The investigation, published in December, was "a wonderful example of clear and compelling storytelling that made great use of data and audio," the judges said.

For some of the survivors who attended last week's Metro Council committee, the hearing was as close as they would get to their day in court.

Lauder said the changes are a positive that resulted from KyCIR’s story, but she called the reporting “disingenuous.”

The testimony will come as Louisville's sex crimes prosecutor is raising new questions about a case featured in KyCIR's reporting.

KyCIR's investigation found rape cases in Louisville are sometimes rejected by a prosecutor and "cleared by exception" before much investigating.

LMPD asks prosecutors to review their rape cases and decide whether they should make an arrest. More often than not, the prosecutors say no.