Ainsley Platt
Award-winning Journalist
I am an award-winning journalist and a graduate of The University of Alabama, having studied news media with a minor in political science. I have reporting experience ranging from investigating racism in sororities, police misconduct and state election finance violations to interviewing civil rights icons and sitting U.S. Senators. I currently work as the environment reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, covering the state's environmental regulator and topics ranging from big dam controversy to lithium extraction to water and air pollution. Previously, I worked as a freelancer for the Alabama Daily News, and served as the Chief News Editor for The Crimson White. Before that I was a Staff Reporter covering COVID-19, student life, and general assignment work. I am experienced with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign along with mirrorless photography.
Accolades
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2nd Place, Arkansas Press Association's 2023 Award for Best FOIA Reporting for reporting that exposed details of a high-speed chase involving Little Rock police that ended with the death of a 14-year-old (June 2024).
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7th Place, Southeast Journalism Conference's 2024 Best of the South, Best News Writer for my reporting for The Crimson White in the first half of 2023 (March 2024).
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The University of Alabama’s nominee for the 2023-2024 Hearst Award for Sports Writing for my coverage of the arrest of former UA basketball player Darius Miles on capital murder charges (January 2024).
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2023 CMA Pinnacle Award for Breaking News Story (Division I), Honorable Mention for my coverage of anti-semitic chalk messages that appeared on campus sidewalks in January 2023 (September 2023).
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OSCAR Award for Outstanding Dedication from The Crimson White/ UA Office of Student Media in recognition of my work as the 2022-2023 news editor (April 2023).
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Great Coverage Award from the UA Office of Student Media for my coverage of the arrest of former UA basketball player Darius Miles on capital murder charges (January 2023).
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Region 3 Finalist for 2021 SPJ Mark of Excellence, Gen. Reporting for my reporting on racist text messages sent by members of a University of Alabama sorority (April 2022).
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Award for Collegiate News Writing from the Alabama Media Professionals for my reporting on racist text messages sent by members of a University of Alabama sorority (April 2022).
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The Univ. of Alabama’s nominee for the 2021-2022 Hearst Award for Investigative Reporting for my reporting on racist text messages sent by members of a University of Alabama sorority (March 2022).
