We are announcing the results for this year’s contest as we receive them from our judges. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to our volunteer judges for their hard work.
FEATURE SLIDESHOW
First Place: Bronte Wittpenn, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Amanda Cowan, The Columbian, Vancouver, Washington.
Third Place: Tess Crowley, Deseret News.
Bronte Wittpenn earns first place with “This family fought for 100 years to free a California river.”
“Perfection in visual storytelling and presentation,” the judge wrote. “Bravo.”
Second place goes to Amanda Cowan for “Turning grief into purpose,” about a woman who lost her partner to a drug overdose but used her grief to build a healthy new life for their two young boys.
“So uncommon to see stories like these now where a photojournalist embeds themselves into someone’s life to tell a great story,” the judge wrote.
Tess Crowley takes third place with “Capturing the charm of the nation’s county fairs.”
“This was presented as a labor of love by the photographer,” the judge wrote. “Wonderful.”
Judged by Travis Heying, photojournalist, Wichita Eagle. 14 entries.
NEWS SLIDESHOW
First Place: Gabrielle Lurie, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Tess Crowley, Deseret News.
Third Place: Jill Karnicki and Benjamin Hager, Houston Chronicle.
Gabrielle Lurie wins first place with “Six infections, three heart surgeries, more than $1 million in health care — and still he can’t escape his drug addiction.”
“The clear winner in this category,” the judge wrote. “A photo essay that was perfection in every way a photo essay can be.”
Second place goes to Tess Crowley for “Conservative activist Charlie Kirk killed in Utah.”
“Photographer clearly kept her cool in an intense situation and the photographs show as much,” the judge wrote.
Jill Karnicki and Benjamin Hager grab third place with “Houston region wakes up to first major snowfall in decades.”
“Wonderful coverage of a rare climate event and captures the wonderment of the communities who experienced it,” the judge wrote.
Judged by Travis Heying, photojournalist, Wichita Eagle. 10 entries.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING
First Place: Staff, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Tony Briscoe and Ian James, Los Angeles Times.
Third Place: Stacey Barchenger, Arizona Republic.
The San Francisco Chronicle staff wins first place with “The graying bay,” which told how the Bay Area is already the third-oldest among the 20 largest U.S. regions and is growing older at the fastest pace.
“A great example of explanatory journalism, it prioritizes reader engagement uses data for storytelling,” the judge wrote.
Second place goes to Tony Briscoe and Ian James for “The L.A. firestorms: Climate change, dry hydrants and toxic cleanup.
“Stylistically bold and reader-oriented, this was an impressive effort in explaining the fires in a timely, in-depth way,” the judge wrote.
Stacey Barchenger takes third place with “Inside the 2022 governor’s debate meltdown,” which told how Katie Hobbs rejected a debate with Kari Lake but Arizona State University gave her time anyway.
“The article does a good job walking the reader through a complicated, tense situation,” the judge wrote. “It’s easy to follow — even if the topic is messy.”
Judged by James Bennett, former weekend editor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 57 entries.
GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING
First Place: Yilun Cheng, Caroline Ghisolfi and Matt Zdun, Houston Chronicle.
Second Place: Patty Talahongva, Lauren Mucciolo and Belén Tavares, PBS Frontline with the Howard Center for Investigative Reporting at Arizona State University.
Third Place: Mark Olalde, Jimmy Tobias and Roberto “Bear” Guerra, ProPublica and High Country News.
Yilun Cheng, Caroline Ghisolfi and Matt Zdun take first place with “Built to flood: Who profits and who pays the price for building in Texas floodplains.”
“It had been eight years since Hurricane Harvey flooding devastated the Houston area. Rather than serve as a catalyst for major land-use or building code change, this report by a team at the Houston Chronicle shows how builders developed some 65,000 properties within flood zones since those Harvey floodwaters receded,” the judge wrote. “The new homes or businesses have transformed former wetlands and low-lying prairies into sprawling subdivisions, threatening tens of thousands off families.
“Great journalism doesn’t just explain how something has occurred, but also why, and in this entry, the reporting team used data analysis of campaign finance records and easy-to-understand graphics to show now only how developers and industry groups influence local politics and policies, but which ones are the major players. The report noted that rainfall is expected to intensify with global warming and provided readers with interactive tools to help residents find out if their homes are threatened and offered suggestions for navigating such threats, while offering potential solutions to public officials. This is a textbook example of how to combine data analysis with on-the-ground reporting to reveal and explain a serious threat, while also setting a high mark public service journalism.”
Second place goes to Patty Talahongva, Lauren Mucciolo and Belén Tavares for “Alaska’s vanishing native villages.”
“Giving a voice to the voiceless is among the finest traditions of good journalism. In this documentary by a Phoenix-based PBS Frontline team, including the Howard Center for Investigative Reporting, it’s not that they people they met and reported on don’t have voices,” the judge wrote. “They do, and they have strong voices. But their lives and communities along the western coast of Alaska are among the most remote in the United States, and bringing in a television crew is no easy task.
“After making an extraordinary effort to reach the Alaskan native villages, the team navigated by snowmobiles and ATVS, to talk with people in communities grappling with global warming at four times the rate of most of the rest of the world. The impacts include supercharged storms battering and eroding the coast, and melting permafrost beneath their feet. In a small village like Hooper Bay, the reporting team observed, residents are fighting to save their way of life which includes their culture, religion and harvesting food directly from the sea while facing potential relocation.”
