DAILY NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS SYNDICATES
Breaking News in daily newspapers, all sizes
First Place
“Inside the Room on Jan. 6”
Los Angeles Times Staff
Los Angeles Times
Judges’ comments: The idea that reporters write the first draft of history is more important than ever today. Americans should be grateful that the Los Angeles Times reporters and photographers witnessed and documented the events of Jan. 6, 2021 in unflinching detail. Revisionists have worked hard to promote a substitute narrative, and this package will stand as an enduring rebuttal for future generations.
Second Place
“Waukesha Christmas Parade attack”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Third Place
“Henry Ruggs charged with DUI after fatal car crash”
Las Vegas Review-Journal staff
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Local news beat coverage or continuing story in top 20 media market
First Place
“Cook County property assessment failures”
Tim Novak, Lauren FitzPatrick and Caroline Hurley
Chicago Sun-Times
Judges’ comments: Caroline Hurley, Lauren FitzPatrick and Tim Novak used data journalism to expose flawed policies in the Cook County assessment office with a trio of deftly written and extensively researched stories.The stories focused on seniors, disabled veterans and property exclusions. It was a window in the world of assessment and a call for reform that could lead to more equitable practices.
Second Place
“On Homelessness in Los Angeles”
Doug Smith
Los Angeles Times
Third Place
“A Robot, a Whisk and a Body Bag: Waging the War on COVID-19”
Emily Baumgaertner
Los Angeles Times
Local news beat coverage or continuing story not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Green Energy”
Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
The Oregonian, OregonLive
Judges’ comments: Portland officials did not do their job, so Shane Dixon Kavanaugh did it for them. His work in exposing the questionable background of a nonprofit director receiving a $12 million grant from the city offered a great example of solid beat reporting and tenacity in tracking down the story.
Second Place
” Crime and courts enterprise in Las Vegas”
Briana Erickson
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Third Place
“High profile developer implicated in low-income housing fraud”
Andrew Graham and Ethan Varian
The Press Democrat
International news beat coverage or continuing story by an individual or team
First Place
“Vaccine Inequity in the Americas
Shirsho Dasgupta, Jacqueline Charles, Rosmery Izaguirre, Adriana Brasileiro and Kevin G. Hall
Miami Herald and McClatchy Washington Bureau
Judges’ comments: The reporters at the Miami Herald and the McClatchy Washington bureau documented the shortages of COVID vaccines from Haiti to South America. Most importantly, their on-the-ground reporting put faces on the shortages, which often had fatal outcomes. As one leader called it: “vaccine apartheid.” Revelatory reporting for a U.S. audience that lived in a nation of vaccine surpluses.
Second Place
“The Fall of Afghanistan”
Nabih Bulos and Marcus Yam
Los Angeles Times
Third Place
“Young People on the Front Lines of Democracies Under Siege”
David Pierson
Los Angeles Times
News series in daily newspapers top 20 media market
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Disease, Inequity and Resilience in South L.A.”
Joe Mozingo and Francine Orr
Los Angeles Times
Judges’ comments: With the ravages of COVID-19 as a backdrop, the L.A. Times uses the stories of patients at one hospital to explain how a pandemic only exacerbated long-standing separate and unequal treatment of the residents of South L.A. The reporter’s humanity shines through the tales of all those with whom he writes about.
Second Place
“How one gun shop burglary in Wisconsin led to terror on Chicago’s streets”
Chicago Tribune staff
Chicago Tribune
Third Place
“East Cleveland police chases”
cleveland.com-The Plain Dealer staff
cleveland.com-The Plain Dealer
News series in newspapers not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Abuse of Trust”
Ashley Luthern and Gina Barton
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judges’ comments: This series about the dysfunctional Milwaukee Police Department was loaded with the details that can come only from shoe-leather reporting and deep institutional knowledge. From the lede, which introduced a compelling subject who refused to be interviewed, to the graphics that helped readers keep up with the many characters, the stories
connected all the dots. Each component left us stunned at the cronyism, wrongdoing and injustice uncovered. The writing was clear and interesting throughout. Beautifully executed.
Second Place
“The Obsession”
Douglas Perry
The Oregonian, OregonLive
Third Place
“Fatal Freeze”
San Antonio Express-News staff
San Antonio Express-News
Local interest column on a variety of subjects
First Place
Neil Steinberg
Chicago Sun-Times
Judges’ comments: Steinberg is a lovely writer whose columns have a strong voice and unique point of view, from reminding us of another time when disinformation put us all in danger, to an obituary that made us laugh. RIP, Gizmo.
