Submissions were evaluated based on the core criteria of journalism quality, presentation quality, responsiveness to community needs and impact.
The contest was administered by the WNAF and judged by a committee of retired Wisconsin newspaper and broadcast journalists, as well as representatives from the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Winners and the corresponding prizes included:
First place: $5,000 for the journalist(s) and $2,500 to the news organization — For the entry “Wisconsin Prison Crisis” by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel team of Kelli Arseneau, Drake Bentley, Ashley Luthern, Laura Schulte, and Vanessa Swales. Peterson presented the first place prize to Laura Schultz from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She also received copies of certificates for the five other journalists named on the entry form.
Second place: $3,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,500 to the news organization — For the entry “The Gray Zone,” by journalist Cleo Krejci of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Peterson presented Krejci with her certificate.
Krejci’s entry was also named a finalist for a 2024 Investigative Reporters and Editors Print/Online Division IV award.
Third place: $2,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,000 to the news organization – For the entry, “Microchip Plant,” by journalists Bill Schanen IV and Kristyn Halbig-Ziehm of The Ozaukee Press.
Commendable entries, as evaluated by the judges, included:
- “State Judicial Ethics Panel Rarely Acts on Complaints,” by Bethany Gentler of The Oshkosh Herald;
- “Presque Isle Computer Caper,” by Richard Moore of The Lakeland Times; and
- “Wrong Way Drivers” by David Wahlberg of The Wisconsin State Journal.
About A-Mark
The A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism is open to all journalists and all news organizations in Wisconsin. The A-Mark Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 1997.
A-Mark is dedicated to supporting and encouraging journalism and investigative reporting through grants to organizations that offer awards recognizing journalistic excellence. One of A-Mark’s flagship initiatives is the A-Mark Prizes program, which recognizes and rewards the best investigative journalism in each state.
