Our contest results are arriving from our judges. We will announce them as we receive them and confirm them. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to our volunteer judges for their hard work.
ONLINE PRESENTATION
First Place: Staff, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Staff, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Arizona State University.
Third Place: Staff, Dallas Morning News.
The San Francisco Chronicle staff earns first place with “Mass incarceration devastated S.F. Japantown. For the first time, we know how much.”
“Even in a field of stellar entries, this presentation stood out as the clear winner,” the judge wrote. “This staff has adeptly told the story of a neighborhood’s devastation and resilience, both visually and with the written word.
“The consistent use of black-and-white photography, striking data visualizations, and beautifully crafted animations go beyond drawing the reader in — they place the reader right in the heart of the neighborhood. Ending the presentation with the video of the paper crane is just poetry, showing every little detail considered.”
Second place goes to “Lithium liabilities,” which reveals how the push towards a green, battery-powered future comes with increased domestic mining for lithium will require billions of gallons of water from already strained supplies.
“This project is beautifully presented, and so many details were thought of, down to the branding’s nod to the periodic table,” the judge wrote.
“The photography and video are just stunning, and the presentation is clean and elegant. The ‘Mine Your Business’ game was a particularly creative way to show the reader the tough decisions faced in this industry.”
The Dallas Morning News staff takes third place with “Back to the ballot and 2024 elections.”
“The depth and breadth of this presentation was creative, innovative and spoke to the expectations (and needs) of today’s readers,” the judge wrote.
“This staff used every medium to its fullest, from traditional photography and graphics, to thoughtfully produced video and well-honed social media strategy.”
Overall, the judge added, “This was a tough set of entries to judge, with exceptionally strong photography throughout. When judging the winners, it really came down to innovative visual storytelling and creative ways to engage the reader.”
Judged by Jen Cieslak, former senior product designer for Advance Local. 15 entries.
BREAKING NEWS REPORTING
First Place: Staff, Dallas Morning News.
Second Place: Staff, San Antonio Express-News.
Third Place: Fernando Alfonso III, Yaffa Frederick and Alejandra Matos, Houston Chronicle.
The Dallas Morning News staff wins first place with coverage of a shooting in which a police officer was killed and two others were wounded.
“The ability of the staff to mobilize and cover so many aspects of this story quickly is impressive,” the judge wrote. “The visual aspects to breaking news that help propel the well-written narrative made this the winning entry — a comprehensive timeline, map, video (with good b-roll), multiple angles to the story and sources.
“I also appreciated the “Here’s what we know” format being used so effectively. And it takes a lot of work on the back end to pull all these pieces together in a cohesive story, while adhering to the breaking news pace. Congratulations.”
Second place goes to the San Antonio Express-News staff for coverage of the indictment of former Uvalde school police chief in the elementary school massacre.
This is an excellent, clear story that is well-written and well-sourced,” the judge wrote. “It showcases the important work of source building in a small community. Good use of embedding tweets/Facebook posts and archival video and photographs. This is a fine example of getting it first AND right.”
Fernando Alfonso III, Yaffa Frederick and Alejandra Matos take third place with coverage of Hurricane Beryl killing four and wreaking havoc on the Houston area.
“The use of the interactive map was a nice feature to this package and gave readers real-time, hyper-local news,” the judge wrote. “The weather updates and live blog worked well to get the information out fast. Would have liked to have seen more video outside of social media use embedded in the stories.
“The use of social media aggregation for reader-submitted photos/videos was a smart way to cover the event while also getting readers involved. Excellent work tracking down government sources and holding them accountable for their actions (or inactions) during the storm.”
Overall, the judge added, “Strong showing of breaking news coverage from outlets of different sizes. All applicants should be congratulated for the source building, teamwork and knowledge of their communities that is needed to pull off this kind of work quickly, and well, during a breaking news event.”
Judged by Lindsey Hollenbaugh, managing editor, Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. 14 entries.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING
First Place: Staff, ProPublica Southwest.
