DAILY NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS SYNDICATES
Spot News in daily newspapers, all sizes
First Place
“Philadelphia police find themselves in a standoff with a hostage-taking gunman.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer Staff
‘The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judges’ comments: Fast. Complete. Accurate. Multiple angles were covered with high skill with a human element near the top. Hit all qualities of excellent breaking news journalism.
Second Place
“Henry Pratt mass shooting reveals Illinois’ gun revocation failures”
Chicago Tribune Staff
Chicago Tribune
Third Place
“First 24 Hours of Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh’s Indictment”
The Baltimore Sun Staff
The Baltimore Sun
Local news beat coverage or continuing story by an individual or team
First Place
“Inglewood coverage”
Jason Henry
Southern California News Group
Judges’ comments: Henry’s strong takes on three very different types of stories were supported by his excellent sourcing, clear tone, and an ability to simplify information for readers. Exceptional beat reporting.
Second Place
Libor Jany
Star Tribune
Third Place
“The Chicago Police’s secret background checks and dossiers”
Jeremy Gorner and Gregory Pratt
Chicago Tribune
International news beat coverage or continuing story by an individual or team
First Place
“Japan’s uneasy relationship with whales and dolphins”
Simon Denyer
The Washington Post
Judges comments: We’ve heard the controversies about Japanese whaling. SImon offers a look at the issue from the Japanese cultural and historical perspectives. Well-told, enlightening stories.
Second Place
Alfredo Corchado
The Dallas Morning News
No third-place award given
News series in daily newspapers Top 20 Media Market
First Place
“Beyond the Binary”
Samantha Schmidt and Tara Bahrampour
The Washington Post
Judges comments: Touching, even-handed, immensely human account of changing lives and the search for understanding
Second Place
“The Price We Pay”
Julia Prodis Sulek, Katy Murphy and Kaitlyn Bartley
Bay Area News Group
Third Place
“Abuse of Faith”
Houston Chronicle Staff
Houston Chronicle
News series in newspapers not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Polluted By Money”
Rob Davis
The Oregonian – OregonLive
Judges’ comments: Solid, thorough reporting and articulate writing by Davis, combined with excellent graphic/data presentation, showed how unlimited contributions has made Oregon one of the top money states in America politics – at a major cost to the state’s once-pristine environment. This was great stuff.
Second Place
“24th and Glory”
Dirk Chatelain
Omaha World-Herald
Third Place
“Taken”
Nathaniel Cary, Anna Lee and Mike Ellis
The Greenville News
Local interest column on a variety of subjects
First Place
Robert Wilonsky
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: Wilonsky’s columns are extremely well-reported and have a clear point of view. He isn’t afraid to get out in the community and talk to people, connect, and undoubtedly find more columns. He’s in it without it being all about him. He takes the reader somewhere and shows them what he thinks.
Second Place
Melinda Henneberger
The Kansas City Star
Third Place
Dahleen Glanton
Chicago Tribune
Special or feature column on one subject by an individual
First Place
Rick Nelson
Star Tribune
Judges’ comments: Bright, engaging and authoritative, Nelson takes the reader everywhere he goes, considers the cost and time of restaurant dining and writes beautifully. The State Fair project is BRILLIANT, cleverly presented and fun to read.
Second Place
Mark Lamster
The Dallas Morning News
Third Place
“Take A Ride Along the Punjabi American Highway”
Jaweed Kaleem
Los Angeles Times
Editorial writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Death Without Conviction”
Jeffery Gerritt
Palestine Herald-Press
Judges’ comments: A bold, focused cry for decency and justice. In the best tradition of journalists challenging the powerful for the benefit of all.
Second Place
Tom McNamee
Chicago Sun-Times
Third Place
Rosemary O’Hara and Martin Dyckman
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Sports column by an individual
First Place
Terry Pluto
The Plain Dealer
Judges’ comments: Terry Pluto writes with passion and authority and, best of all, a point of view. He isn’t afraid to call out team ownership, coaches and players, which is what a columnist should do. A strong voice in a sea of chatter.
