2005 Arizona Press Club Awards
GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
Midsize newspapers and magazines
Each winning entry is followed by judges' comments
A1. Politics/government reporting
20 entries
Judge: Eric Eyre of the Charleston Gazette received an Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Medal last year for stories that led to the removal and conviction of a powerful West Virginia lawmaker. He also has won the Education Writers Association's Fred M. Hechinger Grand Prize for Distinguished Education Reporting, Associated Press Managing Editors Public Service Award, Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism, Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism, National Headliner Award and Clarion Award.
First place: Marley Shebala, Navajo Times: "Unfulfilled promises"
“Talk about a boondoggle. The reporter reveals that tribal government mismanagement and turnover has led to Navajo families waiting seven years for their homes to be built while construction materials stack up on their land.”
Second place: Alan Levine, Casa Grande Dispatch: "Pinal planning for future"
“A comprehensive exploration of the impact of fast-paced growth in the county. A public service piece for readers.”
Third place: Todd Glasenapp, Arizona Daily Sun: "Councilman calls cops on mayor”
“It's not everyday a city council member calls 911 and summons police officers to a public meeting. The reporter nails the story. Fair and well-written.”
A2. Public safety reporting
20 entries
Judge: Lou Kilzer, a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in 1990 and a Pulitzer for public service in 1986. He won the 2005 John Jay College, Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting Award and has won national awards from the Associated Press, the Society of American Business Newspaper Editors and Writers, Investigative Reporters and Editors and E.W. Scripps.
First place
Jonathan Athens, The Sun: "I thought we were going to die”
“Very clean, sharp writing together with enterprise made this one a clear choice.”
Second place
Marley Shebala, Navajo Times: “Scouts aid hurricane relief”
“This is an insightful and touching yarn showing how Hurricane Katrina affected volunteers who went to New Orleans to help.”
Third place
Mike Sunnucks, The Business Journal: “AG, retail meth battle may move to local level”
A3. Environmental/health reporting
26 entries
Judge: Sandi Doughton. science writer for the Seattle Times, has won numerous regional writing awards and has been awarded several short fellowships in environmental reporting, medical science and science writing. She was lead writer on a (Tacoma, Wash.) News Tribune article that won the Jesse Laventhol Staff Deadline Writing Award and was featured in Best Newswriting of 2000.
First place
Betsey Bruner, Arizona Daily Sun: “Time to say goodbye to Guiliano”
“This gripping narrative gives perspective to the Terry Schiavo case, and the deeply personal decisions involved when a loved-one is placed on life support.
The spare writing style adds to the emotional punch.”
Second place
Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times: “Holdouts in Chinle BIA housing not leaving”
“This story shows considerable enterprise in looking behind the official line on a BIA housing development deemed too dangerous for human habitation. The deep sourcing reveals the many nuances of this situation and adds a human voice. The sidebar on radon hazards provides valuable background.”
Third place
Bill Hess, Bisbee Daily Review: “Ebb and flow”
“This is an ambitious attempt to explore the many reasons the San Pedro River is drying up. Good use of sidebars breaks the issue down into manageable chunks and provides historical perspective.”
A4. Education reporting
29 entries
Judges: Karla Schuster and Eden Laikin, Newsday
Karla Schuster of Newsday has won beat reporting and continuing coverage awards from the Newswoman’s Club of New York and the New York State Associated Press Association, and a first place award for breaking and hard news from the National Education Writer’s Association. Eden Laikin, who specializes in computer-assisted reporting for Newsday’s investigative team, has been involved in two Pulitzer Prize-winning series and has won numerous local, state and national awards, including a National Education Writers Association first-place award for breaking and hard news.
First place
Susan Randall, Tri-Valley Dispatch: “Bullying”
“Took what could have been a straight daily story about a training
session and used it as a way into a more enterprising story about the
broader problem. Strong lead and nice use of graphics.”
Second place
Jason Begay, Navajo Times: “The darkest days”
“Top of lead story shows nice writing touch with attention to visual
details. Overall, a strong package with good use of photos and graphics.”
Third place
Jim Small, Arizona Capitol Times: “Stiff Opposition Over Proposed Snack Ban in High Schools"
“Classic straight news story with excellent use of strong colorful quotes
at the top and equally punchy kicker.”
A5. Sustained coverage
31 entries
Judge: Elaine Ayala, a feature writer for the San Antonio Express News, has
been a news reporter, copy editor, editorial writer, features writer, features editor and editorial page editor during her 26-year career.
First place
Mike Sunnucks, The Business Journal: identity thieves
“The Business Journal's Sunnucks brings to his readership an important national story. His writing is crisp and clear, and his reporting of identity theft thorough.”
Second place
Dana Cole, Sierra Vista Herald: water in Sierra Vista
“This collection of stories does justice to the continuing vital issue of water. Cole sustains the Sierra Vista Herald's coverage on the matter.”
