(15 entries)

Judge: DeAnn Smith, city reporter, The (Baton Rouge, La.) Advocate
Smith won a 1998 IRE certificate for a series on corruption in the city courts.

First Place
BILL MULLER
The Arizona Republic
"The life story of Arizona's maverick senator: McCain"
"This story soared above the competitors. This entry was written masterfully and thoroughly. The reporting was excellent as the writer drew from a myriad of sources and materials. No stone was apparently left unturned in providing insight into the real John McCain. This is the story to read for anyone wondering who John McCain is but wanting a fair, unbiased accounting. Particularly impressive was the section on the complicated Keating Five scandal, which is often written about in confusing, hard-to-understand terms. The scandal was portrayed accurately, but the details were not skimped on in making it easy to understand for those unfamiliar with it.

Second Place
MARK FLATTEN
The Tribune
"Property tax hikes hit hard"
"Few things matter more to residents than property taxes, but this story could easily have been overlooked if the politicians' comments were accepted at face value. This story does a good job of letting taxpayers know that their tax bill could be going up and why despite what the elected officials claim. Taxes are complex, but this story does a good job of explaining the issue completely, thoroughly and yet simply. The writers should be commended for not overloading the story with too many numbers that would cause readers' eyes to glaze over. Instead of just relying on official comments for the story, the writers included comments from actual taxpayers and their bills. The real-case scenarios made it that much easier to understand the issue.

Third Place
DAVID HOLTHOUSE
Phoenix New Times
"Venetian Blind"
"Opening really draws the reader in, but the writer then offers up an in-depth, probing look at the item on the ballot. The writing reads smoothly, but the writer is also fair to all sides and lets the readers draw their own decision on the Canals project rather than making it for them. The interviews with many interested parties helped ensure the story was balanced and complete."