An IndyStar series exploring the growing prominence of Christian nationalism in Indiana politics received recognition from the Religion News Association at its annual awards banquet.
The project, led by investigative reporter Alexandria Burris and Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer, focused on Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, a Noblesville pastor who unabashedly believes the United States is a Christian nation, and an uptick in model legislation injecting religion into public policy governing schools, transgender rights, adoption and other areas of Hoosier life.
Reporters spent time at SOCONCON 2025, a conference for social conservatives hosted by the Family Policy Alliance, and, along with videographer Clark Wade, hosted a discussion between Beckwith and theologian Matthias Beier of Christian Theological Seminary.
The series earned first place among local, regional and metro outlets in RNA’s international Excellence in Religion Reporting Contest. Winners were announced April 25 at the organization’s annual conference in Atlanta.
“I’m grateful to the judges for recognizing IndyStar’s journalism here,” IndyStar Executive Editor Ryan Martin said. “As the reporting from Alexandria and Kayla shows, the topic of Christian nationalism is only going to grow in relevance to Indiana readers.”
It’s just the latest recognition for the project. The series won best non-deadline story in the Society of Professional Journalists’ state contest. It was also a finalist, along with additional reporting from IndyStar Investigative Reporter Hayleigh Colombo, for the national Toner Prize of Excellence in Local Political Reporting.
The project was funded in part with a grant from the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit that trains and supports journalists, and supported by the Joyce Foundation.
Contact IndyStar Accountability & Investigations Editor Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or tony.cook@indystar.com. Follow him on X: @IndyStarTony.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyStar’s Christian nationalism project receives national recognition
Reporting by Tony Cook, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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