RGJ’s Jason Hidalgo named Nevada Press Association’s Outstanding Journalist for 2024

Reno Gazette Journal business and investigative reporter Jason Hidalgo has been named the Nevada Press Association’s Outstanding Journalist for 2024.

Hidalgo is a 25-year veteran watchdog reporter whose work regularly sheds light on mismanagement, shady dealings, government overreach and dysfunction with an eye toward how powerful interests exert their influence.

In addition to Outstanding Journalist, Hidalgo placed first in the NPA contest’s political-government-enterprise reporting category. His series on the Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission examined its leadership currying favor with private interests in drafting the plan to improve downtown transportation.

He won second place in health reporting for coverage of DaVita closing the only dialysis center in Winnemucca, forcing some families to make a 4-hour round trip for care.

Hidalgo took home the silver in arts and culture commentary for his Technobubble columns on gaming and technology.

And he won third place in coverage of underserved communities for examining a wide range of issues at the Muslim section of one of Reno’s oldest cemeteries. His reporting also revealed a divide within the local Muslim community and its leadership..

RGJ staff awards in 2024 Nevada Press Association contest

Siobhan McAndrew brought home four awards. They include a first place in news obituaries and third place in feature writing for a powerful story on a daughter’s search for her homeless mother ending tragically on the streets of Reno.

She took second place in sports feature writing for a heart-warmer on the Billinghurst Middle School cheer team.

McAndrew and Jim Krajewski shared third place for a co-bylined story in the sports spot news category. They interviewed the Bishop Manogue girls basketball coach who claimed she was fired after the school president warned her against giving too much playing time to “brown kids.” The president ended up resigning after the issue was brought to light.

Mark Robison took home third place in investigative reporting for his work on a soldier who died after she was kicked out of the Nevada National Guard in the wake of reporting an alleged rape.

Robison also won third place in breaking news for his reporting on a Rottweiler shot at dog park.

Photographer Jason Bean won second place for a feature photo of a man trying on outfits ahead of Burning Man, third for a photo gallery of Burners trying to get off the muddy playa and third for a portrait of Downtown Reno Partnership Ambassador David Papaleo.

The awards were presented Saturday at the annual NPA convention held at the Depot in downtown Reno.

Eight inducted into Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame

Eight journalists who had a lasting impact in Nevada were inducted into the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Among the inductees are Reno Gazette Journal reporter Guy Clifton, who died Sept. 7. The veteran journalist was renowned for his coverage of the Reno Rodeo, and published a number of books including the “You Know You’re a Nevadan If …” series.

The other inductees are:

Laura Tennant, who has served the rural communities of Fernley, Dayton and Yerington for four decades as a reporter, editor and columnist.

Guy Rocha, Nevada state archivist whose column in the Reno Gazette Journal informed residents of the rich past of their hometown;

Steve Ranson, editor emeritus of the Lahontan Valley News in Fallon;

The late University of Nevada, Reno journalism professor, mentor and journalist Jake Highton;

Frank McCulloch, a Vietnam war correspondent who led major American news organizations

Mary Hausch, journalism professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 25 years, specializing in media ethics and reporting;

Former Las Vegas Review-Journal Managing Editor Charles Zobell, who sadly died at age 74 just days before he was to be inducted;

And the late Bill Hughes, a noted photojournalist with the Las Vegas Review Journal.

The eight were honored at a lunch ceremony during the organizations’ convention Saturday in Reno.