Second Place
Michael Dobie
Newsday
Third Place
“The People’s Column”
Myron Medcalf
Star Tribune
Special or feature column on one subject by an individual
First Place
Scott Vogel
Newsday
Judges’ comments: Food critic Scott Vogel doesn’t just dish opinions on high-end restaurants. He provides pithy commentary that readers can use: where to get the best Asian street food. What’s the scoop on the place that gets 5 stars from Yelp? And what about fast food fish sandwiches? In the process of rating the fish, Vogel tells us where it comes from. About a
particular piece of street food: “what every crepe wants to be when it grows up.” He’s entertaining and enlightening and helpful, all the things a columnist should be.
Second Place
Mike Sutter
San Antonio Express-News
Third Place
Mark Lamster
The Dallas Morning News
Editorial writing by an individual or team
First Place
Corey Friedman
The Wilson Times
Judges’ comments: Well reasoned, well written and absolutely fearless. Loved the explicit call to action from parents. This school board is on notice that the Wilson Times is on watch.
Second Place
“California’s Gubernatorial Recall”
Los Angeles Times Editorial Board
Los Angeles Times
Third Place
“What does it mean to fight climate change in a fracking state?”
Abraham Gutman
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Sports column by an individual
First Place
Marcus Hayes
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judges’ comments: Sports opinions have become the hot-take industry, feeding a discussion that runs 24/7 on TV networks and social media. But the best sports columnists know that what makes readers care isn’t being the fastest or the most outrageous, but instead telling compelling stories with a distinctive voice, infused with deep knowledge of the sport, the players and the community. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Marcus Hayes demonstrates excellence in sports opinion writing by leaning into his knowledge of the city and its teams and his curiosity about sports and athletes. His column on the Eagles’ record on hiring Black coaches takes a balanced and multifaceted look that relies heavily on Hayes’ experience and knowledge of the team. And when he eviscerates the home team, like his takedown of the Phillies over mishandling a top prospect, he presents overwhelming evidence and reporting alongside a powerful voice. Every city’s sports fans need someone like Hayes.
Second Place
Terry Pluto
cleveland.com-The Plain Dealer
Third Place
Chip Scoggins
Star Tribune
Sports news writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Badger basketball: A perfect marriage fails”
Jeff Potrykus
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judges’ comments: The University of Wisconsin Badgers were supposed to be one of the top NCAA men’s basketball teams for the 2019-2020 season, but the real drama happened off the court. After the team was bounced early from the NCAA tournament, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal revealed that former Badger star player turned assistant coach Alando Tucker was jockeying to replace head coach Greg Gard during the season. Relying on multiple sources within the Wisconsin program, reporter Jeff Potrykus demonstrated the value of shoeleather reporting and revealed the power struggles within big-time college athletics and their impact on players’ careers and the game itself.
Second Place
“Athletics culture at Mater Dei High”
Scott M. Reid
Southern California News Group
Third Place
Terry Pluto
cleveland.com-The Plain Dealer
Sports feature writing by an individual or team
First Place
Andrew Carter
Raleigh News & Observer
Judges’ comments: Andrew Carter’s work is marked by his understanding of how sports reveal character. His story about how a North Carolina high school basketball team responded to losing a game by 103 points makes the game a starting point to explore the challenges these kids are facing in life, in a poor rural county, during a pandemic. By the end, you have a completely different view of the winners and losers of that game. Remarkable sports writing.
Second Place
Jeff Seidel
Detroit Free Press
Third Place
Callie Caplan
The Dallas Morning News
Feature writing on a variety of subjects by an individual
First Place
“The Jessica Simulation”
Jason Fagone
San Francisco Chronicle
Judges’ comments: Science fiction comes to life in this jaw-dropping entry. Well written and constructed and imaginatively presented.
Second Place
Maria L. La Ganga
Los Angeles Times
Third Place
“Covid’s Scar”
Annie Gowen
The Washington Post
Business news coverage, business commentary and/or business columns by an individual or team
First Place
“What’s in Illinois’ legal weed?”
Stephanie Zimmermann and Tom Schuba
Chicago Sun-Times
Judges’ comments: In a blend of strong consumer and business reporting, reporters Stephanie Zimmermann and Tom Schuba of the Chicago Sun-Times found just what the series asked: “What’s In Your Weed?” And the answers were not pleasant. Through extensive reporting and testing, the reporters found legal marijuana being sold sometimes contained contaminants mold, yeast and bacteria and did not meet the label’s potency promise. As more states legalize marijuana, this will become an increasingly important consumer issue.
