Awards
We don’t do it for the awards, but we do enjoy winning. When we get recognized for our work it means we helped tell a story that made a difference. We strive to be recognized for work that helps eradicate corruption and gets us closer to a corruption-free Connecticut.
CT Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism Contest 2025
Business
First Place: Marc Fitch – High Impact: State contractor puts CEO on leave, launches investigation
Second Place: Alex Appel – Ideal Fish: The rise and fall of an experimental fish farm in Waterbury
Education
First Place: Katherine Revello and Brandon Whiting – Partial record: Sexual misconduct and transparency at CSCU
Third Place: Marc Fitch and Alex Appel – Control the narrative: Parents claim school downplayed teacher tickling concerns
Government
First Place: Marc Fitch – Long commute: Some state employees live really far away
Religion
First Place: Alex Appel – Stranger among you: Faith leadership amid changing immigration policy
Investigative
Second Place: Brandon Whiting – Letter of the law: Section 8 lawsuits and discrimination
Connecticut Press Club Communications Contest 2025
Social Issues
First Place: Brandon Whiting – Disorder in the courts: two families struggle for justice
Second Place: Marc Fitch – In Custody: Overdose and withdrawal deaths in police custody
Honorable Mention: Alex Appel – Evicted: What CT’s changing evictions laws mean for renters and landlords
Government or Politics
First Place: Katherine Revello – Secession: Could Connecticut become a new Canadian province?
Second Place: Katherine Revello – Acting Blue: evidence of fraudulent political donations targeting retirees
Feature Story
First place: Marc Fitch – Target Investment: DOH commissioner awards extra funding to former employer
Second place: Brandon Whiting – Blight Fight: A foreclosure battle in Middletown
News Story
First place: Marc Fitch – He’s ranked 2nd in the nation for youth rock climbing; AI just canceled him
Agriculture
First Place: Alex Appel – Ideal Fish: The rise and fall of an experimental fish farm in Waterbury
Religion
First Place: Alex Appel – Stranger Among You: Faith leadership amid changing immigration policy
Education
First Place: Katherine Revello and Brandon Whiting – Partial Record: Sexual Misconduct and Transparency at CSCU
Honorable Mention: Marc Fitch and Alex Appel – Control the Narrative: Parents claim school downplayed teacher tickling concerns
Business
Second Place: Marc Fitch – High Impact: State contractor puts CEO on leave, launches investigation
History
Second Place: Katherine Revello – Sunshine on a Cloudy Day? The State of FOIA at 50
Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News
Third Place: Marc Fitch – The Authority: A Power Struggle for PURA
Health
Third Place: Alex Appel – Toothless: Despite fraud, law lets dentists keep licenses
In-depth Reporting
Honorable Mention: Marc Fitch – Auspices of Equity
Personal opinion, bylined (not editorial)
Honorable Mention: Katherine Revello – Three Deaths in a Black Box
Newsletter
First Place: Conner Drigotas – Inside Investigator: Investigative journalism to root out corruption
Website Edited or Managed by Entrant
First Place: Conner Drigotas – InsideInvestigator.org
NENPA New England Better Newspaper Competition 2025
Press Freedom or Right-to-Know
First Place: Katherine Revello, Brandon Whiting – Partial Record: Sexual Misconduct and Transparency at CSCU
Protest or Demonstration Coverage
First Place: Alex Appel – Unsafe Space: Students allege two years of antisemitism at Yale University
Environmental Reporting
Second Place: Marc Fitch – Passing the Buck: The path to clean drinking water can be long and expensive
Best Website Home Page
Third Place: Conner Drigotas, Joseph Camardo – Inside Investigator
New England First Amendment Coalition Awards
Special Recognition
Katherine Revello was given special recognition for her transparency and First Amendment reporting and FOIC legal challenges by the New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC).
