DAILY NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS SYNDICATES
Newspapers breaking news, all sizes
First Place
“Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge”
The Baltimore Sun staff
The Baltimore Sun
Judges’ comments: Shoe-leather reporting is strong in this well-crafted report on the Francis Scott Key bridge collision and collapse. The Baltimore Sun staff showed good, concise writing in their coverage from the field of the breaking news, the cause of the news event, and the effects it had on not only Baltimore, but the East Coast. Readers appreciate efforts like this.
Second Place
“Kansas City Chiefs Rally Shooting”
The Kansas City Star staff
The Kansas City Star
Third Place
“Splash Pad Shooting”
The Detroit News Staff
The Detroit News
Newspapers local news beat coverage or continuing story in top 20 media market
First Place
“Crooked Counselors”
Ben Wieder and Brittany Wallman
The Miami Herald
Judges’ comments: Good writing. Good reporting. Good reasons to be alert for bad actors in the legal world. They all came together in Ben Weider and Brittany Wallman’s look at attorneys Brad Schandler and Jay Farrow, both of whom worked Florida law to their benefit at the expense of their clients. An eye-opener.
Second Place
“Wrecked Justice”
David Goodhue, Grethel Aguila and Susan Merriam
The Miami Herald
Third Place
“Health coverage in South Florida”
Cindy Krischer Goodman
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Newspapers local news beat coverage or continuing story not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Lottery Exposed”
Ted Sickinger
Advance Local dba The Oregonian/OregonLive
Judges’ comments: Who knew? An expose on how international lottery winners and bulk buyers win all at state lotteries.
Second Place
“Trouble on the Tarmac”
Emma Murphy and Martin Espinoza
The Press Democrat
Third Place
“Flaws, Oversights, Troubles with St. Louis Grant Program”
Austin Huguelet and Jacob Barker
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Newspapers international news beat coverage or continuing story
First Place
“The Starving World”
Reuters team
Reuters
Judges’ comments: Through horrific scenes and painstaking documents, Reuters reporters examined famines globally, describing crises in Sudan, Ethiopia, Gaza and Myanmar. Reporters chronicled decisions on how and where food is delivered. They showed how corruption is hindering efforts to feed millions. Families are eating dirt to quell hunger. A sobering series that offers suggestions to improve the system. Well done.
Second Place
“Taliban’s Regressive Ideology Faces Modern Challenges”
Rick Noack
The Washington Post
Third Place
“Iran’s Oil Kingpin”
Ben Bartenstein
Bloomberg
Newspapers series in top 20 media market
First Place
“Prison to Plate”
Robin McDowell and Margie Mason
The Associated Press
Judges’ comments: Whoa. How is this allowed in 2024? Prison labor beefing up the bottom line of corporate America. Brilliant reporting. Searings photos and imagery. A well told tale that should shame corporate boardrooms everywhere.
Second Place
“Project Extreme”
Spencer Kent and Riley Yates
NJ Advance Media
Third Place
“Inside the ‘Plague’ of Oversized Trucks Crashing into NYS Bridges”
Peter D. Kramer
The Journal News/lohud.com
Newspapers series not in top 20 media market
First Place
“9-11-74: The Untold Story of Charlotte’s Deadliest Plane Crash”
Theoden Janes, Scott Fowler and Jeff Siner
The Charlotte Observer – McClatchy
Judges’ comments: Superior writing and research about a long forgotten Sept. 11, 1974 plane crash. Jones and Fowler tracked down survivors and family members to craft a series that highlighted how much air travel safety has improved, memories and outcomes from a horrid incident. The value and use of memories was captured in the narrative with gut-wrenching text.
Second Place
“Dying Behind Bars”
The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Columbus Dispatch staff
The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Columbus Dispatch
Third Place
“Bringing It Home”
Rick Barrett and Mark Hoffman
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Newspapers local interest column on a variety of subjects
First Place
Bridget Grumet
Austin American-Statesman
Judges’ comments: Excellent use of shoe-leather reporting, memorable details, snappy quotes and passion to shine a light on wrongdoing.