Second Place
“Corporate America’s racial reckoning”
Tracy Jan, Jena McGregor and Meghan Hoyer
The Washington Post
Third Place
“Migrant worker deaths”
Maria Perez
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Education writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Rich School, Poor Students”
Bob Fernandez and Charlotte Keith
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Spotlight PA and ProPublica
Judges’ comments: The Milton Hershey School boards and educates children in need and provides funds for college, but with a steep cost. The result is not always sweet. Board members oversee a 20th century will that hasn’t adapted to the 21st century needs of the college set. Expectations, finances and board governance are detailed, demonstrating how a good idea is out-of-step with today’s reality.
Second Place
“Reading Remedies”
Staff
The Post and Courier, The Christian Science Monitor, The Dallas Morning News, The Seattle
Times, AL.com and the Hechinger Report
Third Place
Maria Méndez
Austin American-Statesman
Health, medical and science writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Mesa monkey farm”
Rob O’Dell
Arizona Republic
Judges’ comments: How are monkeys relevant to our health? They are used in essential medical research. Reporter Rob O’Dell of the Arizona Republic/azcentral.com undertook an exhaustive investigation into problems at the University of Washington’s monkey farm in Mesa, Arizona. It is the nation’s largest. But the monkeys have been plagued by valley fever and subjected to polluted water — factors that make their efficacy in medical research questionable. The Republic’s health-related investigation included a veterinary review of the records of the monkeys. Great, deep work on a health topic that is not so obvious.
Second Place
Nicole Villalpando
Austin American-Statesman
No third-place award given
Environmental writing by an individual or team
First Place
“Rainforest Destruction: The Supply Chains To U.S. Consumers”
NBC News, The New York Times, the Pulitzer Center and the Philippine Center for Investigative
Journalism
Judges’ comments: Fascinating and informative, backed up by ambitious reporting, thousands of documents, and countless miles of travel to some of the world’s most remote areas. An important read for American consumers.
Second Place
“Downpour”
USA TODAY and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
Third Place
“United States of California”
Evan Halper, Jackeline Luna and Carolyn Cole
Los Angeles Times
Investigative reporting in newspapers in top 20 media market
First Place
“Poisoned”
Corey G. Johnson, Rebecca Woolington and Eli Murray
Tampa Bay Times
Judges’ comments: The reporters from the Tampa Bay times executed an excellent investigative, environmental and health project that gave voices to both workers and a local community that normally do not have voices. Their level of detail was so great they even became certified as lead inspectors. This is the kind of journalism that we must continue to do in the face of disruption in our industry.
Second Place
“Windsor mayor investigation”
Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes
San Francisco Chronicle
Third Place
“California Medical Board and Troubled Doctors”
Los Angeles Times Staff
Los Angeles Times
Investigative reporting in newspapers not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Death in the Fast Lane”
The Charlotte Observer staff
The Charlotte Observer
Judges’ comments: Investigative reporter Ames Alexander drives on the interstate to work and something starts nagging at him — how many drivers pass him going about 100 mph. He began poking around and found that one key reason North Carolina speeders are so emboldened is that they face minor penalties because it is so easy to plea-bargain tickets down to a minor violation. And, he asked, who would care? He found plenty of examples, including a 6-year-old boy on his way home from getting ice cream killed by a street-racer doing 100 mph, a motorist who had gotten many breaks in the past from a forgiving court system.
Second Place
“Death Sentence”
The Indianapolis Star staff
The Indianapolis Star
Third Place
“Blake Bailey was an ODU star. Faculty and students say he abused and harassed women for
years.”
Gary Harki
The Virginian-Pilot
Public service in newspapers in top 20 media market
First Place
“Birth & Betrayal”
Carol Marbin Miller, Daniel Chang and Emily Michot
Miami Herald
Judges’ comments: “Birth and Betrayal” incited outrage and action within hours of publication, and with good reason. The fund set up for families of children disabled by doctors wasn’t paying out, leaving families to struggle with the most basic needs. Some didn’t even know the money was available to them. The stories resulted in NICA falling down like a Jenga game. The director resigned, the board collapsed and families were finally getting the help they needed and deserved.
