OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — KFOR-TV has been named one of nine recipients of the 2025 Walter Cronkite Awards. The honor recognizes “outstanding political journalism on television and digital media that meets the highest standards of reporting and analysis.” Oklahoma’s News 4 was chosen for a series of reports it produced involving a raid by ICE agents on a family who had recently moved from Maryland to Oklahoma.
Reporter Spencer Humphrey and Photojournalist Isaac Korstjens detailed the story of the United States citizens who were residing inside the home, a young mother and her daughters, who say they were terrorized and held at gunpoint on a rainy night in April of this year. KFOR pressed federal leaders and questioned their official narrative. The reports exposed the Department of Homeland Security’s constantly evolving version of what happened during the raid and the agency’s inaccurate statement claiming the woman and her children were criminal suspects.
Photojournalist Isaac Korstjens and reporter Spencer Humphrey. (KFOR)
As the reports aired locally, nationally and internationally – DHS came under public scrutiny. In response, DHS used social media posts to try to publicly discredit KFOR-TV and the reporter who produced the story. Within days, members of Congress were grilling DHS officials in hearings, demanding answers. The Department of Homeland Security eventually admitted the woman and children inside the home were not the intended targets of the raid.
Below are links to the series of reports.
‘We’re citizens!’: Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren’t suspects
Homeland Security admits Oklahoma raid targeted wrong people
Human smuggling suspect did not own Oklahoma home at time of controversial raid, despite claims shared by DHS
The judging committee commended KFOR-TV saying, “This entry shows why local news is important and exemplifies the power of a free press to reveal injustice and correct the public record.”
“I am exceptionally proud of the team at Channel 4 and their ongoing commitment to Journalism,” said Natalie Hughes, KFOR-TV’s News Director.“Local reporting is crucial to an informed citizenry and a functioning democracy.”
“Receiving the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism is a profound honor for KFOR-TV and a testament to the fearless work of our news team,” said Adam Chase, Vice President and General Manager of KFOR-TV. “I am incredibly proud of Spencer Humphrey, Isaac Korstjens, and every member of Oklahoma’s News 4 who refused to back down while holding power to account.”
Walter Cronkite, a legendary broadcast journalist was known as “the most trusted man in America.” He hosted a nationwide nightly newscast on CBS from 1962 to 1981. The Cronkite awards are presented every other year by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
The Walter Cronkite Awards – The Walter Cronkite Awards
See a list of all the winners of the 2025 Walter Cronkite Awards