Second Place
Karen Tolkkinen
Minnesota Star Tribune
Third Place
Neil Steinberg
Chicago Sun-Times
Newspapers special or feature column on one subject
First Place
Soleil Ho
San Francisco Chronicle
Judges’ comments: Ho delves into why success so often eludes San Francisco restaurants: so many regulations, exorbitant rent and a dwindling middle class. Ho presents well reported anecdotes and details — listing the myriad monthly expenses that make breaking even so hard, for example – and forcefully makes a case for change. Compelling columns deeply reported.
Second Place
Maureen Downey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Third Place
Jon Bream
Minnesota Star Tribune
Newspapers editorial writing by an individual or team
First Place
Helen Jung
Advance Local dba The Oregonian/OregonLive
Judges’ comments: Helen Jung’s ability to present a well-written argument and issue a call for action makes for excellent editorial writing. Bravo.
Second Place
Josh Brodesky
San Antonio Express-News
Third Place
“End the Death Penalty”
Robert Greene
Los Angeles Times
Newspapers sports opinion by an individual
First Place
“The Sixers Plan to Sit Joel Embiid Early and Often”
Marcus Hayes
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judges’ comments: Writing a sports column in a city like Philadelphia is a great responsibility. You are the fans’ connection to the teams they love. Marcus Hayes embraces this responsibility with gusto, writing sharp and original columns in an engaging style with an unmistakably Philly attitude.
Second Place
Steve Politi
NJ Advance Media
Third Place
Terry Pluto
Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com
Newspapers sports news writing by an individual or team
First Place
Jason Wolf
The Arizona Republic
Judges’ comments: Jason Wolf’s sports reporting in the Arizona Republic brings you to some unexpected and surprising places. In a strongly reported and written story, Wolf uncovers how college football players were caught in a migrant smuggling scheme. His thoughtful and thorough investigation touched on the football program, the personal profiles of the players, the legal system and how young people are being recruited online to participate in human smuggling. His other stories about athlete charities and out-of-control youth sports are marked by a similar attention and concern to the human and emotional stories beyond the playing field.
Second Place
“The Downfall of an Athletic Director”
Brian Fonseca and Steve Politi
NJ Advance Media
Third Place
Scott M. Reid
Southern California News Group
Newspapers sports feature writing by an individual or team
First Place
“The Baller’s Conviction”
Bill Oram
Advance Local dba The Oregonian/OregonLive
Judges’ comments: This three-part series about Oregon high school basketball star Brett Hollins’ comeback from a four-year prison sentence for assault to fulfill his college basketball dreams has excellent structure and pacing. Bill Oram builds step by step to the climax with standout dialogue and description.
Second Place
Alex Coffey
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Third Place
Luke DeCock
News & Observer
Newspapers feature writing by an individual in a top 20 media market
First Place
John Carlisle
Detroit Free Press
Judges’ comments: John Carlisle’s writing transports his readers — in these three stories, to the bedside of a dying teen, to a “ghost town” with the best-tasting water, and to a tiny cabin in the woods where all you need is a good guest book to read. His stories are beautifully written and a joy to read.
Second Place
“The Migrant Experience in America”
Bianca Vázquez Toness
The Associated Press
Third Place
Annie Gowen
The Washington Post
Newspapers feature writing by an individual not in a top 20 media market
First Place
Blake Nelson
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Judges’ comments: Powerful writing with style, elan and compassion. Nelson’s stories focus on fentanyl, homeless and mental health with compassion, concern and professionalism.
Second Place
Cocoa Laney
Cascadia Daily News
Third Place
“The Brief Life and Violent Death of Ember Leona”
Andrew Graham
The Press Democrat
Newspapers business news coverage, business commentary and/or business columns
First Place
“The Nike Case”
Matthew Kish
Advance Local dba The Oregonian/OregonLive
Judges’ comments: Oregonian reporter Matthew Kish’s investigation of Nike’s allegedly toxic workplace combines strong reporting with a compelling personal profile that brings readers inside one of the world’s most influential companies.