Second Place
“AP Voting Series”
Christina A. Cassidy, Anthony Izaguirre and Nicholas Riccardi
The Associated Press
Third Place
“Arizona ‘audit’: Democracy in Doubt”
The Arizona Republic staff
The Arizona Republic
Public service in newspapers not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Uncovered”
The Post and Courier staff
The Post and Courier
Judges’ comments: Recognizing that the decline of the newspaper industry seemed coincident with the rise of local graft in South Carolina, the Post and Courier organized a statewide SWAT team of media outlets to support one another and lend muscle to investigative reporting on the micro level.
Second Place
“Meth Mountain”
Kingsport Times News staff
Kingsport Times News
Third Place
“National Guard investigation”
Katelyn Ferral and Natallie Brophy
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Madison Capital Times and Appleton-Post-Crescent
Editorial cartoons
First Place
Matt Davies
Newsday
Judges’ comments: In a field crowded with purse-lipped presidents and “clusters” of guns, Matt Davies’ entry stood out for its out-of-the-box approach and putting politics in our homes: Screen time, global warming, vaccines and school shootings were all set in the everyday. His artistic style is smart and sophisticated. His cartoons leave you impressed, enraged and included.
Second Place
Stephen P. Breen
The San Diego Union Tribune
Third Place
Michael Ramirez
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Journalistic innovation
First Place
“‘7@7’ daily streaming video newscast”
Las Vegas Review-Journal staff
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Judges’ comments: The LVRJ set out to blaze a new trail for an online newscast. After research, they came up with 7@7, a seven-minute newscast each morning and evening at 7. This is not television news, although at first it might appear so. This is no-nonsense, here-are-the facts news. This mobile-oriented innovation has had several thousand views per episode. Segment hosts were selected to reflect diversity in the community. And, innovation needs creativity, but it also needs revenue to be sustained. Each 7@7 segment has a sponsor, with the sponsor’s branding in the upper right corner of the screen.
No second- or third-place award given
Best political coverage
First Place
“Political Upheaval in the Heartland”
Jonathan Shorman, Bryan Lowry and Eric Adler
The Kansas City Star
Judges’ comments: When a reporter solidly “goes deep” on a politician, you just do not expect the lede to recount something the politician did as a 15-year-old or the presentation to include a photo of him with fellow students in middle school. But reporters at the Kansas City Star did just that in their fascinating backgrounding on Sen. Josh Hawley, writing that “the junior senator from Missouri is the face of the failed effort to overturn the 2020 election.” A great read with fantastic depth.
Second Place
“Texas legislative coverage”
Robert T. Garrett, Allie Morris and Lauren McGaughy
The Dallas Morning News
Third Place
Clara Hendrickson
Detroit Free Press
Newspaper pandemic coverage or project
First Place
“Inside COVID’s Siege”
Courtney Crowder and Zach Boyden-Holmes
Des Moines Register
Judges’ comments: This subject matter has been (necessarily) covered endlessly, often with excellent results. And yet this entry blew us away. The writing and reporting are truly exceptional.
Second Place
“POLITICO’s Recovery Lab”
POLITICO staff
POLITICO
Third Place
“Pandemic Spending Accountability Series”
Associated Press staff
Associated Press
MAGAZINES
Coverage of a major news event or topic
First Place
“Insulin’s Deadly Cost”
Geoff Colvin
Fortune Media
Judges’ comments: The story of insulin focused on a common drug and used one person’s struggle with its exorbitant costs to show how prescription prices vary across different pharmacies, why the drug isn’t generic and how regulators deal with the problem. It’s a clear, focused story that illuminates and infuriates.
Second Place
“Dominion Voting: Big Lies vs. Big Lawsuits”
Jen Wieczner
Fortune Media
Third Place
“The Truth About Reconciliation”
Peter Keating and Shaun Assael
Mother Jones
Magazine feature writing by an individual on a variety of subjects
First Place
“Airbnb is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away”
Olivia Carville
Bloomberg
Judges’ comments: Happy faces in beautiful places, an idea that Airbnb will go to great lengths to protect when it comes to its vacation properties and company reputation. This is a fascinating story, with a high degree of reporting difficulty and great sourcing. A must read.
Second Place
“Welcome to the TikTok Economy”
Jeffrey M. O’Brien
Fortune Media
Third Place
“Loaded For Bear”
Brian Burnsed
Sports Illustrated
Magazine political coverage
First Place
Michael Kruse
Politico
Judges’ comments: A story like none other, Michael Kruse zeroed in on a pivotal race to explain to readers why national politics matter at the local level. Deeply researched and powerfully written, the three stories are a textbook example of how congressional races should be covered.