Third place
Larry Hendricks, Arizona Daily Sun: conflicts in Williams
“Journalism needs more watchdogs like the Arizona Daily Sun and Hendricks, who shows determination in these stories about a city council's alleged violations of open-meetings laws, the untimely departure of a police chief and lots of unanswered questions.”
Honorable mention
Betsy Rice, Maricopa Monitor: Maricopa’s future
“Rice's coverage of Maricopa's future is comprehensive and readable.”
Mid-sized newspapers and magazines
B1. Politics/government reporting
26 entries
Judge: Mark Grossi, who covers the environment and natural resources for The Fresno Bee, is a former Knight Science Journalism Fellow with MIT. He has won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Meade Prize for coverage of air pollution and an Investigative Reporters and Editors award for environmental coverage.
First place
Rebecca I. Allen, The Desert Advocate: "Councilman accused of exploiting committee"
“This story is why I pay my 50 cents for a newspaper, instead of getting the abridged version on television. It details the ethical line that a councilman's top aide clearly crossed to benefit a developer while attempting to avoid widespread scrutiny. Allen wisely and fairly told both sides of the story. But she had the goods on this dirty deal, and no one could explain away the conflict of interest. The whole town should be talking about this. If I lived there, I would eagerly await Allen's next installment. Here's a reporter I would want on my metro staff.”
Second place
Jim Nintzel, Tucson Weekly: "Meet Vernon Walker"
“This is the kind of muck that news organizations should regularly rake. Nintzel picks up the trail of a city council candidate who apparently plays by his own set of rules in financial affairs. Reporters for decades have seen this kind of candidate. He makes the right noises, joins the right groups and slides into office before anyone realizes who he is. Nintzel realized it quickly. His well-reasoned reporting came before the election, not after. A true public service.”
Third place
Jana Bommersbach, Phoenix Magazine: "Rape is rape"
“Bommersbach gives us an important retrospective on spousal rape, casting fresh light on gender bias while leading us through the often slimy maze of state politics. This is an eloquent statement about one rape victim's political coming of age and a difficult but successful quest to change an inadequate rape law. Very nice work.”
B2. Public safety reporting
22 entries
Judge: Lou Kilzer, a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in 1990 and a Pulitzer for public service in 1986. He won the 2005 John Jay College, Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting Award and has won national awards from the Associated Press, the Society of American Business Newspaper Editors and Writers, Investigative Reporters and Editors and E.W. Scripps.
First place
Peter Aleshire, Phoenix Magazine: “Officer down!”
“A superbly written and compelling story of unnecessary deaths of three men. In a tight narrative, smart and direct, Aleshire manages to dig through a mountain of reports to get to the essence of a tragedy.”
Second place
Jana Bommersbach, Phoenix Magazine: “Will Sheriff Joe stop at nothing?”
“A great article about a case of entrapment. Insightful. It has attitude and style.”
Third place
Margaret Regan, Tucson Weekly: “Marta's story”
B3. Environmental/health reporting
15 entries
Judge: Sandi Doughton. science writer for the Seattle Times, has won numerous regional writing awards and has been awarded several short fellowships in environmental reporting, medical science and science writing. She was lead writer on a (Tacoma, Wash.) News Tribune article that won the Jesse Laventhol Staff Deadline Writing Award and was featured in Best Newswriting of 2000.
First place
Kathleen Montgomery, Phoenix Magazine: “Trashing Arizona”
“Lively writing and just enough first-person voice animates this story about the neglected environmental plague of litter. The personality of the anti-litter crusader shines through, and the hurdles to solving the problem are clearly presented without a preachy tone.”
Second place
Elan Head, Phoenix Magazine: “The fire in the desert”
“Invasive plant species often seem like little more than aesthetic nuisances, but this story shows how completely they can transform – and imperil – an ecosystem. Punchy writing, excellent quote selection and a compelling lede draw the reader in. Who knew red brome could be so interesting?”
Third place
Jim Nintzel, Tucson Weekly: “Forbidden fantasy?”
“Strong writing takes a subject that matters mainly to a small cadre of mountain bike enthusiasts and gives it wide appeal. The little guys probably won’t prevail against city hall (or state government, in this case), but their scrappy efforts make for entertaining reading.”
B4. Education reporting
23 entries
Judge: Doug Erickson, a reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal, has been honored by the National Education Writing Association.
First place
Erin Schmidt, Explorer Newspapers: "Foothills teacher resigns over cheating incident”
“A thorough, thoughtful examination of a teacher who sought to hold a student accountable for cheating but found little support among administrators. The unusual topic, strong quotes and access to the teacher’s thoughts make for a riveting read.”
Second place
Rebecca I. Allen, The Desert Advocate: "Yearbook pornography debate spurs censorship concerns"
“A succinct, well-organized news story bolstered by good research, historical context and a range of community voices.”
