Herald-Leader wins 1st place in Ky. newspaper awards. Freedom of Information work honored.

The Lexington Herald-Leader was named First Place General Excellence in the large daily newspaper division in the Kentucky Press Association’s annual Excellence in Kentucky Newspapers competition.

Herald-Leader reporter John Cheves was also recognized with the Jon Fleischaker Freedom of Information Award for daily newspapers for his investigative series on problems and abuses in Kentucky juvenile justice detention centers. The award is presented by the Associated Press.

The Herald-Leader staff took home awards in multiple individual categories as well. They include:

• Best Editorial Writer, 1^st place: Linda Blackford

• Best Breaking News Coverage, 1^st place: Jeremy Chisenhall, Bill Estep, Liz Moomey; 3rd Place: Jeremy Chisenhall

• Best General News Story, 2^nd place: Alex Acquisto

• Best Columnist, 2^nd place: Linda Blackford

• Best Sports Columnist: 2^nd place, John Clay; 3^rd place, Mark Story

• Best Enterprise or Analytical Story, 3^rd place: Alex Acquisto

• Best Video: 2^nd place, Ryan Hemens, 3^rd place, Silas Walker

• Best Breaking news picture: 1^st place and 3^rd place, Ryan Hermens

• Best General news picture: 1^st place, Ryan Hermens

• Best Feature picture: 1^st place and 3^rd place, Ryan Hermens

• Best Picture Essay: 1^st place, Herald-Leader staff; 2^nd place, Alex Slitz, Silas Walker, Brian Simms

• Best Sports Picture: 3^rd place, Ryan Hermens

• Best Sports picture essay: 1^st place, Ryan Hermens, Alex Slitz

• Best Editorial Page: 1^st place, Herald-Leader, Linda Blackford