No second- or third-place award given
PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHICS FOR DAILY NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINES, NEWS SERVICE AND SYNDICATES
Spot news photography
First Place
“House Chamber on January 6th”
Tom Williams
CQ Roll Call
Judges’ comments: Tom Williams captured the personal terror of the Jan. 6 insurrection with this image of Rep. Jason Crow comforting Rep. Susan Wild while they take cover as rioters attempt to break into the House chamber of the Capitol to disrupt a joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College vote.
Second Place
“Amid the debris, Gaza mourns loss of life and looks to rebuild”
Marcus Yam
Los Angeles Times
Third Place
“Mandate Opponents”
Elias Valverde II
The Dallas Morning News
Feature photography
First Place
“Wally Funk”
Lola Gomez
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: The 82 year-old astronaut Wally Funk waves to the crowd during her Wally Funk Parade. The juxtaposition of her to the crowd of Star Wars clad onlookers elevates the humor in this picture.
Second Place
“Head Over Heels in a Field of Blue”
Smiley N. Pool
The Dallas Morning News
Third Place
“Gay Bars”
Juan Figueroa
The Dallas Morning News
Sports action or sports feature photography
First Place
“Flying high”
Carlos Gonzalez
Star Tribune
Judges’ comments: Carlos Gonzalez captured the perfect moment in sports action, as Minnesota basketball player Luke Loewe goes flying through the air after a foul by Michigan State’s Max Christie.
Second Place
“Morning Workout”
J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Newsday
Third Place
“Inside the park Homer”
Steven M. Falk
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Individual photo portfolio
First Place
“The Fall of Afghanistan”
Marcus Yam
Los Angeles Times
Judges’ comments: As Kabul fell into Taliban control, photographer Marcus Yam made images of frightened Afghans swarming the airport in hopes of escape, of ordinary people on the daily hunt for cash and food and some semblance of safety, and of Taliban fighters ensconcing themselves throughout the city. His portfolio of pictures is an extraordinary feat of tenacity and personal vision as he bore witness to the fall.
Second Place
Aaron Lavinsky
Star Tribune
Third Place
Tom Fox
Dallas Morning News
Staff photo portfolio
First Place
Las Vegas Review-Journal staff
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Judges’ comments: The Review Journal staff portfolio was outstanding, with powerful, emotive, sometimes funny, creative and sometimes cringe-worthy pictures throughout. The excellence of images throughout the portfolio set it apart from the other entries.
Second Place
Star Tribune staff
Star Tribune
Third Place
“A Day in the Life of Long Island”
Newsday staff
Newsday
Single day photo story
First Place
“Journey fulfilled”
Smiley N. Pool
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: Earnestine Tarrant styled hair in her salon for 41 years – making a lifetime of friendships. Photographer Smiley N. Pool photographed her last day “at the office.” He made a heart-warming set of pictures reflecting the kindness and caring nature of Earnestine.
Second Place
“Into The Night”
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday
Third Place
“Lebanon Unrest”
Marcus Yam
Los Angeles Times
Multiple day photo story
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“The Capitol Riot”
Kent Nishimura
Los Angeles Times
Judges’ comments: The horrors of the January 6th insurrection are captured in Kent Nishimura’s pictures. The insurrection began with a fiery speech by Donald Trump exhorting his followers to stop the certification of election returns by Congress that would result in Joe Biden being named our 46th president. Kent Nishimura’s pictures show the angry mob storming the capitol, breaking through its doors and sending the joint session of Congress into hiding – fearing for their lives. In the mob’s wake lie destruction, death, mayhem and eventual retreat. All shown in this portfolio.
Second Place
“Migrants Keep Crossing Despite Risks and Border Patrol Apprehensions”
Carolyn Cole and Gary Coronado
Los Angeles Times
Third Place
“The Marr, the merrier”
Vernon Bryant
The Dallas Morning News
Portrait
First Place
“Afghanistan’s air force is a rare U.S.-backed success story. It may soon fail”
Marcus Yam
Los Angeles Times
Judges’ comments: The somber face of an Afghan soldier looking out the open door of a UH-60 Black Hawk days before the fall of Kabul foretells the tragedy ahead.
Second Place
“Tani’s Game”
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday
Third Place
“Clint Eastwood”
Jay Clendenin
Los Angeles Times
Pictorial
First Place
“Moonlight”
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday
Judges’ comments: A simple composition of repeating parking lot lights punctuated by a waxing crescent moon makes for this arresting pictorial photo.
Second Place
“Holy Hill covered in ice”
Mike De Sisti
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Third Place
“Taking Flight”
Tom Fox
Dallas Morning News