2025 – Grand Awards
Print Division
Print
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Right to Remain Secret”
Katey Rusch and Casey Smith
San Francisco Chronicle
Judges’ comments: Were it not for the curious reporters at the San Francisco Chronicle, all California would not know about the alarming practice of hiding police personnel folders from views to rid certain agencies of bad apples who, with their misconduct shielded, simply pop over to another law enforcement job. It took a lot of work and a lot of muscle to pry loose the records from many agencies, though many more have still escaped scrutiny on this practice that protects bad cops from exposure.
Nick Oza Best of Show Photography Award
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Shots Fired: Butler, PA July 13, 2024”
Evan Vucci
Associated Press
Judges’ comments: A bloodied Donald Trump ,with red streaks along his cheek outlining the path of a would-be assassin’s bullet, raises his right arm in defiance as Secret Service officers cradle him in their arms. An American flag flutters in the background. This historic moment was captured by American photographer Evan Vucci and will become an iconic image of our time.
Broadcast Division
Michael Schurman Best in Show Television Award
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Dealing the Dead”
Staff of NBC Nightly News and NBC News Digital
NBC News
Judges’ comments: It’s clear that this investigation into the unregulated body-broker industry was an extensive effort. The relentless search for victims and their families not only exposed the issue but also helped some families actually find missing loved ones. This report reshaped this industry, demonstrating the power of journalism and its far-reaching impact.
Radio
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Uncovering the Death Penalty”
Chiara Eisner, Noah Caldwell, Monika Evstatieva and Robert Little
NPR
Judges’ comments: This continuing coverage series diligently goes behind the scenes of the death penalty today, through detailed reporting, strong storytelling, and exclusive interviews with death row inmates, including one inmate who was put to death just hours after the interview. Disproportionate “botched” lethal injections across racial disparities and experimental procedures some consider unconstitutional and inhumane are addressed through reporting on research findings, direct eyewitness observations, and opinions for family members of both the convicted inmates and their victims on the precipice of legally imposed mortal justice.
Online Division
Online
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Lethal Restraint”
Staffs of AP, PBS Frontline and the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism
Judges’ comments: The Associated Press hit this out of the park, revealing how police tactics used to avoid lethal force result in a death sentence for some of the most vulnerable citizens — many in the midst of a mental health crisis and often posing zero threat — at the hands of officers who, at best, are poorly trained and at worst, full of vengeance and loathfulness. In additon to a haunting, presentation that incorporated the faces of victims and body-camera footage, the writing was absolutely singular and memorable. Three years of digging and persistence on the part of these reporters paid off with measurable results, including new use-of-force guidelines issued by the widely respected Police Executive Research Forum.