Second Place: Staff, CalMatters and CBS News.
Third Place: Staff, Arizona Republic.
The ProPublica staff earns first place with “Swept away.”
“An important (and heartbreaking) project from ProPublica that sheds light on the issue of homelessness in a new way – by investigating and explaining the process cities undertake when encampments are cleared or ‘swept away,’ as the project title describes,” the judge wrote.
“Through on-the-ground reporting in 11 cities and 135 interviews with people who had experienced encampment sweeps, ProPublica illuminated the devastation they can cause when precious and vital possessions are removed, and often never returned. High marks for the use of notecards handed out to those who had lost possessions. Seeing the handwritten lists of things, such as prescription medicines, eyeglasses and wheelchairs, and the consequences of those losses was a powerful touch.”
Second place goes to the staff of CalMatters and CBS News for ““Digital democracy.”
“Using its Digital Democracy database, CalMatters pulled back the curtain on the workings of the California legislature,” the judge wrote.
“The functions (or dysfunction) of the Democratic supermajority are put on display through multiple stories that show decisions being made out of the public eye and legislative debate and votes often being little more than a rubber stamp. Excellent use of data in explanatory reporting that hits the reader with finding after finding showing the pitfalls of one-party rule.”
The Arizona Republic staff grabs third place with “Living and dying in America’s hottest city.
“The Republic used shoe-leather reporting to tackle the subject of a climate-changed Phoenix through the eyes of those who call the nation’s hottest big city home,” the judge wrote.
“More than 50 journalists hit the streets during a particularly broiling July week to chronicle and explain why and how people live amid heat that took the lives of 645 people in 2023. The photos, videos and words presented in this project provide valuable insight for readers outside Arizona, and particularly those in cities also showing the effects of rising temperatures.
Judged by Rob Byers, enterprise and investigations editor, Louisville Courier-Journal. 57 entries.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
First Place: Daniel Beekman, Ramon Dompor and Kevin Clark, Seattle Times.
Second Place: Staff, Colorado News Cooperative.
Third Place: Yamil Berard, Dallas Morning News.
Daniel Beekman, Ramon Dompor and Kevin Clark earn first place with “Life and death in Yakima.”
“Juxtaposing the experience of a white, elected official and an Asian-American man when they came into contact with law enforcement during a mental health crisis was truly inspired,” the judge wrote.
“The intertwined narrative approach underscored the disparity of their experiences. The multimedia interview with the man’s mother and cousin helped set this entry apart.”
Second place goes to Colorado News Cooperative for the collaboration of KFF Health News, the Colorado Sun, 9News, Colorado Newsline and COLab on “Diagnosis: Debt Colorado.”
“Nonprofit hospitals and health systems going to court to enforce debt judgments against patients is bad enough, but hiding their actions by filing those suits via debt collection agencies was all the more egregious,” the judge wrote.
“The project changed Colorado law and improved enforcement of existing laws requiring discounted care for some patients. This is the sort of journalism in the public interest that every newsroom should seek to replicate in their own communities.”
Yamil Berard takes third place with “Toll Trap: Texas has some of the harshest penalties for failure to pay toll road fees.”
“Privatization can be an efficient way for government to deliver services to taxpayers,” the judge wrote.
“In Texas, however, the Dallas Morning News looks carefully at the history of privatizing new highways and the resulting impact on the courts and individual drivers. The state’s use of the criminal justice system to enforce toll collections on some of Texas’ poorest people is a modern dystopian take on a Dickensian tale of business excess. Well done.”
Overall, the judge added, “There were 53 total entries in this category, and having read them all, I can say that half to two-thirds of the projects were award-worthy. In picking the three finalists, I tried best to apply the lens described in the category’s description: ‘Judged for quality of investigation, timeliness, writing quality, clarity, context, balance and community importance.’ I gave extra weight to that last part – ‘community importance.’
