Joplin Globe has ‘Reporter of Year’

Joplin Globe reporter Wally Kennedy has been named reporter of the year by Community Newspaper Holdings
Inc. in the company’s Best of CNHI editorial contest.
Kennedy received his award based on a collection of work from 2009. His entries included a story about a Cherokee County, Kan., turkey farmer who faced financial ruin after losing a production contract; the struggle of a Joplin man who is seeking recognition for America’s atomic veterans of World War II; and a critical look at the lack of communication within the Tulsa, Okla., and Springfield forecast offices of the National Weather Service in connection with the May 10, 2008, tornado.
Individual winners in the CNHI competition receive a plaque and a $400 prize.
Kennedy, a Joplin native, is a 1975 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He began working at The Globe in 1976 as a beat and police reporter.
In addition to his regular reporting duties, Kennedy writes a weekly column, “Watching Range Line,” and a business blog for joplinglobe.com.
Kennedy is active in Joplin Helps Haiti, which is coordinating relief for earthquake victims in Haiti. Recently
at Missouri Southern State University, Faces of Haiti, a post earthquake photo essay by Kennedy, was shown in connection with Hope for Haiti Day.
Also winning a CNHI award was a series of stories written by Globe reporters Derek Spellman and Greg Grisolano on unrest at Missouri Southern State University. It was a finalist for the public service award.
The Globe’s website was a finalist in the website-of-the-year category.