The Indiana Judges Association honored Western Wayne News reporter Mike Emery for coverage of Wayne County courts.
Emery was presented the 2025 Media Award for Excellence in Public Information and Education during a Sept. 18 lunch in Fort Wayne as part of the IJA’s annual conference.
While covering the courts for more than a decade, Emery has covered issues impacting the community and judicial system. While presenting the award, Judge Sean Persin of Tippecanoe County Circuit Court said Emery’s stories “balance fairness to those arrested with the public’s eagerness for information and focus on maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.”
Emery, who has worked more than 35 years in the newspaper industry, joined WWN in December 2022 after 15 years with the Palladium-Item in Richmond.
IJA also awarded Judge David McCord of Henry County Circuit Court 3 the Judge’s Award for Excellence in Public Information and Education. McCord was honored for establishing a Crisis Intervention Team in Henry County and for collaboration with the media to educate and inform the community regarding mental health issues and resources for help.
A version of this article will appear in the September 24 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.