Here are the winners of SFJ's 2023 Excellence-in-Features journalism awards

The Society for Features Journalism's annual contest celebrating excellence in storytelling received more than 900 entries this year.

We are so grateful to the small village of contest judges who volunteered their time to ensure that we continue to celebrate the craft of storytelling in words, video and podcasts.

The following are the winners listed by each of the three divisions. First-place winners (except in Sweepstakes awards) will receive a $300 prize.

Congratulations to all!

CATEGORIES BY DIVISION

DIVISION 1: Circulation up to 90,000

FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: These awards recognize the publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 21 categories.

First place: The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier: First place awards in general feature and arts and entertainment feature; second place awards in general feature and feature writing portfolio; third place awards in feature writing portfolio and feature series or project, and one honorable mention in narrative storytelling.

Second place: Deseret News: First place award in narrative storytelling; second place awards in sports feature, first-person narrative essay and feature beat writing portfolio; a third place award in short feature;  and one honorable mention in inclusion and representation in features. 

Third place: TIE

• The (Colorado Springs) Gazette: First place awards in feature series or project and visual storytelling; a second place award in visual storytelling; a third place award in food writing portfolio; and honorable mention awards in food writing portfolio and general features.The

• Times Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate: first place awards in short features and food writing portfolio; second place awards in food criticism and narrative storytelling; and an honorable mention in food feature.

GENERAL FEATURE: Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.

First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Captive no more: One SC man’s journey to freedom after years in modern-day slavery”

Judge’s comments: "I’ve struggled to rate the stories in this general features category. A few of these pieces are so artfully written, it’s just astonishing. Many of them tell stories that are vital to their communities. If I could, I’d pick a first place entry and then award four or five second places. In my dream world, I’d hire all of them, and we’d live happily ever after in an alternate universe where journalism unites us and lifts us up. But I digress. First place goes to Jennifer Berry Hawes whose story about a man held in modern-day slavery is just astonishing. I’ve never read anything like it. Never. Hawes writes about Christopher Smith, an intellectually disabled man who was held captive for years by a man who forced him to work 100 hours a week or more in his restaurant, who forced Smith to live there as he ‘built an insidious trap of financial power, isolation and violence that human traffickers often use to control their victims.’ From the start, we know that Smith has been removed from this nightmarish situation, but that does not take away from the power of this story. Smith was beaten and burned – in a restaurant patronized by the members of the local law enforcement community. ‘Every night, he prayed for God to save him.’ This went on for years until his rescue. ‘It is hard,’ Hawes writes, 'to picture how something that looked so much like slavery happened at all in the 21st century, much less beneath the noses of so many.’ Hawes’ story is a must read for every person in America."

Second place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “As firing squad looms, man facing execution shares his SC death row story”

Judge’s comment: "This is a wrenching, 360-degree portrait of Richard Moore, a man on death row in South Carolina. Jennifer Berry Hawes has amazing detail on the crime — and what happened before and after — that sent him there and writes in a manner that is, well, I guess the correct word is ‘fair.’ Moore shot a man who died, but the story is about so much more than the crime. Moore provided ‘a rare look inside South Carolina’s secretive death row and detailed the realities of standing at the precipice of an execution date.’"

Third place: Kelly Powers, York (Pa.) Daily Record, “Bullying, culture shock and US schools: Refugee students face 'huge lift' to integrate”

Judge’s comments: “Kelly Powers has produced a riveting narrative about young immigrants who struggle to find their place in a bewildering world–the American educational system–where resources are limited and bullies run free to wreak havoc. The resiliency of these young students will impress you and bring tears to your eyes at the same time. The teachers who try to ease them into the system are heroes.”

Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs) Gazette, “Late in life of triumph and tragedy, Les Franklin, nephew of Fannie Mae Duncan, opens up”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. 

First place: Adam Parker and Gavin McIntyre, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Making Omar: The story behind Spoleto Festival’s opera about an enslaved Muslim scholar in the Carolinas”

Judge’s comments: “The world learning of Omar’s story was remarkable, however Adam Parker’s retelling of how Rhiannon Giddens wove Omar’s words into an opera was equally phenomenal. His artful writing was as captivating as the body of work Giddens and her collaborators created. Parker’s exquisite reporting made the reader feel he was with Giddens every step of the way, even during the months long pauses, to bring Omar’s nearly 200-year-old manuscript to the stage. In addition, the attention to detail Parker gave toward Omar Ibn Said’s origin story was the respect this Black man did not receive during his lifetime. Parker’s care there was appreciated.”

Second place: Leor Galil, Chicago Reader, “How Chicago helped put the Queen of Grunge back on her throne”

Judge’s comments: “Leor Galil’s dedicated, deep dive reporting gives new meaning to ‘give respect where respect is due.’ Her beautiful celebration of Tina Bell as a hidden figure in music gives an education not only in Bell, but also women in grunge. There’s also the tribute to vinyl lovers, who through their discovery, found a long-lost gem. Galil’s writing definitely gave Bell the shine she deserved.”

Third place: Tracey O'Shaughnessy, Bill O'Brien and Jim Shannon, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, “The gospel according to Joy”

Judge’s comments: “In writing about a group, the word ‘community’ is often used but in Tracey O’Shaughnessy’s profile on Joy Brown’s sculptures, the reader sees the impact of a collective. Detailing how several people are needed to fire Brown’s massive kilns, goes deeper than explaining how the pieces are made. O’Shaughnessy places the reader there with Brown and the residents who have become like family.”