Mark Olalde, Jimmy Tobias and Roberto “Bear” Guerra grab third place with “Wealthy ranchers profit from public lands.”
“This collaboration between High Country News and ProPublica wasn’t the first journalistic investigation of the damage cattle cause to public lands in the West, and how the ranches that own the cattle are subsidized by American taxpayers,” the judge wrote. “But it’s analyses of public records and public datasets, backed by hiking-boot reporting to grazing allotments across the West, paints a remarkably thorough and shocking picture of abuse, neglect and financial subsidies to some of the richest Americans.
“With the return of President Trump, the reporting team also found that already weak federal regulatory efforts to protect rangelands were growing more lax, while subsidies are increasing. Cattle owners have found it helps, as the reporting project details, to ‘have friends in high places.'”
Judged by James Bruggers, retired environmental reporter. 43 entries.
IMMIGRATION AND BORDER REPORTING
First Place: Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry, CalMatters with Evident Media and Bellingcat.
Second Place: Yesenia Amaro, The Oregonian.
Third Place: Nina Shapiro, Seattle Times.
Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry win first place with “Masked, armed, forceful: Investigating the agents conducting mass deportations.”
“Extensive public records work, on-the-ground reporting, open-source investigation using social media videos, and an interview with (Border Patrol leader Gregory) Bovino exposed the truth behind Border Patrol’s Jan. 7 raid on Kern County farm workers,” the judge wrote.
“The investigation was rigorous and timely. The videos were captivating.”
Second place goes to Yesenia Amaro for “Immigration in Oregon.”
“A fantastic array of human stories, paired with public records and data, that captured the wide-ranging impact of immigration raids on Oregon communities,” the judge wrote.
“From dramatic confrontations at gunpoint to families forced to life-changing decisions to stay or leave, stories like these are local journalism at its best.
Nina Shapiro grabs third place with “Northwest immigration reporting.”
“Great collection of beat reporting covering a wide range of issues including travel bans, detention centers, arrests at immigration courts, impact on local farming/businesses,” the judge wrote.
“Excellent writing, photos, presentation, human characters.”
Overall, the judge added, “2025 was a difficult but exciting year for immigration reporting. At a time of great conflicts and upheaval, local journalists are more than ever needed to bring out the real human stories behind each national headline. These reporters and many others have risen to the occasion.”
Judged by Eric Fan, data investigations reporter for Bloomberg News. 22 entries.
SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTING
First Place: Zakary Sonntag, Cowboy State Daily, Cheyenne.
Second Place: Celina Jiménez, Lookout Publications, Phoenix.
Third Place: Melanie Henshaw, InvestigateWest, Seattle.
Zakary Sonntag wins first place with “Casper’s invisible couple: Homeless, pregnant and living in abandoned car.”
“The competition in this contest was tremendous,” the judge wrote. “But this piece was just so personal and really took the reader into the lives of the individuals. Well done.”
Second place goes to Celina Jiménez for “Lack of standards, transparency undermines police LGBTQ+ programs.”
“The competition here was tremendous,” the judge wrote. “But this is a subject that is a problem for the LGBTQ community across the country and was addressed well here.”
Melanie Henshaw takes third place with “Two killings, no explanation: Families left reeling after Bureau of Indian Affairs shootings.”
“The competition in the contest was tremendous, but I happen to favor pieces that hold authority to account by talk to and about the people harmed,” the judge wrote. “You did that and well.”
Overall, the judge added, “The competition here was tremendous making selection of winners extremely hard. I was thrilled to read so many great pieces and to know that good journalists are out there telling these stories and holding authority to account. I chose three winners but there could easily have been three others in their place. I toiled over my decision and believe that ultimately I made the right decisions. Great journalism contest indeed.”
Judged by Mará Rose Williams, assistant managing editor for race and equity, Kansas City Star. 35 entries.
BREAKING NEWS REPORTING
First Place: Staffs, San Antonio Express News, Austin American-Statesman and Houston Chronicle.
Second Place: Staff, Southern California News Group.
Third Place: Staff, Salt Lake Tribune.
The staffs of the San Antonio Express News, Austin American-Statesman and Houston Chronicle earn first place with “Texas flood disaster,” coverage of the Fourth of July flood in the Texas Hill Country that killed at least 135 people.
“This collaboration of three newspapers provided comprehensive and detailed coverage of an unimaginable disaster along with context and perspective,” the judge wrote.
“The reporting is strong, the writing is concise and the photos are powerful. The use of video adds a strong element of storytelling. The pieces were put together in an effective presentation. Exemplary work.”
Second place goes to the staff of the Southern California News Group for coverage of deadly and destructive wildfires that hit the Los Angeles area.
“The journalists who covered the rapidly exploding southern California fires were able to skillfully blend reporting on rapidly changing conditions and threats to neighborhoods with interviews of people affected by the fires to create compelling stories,” the judge wrote.
“The regular posts with updated information in a clear format were effective in providing updates in a fast-changing environment in a way that was easy to navigate. Strong presentation.”
The Salt Lake Tribune’s staff takes third place with coverage of the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.