Third place
Rebecca I. Allen, The Desert Advocate: "DVUSD dilemma: Cover-up plagues O’Connor High"
“This article’s take-no-prisoners approach leaves the reader a little stunned at times, but you’ve got to applaud the reporter for relentlessly challenging the district’s stonewalling. The reporter’s ability to get school employees to go on the record criticizing their superiors is impressive.”
B5. Sustained reporting
18 entries
Judge: Rafael Prieto, a correspondent for EFE News Service In Charlotte, NC., is a former columnist for La Opinion, AOL Latino and Unavision Online. He is a co-founder of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and has 25 years experience in newspapers, radio and television journalism.
First place
Claudine LoMonaco, Tucson Citizen: immigration
“LoMonaco’ s mastery of facts, and the human interest angle that was
impacted from those facts, made her writing compelling.”
Second place
Bill Hess, Sierra Vista Herald: Arizona soldiers in Iraq
“Hess presented the war from the viewpoint of soldiers from the local
area. His descriptions were vivid and bought home to the readers the
conditions under which their neighbors lived and worked.”
Third place
Erin Schmidt, Explorer News: Pima County’s proposed Regional Transportation Authority plan
“Schmidt provided the voters of Pima County a comprehensive account of the
various aspects of the RTA's plan. She presented the politics and the costs as
well as the concerns of several community groups.”
Honorable mention
Robin N.Clayton, West Valley View: the price of water
“The headline: "$86,715 water bill?" summarizes the coverage given by
Clayton to the issue.”
C1. Investigative reporting — Don Bolles Award
12 entries
Judge: Nigel Jaquiss, a reporter at the Willamette Weekly, won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting. He's also won three first place awards from the National Education Writers Association.
First place
Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic: "Taser tied to 'independent' study that backs stun gun"
“As part of an extraordinarily thorough investigation of Taser International, Anglen uncovered ‘smoking gun’ documents that showed the manufacturer was heavily involved in the key study that purported the devices are safe. Anglen also uncovered conflicts of interest and documented wide-spread problems with Taser safety — a matter of national and international public interest.”
Second place
Mark Flatten, Emily Gersema and Craig Anderson, East Valley Tribune: "The speculators"
“The reporters burned up a lot of shoe leather in this spectacularly detailed investigation of who owns a vast swath of Arizona, how real estate speculators in many cases exploited the public interest and co-opted public officials and agencies to get their holdings — and why it all matters. Their exhaustive mapping of developers' holdings is a public service; their explanation of the possible consequences to flood control district and the public coffers of unchecked development offers a cautionary tale — and finding a central character with the wonderful name of Conley Wolfswinkel makes the whole package sing.”
Third place
John Dougherty, Phoenix New Times: "Under seige"
“Dougherty's remarkable reporting on a bizarre polygamist sect resulted in the takeover of a mismanaged school district, led to indictments and detailed the appalling consequences to children not only of sexual abuse but of generations of inbreeding. His ability to get inside a hostile and secretive group is a shining example of persistence and courage.”
C2. John Kolbe Politics and Government Reporting Award
23 entries
Judge: David A. Milliron is director of computer-assisted reporting and analysis for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he performs data analysis and
research for daily and long-term investigative projects. He previously worked for Gannett News Service, The (Fort Myers) News-Press and The Tampa
Tribune.
First place
Paul Giblin, Dennis Welch, Blake Herzog, Chris Markham, Sara Thorson and Brian Powell, East Valley Tribune: “Gadflies/Buzz of the Gadfly”
“Too often statehouse reporting is about process and the making of sausage. But the reporters of the Scottsdale and East Valley Tribune turned the tables when they profiled the citizen watchdogs that so many journalists rely on for news tips. They're the gadflies and the reporters captured their stories with great color and flair.”
Second place
Sarah Fenske, Phoenix New Times: “Ambulance chasers”
“Among the cardinal rules of journalism: follow the money. Fenske did just that in her package on ambulance chasers. In great detail, Fenske connected the dots for her readers and showed how networking and corruption can lead to lucrative ambulance contracts.”
Third place
Le Templar, East Valley Tribune: “A man's bizarre odyssey to infamy”
“Templar did a stellar job chronicling state senate hopeful Yuri Templar's bizarre misfortune and run-in with the law. When few would talk about the man who ran an ‘unorthodox’ campaign that included bar hopping, the reporter turned to public records to paint a portrait of the man who asked voters to put him in the statehouse but whose wrongdoing instead sent him to the jailhouse.”
C3. Breaking news reporting
17 entries
Judge: Josh Margolin, statehouse reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger, was one of the lead reporters in the team that won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. He has also twice won first place awards for beat reporting from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors in 2003 and 2005.
