PEN Center USA award, literary journalism, 2008
City & Regional Magazine Association gold medal, feature writing, 2008
National Education Writers Association first prize, magazine writing, 2008
James Beard Foundation, M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award, 2007
National Press Club, Ann Cottrell Free Animal Reporting Award, 2007
National Magazine Award finalist, profiles, 2006
City & Regional Magazine Association gold medal, profiles, 2006
City & Regional Magazine Association gold medal, profiles, 2004
City & Regional Magazine Association gold medal, reporting, 2002
Livingston Award finalist, 1997
Pulitzer Prize, spot news reporting, awarded to the L.A. Times staff for coverage of the Northridge earthquake, 1995
Pulitzer Prize, spot news reporting, awarded to the L.A. Times staff for coverage of the Los Angeles riots, 1993
Pulitzer Prize finalist, beat reporting, for coverage of Los Angeles street gangs, 1993