Second Place
“Verbal abuse, a ‘sex-driven’ culture: Ex-employees describe toxic environment at Guaranteed Rate”
Lizzie Kane and Talia Soglin
Chicago Tribune
Third Place
“Silicon Desert”
Russ Wiles and Daniel Gonzalez
The Arizona Republic
Newspapers education writing
First Place
“Failing Grades”
Minnesota Star Tribune staff
Minnesota Star Tribune
Judges’ comments: A well-crafted story on charter schools that failed to live up to promises. A clarion call for other school districts, and parents who may not find what they expect at an alternative form of public education.
Second Place
“Top Doc Forced Out at Med School”
Noelle Crombie
Advance Local dba The Oregonian/OregonLive
Third Place
“A Christian Education or Hellhole of Abuse?”
Laura Bauer and Judy L. Thomas
The Kansas City Star
Newspapers health and science writing
First Place
Jessica Van Egeren
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judges’ comments: A searing look at pregnancies where poor expected outcomes interact with legal issues.
Second Place
“A Philadelphia Approach to Hospital Accountability”
Wendy Ruderman, Sarah Gantz and Dylan Purcell
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Third Place
“What They Wish They Knew: Stories of Suicide”
Charles Trepany
USA Today
Newspapers environmental writing by an individual or team in top 20 media market
First Place
“Grumman’s Toxic Secret”
Paul LaRocco
Newsday
Judges’ comments: A tip, a dogged reporter, a trip to Florida and a bulldozer uncovered a toxic secret that has threatened residents’ health for decades.
Second Place
“Undamming a River”
Ian James, Brian van der Brug, Gina Ferazzi, Albert Brave Tiger Lee and Sean Greene
Los Angeles Times
Third Place
“Climate Change and Racism’s Legacy”
Roxanne L. Scott
New York Amsterdam News
Newspapers environmental writing by an individual or team not in top 20 media market
First Place
“In Hot Water”
Staffs of AL.com, MLive, Oregon Live and NJ.com
Judges’ comments: This collaborative reporting combined firsthand accounts and data analysis to show how warming waters are changing lives. By centering those who work on the water and avoiding partisan framing, it made a complex issue accessible. The result was a deeply reported, impactful story that connected science with everyday experience.
Second Place
“A Fatal Forecast”
Alan Halaly and Katie Futterman
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Third Place
“Sinking in Saltwater”
Kate Cough
The Maine Monitor
Newspapers investigative reporting in top 20 media market
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.
Second Place
“Untested”
USA Today staff
USA Today
Third Place
“Criminal Injustice”
The Miami Herald staff
The Miami Herald
Newspapers investigative reporting not in top 20 media market
First Place
“In Broad Daylight”
Sara DiNatale, Wesley Ratko and Jessica Phelps
San Antonio Express-News
Judges’ comments: This series, which exposed predatory solar providers, illustrates how vital investigative reporting can be. It took on a critical pocketbook issue — energy costs — and exposed how unscrupulous sales tactics victimized the most vulnerable. Through traditional shoe-leather reporting, great sources, national context, interviews with the people who were cheated and online storytelling tools, this project helped those who would have had little recourse on their own.
Second Place
“Sold for Sex”
Hillary Borrud
Advance Local dba The Oregonian/OregonLive
Third Place
“My Cousin Augie”
Mary Spicuzza
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Newspapers public service in top 20 media market
First Place
“Hidden Homicides”
Carrie Teegardin and Danny Robbins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Judge’s comments: The AJC’s dogged and tenacious reporting shined a light on wrongdoing for a forgotten population where the door is literally locked and the key thrown away. A tour de force in reporting that shamed public officials and forced real change. Bravo!
Second Place
“Chicago’s First School Board Elections”
Chicago Public Media and Chalkbeat Chicago staff
Chicago Public Media and Chalkbeat Chicago
Third Place
“Meth: The Prison Pipeline”
Kevin Krause, Jose Luis Adriano and Shafkat Anowar
The Dallas Morning News
Newspapers public service not in top 20 media market
First Place
“Helene and its Deadly Aftermath”
Staff of the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen Times and staff of the USA TODAY Network
Judges’ comments: Reporters from the Asheville Citizen Times and their Gannett partners produced utility journalism at its finest. In the midst of the worst disaster in western North Carolina’s history, they covered the horrors, the heroes, the how-tos, providing information to communities that otherwise were operating on rumors. The coverage, through push notifications, text messages, online stories and, when possible, free newspapers, was complete, fair, and most importantly, informative. Fact checking was extremely helpful. The staff provided a huge public service to the community they live in and love.
