David Hudnall Accepts 2025 U.S. Chamber Award for Excellence in Local Business Reporting

David Hudnall of The Kansas City Star accepted the inaugural U.S. Chamber Award for Excellence in Local Business Reporting at NPF's annual awards dinner on March 12, 2026. The U.S. Chamber Award for Excellence in Local Business Reporting recognizes outstanding coverage of local businesses across America. 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. 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. NPF is solely responsible for the content. This video was produced within the Evelyn Y. Davis studios.