Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News Foundation

YUMA, Ariz. — The Arizona Local News Foundation is proud to celebrate a major achievement by one of its funded journalists. Sisko J. Stargazer, Education Solutions Reporter at KAWC in Yuma, has earned First Place in Digital Writing from the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA), one of the nation’s leading organizations honoring excellence in public media journalism.

Stargazer received the top honor for the investigative story, “Deep Dive: How Arizona’s school facilities system was ruled unconstitutional,” which examined inequities in school capital funding across Arizona and the lasting impact on public school facilities. The PMJA awards recognized the best in public media journalism from 2025, with 75 judges reviewing more than 1,500 entries from across the country.

The award-winning investigation explored how a landmark court ruling exposed a history of neglected school infrastructure and the challenges many Arizona students continue to face in learning environments affected by inadequate facilities.

“When I first learned of the lawsuit outcome, I knew this story mattered. But its significance became much clearer as I pored through court records, depositions and photos that were, at times, difficult to sit with,” Stargazer said.

“Looking through board minutes, researching school histories and talking numbers can get tedious, but it matters because the bottom line isn’t some abstract budget total. It’s the schools the kids in our communities go to — the desks they use, the water they drink and the buses they ride.”

Stargazer is one of 16 education-focused journalists serving communities across Arizona, helping residents better understand the issues shaping local schools and student outcomes. These reporting positions are made possible through financial support from community organizations committed to strengthening education and increasing public awareness throughout the state.

“I have been thrilled to work with Sisko over the past year,” said Rudy Rivas, Director of Foundation Projects for the Arizona Local News Foundation. “Sisko brings tremendous passion, curiosity and dedication to covering education in Yuma and the surrounding communities. This national recognition is incredibly well-deserved, and we are proud to celebrate this achievement alongside Sisko and KAWC.”

The award highlights the impact of local journalism and the importance of investing in reporters who tell the stories that matter most to Arizona communities.

To learn more about the Arizona Local News Foundation and its work supporting local journalism across Arizona, click here. To read Sisko Stargazer’s reporting, click here.