“Daniel Beekman of The Seattle Times brought home the horrible reality of jails as the last and worst resort for the mentally ill. The team assembled by the Colorado News Collective went after the biggest health system in the state and got real results, while highlighting the larger issues of medical debt. The Dallas Morning News showcased the effects of privatizing public goods, in this case Texas’ long-running program to have new highways built by for-profit companies. The companies profit at the expense of safety and, too often, the financial security of drivers forced to rely on them.
Judged by Russ Walker, watchdog editor, LNP | Lancaster Online, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 53 entries.
FEATURE WRITING, LONG FORM
First Place: Paige Cornwell, Seattle Times.
Second Place: Jessica Goodheart, Capital & Main, Los Angeles.
Third Place: Courtney Tanner, Salt Lake Tribune.
Paige Cornwell earns first place with “For Oso landslide survivors, ‘Hope walks with the hurting.'”
“In a contest field where dozens of stories could be winners, this piece stands out for its storytelling,” the judges wrote. “It conveys emotion, it’s deeply reported and keeps you reading to the end.”
Second place goes to Jessica Goodheart for “A disease took her mobility. Now, at 70, she could lose her home.”
“From the first sentence, I felt as if I were sitting in the room with Karen Mickett, learning about her physical limitations as well as her passion for her work and her life in her apartment, surrounded by the community she built,” the judges wrote.
“In addition to the captivating storytelling, I learned a bit along the way, about eviction protections, long-term care insurance and more. By the end, I felt as if I knew the source so well — as if I’d been captivated by a good book, I wanted to read the next chapter.”
Courtney Tanner takes third place with “This drag queen was raised in a polygamist FLDS community. Then she performed in the first ever drag show there.”
“It was well-written and effectively told the story about how people have found a home for themselves after leaving what were, to them, repressive communities,” the judges wrote. “It talks about their fears and their joys. It’s well-paced, and this was a story that was easy to read.”
Judged by Adam Bell, business editor and arts editor; Josh Bergeron, government editor; Lydia Craver, executive sports editor; Heidi Finley, CharlotteFive assistant editor; Melissa Oyler, CharlotteFive editor; Lisa Vernon-Sparks, race, culture and community engagement editor; Patrick Wilson, public safety editor; and Zach Dennis, audience development editor, all of the Charlotte Observer, and Cathy Clabby, McClatchy Southeast investigations editor. 103 entries.
SPORTS REPORTING
First Place: David Moore, Dallas Morning News.
Second Place: Jason Wolf, Arizona Republic.
Third Place: Doug Robinson, Deseret News.
David Moore takes first place with “After tragedy, loss and grief, Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer has a chance to heal in Dallas.”
“With the openness of the family in interviews, the story provided an incredible, rare inside look at unspeakable tragedy,” the judge wrote.
Second place goes to Jason Wolf for “Arizona Christian University football players caught in migrant smuggling scheme.”
“A horrific situation thoroughly reported,” the judge wrote.
Doug Robinson wins third place with a story about choices women athletes at Brigham Young University must make, between continuing to compete and starting families.
“A story I had never considered before told well from both sides of the trailblazing LDS women and how the approach of top athletes to post-college professional opportunities is changing,” the judge wrote.
Judged by Nat Newell, sports director, Indianapolis Star. 38 entries.
GENERAL INTEREST COLUMN WRITING
First Place: Teri Sforza, Orange County Register.
Second Place: Emily Hoeven, San Francisco Chronicle.
Third Place: Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main, Los Angeles.
Teri Sforza earns first place with a portfolio of hard-hitting news columns.
“Teri Sforza’s columns exemplify investigative journalism at its finest, blending depth, urgency, and fearless accountability. Her work exposes systemic failures in government oversight, addiction treatment, and public safety, ensuring the human cost of these issues is never overlooked,” the judge wrote.
“Sforza’s reporting on California’s addiction treatment industry uncovers fraud, neglect, and regulatory loopholes. She meticulously documents cases of individuals seeking help but instead falling victim to an exploitative system. By weaving personal stories with legal and regulatory analysis, she highlights the state’s failure to protect its most vulnerable citizens, influencing public discourse on needed reforms.
