Matthew Keenan

Kansas City Star staff members won top honors in seven categories — including investigative reporting, beat reporting and feature writing — at the Heart of America journalism awards ceremony on Saturday.

The contest sponsored by the Kansas City Press Club recognizes print and broadcast journalists working in western Missouri and eastern Kansas.

Star reporters Donna McGuire, Glenn Rice and Ian Cummings were awarded first place for investigative reporting, recognizing their work detailing how Kansas City police detectives failed to properly investigate some rapes, serious abuse and other crimes against the city’s children.

Judy L. Thomas was recognized with first place awards for both beat reporting and business reporting.