Journalists of the year: Kansas Reflector sweeps category in state press association awards

Posted April 21, 2026

Kansas Reflector senior reporter Tim Carpenter takes photos during a Jan. 27, 2026, rally at the Statehouse.

Kansas Reflector senior reporter Tim Carpenter takes photos during a Jan. 27, 2026, rally at the Statehouse. Carpenter was named Kansas Press Association journalist of the year. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

At Kansas Reflector, we try to go above and beyond for our readers.

So perhaps its appropriate that our staff went above and beyond in the Kansas Press Association‘s annual contest. We received the results Sunday night, and they reaffirm what I’ve known for a long time. They reaffirm what I’ve written every year when these contest results come around: I’m lucky to work with these supremely gifted folks.

For starters, Kansas Reflector staff dominated the journalist of the year category, finishing first, second and third. Senior reporter Tim Carpenter took that first place (just five months after being named to the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame). Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith was in second, and reporter Anna Kaminski was in third.

Kansas Reflector senior reporter Morgan Chilson interviews an Abortion Is Murder member during a Jan. 27, 2026, rally at the Statehouse.Kansas Reflector senior reporter Morgan Chilson interviews an Abortion Is Murder member during a Jan. 27, 2026, rally at the Statehouse. Chilson returned to journalism last year and won the Kansas Press Association award for best new journalist. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

But we’re barely getting started. I won first place for column writing and editorial pages. Senior reporter Morgan Chilson won the new journalist award category for her return to the business after six years in nonprofit communications.

That means every Reflector staff member has something to crow about this year.

Carpenter also won first place in the health story category, while freelancer Grace Hills finished first for video journalism.

“I love that I get to work with these talented journalists every day, challenging and inspiring one another as we cover the news,” Smith told me. “The awards recognize our shared commitment to lift up voices, speak truth to power and practice journalism as a public good.”

Every year since my arrival at the Reflector in 2021, I’ve written these awards roundups. I’ll admit, figuring out an angle year after year strains the imagination.

But I’m happy to do it. Grateful, even.

During my 14 years in print news media, I watched firsthand as outlets did incredible work — then refused to celebrate it. Their reporters nabbed incredible scoops. Their opinion pages drove community-wide conversations. They garnered gobs of journalism awards. But newspapers feared looking too boastful or taking up space talking about themselves.

Kansas Reflector has a different relationship with its readers. Yes, we do the journalism first. But we also explain why we do what we do. We travel around the state to talk with readers in person. We celebrate when good things happen.

And we want you to celebrate with us.

Here are the rest of our KPA awards this year. Congratulations to my friends and co-workers at Kansas Reflector, and to our supporters throughout the States Newsroom network. I think we’ve only scratched the surface of what can be accomplished. Even better awaits.

Sarah Bell, director of the Kansas Museum of History, talks about the renovated gallery space during a Nov. 5, 2025, interview.Sarah Bell, director of the Kansas Museum of History, talks about the renovated gallery space during a Nov. 5, 2025, interview. The gallery asks visitors: What is Kansas? What was Kansas? and Why Kansas? The photo was part of a package that won the award for best story/picture combination. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Second places

Comanche County School District Superintendent Ty Theurer, photographed with the 2019 graduating class at South Central High School in Coldwater, is under investigation for alleged sexual harassment of a studentComanche County School District Superintendent Ty Theurer, photographed with the 2019 graduating class at South Central High School in Coldwater, resigned following an investigation into alleged sexual harassment of a student. Senior reporter Tim Carpenter’s reporting on Theurer won third place for investigative story. (Comanche County School District)

Third places

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.

Read more