“Sforza holds powerful institutions accountable, exposing ethical and financial scandals with precision. Her investigation into Senate Bill 913 illustrates how legislative inertia obstructs meaningful reform. She critiques policymakers who prioritize political maneuvering over public welfare, reinforcing journalism’s role in driving accountability.
“Beyond investigative rigor, Sforza’s writing is evocative and accessible. She distills complex regulatory issues into compelling narratives that resonate with policymakers and the public.
“Her reporting on the Airport Fire in Orange County showcases her ability to blend technical analysis with storytelling, pressing officials for transparency.
“Sforza’s journalism fosters transparency, justice, and reform. Her dedication to exposing corruption and amplifying unheard voices cements her as an exemplary investigative journalist. In an era where truth is often obscured, her work remains a beacon of integrity and public service.”
Second place goes to Emily Hoeven for a portfolio of columns that include “She was viciously attacked by a dog at an S.F. beach. Here’s why the city couldn’t do anything about it,” “A tiny café has been serving S.F. for 20 years. It could close over a cactus and outdoor tables,” “He got a restraining order against his wife. Then an S.F. judge’s ruling let her ‘abduct’ their son to Kazakhstan” and “Are S.F. firefighters using dirty tricks to sway your vote on pension benefits — without you realizing it?
“Emily Hoeven’s entry exemplifies the power of journalism to uncover hidden truths, challenge institutions, and give voice to those affected by systemic failures,” the judge wrote.
“With a compelling mix of investigative rigor, sharp analysis, and deeply human storytelling, the writer navigates complex issues with clarity and impact. Each piece is well-researched, drawing on expert insights, public records, and firsthand accounts to build a persuasive narrative. What sets this work apart is its ability to balance emotional weight with factual precision, making pressing societal issues both urgent and accessible.”
Mark Kreidler grabs third place with columns on “Why mass deportations would cripple California’s economy,” “A whole-person approach to combating homelessness,” “Lessons for breaking the poverty cycle” and “Nearly 500 tenants left a Los Angeles apartment complex before a judge ruled Their eviction illegal. Now what?”
“In these columns, Mark Kreidler demonstrates exceptional investigative depth, compelling storytelling, and a keen ability to connect policy issues with real human impact,” the judge wrote.
“The writer demonstrates a strong command of both narrative and analysis, seamlessly blending data, expert insights, and firsthand accounts to shed light on complex social and political challenges. Each piece is engaging, well-researched, and thought-provoking, making the issues feel urgent and relevant.”
Overall, the judge added, “This was one of the best journalism competitions I’ve had the privilege of judging. Too often, these contests leave me feeling slightly disheartened about the state of the industry, but this time, I was genuinely uplifted. The depth, rigor, and diversity of voices on display gave me hope — not just for the future of journalism, but for its present vitality. Every entry felt award-worthy in its own way, covering a wide spectrum of topics with precision and passion. If there was one challenge, it was the difficulty of comparing lighter, narrative-driven pieces against the weight of deep investigative work, but that only speaks to the incredible range of storytelling on display. This competition was a reminder of why great journalism matters.”
Judged by Karen Martin, perspective editor, and critic and columnist Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 16 entries.
SPECIAL TOPIC COLUMN WRITING
First Place: Bill Oram, The Oregonian.
Second Place: Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle.
Third Place: Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Bill Oram earns first place with a portfolio that includes columns on a transgender teen athlete’s life and the journey of a Timbers victory log.
“Bill Oram’s series of columns on Brett Hollins, a basketball player on Oregon State University’s team who spent several years in prison for stabbing two people, is fantastic,” the judge wrote.
“It’s a powerful look at bad choices, growth and redemption. It was a riveting read and makes this work worthy of first place. This is character-led opinion writing that connects with readers.”
