WASHINGTON, D.C. – For its dogged and persistent investigation of the fentanyl crisis, Scripps News is being honored with a Gracie Award from The Alliance for Women in Media. The investigation, “Poisoned: Fentanyl’s Child Victims,” won in the “news feature series” category. Scripps News also received an honorable mention for its reporting on Mississippi’s infant-mortality emergency.
The Gracie Awards, presented by The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment.
“Both of these investigations shine a light on crises that are claiming young lives in silence – from children lost to fentanyl poisonings to infants dying at alarming rates in Mississippi,” said Linda Pattillo, Scripps News’ managing editor, investigative. “Our teams worked tirelessly to uncover the human stories behind the statistics, to hold those in power accountable and to give a voice to the families and communities fighting for change. This recognition affirms the importance of telling these stories and the responsibility we carry to keep pushing for solutions.”
Poisoned: Fentanyl’s Child Victims
The Scripps News investigative team obtained and analyzed more than 100 hours of videos, audio recordings and thousands of documents to build an unprecedented database that tells a critical public health story about young children who have been killed or poisoned by fentanyl. This series of six reports in 2025 builds on Scripps News’ dogged and innovative continuing coverage of the crisis of fentanyl poisonings of young children. The Scripps News team contributing to this report include: Lori Jane Gliha, correspondent; Brittany Freeman, producer; Nick Refuerzo, editor; Matt Anzur, videographer; Linda Pattillo, managing editor-investigative; Steve Turnham, managing editor-D.C. bureau chief; and Matt Simon, executive producer.
Scripps News’ coverage of the crisis, which began airing in 2023, has won several awards, including a 2025 Gracie Award and a 2024 national news Emmy nomination.
Scripps News Reports: Mississippi’s Infant Mortality Emergency Honorable Mention
For this immersive report from the Mississippi Delta, Scripps News reported on the voices of the women on the front lines – both mothers and the community members stepping in to confront the state’s alarming infant-mortality crisis. This story goes beyond statistics to provide audiences and policymakers with an urgent, on-the-ground perspective, highlighting both the problem and the innovative, community-driven solutions that are saving lives.
The team contributing to this report include: Michael Anthony Adams, correspondent, videographer and editor; Linda Pattillo, senior executive producer; Steve Turnham, executive producer; and Matt Simon, executive producer.
Scripps News will be honored at the Gracie Awards Gala in May in Los Angeles. View the full list of winners here.
Media contact: Molly Miossi, The E.W. Scripps Company, 513-977-3713, [email protected]
About Scripps News
Scripps News serves viewers trustworthy, reliable national and international news. Scripps News partners with the Scripps local station group to cover news from over 50 bureaus across the U.S. Scripps News is available on all major streaming and connected TV platforms. It is also available on mobile with the Scripps News app and online at ScrippsNews.com. Scripps News is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).