“The ability of this team of journalists to pivot from covering an event to covering volatile breaking news is noteworthy,” the judge wrote.
“The immediacy of video adds a dimension to the reporting from the scene, and that immediacy is carried through by being able to capture and present eye-witness accounts with composure. Well done.”
Overall, the judge added, “Twenty-seven organizations submitted breaking news entries that capture often complicated stories told on a tight deadline. Some journalists put themselves in harm’s way or in its immediate and often volatile aftermath. Others worked to present the journalism in a clear way. It’s important work that ought to be recognized and honored.”
Judged by Jessica Lowell, managing editor, Central Maine Newspapers. 14 entries.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING
First Place: Staff, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Tony Briscoe and Ian James, Los Angeles Times.
Third Place: Stacey Barchenger, Arizona Republic.
The San Francisco Chronicle staff wins first place with “The graying bay,” which told how the Bay Area is already the third-oldest among the 20 largest U.S. regions and is growing older at the fastest pace.
“A great example of explanatory journalism, it prioritizes reader engagement uses data for storytelling,” the judge wrote.
Second place goes to Tony Briscoe and Ian James for “The L.A. firestorms: Climate change, dry hydrants and toxic cleanup.
“Stylistically bold and reader-oriented, this was an impressive effort in explaining the fires in a timely, in-depth way,” the judge wrote.
Stacey Barchenger takes third place with “Inside the 2022 governor’s debate meltdown,” which told how Katie Hobbs rejected a debate with Kari Lake but Arizona State University gave her time anyway.
“The article does a good job walking the reader through a complicated, tense situation,” the judge wrote. “It’s easy to follow — even if the topic is messy.”
Judged by James Bennett, former weekend editor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 57 entries.
PROJECT REPORTING
First Place: Lauren Kessler and Isaac Wasserman, Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
Second Place: Staff, Honolulu Civil Beat.
Third Place: Lois M Collins, Laura Seitz and Rachel Aston, Deseret News.
Lauren Kessler and Isaac Wasserman win first place with “Food insecurity in Lane County,” which examined how tens of thousands of people survive on the edge, often unsure from day to day where their next meal will come from.
“Spectacular, comprehensive, empathetic reporting and writing that rips apart the cruel D.C. stereotype of people who need food assistance,” the judge wrote. “Sad and yet life-affirming. Feels universal.”
Second place goes to the Honolulu Civil Beat staff for “A tragedy explodes,” an account of the deadliest fireworks accident in Hawaii history with a 3-year-old, a new father and a grandmother among those killed.
“This is a smart and chilling reconstruction that places love of driveway fireworks into a cultural context,” the judge wrote. “Eye-popping interactives.”
Lois M Collins, Laura Seitz and Rachel Aston take third place with “Sisters fight to pick up pieces after catastrophic crash.
“One story — in this case, one that follows the agonizing recovery from a horrific crash —
can be a project if it is this deeply and sensitively reported.”
Judged by Casey Frank, special project manager, The Tributary, Jacksonville, Florida. 44 entries.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Still being judged.
NEWS WRITING
First Place: Owen Racer, Cascadia Daily News.
Second Place: Robert Anglen and Lauren De Young, Arizona Republic.
Third Place: Fedor Zarkhin, The Oregonian.
Owen Racer earns first place with “A young veteran’s journey — from burn pit exposure to desperately needing a kidney.”
“Powerful, deeply human storytelling paired with meticulous, impactful reporting brings this veteran’s life-altering struggle into sharp, unforgettable focus, illuminating both the personal toll and systemic failures with clarity and urgency,” the judge wrote.
Second place goes to Robert Anglen and Lauren De Young for “Sexual assault, suicide attempts: Emily Pike’s painful past lingers after death.”
“Watchdog journalism at its finest,” the judge wrote. “Excellent investigative work that holds those in power accountable and raises crucial questions that impact the community.
“The piece stands out in its emotional storytelling offering a well-rounded portrait of the victim and the system that failed her.”
“‘I am the offspring’: A Portland son fulfills his mother’s final wish for justice.
“This story grabs your heart and doesn’t let go,” the judge wrote. “An excellent example of how one person’s journey over decades and generations can illustrate discrimination and injustice while offering peace and hope.”
Overall, the judge added, “This year’s contest was fiercely competitive. The stories highlighted some of the most crucial and difficult issues we face and revealed how our local, state and federal governments have failed communities and left them vulnerable or as victims.
“The investigative work along with incredible narrative storytelling to humanize these issues really stood out. There were numerous submissions that earned a 10. Congratulations to everyone who submitted. All of the work is worthy of our attention and praise.”
Judged by Senta Scarborough, journalism program director, Eastern Tennessee State University. 58 entries.
FEATURE WRITING, SHORT FORM
First Place: Annie Aguiar, Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
Second Place: Zakary Sonntag, Cowboy State Daily, Cheyenne.
Third Place: Lee Benson, Deseret News.
Annie Aguiar earns first place with “Timothy and Siena go to the fair” about the sale of a 1,300-plus-pound Hereford steer raised for a year by a 16-year-old girl.
“Heartbreaking in so many ways,” the judge wrote. “Written without judgment, but expertly handles anticipated reader judgment. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
Second place goes to Zakary Sonntag for “Behind the beard with a Wyoming mall Santa (who smokes and drives a Kia).”