Connecticut Foundation for Open Government Awards
Mitchell W. Pearlman Freedom of Information Award
Katherine Revello was awarded a 2025 Pearlman FOI Award by the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government (CTFOG) for her efforts to foster transparency in government, disclose information vital to the public, and ensure that state residents can see their government at work. [CTFOG Press Release]
New England Newspaper and Press Association 2025 New England Newspaper Awards
New England First Amendment Award
New England First Amendment Award: Katherine Revello
“This Award Recognizes a New England News organization for its exceptional work upholding the First Amendment and educating the public about it.“
A-Mark Prizes
Second Place: Marc Fitch – The Authority: A Power Struggle for PURA
“Given to recognize and honor outstanding investigative journalism that reveals hidden truths, holds power to account, or drives public awareness or reform. Marc’s Power Struggle series broke the news about the secret signatures. He found the multi-million-dollar experiments and called out the secret “get off the hook free” clause in the legislature’s omnibus energy bill. He kept up with every new twist in the renomination process and has been a levelheaded resource for everyone concerned about rising electric rates.“
National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) Awards 2024
News Story
First Place: Marc E. Fitch – “Drive Time: Former Lamont Chief of Staff racked up personal miles on state cars”
“A thoroughly researched story about what is apparent abuse of office. The case against Dach is built gradually until it would seem overwhelming.”
Specialty Articles – Education
Honorable Mention: Brandon Whiting – “Con Academy: Private school allegedly defrauding Chinese immigrants”
Specialty Articles – Business
Honorable Mention: Katherine Revello – “Ratioed: How CT licensing laws contribute to the construction worker shortage“
Website Edited or Managed by Entrant
Second Place: Joseph Camardo, Conner Drigotas – Inside Investigator
Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant
Honorable Mention: Conner Drigotas – Inside Investigator
NENPA New England Better Newspaper Competition 2024
Energy News and Reporting
First Place: Marc E. Fitch – “Connecticut Green Bank Awards No-bid Contracts to Nonprofit it Created”
“An impressive tour through a murky area of clean tech development. The story uncovers an ethically shady policy choice by the Green Bank and shines a light on a practice that could use some disinfectant.”
Right-to-Know
First Place: Katherine Revello – FOIA Investigations
“Amazingly detailed reports of exhaustive reporting rooted in information requests and disclosure. Outstanding example of how to counter public skepticism about the nature and quality of journalism in 2024.”
– Out of Date: Searching for State Agency Reporting
– It’s Personal: How your information is being exposed through FOIA
– Stonewalled: East Haven residents fight for transparency
– Religion and Redactions: Connecticut’s Interstate Prisoner Compact
Support Award Winning Journalism in Connecticut
CT SPJ Excellence in Journalism Contest 2024
Religion
First Place: Katherine Revello – “Religion and Redactions: Connecticut’s Interstate Prisoner Compact”
Second Place: Alex Appel – “For Jews, it’s the happiest holiday – and a bloody anniversary”
Podcast
First Place: Marc Fitch, Katherine Revello, Brandon Whiting, Alex Appel, Joseph Camardo, & Conner Drigotas – Inside Update
Courts/Crime
Second Place: Marc Fitch – “High Risk Newborns: Exploring the lines around reporting a newborn to DCF”
Government
Second Place: Marc Fitch – “Unplugged: The $7 billion tax in your electric bill”
Investigative
Second Place: Marc Fitch – “Drive Time: Former Lamont chief of staff racked up personal miles on state cars”
Headlines
Second Place: Marc Fitch – “Drive Time: Former Lamont chief of staff racked up personal miles on state cars”
Continuing Coverage or Series
Third Place: Marc Fitch – “Hidden Hand: State contracting board clashes with executive director”
Connecticut Press Club Communications Contest 2024
News Story
First Place: Marc Fitch – “Drive Time: Former Lamont Chief of Staff Racked Up Personal Miles on State Cars”
Honorable Mention: Katherine Revello – “Anthem changes course on anesthesia policy”
Feature Story
First Place: Marc Fitch – “Unplugged: The $7 Billion Tax in Your Electric Bill”
Third Place: Marc Fitch – “Racial Equity Commission Helps Kill Association Health Plans”
Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News
First Place: Katherine Revello – “Obscure Law Used to Demand Ballot Fraud Arrests in Bridgeport”
Specialty Articles – Business
First Place: Katherine Revello – “Ratioed: How CT Licensing Laws Contribute to the Construction Worker Shortage”
Specialty Articles – Education
First Place: Brandon Whiting – “Con Academy: Private School Allegedly Defrauding Chinese Immigrants”
