For the fourth time in five years, the news nonprofit won a first prize in the Milwaukee Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism competition.

By Wanwa Omot, THE BADGER PROJECT

The Badger Project won gold again, and four awards in total, at the Milwaukee Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism contest at a ceremony Friday.

Reporter Annie Pulley won gold in the Writing category, which includes newspapers and online news orgs, for Best Investigative Story or Series. Managing editor Peter Cameron won three awards in the Online category: silver for Best Personal Profile and for Best Public Service Story or Series and bronze for the Best Investigative Story or Series.

Pulley won for her investigative stories on wandering law enforcement officers in Wisconsin, cops who get fired or forced out from one job only to get hired at another. This is her first nomination and win since joining The Badger Project last year, and the fifth straight year the news nonprofit has won something the Milwaukee Press Club’s journalism contest.

Cameron’s awards in both the Best Investigative and Best Public Service are for his reporting on the Waushara County Sheriff who pocketed over $20k in K9 funds after quitting the mandatory trainings with the dog. Cameron’s Best Personal Profile nod is for his piece on state Rep. Karen DeSanto, who worked as a professional clown with the Ringling Brothers Circus before becoming a state legislator.

Last year, Cameron won gold in the Milwaukee Press Club’s online category for Best Public Service Story or Series for another series on wandering officers.

The Badger Project is an independent, reader-supported news nonprofit in Wisconsin that investigates politics, law enforcement and related matters. Its stories have run in about 150 newspapers and other news organizations across the state.

You can see the full list of the winners here.

Founded in 1885, the Milwaukee Press Club is the oldest continuously operating press club in North America.

The Badger Project is an independent, reader-supported news nonprofit in Wisconsin.