Second Place
Tim Cowlishaw
The Dallas Morning News
Third Place
Jeff Seidel
Detroit Free Press
Sports writing by an individual or team
First Place
Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judges’ comments: Tom Silverstein delivers the goods. Whether writing about a shakeup in team management or filing a comprehensive story of a last-minute win that maybe shouldn’t have been, his reporting is concise and authoritative. His ability to give readers an in-depth look behind the scenes of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises makes you think that he’s actually in the room while team decisions are being made. We hope readers of the Journal Sentinel realize the gift he is on this beat.
Second Place
Joseph Hoyt
Dallas Morning News
Third Place
Andrew Carter
The News & Observer
Feature writing on a variety of subjects by an individual
First Place
Bill Glauber
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judges’ comments: Bill Glauber helps readers see the growing complexties of farm life in the 21st century. Weaving the stories of a veterinarian, banker, auctioneers and their families and neighbors, he brings understanding to issues affecting a state and its legacy industry. At the same time, he beautifully captures the dignity of those he writes about.
Second Place
Jason Nark
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Third Place
Christopher Spata
Tampa Bay Times
Business news coverage, business commentary and/or business columns by an individual or team
First Place
“Out of Gear”
Phoebe Wall Howard
Detroit Free Press
Judges’ comments: An investigation into the use of faulty transmissions in the Ford Fiesta & Focus led to a congressional investigation and manufacturing changes. The information was hard to find but the result was a polished look at a company that put profits over safety.
Second Place
“Big Profits, Tiny Taxes”
Jason Garcia
Orlando Sentinel
Third Place
“Flawed Analysis, Failed Oversight: The Boeing 737 MAX”
The Seattle Times Staff
The Seattle Times
Education writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Broken Trust”
Susan Carroll, David Hunn and Jeremy Blackman
Houston Chronicle
Judges’ comments: Who knew public schools were buying and selling property, investing in the stock market and passing around the huge fees for transactions to preferred people? Susan Carroll took a look at the practice. in Texas and the result was increased accountability and a state constitutional amendment to make sure the money went to the students, not into the pockets of wealthy investors.
Second Place
Kristen A. Graham
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Third Place
“How America’s College-Closure Crisis Leaves Families Devastated”
Michael Vasquez and Dan Bauman
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Health, medical and science writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Smokescreens”
Emily Baumgaertner
Los Angeles Times
Judges’ comments: Vaping had become a public health crisis and Baumgaertner provided the data to show how and why and who is responsible. Written with a keen eye for detail and a steady hand, the series is informative without being preachy.
Second Place
“Abortion coverage”
Claire McNeill
Tampa Bay Times
Third Place
“Medical Bond”
Connor Sheets
Alabama Media Group and ProPublica
Environmental writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Arizona’s Next Water Crisis”
Ian James and Rob O’Dell
The Arizona Republic
Judges’ comments: The Republic’s extensive investigation into Arizona’s water crisis is clear, concise and important public service. The work expertly outlines how the lack of regulation in rural areas benefits companies, while leaving local people and the environment to suffer.
Second Place
“Climate Change and the Great Lakes”
Tony Briscoe
Chicago Tribune
Third Place
Michael Dobie
Newsday
Investigative reporting in newspapers in top 20 media market
First Place AND BEST IN SHOW
“Uncovering abuse at reform school for boys”
Lisa Gartner
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judges’ comments: A reporter’s long quest into the dark culture of a Pennsylvania reform school reveals an atmosphere of brutality and violence. So damning are the facts and so compelling are the stories from those who suffered that the school is shut down.
Second Place
“Public Crisis, Private Toll”
Daniel Gilbert
The Seattle Times
Third Place
“Copy, Paste, Legislate”
Staffs of the Center for Public Integrity, USA Today and Arizona Republic
Investigative reporting in newspapers not in top 20 media market.
First Place
“The ‘Healthy Holly’ and UMMS investigation”
The Baltimore Sun Staff
The Baltimore Sun
Judges’ comments: Just a few hours before we voted this category, former Mayor Catherine Pugh was sentenced to three years in prison for the crimes that this package exposed. It started with an offhand comment made in the well-tuned ear of a good reporter . The hard and thorough work that followed exposed a culture of entitlement. Well done.