First place
Mike Branon, Le Templar and Beth Lucas: East Valley Tribune: "A moment of panic, then the train"
“A crystal-clear report about a terrible accident told through the type of first-person account that is so sought after yet so rare. Sidebars and graphic were strong too.”
Second place
Becky Pallack, Arizona Daily Star: "Six stung as 'killer' bees burst from hive"
“Superior detail and story telling made possible by on-the-scene reporting. The delayed lead does not always work for important breaking news, but this one did.”
Third place
Becky Pallack, Arizona Daily Star: "Civic leaders are slain in Rillito"
“Research and scene description made the story. “
C4. Sustained reporting
32 entrieshttp://www.chicagotribune.com/
Judge: Stephanie Banchero, a reporter at the Chicago Tribune, won first place for series reporting from both the Missouri Lifestyle Journalism Awards and the National Education Writers Association for her series on "No Child Left Behind."
First place
Catherine Reagor and Glen Creno, The Arizona Republic: “Gambling on housing”
"The reporters did a fantastic job of taking one of the top national stories of the year — the red-hot real estate market — and giving it a local spin. Most important, they took complex and sometimes dry statistics and brought them to life, showing readers how the real estate boom is relevant to their lives. Through exhaustive reporting and clear and crisp writing, they detailed how teachers and firefighters are being priced out of the market; and how rising real estate prices could force businesses to locate elsewhere. A must read for area residents."
Second place
Kate Nolan, The Arizona Republic "Frank Lloyd Wright's legacy"
"A fascinating tale about the troubling demise of a foundation created to preserve Wright's legacy. Using documents, internal reports and countless interviews, Nolan gives a detailed portrait of a school/foundation crumbling under financial pressure and internal politics. The stories are well balanced and exhaustively reported. The investigative piece is also rounded out with rich, historical context of Wright and his masterpiece, Taliesin."
Third place
Garin Groff, East Valley Tribune: “Pinal County in a jam”
"In too many cases, stories about road construction and transportation are dry, dull and off-putting. But, by using lively and jargon-free writing, Groff energizes the topic for his readers. His stories about the area's traffic and road problems are specific, detailed and filled with news readers can use. A story about an unintended consequences of road construction (staffing shortfall of highway patrol officers) was a nice and unexpected outtake on the issue."
C5: News beat reporting
38 entries
Judge: Kelly McBride, ethics group leader for the Poynter Institute, was a beat reporter at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington for nearly 14 years.
First place
Chris Hawley, The Arizona Republic: the immigration beat
“There are very few reporters covering immigration with the depth and knowledge Hawley brings to the beat. Working from both sides of the border, Hawley takes his readers to places they could not go on their own. In doing so, he manages to make a complicated and controversial subject human and understandable, without oversimplifying the facts. His reporting and writing are accomplished with great skill and respect for the reader.”
Second place
Judi Villa, The Arizona Republic: the crime beat
“Villa covers crime with an in-depth understanding of her audience. Every article in this entry, even the deadline piece, went beyond the basic facts and managed to tell a story. She is a gifted writer and has a great instinct for story and good sources.”
Third place (tie)
Katie McDevitt, East Valley Tribune: the crime beat
“McDevitt has managed to get beyond the daily, event-driven stories and provide her readers with a few surprises, as well as hold local law enforcement accountable. The story about a report that overstates car thefts and the cost-benefit analysis of the red-light photo radar program are great examples of everyday watchdog journalism. The story about the guy dumping his mom’s ashes on the football field during a game was a great surprise.”
Third place (tie)
Yvonne Wingett, The Arizona Republic: the Latino affairs beat
“Wingett offers her audience a sense of depth and breadth. Every story in this entry was interesting and beyond predictable. The story about tension among immigrants and established Hispanics was informative. She makes good use of statistics and backs them up with real anecdotes.”
C6. Project reporting
17 entries
Judge: Bill Dalton, editor for enterprise and projects at The Kansas City Star, has won numerous reporting awards, including a Loeb.
First place
Robert Nelson, Joe Watson, Sarah Fenske, Paul Rubin and Jimmy Magahern, Phoenix New Times: for its special report/continuing series on Mexican meth.
“A chilling autopsy of the deadly methamphetamine epidemic sweeping the Southwest and why government's response has been too little too late. What's more, New Times offers possible solutions if policymakers are listening."
Second place
Mary K. Reinhart, Kristina Davis, Slim Smith, Jim Ripley, Blake Herzog, CeCe Todd, Brian Powell, John Yantis, Jennifer Pinner, Leigh Shelle Hunt and Julio Jimenez, The East Valley Tribune: for its eight-part series on the changing face of Mesa.
"An ambitious, comprehensive and human approach to understanding the impact of immigration on the community of Mesa. The Tribune's series reflected both compassion and courage while addressing this controversial issue."
