CT Mirror, ProPublica Earn Prestigious 2026 Pulitzer Prize

The Connecticut Mirror and ProPublica won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in local reporting for “On the Hook,” which is an investigation into the "lax standards and predatory practices that allowed the towing industry to victimize people who live paycheck to paycheck," according to the Connecticut Mirror.

The multi-year investigation found that some companies were selling towed cars in as little as 15 days.

On the Pulitzer's website it states, "Dave Altimari and Ginny Monk of The Connecticut Mirror and Sophie Chou and Haru Coryne of ProPublica," won for their coverage.

According to the CT Mirror, the investigation led to new laws concerning the towing industry.

“On the Hook” was produced in partnership with ProPublica through its Local Reporting Network.

According to the CT Mirror, the investigation began with a tip made to Altimari from a source, which led to a review of thousands of records. Originally, state officials wanted to charge $47,000 for the records but later dropped that initial request.

Altimari said in a CT Mirror article that the "state’s towing laws disproportionately impacted people who could least afford to lose their cars by allowing some predatory towers to get permission to sell their vehicles quickly."

He said the new laws are designed to help protect people.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, wrote on X, "Congratulations to New Havens very own @CTMirror for receiving its first Pulitzer Prize for local reporting on their 'On the Hook' series! The deep dive into predatory towing practices by @GinnyMonk and @davealtimari with @ProPublica has led to real change in CT!"

You can read the full investigation here.