“I want to keep telling these stories and work on more projects…work on journalism that opens people’s eyes.””

Carly Johnson

GILPIN COUNTY — While growing up in a house on Dory Lake in Gilpin County, Carly Johnson did not look out at the lake longingly or walk the path around the lake and dream of winning a Peabody Award. 

When Carly and her colleagues were honored with the award it was the result of two years of very hard work on a TV investigative journalism story. A story that is changing lives and a story that needs to continue to be told and heard. 

When Carly held the Peabody Award in her hands, she was symbolic of the young ambitious journalist she is, earning the award of a lifetime. 

On the red carpet at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Peabody Award winner Carly Johnson holds her award.

Photo courtesy of Carly Johnson

Kirk and Nicki Johnson raised their daughters Carly and Alicia in Gilpin County. They are pleased that they had their girls attend a small school, Gilpin County School. Their daughters were exposed to many activities and they participated in sports, theater, and other activities. 

The Johnsons believe that the lessons and even the adversities that students are exposed to and learn in sports and extracurricular activities help create a healthy balance for young adults. These can then become life lessons. 

Nicki says of her daughter Carly that she “always likes to be in the know.” She has strong opinions and a sensitive soul.

Carly has always had a confidence about her that took her to the Central City Opera stage at age four, when Carly played the role of Baby Butterfly in “Madame Butterfly.” She loves being on stage.

Carly is a 2018 Gilpin High School graduate. Always wanting to go into journalism, she packed her bags to attend the University of Kansas Lawrence (KU) after high school. 

KU is different from Gilpin County in many ways, and after some time adjusting, Carly felt welcomed and a part of KU. She worked on the student newspaper, the campus TV station, and joined the sorority Alpha Delta Pi. 

While at KU her journalism path took her to producing. Carly now works for KMBC-TV in Kansas City, Missouri. After she graduated from KU she was hired at KMBC as the overnight producer, but now she has moved up and produces the 5 p.m. news broadcast. 

As the producer, a few of her tasks are to write scripts, decide the order of the stories, and connect the correct graphics with the stories. Carly needs to be flexible if there is breaking news and most importantly needs to be calm under pressure. 

KMBC, owned by Hearst Television, covers the news in their area and they also give their employees a chance to really dig into a story and investigate. This includes time outside their normal working hours. 

Carly says, “Most stories are one and done. More stories need to be looked at again and more in depth. There is news that needs time to breathe.”

Carly joined with a team of colleagues and worked for two years on an investigative documentary titled “Restrained.”

“Restrained” peeled back the systematic abuses, lack of policies, lack of training, ignorance, and shocking use of restraint chairs and full-body restraints in jails in the United States. KMBC focused much of their work in Kansas and Missouri. They have data from across the country of the number of injuries and deaths from restraint chairs and full-body restraints. The data is only from 2014 - 2024. There are a number of states with no data at all. 

The investigation also found that nearly $100 million in damages has been paid to families and victims because of deaths and injuries. The money has come from taxpayers and insurance companies. 

This subject is uncomfortable. The video footage is horrific. Carly said at times she was angry and mad at the system. Then, as the stories gained traction she felt empowered and proud of the work they were doing.

The documentary that Carly and her colleagues made is now being used as a training video for some law enforcement agencies. It is making a difference. 

Making “Restrained” a reality were Matt Flener (Investigative Reporter), Cara Doyle Wright (Executive Producer), Carly Johnson (Producer), Rachel Coleman (Photographer), JoBeth Davis (Digital Content), and Brett Elliott (Photographer). They worked closely with the Illinois Answers Project to collect data on the use of restraint chairs.

Most compelling are the victims and families of those who have died who have the courage to speak and share their stories.  The people who society does not want to hear from need journalists courageous enough to hold the powerful accountable. 

Carly sees herself in a position to do something to help give people a voice. “I can do something, so why not?”

The Peabody Awards, named for George Foster Peabody, held its first awards ceremony in 1941, honoring radio. Today the categories include entertainment, documentary, news, podcast/radio, arts, children/youth, and public service programming.

According to the Peabody website, “The annual Peabody winners are a collection of stories that powerfully reflect the pressing social issues and the vibrant emerging voices of our day. From major productions to local journalism, the Peabody Awards shine a light on the Stories That Matter and are a testament to the power of art and reportage in the push for truth, social justice, and equity."

On May 31, Carly and her colleagues who worked on “Restrained” were at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, to receive the Peabody award. They walked the red carpet. “ABC World News Tonight” anchor David Muir made a point of meeting them. Actor Ben Affleck presented the Peabody award to Matt Flener for the KMBC team. 

KMBC-TV, Kansas City, was the only local news team to win a Peabody award this year. 

For Carly it was a thrilling, inspiring, and humbling experience. 

She enjoyed hearing others' speeches at the Peabody Awards and being reminded how important all their work is every day. “I want to keep telling these stories and work on more projects…work on journalism that opens people’s eyes.”

It is not impossible for a little girl who shot hoops in her driveway and who rode her bike with her sister around Dory Lakes in Gilpin County to win a prestigious Peabody Award. 

Carly Johnson at work producing the 5 p.m. news broadcast at KMBC-TV Kansas City, Missouri.

Photo courtesy of Carly Johnson

Carly Johnson has done just that. She is a champion of her craft, with a willingness to learn. With an emotional sensitivity to others, her work has heart. She understands that journalism can change lives. 

Carly says, “We need local news. We share stories with people and for people. Stories can change a life.”