I.R.E. Honors for The Times

The Times shared in two awards wins from Investigative Reporters and Editors, which recognizes outstanding watchdog journalism, and had one finalist.

The medal for outstanding crime reporting went to an investigation of a Mississippi sheriff's department that exposed years of inmate abuse in Rankin County. The reporting was led by Mississippi Today in partnership with The Times's Local Investigations Fellowship, Reveal and PRX.

"This collaboration is a powerful example of what sustained local journalism can accomplish," said Sona Patel, program and editorial director of the Local Investigations Fellowship. "The multiyear reporting effort, conducted in the face of mounting resistance and intimidation, had a huge impact throughout the state."

An investigation by The Examination, in partnership with The Times, won the international outstanding print/online medal. The reporting, which included coverage by Peter Goodman and Samuel Granados, revealed the toxic chain of lead battery recycling supplying the U.S. auto industry and the ways in which it is harming vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

"This was collaborative journalism at its very best - deeply reported and compellingly told in all formats. We were lucky to have such a great partner in The Examination," said Matt Apuzzo, International's investigations editor. "This cross-border partnership followed the supply chain all the way to the truth."

And an investigation of the causes of the Washington plane crash in January 2025 was a finalist for investigations triggered by breaking news. Kate Kelly, Mark Walker, Emily Steel, Sydney Ember, Robin Stein, Riley Mellen, Dmitriy Khavin, Alexander Cardia, David A. Fahrenthold, Karoun Demirjian, Christine Chung, Niraj Chokshi and Aaron Krolik investigated the collision of an American Airlines plane with a military helicopter, a tragedy the likes of which had been anticipated years before in the same location.

"So many journalists in so many departments were represented here," said Jenn Forsyth, Washington investigations editor. "The judges recognized the dedication and doggedness of the Times staff on a tragic breaking news story. Some of the reporters, editors, designers and photographers, over the course of a week, delivered a jaw-dropping number of exclusives to readers."

Congratulations to all. Find the full list of winners and finalists here.

- Mariel