NOTUS Senior Editor Dave Levinthal has won a 2026 National Headliner Award, taking third place in the category of online government and political coverage.
Levinthal’s award-winning reporting revealed that numerous members of Congress have violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act by failing to properly disclose their personal financial trades, which in many cases involve the stock of federal contractors and companies that spend millions of dollars lobbying Congress and government agencies.
His reporting also detailed how some members of Congress personally invest in companies they directly oversee as part of their congressional committee duties or make investments that run counter to their public policy statements.
This reporting prompted some lawmakers to reconsider their stock-trading ways. It also fueled debate on Capitol Hill over whether to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks and cryptocurrency entirely. In January, a House of Representatives committee advanced a stock-ban bill to the full House, where it awaits a vote.
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“Investigative reporting requires real persistence to break through,” said NOTUS Managing Editor Matt Berman. “Dave’s persistence in uncovering ethical lapses in the world of money-in-politics is unparalleled, and we’re proud that our newsroom can support his work.”
In recent weeks, NOTUS has continued to investigate the personal finances of public officials by launching a special report — “Capitol Gains” — that explores how many lawmakers’ personal wealth increases while they serve in elected office and how their private assets intersect with their public responsibilities.
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About NOTUS:
NOTUS is a new media company built for a new Washington. NOTUS brings fresh perspectives and deep expertise to nonpartisan coverage of government, politics and policy.
With one of the largest Capitol Hill bureaus in the country, we combine 20 full-time reporting fellows — emerging talents from communities and backgrounds often underrepresented in elite newsrooms — with experienced reporters and editors who have deep networks in Washington.
Our unique approach allows us to report essential stories that others miss, for the most powerful people in the country — earning us a loyal audience of influential policymakers and political players from across the ideological spectrum.
In June, NOTUS becomes The Star and will significantly expand its news coverage.
For press inquiries, email Chief of Staff Justin Peligri: JustinPeligri@notus.com
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