Third place
Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic: for his six-part series on water conservation.
"A fact-filled, but fascinating and highly readable examination of the Southwest's water crisis. McKinnon took the potentially 'dry' subject of water conservation and made it interesting and helpful with useful graphics and creative packaging.”
Honorable mention
Daniel Gonzalez, Jonathan J. Higuera, Yvonne Wingett, Scott Craven and Susan Carroll, The Arizona Republic: for its special report/series on immigration issues.
"The collaboration with a non-partisan research institute, as well as offering community and online forums and a broadcast component, is noteworthy for its effort to promote understanding of divisive immigration issues."
C7. Environmental reporting
8 entries
Judge: Craig Welch, environmental reporter at The Seattle Times, won the Society of Environmental Journalists first-place award for outstanding beat reporting last year.
First place
Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, "Rural water"
“Solid reporting, depth, and a real attempt to quantify both the cause of Arizona's impending rural water crisis, and the barriers to tackling it, made this a clear winner. McKinnon did a good job highlighting how little is being done outside of urban areas to make sure builders have access to water before development is approved, and how consequences could take years to surface. But he also didn't ignore the region's political realities when exploring potential solutions.”
Second place
Mitch Tobin and Anne Minard, Arizona Daily Star: "Thirsty cities"
“This water series focused exclusively on where future water will come from and who will, or won't, get it, but the details made the tale. From the great anecdotes (yikes!) about where Arizona's future drinking-water supplies have been, to fear among some tribes that they'll lose any control over water if they agree to lease it, to the more bizarre ideas for the longterm, Minard and Tobin did a good job of laying out the difficult road ahead.”
Third place
Sarah Fenske, Phoenix New Times: "Rancher's revenge"
“Fenske's tale of an angry banker-rancher taking on environmentalists was simply the best piece of storytelling in the bunch. She took an unusual case and let it play out slowly, saving the twists and turns until the impact would be at its most powerful.”
C8. Science and technology
17 entries
Judge: Rick Weiss, science and medical reporter at the Washington Post, has won national honors including the National Association of Science Writers Science-in-Society Journalism Award.
First place
Deidre Pike, Tucson Weekly: "Evolution revolution"
“More than 80 years after the Scopes ‘Monkey Trial,’ the controversy over the teaching of evolution is hardly news. But Pike made it timely and personal for readers in Arizona by focusing in part on a Christian fundamentalist Arizona senator and a University of Arizona professor of geoscience. Her story offered a balanced presentation of the arguments on both sides of the debate over ‘intelligent design,’ allowing religion its place in the cathedral of intellectual discourse but not compromising on the facts when it came to the question of what ought to be taught in a science classroom.”
Second place
Tom Beal, Arizona Daily Star: "Stone-cold ashes, stone-cold case"
“Beal succeeded wonderfully in sharing with readers not only the interesting archaeological facts surrounding the 13th- and 14th-century Hopi pueblos above Chevelon Creek, but also the interesting details about how scientists cull the facts that allow them to tell the stories of ancient people and civilizations. The writing is sweet, the scientists and student laborers feel genuine. I can almost smell the corncobs burning.”
Third place
Stephanie Paterik, The Arizona Republic: "The demand for smaller, more powerful computers is costing Intel employees a difficult price"
“Here is a great example of the tremendous reach science and technology writing can have, telling the tale not of how computer chips are made but of how the employees in a chip factory are coping with the pressures to keep their jobs while their workplace gets a year-and-a-half overhaul. This is a great reminder that even the most arcane aspects of the digital revolution are still, in the end, stories of human labor.”
C9. Health reporting
12 entries
Judge: Laura Beil, medical reporter for the Dallas Morning News, won the American Heart Association's Journalist of the Year award in 2005 for in-depth
reporting on heart disease and stroke research.
First place
Jennifer Ryan, East Valley Tribune: “Babies multiply”
“Stories about multiple births are often reported only as feel-good, happy events. This story made it clear that these births are the result of complicated medical, psychological and financial issues. The reporting was thorough and well-presented.”
Second Place
Sarah Fenske, Phoenix New Times: “Head games”
“Sharp use of a local angle as a platform to discuss a national issue.”
Third Place
Renee Downing, Tucson Weekly: “Marijuana world”
“This story brought a controversial topic past the usual he-said, she-said level of discussion.”
C10. Public safety reporting
26 entries
Judge: Craig R. McCoy, an investigative reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for a series he co-wrote that revealed how police routinely buried many sexual assault claims to make the city look safer than it was.
First place
Robert Nelson, Phoenix New Times: “Altar ego”
“Extremely clear well-organized narrative of a complex story,
spanning decades. Tough interviews go at every important issue. Nuanced writing.”
Second place
Monica Alonzo-Dunsmoor, The Arizona Republic: “2 officers botched hundreds of cases, police records detail”
“If news is what people don't want published, this is a sterling example of the craft.”
