The Star Tribune won the grand prize in the Public Service category of Associated Press Media Editors (APME) awards for 2018 for its five-part series "Left to Suffer."
Judges called the series, which uncovered flaws and incompetence in the handling of elder abuse cases, "well done in every aspect," in announcing the award Monday.
The judges commended the series by reporter Chris Serres and photographer David Joles for "beauty of the prose and the photos, the shocking findings themselves, the tremendous governmental reaction and response. This is an issue that can and will affect many. The Star Tribune's work did a tremendous public service in exposing these problems and pushing for change."
The Houston Chronicle won the grand prize in news reporting and an honorable mention in public service for its coverage of Hurricane Harvey, as well as another first-place award in storytelling.
APME said this year's winners "exposed abuse of the public trust and shed light on the human condition."
The winners will receive their awards during a news leadership conference Sept. 11-12 in Austin, Texas.