Second Place
“Probate and Paydays”
Eli Segall and Michael Scott Davidson
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Third Place
“The Gray Zone”
Cleo Krejci
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Editorial cartoons
First Place
Adam Zyglis
The Buffalo News
Judges’ comments: Zyglis’ portfolio demonstrated creativity, clarity, and urgency, consistently evoking an emotional response — particularly when addressing challenging issues like international conflict and national politics.
Second Place
Clay Bennett
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Third Place
Gary Markstein
Creators Syndicate
Journalistic innovation
First Place
Hidden Costs: The Financial Costs of Gun Violence
Helina Selemon, Shannon Chaffers and Damaso Reyes
New York Amsterdam News
Judges’ comments: New York’s venerable Amsterdam News explores the depths of gun violence in the Black and Brown communities through a website and virtual convenings highlighting a variety of issues ranging from financial costs to those left behind from gun violence, how America’s safety net fails gun violence survivors and possible solutions to a troubling long-term problem.
Second Place
“Public Investigator”
Tamia Fowlkes, Quinn Clark and Gina Castro
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Third Place
“How Gov. Greg Abbott Made the Texas Border America’s Problem”
Matt Zdun and Benjamin Wermund
Houston Chronicle
Newspapers political coverage
First Place
“The AI Campaign”
Garance Burke, Alan Suderman, Kelvin Chan, Ali Swenson and Dan Merica
The Associated Press
Judges’ comments: AI is rapidly becoming a major influencer in our lives. That’s not necessarily a good thing, as far as elections are concerned. This Associated Press package looks at how significant misinformation from AI makes clear that it is not quite ready for election prime time.
Second Place
David Mastio
The Kansas City Star
Third Place
“Coverage of New Jersey’s dramatic year in politics”
Brent Johnson
NJ Advance Media
Magazines coverage of a major news event or topic
First Place
“How Boeing Broke Down”
Shawn Tully
Fortune Media
Judges’ comments: Well-researched and written, compiles “strategic missteps” in quality control by relying too much on partnership with suppliers instead of allowing frontline workers to contribute to management decisions.
Second Place
“How To Succeed In Office”
Cosmopolitan staff
Cosmopolitan
No third-place award was given.
Magazines feature writing by an individual
First Place
“The Demon Slayers: The New Age of American Exorcisms”
Sam Kestenbaum
Harper’s Magazine
Judges’ comments: Sam Kestenbaum visits Global Vision Bible Church led by pastor Greg Locke, a “right-wing fire-brand.” That Americans crave spectacle has led to a revival of exorcisms in Tennessee churches. “Is it Leviathan or Python?” cries the congregation as pastor Locke exorcises a demon. Kestenbaum concludes: “It’s feel-good religion…”
Second Place
“Holy War”
Matthew Tostevin
Newsweek
Third Place
“How Big Can Robinhood Really Get?”
Jeff John Roberts
Fortune Media
Magazines speciality news coverage
First Place
“The Cough That Doesn’t End”
Rachel Sklar & Julia Edelstein
The Cut
Judges’ comments: I cough, you cough, we all cough. But do we know why? Rachel Sklar writes it is not always because you have a cold. Women are more likely to cough and not all coughs mean you are sick. Excellent writing, mixing science with curiosity. Good answers to a common malady.
Second Place
“Big Pharma’s Monkey Business”
Erika Fry
Fortune Media
Third Place
“Inside the Cult of Costco”
Phil Wahba
Fortune Media
Magazines in-depth story or series on a major news event
First Place
“The Egg”
Bloomberg Staff
Bloomberg
Judges’ comments: An eight-writer team starting with Natalie Obiko Pearson provides an in-depth picture of the global egg trade. Their report follows four women who intersect with the egg donation business: a teenage girl in India using a false I.D. and claiming to be married; an Argentinian model hyped to egg buyers for her beauty; a Greek mother who’s told by police her eggs were stolen; and two Taiwanese “egg girls” who travel to the U.S. to sell their eggs. Globally in 2019, more than 120,000 embryos were created with donated eggs.