Second place goes to Soleil Ho for a portfolio that includes columns on how San Francisco has made it hard for restaurants to stay open, how a restaurant has survived for years without tips, and how invasive bullfrogs may get banned after killing off 100 species.
Adam Hill takes third place with a portfolio that includes columns on “Netflix, Paul, Mike Tyson cash in on our societal stupidity,” “High school rivals reunited as Raiders running backs” and “Super Bowl more a coronation for Las Vegas than a football game.”
Judged by David Plazas, opinion and engagement editor, Nashville Tennessean. 30 entries.
SOCIAL MEDIA WRITING
First Place: Jen Fifield, Votebeat Arizona.
Second Place: Trevor Christiansen, Salt Lake Tribune.
Third Place: Christopher Cherrington and Jessica Schreifels, Salt Lake Tribune.
Jen Fifield wins first place with a social media post introducing a story about Arizona providing Navajo voters with a ballot they can listen to.
“A great example of a reporter using social media to explain a situation of public importance that ultimately led to heightened awareness of an important issue,” the judge wrote.
Second place goes to Trevor Christiansen for an Instagram video post for a story about Utah’s first executio in 14 years.
“Kudos for preparing an engaging video ahead of a breaking news event that helps someone understand the significance and impact,” the judge wrote.
Christopher Cherrington and Jessica Schreifels take third place with an Instagram carousel card about a new A.I. chatbot that might help Utah youths struggling with their mental health.
“Great, visual use of a social card carousel to explain how chatbots can assist with mental health, and also the benefits and pitfalls of such technology,” the judge wrote.
Overall, the judge added, “Ultimately, it came down to the use of visuals and short-form text to draw attention to important stories and issues, and how that impacted and elevated the journalism. All three of these entries demonstrated that in some fashion.”
Judged by Brian J. Manzullo, digital director, Detroit Free Press. 13 entries.
NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
First Place: Raquel Natalicchio, Houston Chronicle.
Second Place: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times.
Third Place: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Raquel Natalicchio earns first place with a photo of Tim McCanon sitting on a road with his dogs after being rescued during severe flooding in New Caney, Texas.
“This image has all the elements of a truly compelling news photo,” the judge wrote.
“The body language of the subject, coupled with his clear attachment to his animals, elicits an instant emotional reaction. The photographer got down on the same level as the subject, in the water, to show that during a natural disaster we all in the same circumstances and deserving of care and compassion.
Second place goes to Gina Ferazzi for a photo of firefighters being overcome with smoke while battling a house fire near Running Springs, California.
“This image makes the viewer feel as if they are actually in the scene with the firefighters,” the judge wrote.
“The photo leaps off the screen, as if it could also convey the smell of smoke, the feel of heat, and translates the exhaustion of the crew. The photographer did an excellent job showing the devastation of the fire on both physical structures and the people caught in its midst.”
Jeffrey D. Allred snags third place with a photo of Salt Lake City residents cheering at a live watch party as the International Olympic Committee awards the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to their hometown.
“I love how this photo focuses on jubilation,” the judge wrote. “Each face bears studying as if it is part of a painting.
“This image makes the viewer feel the raw passion and emotion of the subjects — frozen for just a moment in an expression of sheer joy.”
Judged by Coburn Dukehart, managing editor, CatchLight Local Visual Desk. 46 entries.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
First Place: Rick Egan, Salt Lake Tribune.
Second Place: Karen Ducey, Seattle Times.
Third Place (tie): Smiley Pool, Dallas Morning News.
Third Place (tie): Francisco Kjolseth, Salt Lake Tribune.
Rick Egan wins first place with a photo of Michael Romano snapping a photo of Emily Ewing as she floats in the Great Salt Lake.
“We all loved the painterly quality of this one,” the judges wrote. “There were several beautiful found features, but this one rose to the top. It is minimalist, but also invites the eye to explore each of the elements. Kudos to the photojournalist for getting the subjects’ names and back story.”