“What an incredible subject,” the judge wrote. “A reporter might not expect much from the ‘go interview a mall Santa’ assignment, but this Santa was a gold mine and Zachary clearly made him feel comfortable enough to keep opening up.”
Lee Benson takes third place with “Old dude on the rad ride: Haroutioun Arslanian is 89, but he loops Lagoon’s Cannibal roller coaster like he’s 14.”
“Such a simple concept, but written so so well,” the judge wrote. “Great color beyond the phenomenon, bravo!”
Overall, the judge wrote, “It was very hard to rank my top 3, and I wish I could rank a top 10 because there were so many other great stories I loved. Thanks for the opportunity and congrats to the writers!”
Judged by Selene San Felice, managing editor, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. 47 entries.
FEATURE WRITING, LONG FORM
First Place: Josephine Woolington, High Country News, Paonia, Colorado.
Second Place: Claire Ballor, Dallas Morning News.
Third Place: Laura Gersony, Arizona Republic.
Josephine Woolington earns first place with “The Berry Fields,” a look at how the Ḱamíłpa Band of the Yakama Nation has been harvesting huckleberries for millennia, despite Forest Service mismanagement and commercial picking.
“This entry combines the use of beautiful language, astute observations and obviously excellent interview and research skills,” the judge wrote. “As a result, readers are treated to an inside look at the culture of the Kamilpa Band of the Yakama Nation.
“Here are two examples of the fine writing in this entry. The first describes part of processing the berries: ‘Time was measured by the deepening magenta of her fingers, how sticky they become from the berries’ sweet juices.’ Here’s another example of fine writing: ‘Not long after the glaciers released Washington’s Southern Cascades from their icy blue grip some 11,000 years ago, huckleberries appeared.'”
Second place goes to Claire Ballor for “‘It doesn’t look like we’re going to make it.’ D-FW couple’s final calls haunt loved ones.”
“This entry includes two parts, one written in the immediate aftermath of the disastrous flooding in Texas Hill Country and the second, covering continuing efforts to find two missing bodies a month later,” the judge wrote.
“Both stories feature excellent reporting and vivid writing, capturing the devastation caused when the Guadalupe River swelled to unfathomable heights, claiming the lives of at least 117 people.
“The account of Jeff and Tanya Ramsey, who were swept away by the flood waters, was drawn from interviews with the couple’s friends and family and video shared by the Ramsey family. Both accounts offered compelling detail, providing a sense of the massive destruction, the heroic search and recovery efforts and the immense pain endured by the survivors.”
Laura Gersony takes third place with “In Arizona’s ‘New Age Capital,’ Sedona spiritualists are turning to Trump and the right.
“This entry offers an interesting look at Sedona, providing insights that cannot be gleaned by a casual visit to the place known internationally as the New Age capital,” the judge wrote.
“Through extensive interviews with both locals and researchers, as well as detailed reporting and observations, the writer reveals that spiritualists in Sedona, for various reasons, are turning to Trump and the right.”
Judged by B. C. Manion, freelance writer and Tampa Tribune reporter. 103 entries.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING
First Place: Dina Kaur, Arizona Republic.
Second Place: Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times.
Third Place: Jason Swensen, Deseret News.
Dina Kaur earns first place with “Influencer slammed Phoenix bakery. Then the baker clapped back and hell broke loose.”
“Riveting! The work that went into this story is incredible!” the judge wrote.
“It represents the zeitgeist of 2025/2026. Including ‘That pistachio color is about as natural as my boobs, ass and waistline’ toward the top pulled readers in and let us know that we were in for a wild ride. Very well done! To make this kind of reporting and writing look easy is noteworthy!”
Second place goes to Steve Appleford for “Goldenvoice founder Gary Tovar is Coachella’s eternal fan: ‘When the music moves, you move with it.'”
“Appleford does an excellent job of humanizing Tovar and telling his complex story,” the judge wrote.
“The juxtaposition of cocaine (guns) and marijuana (handshake) will likely stay with readers for a long time. The story’s flow and details work well. Beautiful work!”
Jason Swensen takes third place with “From Deion Sanders to President Russell M. Nelson: How a Utah sculptor ‘captures’ heroes in bronze.”
“Creating this story that combines art and athletics is brilliant,” the judge wrote. “Going behind the scenes at the Hall of Fame and discovering sculptor Blair Buswell is the perfect combination of football and art makes for a satisfying story.
“But on top of all of that, the story is beautifully written. Swensen displays real expertise at quote choice and placement. Additionally, the story’s structure works well.”
Overall, the judge added, “Whew! That was some work! Best of luck to all the writers and publications represented.”
Judged by Jan Risher, features editor New Orleans Advocate. 44 entries.
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
First Place: Robert J. Lopez, Capital & Main, Los Angeles.
Second Place: Robin Urevich, Capital & Main, Los Angeles.
Third Place: Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News.
Robert J. Lopez earns first place with “California’s child farmworkers: Exhausted, underpaid and toiling in toxic fields.”
“A remarkable investigation revealing that children are routinely exploited by the fruit-picking industry with practically no regulatory oversight,” the judge wrote.