Third place
Mike Branom, East Valley Tribune: “Turning crashes into crimes”
“Straightforward and poignant treatment of a difficult issue.”
Honorable mention
Sarah Fenske, Phoenix New Times: “Katie and Jordy’s excellent adventure”
“Marvelous story of a couple's involvement with a celebrated murder case, deeply reported.”
C11. Religion, faith or values reporting
21 entries
Judge: Michael Paulson, a religion reporter for the Boston Globe, was a member of the team of Globe writers whose reporting on clergy sexual abuse in the
Catholic Church was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2003. For four years running he has won the Religion Communicators Council’s Wilbur Award for writing about religion in the secular media.
First place
Carmen Duarte, Arizona Daily Star: “Santa Muerte”
“A clear, colorful and balanced look at the spreading devotion to an
icon of death.”
Second place
Mark Shaffer, The Arizona Republic: “Peaks' sacred essence key to tribes' fight vs. Snowbowl''
“A solid, detailed effort at exploring and explaining the religious
concerns raised by Native American tribes fighting a proposed ski area
expansion.”
Third place
Jaimee Rose, The Arizona Republic: "From darkness into light: former polygamist opens home, heart to abandoned boys''
“A warm Christmas tale about the readjustment challenges facing
teenage boys ejected by the controversial religious community of their
families.”
C12. Diversity reporting
26 entries
Judge: Douglas McGill, a former reporter for The New York Times and Bloomberg News Bureau Chief in Tokyo, London, and Hong Kong, is the editor of The McGill Report, a journalism web site that covers southeastern Minnesota from an international perspective. He also runs Local Man, a discussion blog for journalists, and is founding editor of The Globalist, a citizen journalism web site that publishes articles exploring the interface between local and global news and trends
First place
Joe Watson, Phoenix New Times: "The crying game"
“This fascinating feature piece about transgender Navajos illuminates, through example after vivid example, the special difficulties of sexually ambiguous men and women who belong to an ethnic group that also suffers intense racial discrimination from society at large. The piece goes well beyond the sensational and the salacious, showing the transgender connection to ancient Navajo myth; the highly divisive attitude toward ‘TG's’ among the Navajo themselves; and how as the most marginalized members of an already marginal group, transgender Navajos suffer inordinately high emotional, physical, and spiritual risk.”
Second place
Patrick Finley, Arizona Daily Star: "Muslim faith helps Wildcat cope"
“A wonderful short feature about a Muslim star basketball player. The piece is filled with great reporting details that deftly illuminate what happens when ancient religion meets modern college sports. The novelty of the woman's situation is treated with genuine respect, and her story is told in a way that brings out her essential character.”
Third place
Michael Marizco, Arizona Daily Star: "Some shun Mexican drug ballads, but 'narcocorridos' remain popular."
“A compelling report on a fascinating phenomenon, music popular with Hispanic immigrants that glorifies drug lords. The paradox of the phenomenon is deftly exposed through colorful descriptions, quotations from a radio program director, a music shop employee and a nightclub owner, among others. The lyrics of several songs are also expertly used to illustrate points made in the story.”
C13. Education reporting
20 entries
Judge: Mary Jane Smetanka is a higher education reporter for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and immediate past president of the National Education Writers Association.
First place
Robert Nelson, Phoenix New Times: "Mold attacks"
“This is a readable, compelling look at a mold-infested school and the effects that had on staff and students. Written with attitude but it has balance, too, with differing opinions from experts as well as powerful personal stories. Very nicely done.”
Second place
Daryl James and Ryan Gabrielson, East Valley Tribune: "Open/Closed: school policies aren’t stopping EV lunchtime traffic crashes"
“A good example of innovative beat reporting, following up on a district's decision to close high school campuses at lunch after student driving fatalities and using accident data to show it didn't make much difference. “
Third place
Daniel Scarpinato, Arizona Daily Star: "Unschoolers"
“Great feature on an unusual topic that raises many questions for parents and policy makers in Arizona.”
C14. Immigration reporting
16 entries
Judge: Pedro Ruz Gutierrez covers federal law-enforcement agencies and federal courts for the Orlando Sentinel, with an emphasis on immigration coverage. His work has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors.
First place
Chris Hawley, The Arizona Republic: "Tale of two towns"
“In compelling fashion, this report details the motives and incentives of the coming and going, the themes behind the immigration swell and the untold tales of generations of migrant workers and those who choose to stay put. Armed with meaningful research, Hawley was adept at discovering and chronicling the roots of the emigration from Mexico, the revolving doors and the subcultures within. Seamless in its structure, the stories flow and ebb like the characters to depict the disparities between North and South, the haves and have-nots and men and women.”