Second place goes to Karen Ducey for a photo of bees swarming over beekeepers checking hives and feeding the pollinators.
“A great illustration of what could have been a mundane assignment,” the judges wrote. “The layers of foreground and background make for a deep and engaging image.”
Smiley Pool takes third place with a photo of sheep running through a field filled with solar panels.
“We applaud the photographer’s forethought to use a drone for this story,” the judges wrote. “The perspective turns a basic news story into a work of art.”
Francisco Kjolseth snags third place with a photo of the northern lights reflected in the Great Salt Lake.
“What a location for the Northern Lights photo!” the judges wrote. “The colors are beautiful, but the earthly elements provide context and layers.”
Overall, the judges added, “This was an incredibly strong category with at least a dozen award-worthy images. The ones that rose to the top showed something extra on the part of the photographer: careful composition, planning and forethought.”
Judged by Peter Huoppi, director of multimedia, and photographers Sarah Gordon and Dana Jensen, all of The Day in New London, Connecticut. 57 entries.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
First Place: Smiley Pool, Dallas Morning News.
Second Place: Smiley Pool, Dallas Morning News.
Third Place: Brice Tucker, Deseret News.
Smiley Pool earns first place with Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates winning Olympic gold in the long jump.
“First place separated itself from the pack because the incredible storyline of the husband and wife Olympic and Paralympic athlete duo winning gold,” the judge wrote. “Also, this was the only unique angle of this embrace. Kudos to the photographer for finding the family in the stands and waiting for the winning moment.”
Second place goes to Pool for a shot of Texas Rangers outfielder Sandro Fabian narrowly missing a diving catch
“Second place is an incredible action photo with a super clean background,” the judge wrote.
Brice Tucker takes third place with a volleyball player who lies laughing at the center of a pile of celebrating teammates after winning a state championship.
“Third place shows the raw emotion of the volleyball athletes embracing each other,” the judge wrote. “Great job to the photographer for getting close to the emotion while simultaneously thinking about the layered components of the image. I love the bottom girl grabbing the face of her teammate. There’s a lot to look at in this image, and it is framed very well considering how chaotic these moments tend to be.”
Judged by Steph Chambers, staff photographer, Getty Images. 54 entries.
ONLINE PRESENTATION
First Place: Staff, San Francisco Chronicle.
Second Place: Staff, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Arizona State University.
Third Place: Staff, Dallas Morning News.
The San Francisco Chronicle staff earns first place with “Mass incarceration devastated S.F. Japantown. For the first time, we know how much.”
“Even in a field of stellar entries, this presentation stood out as the clear winner,” the judge wrote. “This staff has adeptly told the story of a neighborhood’s devastation and resilience, both visually and with the written word.
“The consistent use of black-and-white photography, striking data visualizations, and beautifully crafted animations go beyond drawing the reader in — they place the reader right in the heart of the neighborhood. Ending the presentation with the video of the paper crane is just poetry, showing every little detail considered.”
Second place goes to “Lithium liabilities,” which reveals how the push towards a green, battery-powered future comes with increased domestic mining for lithium will require billions of gallons of water from already strained supplies.
“This project is beautifully presented, and so many details were thought of, down to the branding’s nod to the periodic table,” the judge wrote.
“The photography and video are just stunning, and the presentation is clean and elegant. The ‘Mine Your Business’ game was a particularly creative way to show the reader the tough decisions faced in this industry.”
The Dallas Morning News staff takes third place with “Back to the ballot and 2024 elections.”
“The depth and breadth of this presentation was creative, innovative and spoke to the expectations (and needs) of today’s readers,” the judge wrote.
“This staff used every medium to its fullest, from traditional photography and graphics, to thoughtfully produced video and well-honed social media strategy.”
Overall, the judge added, “This was a tough set of entries to judge, with exceptionally strong photography throughout. When judging the winners, it really came down to innovative visual storytelling and creative ways to engage the reader.”
Judged by Jen Cieslak, former senior product designer for Advance Local. 15 entries.