“Fantastic and heartbreaking storytelling and striking visuals. A first-rate investigation.”
Second place goes to Robin Urevich for “How some of L.A.’s biggest apartment owners avoid Section 8 tenants.”
“An innovative story that revealed that it is nearly impossible for prospective tenants to get an apartment using section eight housing vouchers through L.A.’s biggest landlords,” the judge wrote.
“Important reporting and a unique approach.”
Sarah Blaskovich takes third place with “How did Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants do during 5 years of COVID? Better than you’d think.”
“An incredibly smart and well-told story about how Dallas restaurateurs adapted to survive COVID,” the judge wrote.
“Really good and engaging storytelling and very visually appealing presentation.”
Overall, the judge added, “A very deep pool of entries that revealed the great depth of business and financial reporting that exists throughout the region.”
Judged by Ben Wieder, former McClatchy DC bureau chief. 44 entries.
SPORTS REPORTING
Still being judged.
GENERAL INTEREST COLUMN WRITING
First Place: Bridget Grumet, Austin American-Statesman.
Second Place: Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle.
Third Place: George B. Sánchez-Tello, Capital & Main.
Bridget Grumet takes first place with a portfolio of columns that include “What’s the price of being homeless in Austin? A life shortened by 20 years,” “How to end Texas’ redistricting drama so (almost) everyone wins” and “Abbott sent warnings. Austin answered with unicorns and defiance.”
“Strong, consistent voice,” the judge wrote. “Standing up for the defenseless. Clear sense of purpose. Punchy writing.”
Second place goes to Joy Sewing for a portfolio of columns that include “The Riverside Terrace segregation story I heard as a child was missing a key chapter,” “Residents of Houston’s Third Ward fight nightlife noise, trash and chaos. What can be done?” and “We were always told to fear Houston’s bayous. Now we fear what we’re not being told.”
“Joy captures the flavor of Houston and bares her soul to her readers,” the judge wrote. “She gives voice to those who need somebody to stand up for them.”
George B. Sánchez-Tello earns third place with a portfolio of columns that include “The radio show taking on California’s youth mental health crisis,” “Running while Black, Latino or Asian American — under Trump” and “How did farmers respond when the Trump Administration suddenly stopped paying them to help feed needy Californians?”
“Excellent balance between on the street reporting and thoughtful commentary,” the judge wrote. “Good melding of the metro column with strong, authoritative voice.”
Judged by Tony Messenger, metro columnist, St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 16 entries.
SPECIAL TOPIC COLUMN WRITING
First Place: Lisa Falkenberg, Houston Chronicle.
Second Place: Bill Oram, The Oregonian.
Third Place: Emily Hoeven, San Francisco Chronicle.
Lisa Falkenberg wins first place with a portfolio of columns that includes
“Tears, tests and scant support: Why this HISD kindergarten teacher left, in her own words,” “‘I feel like a spy.’ In Mike Miles’ HISD, teachers and students say reading books is a secret plot” and Exclusive: Hidalgo staffer says he was ‘blindsided’ by the use of children in chaotic meeting.
“A public policy brought to life — with all its flaws — in an impactful series full of revealing interviews, expert research and beautiful writing,” the judge wrote.
“A very important series for the community and a must-read for policy makers and parents.”
Second place goes to Bill Oram for a portfolio that includes “Booed for winning a state title, this Oregon teen now just wants a safe place to run” “Football made him a star. Poetry, and Portland, made him whole” and “If allegations prove true, we are all victims of Chauncey Billups’ fraud.”
“Insightful interviews, exquisite writing and brilliant use of details combine for a series of compelling columns that touch the heart and mind,” the judge wrote. “Wonderful.”
Emily Hoeven takes third place with a portfolio that includes “A home remodel is dividing Sausalito and turning neighbors into enemies. But who’s really to blame?” “‘Just not logical’: How a wealthy Marin city set up its housing plans to fail” and “Sausalito just sent every voter a mailer criticizing this Chronicle column. Here’s what the city got wrong.”
“The reporter’s depth of knowledge and impressive research bring an important (and at times head-scratching) local issue to life with great clarity and a wide range of sources,” the judge wrote. “Well-done and insightful.”
Judged by Lisa Miner, executive editor, Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, Illinois. 30 entries.
SOCIAL MEDIA WRITING
First Place: Staff, Dallas Morning News.
Second Place: Haajirah Gilani, Ariyon Dailey, Brett Coomer and Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle.
Third Place: Keira Farrimond and Stevi Ginolfi, Deseret News.
The Dallas Morning News staff wins first place with an Instagram post, “We surveyed 90 trans Texans. Most said they’re living in fear and weighing a move.”
“This piece expertly humanizes the voices and personalities of transgender folks who live in Texas,” the judge wrote.
“The careful editing and clear descriptions throughout drive home the impact, and forces empathy from viewers. The subtle design details and nods to the trans flag colors work really well, too.”
Second place goes to Haajirah Gilani, Ariyon Dailey, Brett Coomer and Melissa Phillip for an Instagram post, “Houston’s stunning new Ismaili Center, the first of its kind in the U.S., is finally open. Take a look.”
“This post is carried by beautiful visuals, and supplemented by clear and detailed descriptions of what this place will mean for its community,” the judge wrote.