Second Place
“Drunk With Power”
Marnie Eisenstadt and Patrick Lohmann
Advance Media New York
Third Place
“Dismissed”
Ames Alexander, Gavin Off and David Raynor
The Charlotte Observer
Public service in newspapers in top 20 media market
First Place
“Unprotected: Broken Promises in Georgia’s Senior Care Industry”
Carrie Teegardin and Brad Schrade
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Judges’ comments: Innovative and deep. This is the definition of public service. The stories of abuse are sickening, but the AJC went further to tell this story. They developed a searchable online database for consumers that delivered information and ratings on every home by zip code. It filled a gap in public understanding that government entities could or did not.
Second Place
“The Quiet Rooms”
Jennifer Smith Richards, Jodi S. Cohen and Lakeidra Chavis
Chicago Tribune
Third Place
“Long Island Divided”
Newsday Staff
Newsday
Public service in newspapers not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Throwaway Kids”
Laura Bauer, Judy L. Thomas and Eric Adler
The Kansas City Star
Judge’s comments: Ambitious reporting on a topic that is too often overlooked. Period. That’s what the Kansas City Star’s Throwaway Kids package of stories delivered. From intensely personal interviews to a survey of prisons in a dozen states around the country, the Star’s Staff was all-in. More foster kids go to prison than college? Wow. Reaction was strong and this series offered some hope for this intransigent problem with a solutions component.
Second Place
“Policing the Police”
Andrew Ford
Asbury Park Press
Third Place
“Cancer Cloud”
Brad Schmidt
The Oregonian – OregonLive
Editorial cartoons
First Place
Michael Ramirez
Las Vegas Review Journal
Judges’ comments: Sharp, sophisticated, daring. Michael Ramirez skewers the pompous and defends the vulnerable. Excellent work.
Second Place
Clay Bennett
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Third Place
Clay Jones
CNN/Claytoonz
Journalistic innovation
First Place
“Long Island Divided”
Newsday Staff
Newsday
Judges’ comments: An incredible piece of work, involving Herculean efforts in training, sourcing, content gathering, producing and editing. Wildly innovative in presentation, down to showing the reader where all the hidden cameras were placed! The 3-year reporting investment paid off, and the reaction to and results from the investigation’s revelations were impressive.
Second Place
“Alabama’s War on Women”
Alabama Media Group Staff
Alabama Media Group
Third Place
“Hostage to Heat”
Jeremy Schwartz, Andrea Ball and Dan Keemahill Austin
American-Statesman
Best political coverage
First Place
Craig Gilbert
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judges’ comments: Using strong sourcing and expertly parsed data, Gilbert writes with an authority that provides readers with context, not only of their state’s politics, but with an important understanding of how their state fits into the national perspective.
Second Place
“The Chicago mayoral frontrunner and the power broker’s son”
Gregory Pratt
Chicago Tribune
Third Place
Chris Brennan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
MAGAZINES
Magazine coverage of a major news event or topic
First Place
“How former ref Tim Donaghy conspired to fix NBA games”
Scott Eden
ESPN
Judges’ comments: From the throat-grabbing lede to the satisfying kicker, a thorough reconstruction of the NBA’s points-shaving scandal written in a forceful and energetic narrative.
Second Place
“The Football Player and the Bank Robber”
Vince Beiser
Los Angeles Magazine
Third Place
“The Massacre That Spawned the Alt-Right”
Peter Keating and Shaun Assael
Politico
Magazine feature writing by an individual on a variety of subjects
First Place
Jen Wieczner
Fortune
Judges’ comments: Wieczner’s depth of reporting, vivid writing style and broad selection of topics gave her the edge in a category full of excellence.
Second Place
Paul Tullis
Third Place
Vivienne Walt
Fortune
Magazine column by an individual on a variety of subjects
First Place
Simi Horwitz
The Hollywood Reporter
Judges’ comments: Horwitz’s writing demonstrates a keen understanding of movie-making and film history, and this collection of reviews gives readers insight into the film’s value, or lack thereof.
