Willamette Week reporter Nigel Jaquiss has been awarded an IRE Medal — the highest honor given out by the Investigative Reporters & Editors — for his story which led to the resignation of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber:

This small news organization punched way above its weight, taking on a powerful governor and his fiancée. Reporter Nigel Jaquiss’ reporting exposed the secret deals made by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber’s fiancée, Cylvia Hayes, who secured lucrative consulting contracts with special interests seeking to influence the governor. Jaquiss’ work stood out due to his clear and fair writing style, persistent legal advocacy for records and unflinching reporting. Kitzhaber, at the time the longest serving governor in Oregon’s history, resigned in February 2015.