“As I scrolled through the first few slides, my initial questions — ‘Who will this serve and what’s the history?’ — was answered immediately as I swiped. That’s the mark of a thought-out carousel — understanding when readers will have questions and providing them immediate answers.”
Keira Farrimond and Stevi Ginolfi take third place with an Instagram post, “The beauty of what survived,” with photos from a burned-out church where a shooting claimed the lives of four people.
“The explanation from the photographer overlaid with stunning visuals of the scene makes viewers stop in their tracks,” the judge wrote.
“This is a great example of how you can produce eye-catching social video, even when the majority of your elements are stagnant photos.”
Overall, the judge added, “All of the entries provided strong examples of how to effectively reach audiences on social media as a news organization — a skill that’s only becoming more important in the ways we engage with and understand our youngest audiences. The winners all combined stunning visuals with detailed, short-form descriptions and careful design, elevating the content of the initial stories.”
Judged by Allison Booth, assistant editor of audience service, Kansas City Star. 13 entries.
EDITORIAL WRITING
First Place: Bridget Grumet, Austin American-Statesman and San Antonio Express-News.
Second Place: Helen Jung, The Oregonian.
Third Place: Josh Brodesky, San Antonio Express-News.
Bridget Grumet wins first place for “Texas can’t afford another flood tragedy” after flooding killed at least 135 people.
“The opening editorial in a series looking at the July 4, 2025, disaster is moving, well-documented and well-written. It is a stellar opening for a powerful series of editorials that reflect a collaboration between the Austin American-Statesman and the San Antonio Express-News editorial boards in response to the Central Texas floods,” the judge wrote.
“The entire series is worthy of the highest accolades, and the opening editorial lays a strong foundation for the demand that government officials accept responsibility for the tragedy and ensure they take steps to prevent another one.”
Second place goes to Helen Jung for “Keep proving Trump wrong.”
“The Oregonian should be commended for using its pages to support its community in the midst of ICE raids and repeated threats from the Trump Administration to send in federal troops and the National Guard,” the judge wrote
“The Oregonian should be commended for its wisdom in strongly supporting protestors while encouraging them to remain peaceful, despite provocation.”
Josh Brodesky takes third place with “The Trump administration has turned immigration court into a trap for migrants.”
“The San Antonio Express-News boldly exposed the injustice many immigrants face with the aggressive tactics ICE agents used to try to deport as many people as possible as quickly as possible,” the judge wrote.
“The editorial is well-documented and powerfully written to expose the failures of both the Biden and Trump administrations in managing the immigration crisis. But it also clearly blames the Trump Administration for implementing a system designed to entrap immigrants who are trying to obey the law and represent a danger to no one.”
Overall, the judge added, “This year’s Best of the West Editorial Writing category was highly competitive. The editorials dealt with the some of the most important issues not only facing local communities but the nation. It was exceedingly difficult to chose the top three as several other editorials were rated 10 as powerful examples of well-researched and well-written calls to action. Kudos to all who submitted entries.”
Judged by Joyce Davis, opinion editor, PennLive and The Patriot News. 14 entries.
NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
First Place: Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune.
Second Place: Kathy Plonka, Spokane Spokesman-Review.
Third Place: Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic.
Trent Nelson earns first place with “One person ‘critically injured,’ three in custody after shooting as 10,000 march in Salt Lake City during ‘No Kings’ protest.”
“This is spot news!” the judge wrote. “Photog is in the mix as the event is happening.”
Second place goes to Kathy Plonka for “Funeral procession for Coeur d’Alene battalion chief John Morrison.“
“Really good, solid coverage,” the judge wrote. “Images provoke an emotional response in remembrance and loss. Great use of images. Nicely done.”
Patrick Breen takes third place with “Arizona mother cares for daughter, lobbies for Parents as Paid Caregivers program.”
“This is a nice photo essay,” the judge wrote. “I felt the love and tenderness in the midst of much suffering through these images.
Overall, the judge added, “Many compelling images showing the raw emotions as events were taking place. Fine examples of photojournalism.”
Judged by Vickie D. King, photojournalist, Mississippi Today. 46 entries.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
First Place: Tess Crowley, Deseret News.
Second Place: Angela Piazza, Dallas Morning News.
Third Place: Omar Ornelas, El Paso Times.
Tess Crowley earns first place with a photo of congregants worshiping at a celebration ceremony for completion of the new St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in North Salt Lake City.
“My favorite feature photos take us inside the spectacular moments that make up our ordinary everyday lives, and this photo does just that,” the judge wrote. “This photo stood out from the crowd because it’s such an intimate, tender moment of connection.
“Amazing job by the photographer who had to get quite close to get this shot, and yet it feels like they aren’t there at all — this moment is all about the connection between these two women. This also looks like it was a tough overhead lighting situation, but the light falling on her face brings the viewer right into their joyful interaction.”
Second place goes to Angela Piazza for a photo of “Kickin’ up dust,” with rider National Champion sorting horses for a rodeo on “Creole,” his Appendix Quarter Horse from Canada.
“This photo is aesthetically beautiful, but it stands out because the photographer captured so much feeling in this moment,” the judge wrote.
“As a viewer, I have a sense that I’m right there in the dust with these horses. From the flowing tail and kicked up dirt in the foreground to the rider in the background, the composition and movement really bring this subject matter to life.”