Second place
Daniel Gonzalez and Susan Carroll, The Arizona Republic: "Siege on border"
“The authors give a comprehensive look at the Southwest border initiative through various snapshots of the players involved. It is packed with insight on the current affairs as well as the problems and quandaries faced by all involved. Peppered with tales of the hunters and the hunted, it is an authoritative piece that is complemented by the great photos, graphics and stats.”
Third place
Jimmy Magahern, Phoenix New Times: "Postcards from the edge"
“The writer, in choosing to profile three aspiring documentary-film shooters who want to tackle the illegal immigration issue through a socio-political prism, offers a refreshing depiction of the sometimes treacherous life the border. In his writing, Magahern projects the same intimacy as the postcards sent from those caught in the illegal underground life. Along the way, he captures the ironies, idiosynchrasies and fallacies of the chroniclers themselves.
Honorable mention
Susan Carroll, The Arizona Republic: “July 18th is on record as the deadliest day..."
“This piece used an unconventional 24-hour tick-tock format to tell the life and death drama of characters from different perspectives. As time rolled by, and although you knew the deadly outcome, you could almost hear the immigrants' last gasps and calls for helps as the hours and minutes ticked.”
C15. Military reporting
17 entries
Judge: Sig Christenson is military affairs writer for the San Antonio Express-News.
First place
Connie Cone Sexton, The Arizona Republic: "Journey of the war's wounded" and "Forging new dreams – wounded soldier rebuilds his life"
“A well-researched, well reported look at one of the most important ‘good news’ stories of Gulf War II. This series, comprehensive in scope, shows us both the big picture and microscopic detail. I wanted to read more.”
Second place
Chris Hawley, The Arizona Republic: "U.S. Pays Mexico to secure border”
"Tells the story of a profound change in course for Mexican-American policy, and is careful to do so in a way that is relevant to readers in Arizona. The revelation that the United States has tripled its military and border aid to Mexico certainly had to be news for many, and Hawley provided the context needed to explain to Americans why this shift in policy was a big deal in Mexico. His story is a must read for anyone living in a border state.”
Third place
Carol Ann Alaimo, Arizona Daily Star: "Brain Injury means he'll 'never be the same'”
“Alaimo displayed great empathy in conveying the story of Maria Castillo and her son, Army Spc. Erik Castillo. Any reader with children, especially those who wear a military uniform, would share the sense of dread and horror that Maria Castillo recounts from her grief-counseling sessions. ‘I would cry and yell at the doctor: 'The person in that bed is not my son!'’ Here is an unvarnished look at the terrible price of war, a compelling tale of the heart that every American should see.”
C16. Children, families and seniors issues reporting
22 entries
Judge: Cathy Trost is the director of the Journalism Fellowships in Child and Family Policy program at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Previously, she was the founding director of the Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families. She was a reporter for more than 20 years, including a decade at the Wall Street Journal’s Washington bureau, where she pioneered a beat covering children and family issues.
First place
Janie Magruder, The Arizona Republic: “One in three: overcoming childhood obesity”
“Remarkably thorough reporting about a deadly serious subject coupled with wonderfully accessible layouts and graphics made this series on childhood obesity in America both a must-read and an example of public-service journalism at its best. The Arizona Republic truly flooded the zone on this story, covering every angle of an emerging public health crisis with data and context but also real-world tips to help families understand and conquer the problem.”
Second place
John Dickerson
North Scottsdale and Gilbert Times: “Fatal lapse”
“This riveting examination of the deaths of Arizona children left in locked cars dares readers to look the other way by confronting the fallacy that these kinds of accidents don’t happen to educated parents. With a cinematic opening sequence detailing an ominous 911 call, the story details the increase in heat-related vehicle deaths not only in Arizona but across the nation and shows through intimate interviews with grieving families the price to be paid for a moment’s forgetfulness.”
Third place
Carla McClain, Arizona Daily Star: “Vision therapy: hocus-pocus or a cure for kids?”
“A great example of enterprise reporting on a controversial therapy that tantalizes families with the promise of a cure for childhood disabilities. This balanced look at an expensive treatment called ‘vision therapy’ builds a case that there is little science to back up claims of efficacy, though many tout its benefits.
C17. Growth and development reporting
16 entries
Judge: Tom Scherberger, state editor of the St. Petersburg Times, directed and edited the series “Vanishing Wetlands,” which won a 2005 Philip Meyer Awards for precision journalism by demonstrating that 84,000 acres of swamp in fast-growing Florida have been destroyed by development since the nation adopted a policy of no net loss of wetlands.
First place
Michael Grady and Marija Potkonjak, East Valley Tribune: “Life intersects San Tan”
“This five-day series examined the impact a new highway has on the people and businesses in its path. From the disappearance of ranching life to the importance of a rural post office to the people it serves, this series got behind the facts,
figures and political arguments that usually dominate growth and
development debates to tell the real-life stories that often get lost.”
