The Kansas City Star has won the National Press Foundation’s inaugural U.S. Chamber Award for Excellence in Local Business Reporting for its investigation into the Kansas City-based company CBD American Shaman.

Business reporter David Hudnall tells the story of the man behind the company selling the opioid 7-OH in gas stations and smoke shops across the U.S. – as well as members of the business community “sounding the alarm” on the addictive drug.

NPF judges called the investigation an important “public service” that highlighted “good, shoe-leather journalism woven compellingly across three pieces.”

In addition to Hudnall’s 15 years of experience reporting on the city’s business community, the investigation relied upon public records requests, scouring lawsuits and interviewing dozens of former employees, industry insiders and others.

“Kansas City often thinks of itself as a place things pass through, not where national industries take root. But in this case, one of the biggest players in a controversial new drug market is based right here,” Hudnall said.

The winner was honored at the NPF Annual Journalism Awards Dinner, March 12, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C.

“Business reporting can serve our community in countless ways, but rarely do we uncover potentially life-saving truths of this magnitude,” said Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star audience service editor.

The award, which carries a $10,000 prize, was open to U.S.-based journalists working in any medium. NPF issues more than 15 awards every year to recognize and encourage excellence in journalism in keeping with our mission of “making good journalists better.”