Second Place
Peter Keating ESPN
No third-place award given
PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHICS FOR DAILY NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINES, NEWS SERVICE AND SYNDICATES
Spot news photography AND BEST IN SHOW
First Place
“Police Thwart Attack”
Tom Fox
Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: Gun violence is on the rise in America. But we rarely look into the eyes of the perpetrator moments before law enforcement officers return fire and end his life. This haunting photo asked much of the photographer. To look through the lens and make this frame he pushed aside fear and took chances that could have ended his life.
Second Place
“Rescue on the Rio Grande”
Bob Owen
San Antonio Express-News
Third Place
Dave Dildine WTOP
Feature photography
First Place
“Philadelphia Eagles”
Kaitlin Marron, Karen Frank and Andrew Hetherington
ESPN
Judges’ comments: We all laughed out loud when viewing this picture of big, tough, NFL football linemen naked and high kicking. Great idea. Great execution.
Second Place
“Gift of life from husband to wife”
Robert Cohen
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Third Place
“Spell ‘Pressure’”
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday
Sports action or sports feature photography
First Place
“Celebration”
Steven M. Falk
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judges’ comments: The colorful and well paid MLB player Bryce Harper gets a celebratory ice water bath after winning the game for his Philadelphia teammates with a walk-off double. His outstretched arms and placement in the frame make him look almost angelic.
Second Place
“Amanda Nunes”
Jason Potterton, Julianne Varacchi and Joe Amon
ESPN
Third Place
“Head over Heels”
J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Newsday
Individual photo portfolio
First Place
Tom Fox
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: Tom Fox’s portfolio displays his technical skills, his ability to capture human nature and his courage to put himself in harm’s way in the pursuit of visual journalism.
Second Place
Robert Cohen
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Third Place
“Immigrants Facing Issues”
Bob Owen
San Antonio Express-News
Staff photo portfolio
First Place
Star Tribune photo Staff
Star Tribune
Judges’ comments: Great vision and diversity of subjects! From sporting events to spot news this portfolio contains pictures that go beyond the obvious and show us thoughtful, impactful and (in some cases) funny snippets of life.
Second Place
The Dallas Morning News photo Staff
The Dallas Morning News
Third Place
Newsday photo Staff
Newsday
Single day photo story
First Place
“Aerial views of tornado devastation from north Dallas to Garland”
Smiley Pool
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: A tornado strikes Dallas and destruction is everywhere. This coverage comprised of only aerial photos, seems foolish on the outset, but is quite successful. Why? Because each photo has a human element, is well composed and takes the viewer beyond the obvious.
Second Place
“Rescue on the Rio Grande”
Bob Owen
San Antonio Express-News
Third Place
Alejandro Alvarez
WTOP
Multiple day photo story
First Place
“Crawford County Wolfpack”
Mykal McEldowney
The Indianapolis Star
Judges’ comments: The Crawford football team photos are both happy and sad. But what makes them so successful is their intimacy and their storytelling quality.
Second Place
“Capable of Greatness”
Tim Tai
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Third Place
“San Antonio Evictions”
Bob Owen
San Antonio Express-News
Portrait
First Place
“John Coli guilty”
Ashlee Rezin Garcia
Chicago Sun-Times
Judges’ comments: Power and arrogance are on full display in this Teamsters boss photo. He may have pleaded guilty, but his strut, stare and posture say he’s still in charge.
Second Place
“Kevin Durant”
Nick Galac, Karen Frank and Shayan Asgharnia
ESPN
Third Place
“Brolylegs”
Robert Booth, Karen Frank and Dan Winters
ESPN
Pictorial
First Place
“Father Roy’s mission”
Ryan Michalesko
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: This pictorial entry goes beyond good composition, lighting and color. It gets to matters of the mind and heart by showing a religious leader engaged in his ecclesiastical rituals.
Second Place
“Clear View”
Alejandra Villa Loarca
Newsday
Third Place
“Enjoy your drive”
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday