Oklahoma Voice awarded for coverage of education, state government

NORMAN — Oklahoma Voice won six awards in the Oklahoma Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest.

While competing in the annual journalism contest’s top division, the statewide online news outlet was recognized for its news coverage, opinion columns and photography of the state Capitol and education issues.

Reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel took home first place in the Feature Story category. The winning story covered frustrated Oklahoma parents opting out their children from being taught controversial social studies content in public schools.

The same article took third place in the Education Story category. Reporter Emma Murphy had the second-place Education Story for her investigation into the high cost of Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents meetings.

Martinez-Keel placed third in the News Photograph contest for a picture taken at a Hispanic Cultural Day celebration at the state Capitol.

Oklahoma Voice editor Janelle Stecklein won second place for Column Writing. Her winning commentary questioned attempts by state leaders to limit insurance coverage of breast cancer screenings, implement a “woke test” for teachers and shield fellow Republicans who were charged with crimes.

Oklahoma Voice’s website and Facebook page earned third place for Digital Media. The Oklahoma City-based nonprofit newsroom competed in OPA’s Division 1, defined as multi-day and online-only publications serving a population above 40,000.