(24 entries)

Judge: Mike McInally, The Missoulian McInally is editor of The Missoulian in Missoula, Montana

First place
JOHN VAUGHN
The Yuma Daily Sun
"Lead persuader"
"An interesting, wide-ranging perspective on a troubling situation -- the increasingly violent tactics of drug traffickers in Mexico."

Second place
JOHN VAUGHN
The Yuma Daily Sun
"PRI primary tests democratic resolve of Mexico leaders"
"The piece, bolstered by a solid grasp of Mexican history, persuasively argued that overcoming the skepticism of Mexican voters may well be the toughest hurdle facing democratic reformers."

Third place
MARK DUNCAN
The Daily Courier
"Today, nothing but a void"
"You can be certain that this piece, written in the wake of the execution of murderer Michael Poland, incensed some readers, but what's also certain is that it's powerfully argued and written."

Honorable mention
MARYANNE LEYSHON
Daily News-Sun
"About the drug-house raid: Why did it take so long?"
"A powerful sense of outrage -- an outraged no doubt shared by readers helped to fuel this entry."