Scripps News, WTVF in Nashville receive 2025 duPont-Columbia Awards

Rhea-AI Summary

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) has been awarded two 2025 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Awards for outstanding journalism. Scripps News won for its investigation into Maine gun laws, while WTVF, Scripps' CBS affiliate in Nashville, was recognized for its coverage of political extremism in Tennessee.

The Scripps News investigation revealed how over two dozen law enforcement officials had information about the Maine mass shooter's threats before 18 people were killed. WTVF's award-winning investigation exposed mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson's ties to white supremacists and other controversial matters, producing more than 60 stories.

Additionally, Scripps News was named a finalist for its investigation into Flint's ongoing water crisis, which previously earned them a national news Emmy Award.

Positive

• Won two prestigious 2025 duPont-Columbia Awards for investigative journalism
• Demonstrated strong investigative capabilities with multiple high-impact stories
• Received additional recognition as finalist for Flint water crisis investigation

Negative

• None.

CINCINNATI, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For their series of investigative reports, news teams at The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) have won two 2025 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Awards. The prestigious journalism awards recognize America's best video and audio journalism. The duPont Silver Batons were presented during a ceremony Wednesday night at Columbia University in New York City.

Scripps News, the national news network owned by Scripps, won for its reporting on the limits of Maine gun laws. WTVF, Scripps' CBS-affiliated local television station in Nashville, received the award for its series of reports on political extremism in Tennessee. Scripps News was also a finalist for its investigation into the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

"The relentless reporting from Scripps journalists across these three investigations is another reminder of the vital role they play as community connectors, keeping the public informed, engaged and accountable – often at great personal cost," said Dean Littleton, Scripps' executive vice president of media broadcast operations. "This award is a testament to the commitment of Scripps' robust team of local and national investigative journalists to delivering hard-hitting impactful stories that go beyond the headlines and get to the bottom of the story." 

Scripps News, "Maine Shooting: Missed Warnings"
Scripps News Investigates won a duPont-Columbia Award for its investigation into the 2023 Maine mass shooting. The investigation revealed how more than two dozen law enforcement officials had information about the shooter's threats and access to firearms, but no one was able to remove the shooter's weapons before he took the lives of 18 people. For more than a year, national investigative correspondent Lori Jane Gliha, investigative producer Brittany Freeman and the Scripps News Investigates team have been trying to find out why. Read the full investigative series to see what Scripps News uncovered.

WTVF, NewsChannel 5 "Hate Comes to Main Street"
WTVF Chief Investigative Reporter Phil Williams and the NewsChannel 5 Investigates team received a duPont-Columbia Award for their investigation into Franklin, Tennessee, mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson. In a series of reports, the team probed Hanson's ties to white supremacists, her arrest history for promoting prostitution and her social media photo of a group of women she claimed to be her supporters but who later denied that claim and denounced her, among other inconsistencies and unusual revelations.

As the investigation expanded, the NewsChannel 5 Investigates team discovered how a Hanson ally, Shawn Taylor, had a lengthy history of bizarre, unfounded conspiracy theories before being hired as the assistant police chief in Millersville, Tennessee. This project has produced more than 60 individual stories.

The investigation into Hanson received a Peabody Award last May. This is the fifth duPont-Columbia Award for Williams and the NewsChannel 5 Investigates team.

Scripps News, "Flint: City in Contempt"
Scripps News Investigates was named a finalist for "Flint: City in Contempt." The investigation found that nearly a decade after one of the nation's largest public health scandals was set in motion, many Flint residents were still waiting for the city to remove and replace the corroded pipes that have been leaching lead into the city's water supply. View the full investigation here. Scripps News also received a national news Emmy Award last September for its investigation into the Flint water crisis.

Media contact: Molly Miossi, The E.W. Scripps Company, 513-977-3713, molly.miossi@scripps.com

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, ION Plus, ION Mystery, Bounce, Grit and Laff. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps' long-time motto is: "Give light and the people will find their own way."

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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company

FAQ

What awards did Scripps (SSP) win in the 2025 duPont-Columbia Awards?

Scripps won two duPont-Columbia Awards in 2025: one for Scripps News' investigation into Maine gun laws and another for WTVF Nashville's coverage of political extremism in Tennessee.

What was the focus of Scripps News' (SSP) Maine shooting investigation?

The investigation revealed that over two dozen law enforcement officials had prior information about the shooter's threats and access to firearms before 18 people were killed, but failed to remove the weapons.

What did WTVF's award-winning investigation about Gabrielle Hanson reveal?

The investigation uncovered Hanson's ties to white supremacists, her arrest history for promoting prostitution, and various inconsistencies in her claims, resulting in over 60 individual stories.

What was Scripps News' (SSP) role in investigating the Flint water crisis?

Scripps News investigated how Flint residents were still waiting for pipe replacement nearly a decade after the health scandal began, earning them a finalist position for the duPont-Columbia Award and a national news Emmy Award.