Journalist Tom Loftus Wins Green Eyeshade Award for Investigative Journalism at Kentucky Lantern • Kentucky Lantern

The Society of Professional Journalists has honored Tom Loftus with a Green Eyeshade Award for his investigative reporting in the Kentucky Lantern.

The Green eyeshadowFounded in 1950, the oldest regional journalism competition, recognizes outstanding work by journalists in 11 southeastern states in print, television, radio and digital media.

Loftus won second place in Investigative Reporting/Online for the entry “Following the political money,” in which Loftus’ revelation that hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to Governor Andy Beshear’s campaign were linked to London Mayor Randall Weddle. Two months after Loftus broke the story, Beshear’s campaign refunded $202,000 that was placed on Weddle’s credit card. The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance a civil investigation opened after last year’s elections about the donations.

Fund to build Republican headquarters in Kentucky totals more than $3.2 million, most of it from lobbying firms

Loftus also reported on large corporate donations to the Republican Party of Kentucky Building Fund, including $1 million from pharmaceutical giant Merck. The Kentucky Legislature in 2017 allowed political parties to establish building funds that can accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations.

Loftus has been a freelance reporter and writer for the Kentucky Lantern since its launch on November 30, 2022. His long career in Kentucky journalism includes four years as Frankfort bureau chief for The Kentucky Post and 32 years as Frankfort bureau chief for The Courier Journal.

The nonprofit Lantern is part of the national States Newsroom network and is supported by donations from foundations and individuals.