The U.S. Chamber Award for Excellence in Local Business Reporting recognizes outstanding coverage of local businesses across America.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Press Foundation established the award, which carries a $10,000 prize, to promote journalism excellence about the integral relationship between businesses and the communities in which they operate.

U.S.-based journalists in any medium are encouraged to apply.

The jury for this prize will be selected from distinguished current and former journalists.

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.”

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

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.”