Trib-Star's Loughlin honored for coverage of Sullivan tornado

The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
·2 min read

Apr. 12—Tribune-Star reporter Sue Loughlin was awarded the top prize for Best Breaking News Coverage in 2023 by CNHI, the newspaper's parent company.

The award cited Loughlin's coverage of the March 31, 2023, tornado that ripped through Sullivan, killing three people and causing extensive property damage in a neighborhood on the city's south side.

CNHI's judges called Loughlin's work "tremendous coverage of the devastating and deadly tornado." The judges also cited the work of Tribune-Star photographer Joseph C. Garza, whose pictures accompanied Loughlin's stories.

The tornado struck after dark and the extent of impact didn't become clear until daylight the next morning. Loughlin and Garza began reporting the story early the next morning and their stories and photos were publishing online at the Tribune-Star's website and on social media.

Loughlin's stories were "incredibly well written and heartbreaking, clearly painting a picture of the aftermath," judges said. "To match Loughlin's strong stories are engaging photos from Garza that clearly show the impact."

Judges called the entry "great, great community journalism."

Loughlin also was a finalist in the Reporter of the Year category in the contest.

Tribune-Star Editor Max Jones said Loughlin's reporting and writing is consistently of high quality and her skills were on particular display in her work covering the Sullivan tornado.

"Terre Haute and the Tribune-Star are fortunate to have a top-notch journalist such as Sue serving our communities," Jones said. "She is a longtime staff member and we call on her often to tell the big stories that are important to readers in the Wabash Valley. She always rises to the occasion. This recognition is richly deserved."

In addition to Loughlin's honors, Alicia Morgan was a finalist in the Designer of the Year category. Morgan is the Tribune-Star's news/digital editor and the editor of Terre Haute Living Magazine.

CNHI LLC is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, and publishes more than 80 newspapers across the U.S.