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StateImpact's Robby Korth earns freedom of information award for his work tracking coronavirus spread in Oklahoma schools

StateImpact education reporter Robby Korth was awarded "The Ben Blackstock Award" by Freedom of Information Oklahoma this week.

Named for retired Oklahoma Press Association Executive Director Ben Blackstock, the award recognizes a non-governmental person or organization that has shown a commitment to freedom of information.

Korth was chosen for his work "developing and maintaining the StateImpact Oklahoma COVID in Schools Case Tracker."

The tracker included a searchable database and interactive map of reported coronavirus cases at more than 350 private, charter and public school districts across Oklahoma. Website users could also submit tips of reported cases.

"It's a tremendous honor for a project that relied on help from so many colleagues and everyday folks," said Korth. "I'm humbled by the recognition for the work and I hoped it helped people be better aware of how the coronavirus affected schools and kids in Oklahoma."

The data was compiled from press statements, website and social media postings and user-submitted tips. Neither the Oklahoma State Department of Health nor the Oklahoma State Department of Education were publicly monitoring the spread of cases in schools. Korth's reporting filled an important knowledge gap for Oklahoma schools and parents.

Last week, Korth was given two awards for the tracker — the "Carter Bradley First Amendment Award" and first place in the "Online: Interactive Graphic or Resource" category by the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists.

This is the second time a StateImpact reporter has won FOI Oklahoma's "Ben Blackstock Award." In 2019, the award was given to then-StateImpact editor Joe Wertz for "his tenacious reporting on fracking, energy and the EPA."

You can watch the entire 2021 FOI Oklahoma virtual ceremony below.

Robby Korth joined KOSU as its news director in November 2022.
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