Second place
Staff, The Gilbert Republic: “Gilbert: out of reach? “
“The real estate boom has downsides, which this series reports with clarity and an eye toward the people involved. Many benefit from higher prices, but a lot of people are finding it harder to buy a house. This series combined human stories with cold, hard facts to shed light on an aspect of growth and development often
lost in the Chamber of Commerce spin.”
Third place
Bruce Rushton, Phoenix New Times: “S#&t storm”
“As this finely reported story points out, no politician gets elected campaigning for better sewers. And few reporters are willing to tackle a subject most people would rather ignore. The writing is so engaging, the reader can't help but keep going to the end. Once you've finished, you'll never pass a manhole again without wondering what's going on down there.”
C18. Consumer reporting
18 entries
Judge: Trudy Lieberman, director of the Center for Consumer Health Choices at Consumers Union, writes about health policy for Consumer Reports. She was the first consumer reporter at the Detroit Free Press and one of the first dedicated consumer writers in the United States.
First place
Craig Harris, Ryan Konig and Matt Dempsey, The Arizona Republic: “The cash business”
“This entry took a hard look at a questionable practice that hurts thousands of low income consumers. Using computer assisted reporting techniques, the Republic identified where pay-day loan offices are located and delved into the business aspects of these offices that make their work so pernicious. The story clearly explained the downsides of pay-day loans, delved into the reasons they are so popular, and discussed legislative solutions. All in all, a classic consumer story, well done.”
Second place
Renee Downing, Tucson Weekly: “Little houses”
“This entry offered a heart-wrenching portrait of a nefarious business practice that hurts the poor and the elderly. A well-reported story that raises serious questions about how far American businesses are willing to go in their quest for profits with little regard for what's left in their wake.”
Third place
Daniel Scarpinato; Arizona Daily Star: “Unsafe pools”
“A good consumer story about an issue of importance to many Arizonans. The story did a fine job of educating readers about the dangers lurking in swimming pools. Readers got an added bonus because the paper was not afraid to name names of repeat offenders of swimming pool violations.”
C19. Sustained neighborhood reporting
28 entries
Judge: Arlene Bryant, Eastside bureau chief for the Seattle Times, has held various senior editing posts since joining The Times in 1984, including news features editor, local news editor and suburban editor.
First place
Cary Aspinwall, The Arizona Republic (The Gilbert Republic)
“From a neighborhood spat over an overgrown garden to the ‘nonexistent’ singles scene to a gay Farm Bureau official's decision to ‘out’ himself, this is a reporter who can spot and tell a good local story — and who knows that any community is rife with rich tales for the reporter who's willing to look beyond city hall.”
Second place
Casey Newton, The Arizona Republic (The Scottsdate Republic)
“Making stories about code enforcement, development and long-range growth fun to read is any reporter's challenge, but Newton nails it time after time.”
Third place
Sarah J. Bell, Arizona Daily Star
“Nice mix of stories - from meth's impact on a local neighborhood to a slice of daily life at a local coffee shop. Over time, this is what keeps readers coming back.”
Honorable mention
Chris Ramirez, The Arizona Republic (The Gilbert Republic)
“Coverage, tone and range indicates a reporter in touch with his beat. Impressive example of how to turn a community's annual festival into a cover centerpiece on the struggle to hang onto small town identity while embracing big-time growth.”
C20. Words, pictures and presentation
17 entries
Judge: Larry Holeva is managing editor of The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., one of the few U.S. cities with independently owned competing newspapers. Holeva spent 18 years at The Scranton (Pa.) Times-Tribune as a reporter, assistant sports editor, design editor, metro editor and assistant managing editor.
First place
Arizona Daily Star: “Attack of the 6 1/2-foot Wildcats”
“The preseason college basketball section is a terrific marriage of words, pictures and overall presentation. The cover illustration depicting the Wildcats stomping over the competition is well done and sets the stage for an action-packed section. The preseason guide combines pithy staples such as player profiles, team and league capsules and staff picks with substantive sports reporting. The section is well conceived and maintains its movie theme throughout. Nice work!!!”
Second place
Arizona Highways: "Heaven on Earth"
“This section perfectly captures utopia. This photo staff produces National Geographic-quality photojournalism. The lighting and depth in photos is extraordinary. The overall presentation is clean to allow the photos to have their greatest impact. It's obvious designers resisted the natural urge to decorate and instead used classy typography accented with appropriate buffers of white space. Well done!!”
Third place
Arizona Daily Star: "Mt. Lemmondland."
“This five-part series is a terrific interactive features element. It made me want to drive in the car and head directly to Mt. Lemmon to play along. Wouldn’t it be great if all journalism could evoke such a let-me-get-involved response? The text for the project rivals the illustration in that it is done in a whimsical, feel-good way.”
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