Awards

Texas Association of Managing Editors and the Headliners Foundation of Texas – 2022

Judges wrote: “The very best journalism involves reporting something someone doesn’t want to see in the local newspaper. Apparently, there were not a lot of people who wanted to comment for Kali Venable’s followup story on a gas-well blowout, but she did a bang-up job detailing the damage and the response. It’s a dangerous industry – and yes, accidents happen. But too often, the oil and gas industry dumps methane into the atmosphere with hardly a fuss. Thanks for holding these companies accountable.”

Texas Association of Managing Editors and the Headliners Foundation of Texas – 2021

Texas Press Association Better Newspaper Contest – 2019 – 2020

Judges wrote, “Clearly a cut above the others, especially when looking at all the extras in the online versions. In depth without going overboard. Stories were long but generally compelling.”

Texas Association of Managing Editors and the Headliners Foundation of Texas – 2019

“These stories — one of a disgraced school teacher’s checkered past; the other of a jail inmate’s needless death — were told through the persistent pursuit of records that public agencies either didn’t bother to obtain themselves or which they actively sought to withhold. Reporter Kali Venable got them anyway and pieced together illuminating stories that held these agencies to account. Great work.” – Emily Le Coz, USA TODAY Network managing editor of regional investigations

  • Star Investigative Report of the Year, Honorable Mention – “Red Flags“
  • Star Investigative Report of the Year, Honorable Mention – “This is Killing Us“
  • Specialty Reporting, Honorable Mention – Public safety beat coverage