Specialty Articles – Government or Politics
Honorable Mention: Marc Fitch – “Hidden Hand: State Contracting board clashes with executive director”
Specialty Articles – Green/Environmental
Honorable Mention: Marc Fitch, – “Connecticut Green Bank Awards No-bid Contracts to Nonprofit it Created”
Specialty Articles – Health
First Place: Marc Fitch – “Best Interest of the Child: One Mother’s Fight Against a Claim of Parental Alienation”
Specialty Articles – Social Issues
Third Place: Brandon Whiting – “Should this Dog Die? A Legal Battle After Mauling Death in Suffield”
Headlines
Third Place: Conner Drigotas – “Inside Investigator: Four Headlines”
Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant
First Place: Conner Drigotas – “Inside Investigator: Investigative journalism to root out corruption in Connecticut”
Graphics
Honorable Mention: Joseph Camardo – “Best Interest of the Child”
Website Edited or Managed by Entrant
First Place: Joseph Camardo and Conner Drigotas – InsideInvestigator.org
Podcast
Second Place: Joseph Camardo and Conner Drigotas – Inside Update
National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) Awards 2023
In-Depth Reporting
Third Place: Marc Fitch – “The Board of Pardon and Paroles 44 Commuted Murder Convictions”
Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News
Third Place: Marc Fitch – “Grave Concern: A DCF-funded Shelter for Teen Girls Loses Control”
Specialty Articles – Government or Politics
Honorable Mention: Marc Fitch – “Double Down: Connecticut’s Questionable Pension Investments with Local Firm”
Specialty Articles – Social Issues
Honorable Mention: Marc Fitch – “Invisible Epidemic: Connecticut’s Alcohol Problem”
Connecticut Press Club Communications Contest 2023
In-Depth Reporting
First Place: Marc Fitch – “The Board of Pardon and Paroles 44 Commuted Murder Convictions”
Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News
First Place: Marc Fitch – “Grave Concern: A DCF-funded Shelter for Teen Girls Loses Control”
Feature Story
Third Place: Tricia Ennis – “Inside Oddities: Connecticut’s Vintage Radio Museum”
Specialty Articles – Government or Politics
First Place: Marc Fitch – “Double Down: Connecticut’s Questionable Pension Investments with Local Firm”
Specialty Articles – Green/Environmental
First Place: Tricia Ennis – “Sunk: Connecticut’s Growing Flood Risk”
Specialty Articles – Social Issues
First Place: Marc Fitch – “Invisible Epidemic: Connecticut’s Alcohol Problem”
Website Edited or Managed by Entrant
First Place: Conner Drigotas and Joe Carmado, InsideInvestigator.org
Electronic Newsletter
First Place: Conner Drigotas, Joe Carmado, Marc Fitch, Tricia Ennis and Katherine Revello – Subscribe Here
SPN Communications Excellence Awards 2023
Powerful Storytelling Award
First Place: Marc Fitch
Crisis: One family’s journey through Connecticut’s mental health system
Lived Experience: A peer-run path to mental health
Failure to Launch: The mental health task force that never happened
As Connecticut and America began the work of putting COVID behind us in early 2022, the impact of the pandemic was becoming clearer. This was especially true in the realm of mental health. According to Thomas Burr, communications director for the Connecticut chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “COVID took a system that had been stretched to the breaking point and broke it.”
In a series of investigative articles and news coverage Senior Investigative Reporter Marc Fitch, a former healthcare professional himself, undertook the work of exposing egregious barriers to compassionate care in the Constitution State. What was initially a single investigation into a convoluted system has evolved into an award-winning multi-year accountability project.
Advocacy Unlimited 2023 Community Spotlight Award
Advocacy Unlimited recognized Marc E. Fitch for “Dedication and commitment to lifting the interests of the peer recovery community through journalism” for his multi-part investigation into mental health in Connecticut. Advocacy Unlimited is a peer-run organization, whose staff “uses their direct lived experience navigating mental health, addiction, and trauma to promote individual growth, human rights, and systems transformation.”
Reed Awards 2023
Best Website for Independent Expenditure – Finalist
Named after Stanley Foster Reed, the founder of C&E and an entrepreneur, the Reed Awards are one of the most coveted awards in politics and policy. Connecticut Inside Investigator was named a finalist for the 2023 Reed Awards for the launch of www.insideinvestigator.org to serve the people of Connecticut with news and investigative journalism.
Connecticut Press Club Communications Contest 2022
In-Depth Reporting
First Place: Connecticut Inside Investigator was recognized by the Connecticut Press Club for Keep the Seat: Connecticut’s Incumbent Advantage, a close look at how the state’s election laws have resulted in the lowest turnover of legislators in the country.