Omar Ornelas takes third place with a photo of Melesio Andrés watering cempasúchil flowers, which are used in Day of the Dead celebrations across Mexico.
“I love the way the photographer is seeing here,” the judge wrote. “This photo has such strong shapes and colors, and it’s a joy to bounce around the composition and find details like the lines of the blue hose and farmer’s cowboy hat.
“This is a great example of how drone photography can be done very smartly to tell stories because, in addition to the photo’s technical beauty, we learn so much information about this landscape and community from the bird’s-eye view.”
Overall, the judge added, “It was very difficult to judge this competition because there were so many amazing, dynamic feature photos. Each of these three winners offer us a different vantage point into the beauty of everyday life in the West.”
Judged by Christiana Botic, photographer, Verite News, New Orleans. 57 entries.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
First Place: Isaac Hale, Deseret News.
Second Place: Tess Crowley, Deseret News.
Third Place: Will Lester, San Bernardino Sun.
Isaac Hale wins first place for a photo of first baseman Rhet Walburger making a snow angel from ice used to douse head coach Hadley Thorpe after Spanish Fork won the 5A high school baseball state tournament.
“This is such a great photo, with a clean angle and great facial expression,” the judge wrote. “The athlete making an ice angel elevates this over other celebration shots.”
Second place goes to Tess Crowley for a photo of a rainbow rising above a mountain behind a kick at a Utah high school football game.
“I love that the photographer saw an opportunity with the rainbow behind the mountains and framed the field goal perfectly,” the judge wrote. “Just a beautiful capture.”
Will Lester takes third place for a photo of bareback rider Monte Downare getting thrown headfirst into the dirt during the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s annual Norco Mounted Posse Rodeo.
“The horse being airborne makes this photo,” the judge wrote. “Great action, facing the photographer, with a fairly clean background.”
Judged by Danielle Parhizkaran, photographer, Boston Globe. 54 entries.
NEWS SLIDESHOW
First Place: Gabrielle Lurie, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Tess Crowley, Deseret News.
Third Place: Jill Karnicki and Benjamin Hager, Houston Chronicle.
Gabrielle Lurie wins first place with “Six infections, three heart surgeries, more than $1 million in health care — and still he can’t escape his drug addiction.”
“The clear winner in this category,” the judge wrote. “A photo essay that was perfection in every way a photo essay can be.”
Second place goes to Tess Crowley for “Conservative activist Charlie Kirk killed in Utah.”
“Photographer clearly kept her cool in an intense situation and the photographs show as much,” the judge wrote.
Jill Karnicki and Benjamin Hager grab third place with “Houston region wakes up to first major snowfall in decades.”
“Wonderful coverage of a rare climate event and captures the wonderment of the communities who experienced it,” the judge wrote.
Judged by Travis Heying, photojournalist, Wichita Eagle. 10 entries.
FEATURE SLIDESHOW
First Place: Bronte Wittpenn, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Amanda Cowan, The Columbian, Vancouver, Washington.
Third Place: Tess Crowley, Deseret News.
Bronte Wittpenn earns first place with “This family fought for 100 years to free a California river.”
“Perfection in visual storytelling and presentation,” the judge wrote. “Bravo.”
Second place goes to Amanda Cowan for “Turning grief into purpose,” about a woman who lost her partner to a drug overdose but used her grief to build a healthy new life for their two young boys.
“So uncommon to see stories like these now where a photojournalist embeds themselves into someone’s life to tell a great story,” the judge wrote.
Tess Crowley takes third place with “Capturing the charm of the nation’s county fairs.”
“This was presented as a labor of love by the photographer,” the judge wrote. “Wonderful.”
Judged by Travis Heying, photojournalist, Wichita Eagle. 14 entries.
AUDIO STORYTELLING
First Place: Sean Higgins, Saige Miller and Caroline Ballard, KUER, Salt Lake City.
Second Place: Sara Bernard, Laurel Demkovich and Ryan Famuliner, Cascade PBS, Seattle.
Third Place: Molly Marcello, Back From Beyond, Moab, Utah.
Sean Higgins, Saige Miller and Caroline Ballard win first place with “Mr. Postman, are there vote by mail changes for me?” a look at legislation to revise the state’s popular vote-by-mail system, from requiring IDs to mandating that voters opt in instead of being signed up automatically.
“A nice inclusion of the community and personality from the hosts made a newsy topic engaging,” the judge wrote.
Second place goes to Sara Bernard, Laurel Demkovich and Ryan Famuliner for “Ferguson vs. Everyone,”
“I really liked the tone and subject of Ferguson vs. Everyone: No comment,” the judge wrote. “The sound design is crisp and enjoyable.”
Molly Marcello grabs third place with “Hiking behind the rocks,” which reconstructs the most critical phase of a freezing December search for a missing hiker in a maze-like landscape of steep sandstone fins near Moab.
“An amazing, unexpected hook draws the listener in, the judge wrote. “What a great narrative and nice sound design.”
Overall, the judge added, “Lots of great entries! Top selections went to submissions with great and engaging hooks married to enjoyable sound designs that make the listener want to keep listening.”
