Bridge Michigan reporters named Journalists of the Year in repeat win

• Bridge Michigan reporters Ron French and Robin Erb were named Journalists of the Year by the Detroit Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists 
• It’s the second consecutive year Bridge Michigan reporters were awarded the honor 
• Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit journalists won another 22 awards at the annual award ceremony 

Bridge Michigan reporters Ron French and Robin Erb were named Journalists of the Year on Thursday night as part of the Detroit Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists’ annual Excellence in Journalism awards.

French and Erb were honored for their extensive reporting on how Michigan counties are using money from a $745 million settlement to address the opioid epidemic. 

“Thousands of people die every year from overdose deaths, which is ridiculously avoidable,” Erb said as she accepted the award. “Thank you for this, but let’s keep on (writing) those stories. There’s so many to tell right now.” 

Their reporting revealed that many communities have been slow to utilize settlement dollars effectively, despite the impacts of the ongoing crisis. 

“Tracking how money is being spent on this case … is not the most sexy type of reporting I can picture, but it is one of the most important things that I’ve ever done in my life,” French said during his acceptance speech. 

It’s the second straight year that Bridge reporters took home top honors at the journalism awards ceremony. 

Related:

• Bridge Michigan, BridgeDetroit reporters named Journalists of the Year 
• Bridge Michigan wins numerous awards from Society of Professional Journalists

French and Erb spent nine months reporting on the opioid crisis through several investigative stories.

“We’re honored to have great reporters like Robin and Ron on staff and humbled by the award,” said Joel Kurth, Bridge’s executive editor of impact. “The true recognition came from the impact of their stories, which prodded Michigan governments to help residents truly in need.”

BridgeDetroit reporter Malachi Barrett was also a finalist for the Young Journalist of the Year award. 

“Both newsrooms work hard to improve Michigan and Detroit through journalism,” said Katy Locker, chief executive officer of The Center for Michigan, the nonprofit publisher of Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit.

“We are humbled by the recognition and will use it as fire to continue our mission.”

Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit journalists also won 22 other awards, including seven first-place awards in a handful of categories:

Collaborative news coverage: 

• Second place, Malachi Barrett and Aaron Mondry, “Mural contracts spark ethics investigation into Detroit planning director.” 
• Fourth place, Malachi Barrett, Kayleigh Lickliter, Aaron Mondry, “Detroit FY2025 budget hearings: What you need to know.” 

Community/local news reporting: Third place, Tom Perkins, “Uncommitted vote in Southeast Michigan not just an Arab-American issue.” 

Consumer/watchdog/investigative reporting: 

• Second place, Kayleigh Lickliter, ”Detroit said auto theft victims shouldn't pay fees. Some still are.” 
• Fourth place, Jena Brooker, ”Moroun-owned firm built east side concrete plant without permit.” 

Education reporting: 

• First place, Ron French, “Flint water crisis casts long shadow over education.” 
• Second place, Jena Brooker, Katie Worth, ”With more hot days, Detroit students' learning and health suffers.” 
• Fourth place, staff of Bridge Michigan, “How Michigan schools are teaching the Israel-Hamas war.” 

Engagement driven coverage: 

• First place, staff of Bridge Michigan, “Voter-Driven, Fact-Driven Election Coverage.” 
• Second place, Bryce Huffman and Christine Ferretti, “BridgeDetroit 2024 events series.” 
• Third place, Nushrat Rahman, ”The eviction process: What Michigan renters should know.” 

Environmental reporting: 

• First place, Kelly House, “Questioning State Response to a Mysterious Downstate Wolf Killing.” 
• Fourth place, Kelly House, “Michigan's  ‘Critical Minerals’ Bonanza.” 

Feature reporting: 

• First place, Martina Guzmán and Alejandro Ugalde Sandoval, “Salvadoran grocery store in SW Detroit keeps culture, connection alive.” 
• Fourth place, Bryce Huffman, Orlando Bailey and Quinn Banks, “Black men bond where they feel at home — in the barbershop.” 

Health reporting: 

• First place, Robin Erb, “The Day of Death.” 
• Third place, Ron French, “Rural health care challenges.” 
• Fourth place, Nushrat Rahman, “Medical care for Detroit's homeless gets half a million dollar boost.” 

Newsletter strategy: 

• First place, Jena Brooker, “JB’s bites samples.” 
• Third place, Malachi Barrett, “City Council Notebook.”
• Fourth place, Micah Walker, “Culture Canvas Samples.” 

Social media strategy: First place, Asha Lewis, “Bridge Michigan Social Media Strategy.”