Star reporter David Hudnall wins National Press Foundation award for 7-OH series
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Hudnall won NPF's U.S. Chamber Award for his three-part 7-OH investigation.
- Series traced 7-OH's spread from niche product to mass retail and legal scrutiny.
- Reporting prompted DOJ seizures, state probes and renewed scrutiny of kratom firms.
Kansas City Star journalist David Hudnall has won a prestigious national award for his investigation into the opioid 7-OH and American Shaman, the locally owned company at the forefront of the highly addictive compound’s proliferation.
Hudnall’s three-part series claimed the National Press Foundation’s inaugural U.S. Chamber Award for Excellence in Local Business Reporting and the $10,000 prize that came with it.
The investigation, published in September, highlighted how 7-OH rose from obscurity to overtake the quasi-legal drug trade in American gas stations, grocery stores and smoke shops, triggering a wave of lawsuits and drawing federal scrutiny over its health risks.
"David attacked this reporting with purpose and urgency,” said Andale Gross, The Star’s executive editor.
“He knew it was important for our readers to learn more about this drug trade and its connection to Kansas City. His stories displayed the kind of accountability journalism The Star takes great pride in delivering."
In the award announcement, judges described the investigation as an important public service that exemplified “good, shoe-leather journalism woven compellingly across three pieces.”
“Kansas City often thinks of itself as a place things pass through, not where national industries take root. But in this case, one of the biggest players in a controversial new drug market is based right here,” said Hudnall, who has 15 years of experience reporting on Kansas City’s business community.
“My goal with this project was to show readers that the story of 7-OH is happening on our doorstep,” he said.
To tell the story of 7-OH and American Shaman founder Vince Sanders, Hudnall traveled to a trade show in Las Vegas, combed through hundreds of documents in three different courthouses, made public records requests, and interviewed dozens of researchers, addiction counselors, 7-OH users, former employees, and industry insiders.
In November, the Department of Justice seized approximately 73,000 products containing 7-OH from three Kansas City warehouses operated by Sanders in connection to a civil forfeiture case.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has also opened an investigation into several kratom manufacturers and retailers, including American Shaman, since The Star’s investigation was published. Hanaway said her office has reason to believe some companies may be selling dangerously potent, deceptively marketed products.
Hudnall and the other NPF award winners will be honored at a dinner in Washington D.C. on March 12.