Judged by Tierra Hayes, digital and engagement editor, Chattanooga Times Free Press. 30 entries.
VIDEO STORYTELLING
First Place: Bronte Wittpenn, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Jes Burns and Brooke Herbert, Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Third Place: Trevor Christensen, Salt Lake Tribune.
Bronte Wittpenn earns first place with “Indigenous youth kayak Klamath River for first time since dam removal.”
“This video is a perfect example of how attention to detail elevates both the artistry of video work and the story that the video tells,” the judge wrote.
“Bronte Wittpenn displayed her exceptional skills as a visual journalist in combining so many elements within the past and present of this community, creating a vessel for this story that is beautiful and enlightening.”
Second place goes to “Researchers in Oregon are slowing down cancer by remotely cooking tumors.”
“I loved how this video was both fun and informative, making a topic that could’ve been difficult to follow very digestible,” the judge wrote.
“One of the most exciting elements was the usage of props to visually inform in such a unique way, but it was that combined with very clean shooting and editing that made this video shine.”
Trevor Christensen takes third place with “BYU professors afraid of crackdown on Clark Gilbert’s version of LDS orthodoxy.”
“This video does an amazing job of creating interesting and diverse visuals for a story that isn’t inherently visual, while creating a narrative that addresses all the questions a viewer would have in a clear way,” the judge wrote.
“Trevor Christensen has an obvious intentionality in every aspect of his approach, combining high quality videography, editing, and usage of graphics to make a video that is really engaging and informative.
Overall, the judge added, “It was exciting and inspiring to see all the skillful work visual journalists are doing out west to share important stories within their communities.”
Judged by Allie Schallert, video editor for Kertis in Louisville and former St. Louis Post-Dispatch visual journalist. 22 entries.
PAGE DESIGN
First Place: Fiona Martin, Lynda Mapes and Frank Mina, Seattle Times.
Second Place: Christina Trimidal, Las Vegas Weekly.
Third Place: Corlene Byrd, Las Vegas Weekly.
Fiona Martin, Lynda Mapes and Frank Mina win first place with “How the Columbia River Basin formed over millions of years,” first with massive lava flows, then catastrophic ice age floods.
“This visual field trip on how to read the landscape of the Columbia River Basin was an effective solution to a design issue of how to illustrate geologic history going back millions of years,” the judge wrote.
“It’s a welcoming, engaging, and highly accessible presentation that brings a complex subject vividly to life, making it both readable and memorable.”
Second place goes to Christina Trimidal for “Raw performance: Make your own summer sushi party.”
“Creating an inviting layout with mediocre photos or art is a mark of an excellent designer, and this page accomplishes that beautifully,” the judge wrote.
“It warmly invites the reader to pull up a chair and feast on sushi. The care and thought behind the design shines through in every detail, right down to the scattered grains of rice across the layout.”
Corlene Byrd takes third place with “A 50-ton lion and other stunning Strip statistics that set Vegas apart.”
“This magazine cover illustration immediately caught my attention,” the judge wrote.
“Even without knowing the subject matter, I was eager to see what story it was promoting. The typeface choices and color palette work well together, creating an inviting and compelling cover.”
Overall, the judge added, “With nearly 50 entries, this was no easy contest to judge. The winners stand out for their ability to tell compelling stories and share information through engaging visual presentations, skillfully combining art, photography, headlines, and strong attention to detail that captures and holds the reader’s attention.”
Judged by Shelly Kulhanek, executive editor, Lincoln Star-Journal. 47 entries.
ONLINE PRESENTATION
First Place: Staff, inewsource, San Diego.
Second Place: Caroline Ghisolfi, Jarrod Wardwell and Caroline Wilburn, Houston Chronicle.
Third Place: Staff, Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The inewsource staff wins first place with Home sick: Chronic illness and longing define life in the Tijuana River valley.”
“‘Home sick’ is exceptional,” the judge wrote. “There are numerous details to praise in inewsource’s presentation, from the primary illustration and the pieces of it sprinkled throughout the story, to the use of photo, video, charts and interactive graphics.
“I was particularly enamored of the contextualizer plugin, which highlighted and defined potentially less-well-known words and phrases. In addition, more than 90 Instagram posts provided a place to hear from those dealing affected by the pollution. All of these pieces were well thought out and well executed — and the totality of them, each working in service to the story and to the reader, is what lifted this entry to the top.”
Second place goes to Caroline Ghisolfi, Jarrod Wardwell and Caroline Wilburn for “Exclusive: Why Houston keeps finding bodies in the bayous — and what we know about 201 victims.”
“The Chronicle’s comprehensive look at the alarming number of bodies recovered from Houston’s bayous over the past several years uses striking visualizations to explain the scope of the issue and then highlighting key details within them,” the judge wrote.
“The presentation also makes effective, and affecting, use of photographs to tell the human toll, making sure that those whose bodies were found are more than statistics.”
The Review-Journal staff takes third place with “The top 100 restaurants in Las Vegas 2025.”
“At first glance, The Review-Journal’s presentation is very simple, but that’s deceptive,” the judge wrote.
“This is service journalism that puts the user experience first, and it does so very well. This is particularly true while reading it on mobile, where I imagine most readers will engage with it.”
Judged by Michael Roehrman, executive editor, Wichita Eagle. 15 entries.