Second Place
“Some ex-TikTok Employees Say the Social Media Service Worked Closely with its China-based Parent Despite Claims of Independence”
Alexandra Sternlicht
Fortune Media
Third Place
“Beirut and the Birth of the Fortress Embassy”
Habib Battah
Middle East Research and Information Project
PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHICS FOR DAILY NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINES, NEWS SERVICE AND SYNDICATES
Spot news photography
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.
Second Place
“Bear Falling from Tree”
Sean Simmers
PA Media Group
Third Place
“Funeral for NYPD Police Officer Jonathan Diller”
Steve Pfost
Newsday
Feature photography
First Place
“Off-key Canine”
Mindy Schauer
Orange County Register
Second Place
“The Tango”
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday
Third Place
“Baby Meets Second Graders”
Hailey Hoffman
Cascadia Daily News
Sports action or sports feature photography
First Place
“Tara Davis-Woodhall Celebrates Gold”
Smiley N. Pool
The Dallas Morning News
Second Place
“Head Over Heels for the Lions”
Daniel Mears
The Detroit News
Third Place
“Caesar”
J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Newsday
Individual photo portfolio
First Place
Smiley N. Pool
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: Smiley N. Pool’s portfolio contained excellent images — from amazing moments of sports action to heart-felt emotional scenes. His submission was both wide-ranging and void of everyday ho-hum pictures.
Second Place
Derrick Z. Jackson
for the Maine Monitor and The Union of Concerned Scientists
Third Place
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday
Staff photo portfolio
First Place
Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: The images from these four staff photographers stood above all others in this catagory. The quiet-but-moving portrait of Jane Goodall made by Tom Fox complimented the rough-and-tumble action captured by Smiley N. Pool.
Second Place
San Francisco Chronicle
Third Place
Newsday
Single day photo story
First Place
“Professional Bull Riding in New York”
J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Newsday
Judges’ comments: Rodeo bull riding has become a television phenomenon but the still images in this entry went far beyond the action in the ring broadcast by television. We see young female fans of color cheering on the riders, even younger competitors preparing for their ride and a showdown of opposing teams of riders. The portfolio is a well rounded look at the sport.
Second Place
“Dallas Police Officer Darron Burks Remembered at Funeral”
Smiley N. Pool and Chitose Suzuki
The Dallas Morning News
Third Place
“The Right Choyce”
Brian Branch-Price
Public Square Amplified
Multiple day photo story
First Place
Scott Strazzante
San Francisco Chronicle
Judges’ comments: The A’s MLB team is leaving Oakland Coliseum and its fans after 57 seasons. This portfolio gives us a peek into the life of a ballpark. Of course the fans are deeply disapointed and show it by weariung jerseys festooned with the word “Abandoned.” We also see a kissing couple oblivious to the action on the field and cheering fans watching the action on the field.
Second Place
“Portland State University Protest”
Kristyna Wentz-Graff
OPB
Third Place
“Migrant’s Journey”
J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Newsday
Portrait
First Place
“Dr. Jane Goodall”
Tom Fox
The Dallas Morning News
Judges’ comments: The quiet portrait of Jane Goddall, the giant of African gorilla conservation, is done with grace and elegance by Tom Fox.
Second Place
“12 Year Old Prodigy”
Alejandra Villa Loarca
Newsday
Third Place
“Pennsylvania Rifle Hunter”
Saed Hindash
NJ Advance Media
Pictorial
First Place
“Lolipop Tree”
David Guralnick
The Detroit News
Judges’ comments: Mysterious and a bit confusing: This aerial view of a downed tree could also be a flower blooming. Pictorial photography is about composition and this image does that to perfection.
Second Place
“Solar Eclipse”
Thomas A. Ferrara
Newsday
Third Place
“Sunset Swim”
Mark Rightmire
Southern California News Group