The Kansas City Press Club, a chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, hosted the 2012 Heart of America Awards Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

The Lawrence Journal-World received first-, second- and third-place finishes in multiple categories.

First Place

General reporting, Shaun Hittle, “Exonerated but still not free.”

Investigative reporting, Shaun Hittle, “Patriotism or profiteering?”

Feature, Shaun Hittle, “Boy in the attic.”

Sports writing, Jesse Newell, “Asia’s adversity.”

Photo feature, Nick Krug.

Multimedia package, “Only in Lawrence.”

Blog, Matt Tait.

Second Place

General reporting, Karrey Britt and Scott Rothschild, “Social and Rehabilitation Services closure.”

Investigative reporting, Sarah Henning, “Farm aid.”

Photo feature, Mike Yoder.

Multimedia package, Shaun Hittle and Kevin Anderson, “Exonerated but still not free.”

Third place

General reporting, George Diepenbrock, “Pearl Harbor survivors.”

Investigative reporting, George Diepenbrock and Jesse Newell, “KU athletic contract.”

Profile, George Diepenbrock, Tarik Khatib profile.

News website.

LJWorld.com also won the best website award from the press club.