Honorable mention: Collin Leonard, Deseret News, “The Osmonds, Saddam Hussein and the CIA — my search for the truth”

SHORT FEATURE:Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.

First place: Doug MacCash, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “Man wallows in flooded French Quarter sinkhole: ‘There’s a beer involved’”

Judge’s comments: This is a delightful tale about a tourist who decided to take a dip in a flooded French Quarter sinkhole, and the witty tour guide who documented the ordeal in a video posted on Reddit. The piece manages to be a snapshot of the French Quarter that is very “French Quarter” but without the stereotypical antics. It illustrates a whole new set of antics! It helps that the tour guide was a pithy quote machine, but this writer knew how and where to sprinkle the best of them into the piece. Gems include: ‘Cothern said that he suspected shots had been involved, but not the kind of shots that ward off hepatitis, which he believes one should probably get before or after splashing around in the French Quarter streets’ and ‘In fact, that very evening at the end of the crawl, one of Cothern’s tour clients requested that he lead her to a Tarot reader, which he did. Though he suspected she may have been too full of spirits to successfully engage in metaphysics.’ It was a great way to dive in (sorry) to the ever-present struggles facing New Orleans’ infrastructure and the persistent problem of potholes and sinkholes. It ends up illustrating the problem, the lack of solution, and how all of that isn’t going to stop ye olde bon temps from rouler-ing.

Second place: Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, Children's museum feature

Judge’s comments: “This review of a dinosaur-centric museum exhibit told from the perspective of the writer’s preschooler was a really fun approach. No one wants to hear what a grown-up thinks about a museum feature aimed at kids, but the play-by-play of the 4-year-old’s reactions and takeaways was sweet and effective. The writer/dad’s explanatory asides rounded it all out. It was as much an exhibit review as it was a tale of a father-and-son outing in the city as bedtime ticked ever closer. Very cute quotes, for example when asked: Are you a paleontologist now? ‘I'm a pretty tired now.’”

Third place: Meg Walter, Deseret News, “Utah's dirty soda war may give way to a revolution”

Judge’s comments: “This piece, about Utah’s ‘dirty soda’ trend, had me at ‘waking up and smelling the aspartame.’ I honestly had never heard of dirty soda, and this story had me intrigued from the get-go. It was a very Utah-centric story but told in a way that totally worked for a reader thousands of miles away, giving a quick and deft sense of place, and of Utahns (a word this piece introduced me to). For example: ‘I guess we were always poised to be innovators in the soda space, given that many of us adhere to a religious code for food and drink that prohibits coffee. Instead, we imbibe our caffeine cold, on the rocks and in 44-ounce Styrofoam cups. That has always been the way of our people.’ Engaging writing style with the perfect tone for the topic, and the story rolled along like it was laced with 44 ounces of fake sugar and caffeine.”

Honorable mention: Eric Webb, Austin American-Statesman, “What it's like to watch Pink fly over ACL Fest”

FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary.

First place: Amy Loeffler, Melissa Alexander, Whetstone Magazine, “Salt and Sex”

Judge’s comments: “Fine writing. Well-researched. Goes right to the edge, but never over it with words like these: ‘But to taste love itself, in the carnal sense, is most definitely a savory endeavor.’ ‘As preposterous as sprinkling salt over a sexual partner is to modern sensibilities—as if prepping a chicken for roasting...’ Lots of fascinating facts, bits of history delivered in an engaging, thought-provoking piece that makes you smile and say, really, I didn't know that. Indeed, from her name comes the word “aphrine,” referring to the nascent delicate white crystals that develop when saltwater begins to evaporate and negative chlorine ions coalesce with positively charged sodium ions to form sodium chloride.’ Terrific.”

Second place: Matthew Korfhage, The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times, “How the history of Southern Maryland stuffed ham is tied to slavery”

Judge’s comments: “Great lede that drew me. Good use of quotes to add life to the piece. Excellent explanation of the dish, what makes it what it is. Nice turns of phrase: ‘The same way you can’t step into the same river twice — and in water-laced St. Mary’s County, this can feel almost literal — you’ll also never taste the same stuffed ham in two different homes.’ Succinct writing about complex topics: That pivotal ingredient tells a story familiar to much Southern food: African and Caribbean influence from enslaved cooks brought a new twist to European ham, to create something uniquely American.

Third place: Sierra McClain, (Salem, Ore.) Capital Press, “Still ambitious: Inside Anderson Ranches' sheep farm and its rise to success”

Judge’s comments: “Interesting story well-told. Lots of nice details: ‘Reed recalls building fences with Robyn, their diapered boys slung in baby backpacks.’ Good details: ‘Harvest is normally once a week, 550 to 600 head in a day.’ These give you a sense of the scope of the place run by this family. Good use of quotes: ‘Our lambs have plenty of water and a short trip,’ said Reed Anderson. Nice imagery: ‘The Anderson farm is a quilt of properties pieced together over decades: green pastures, blue hills, flocks of grazing sheep. It looks like a postcard.’ Fine job. Good read.”

Honorable mention: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune  | The New Orleans Advocate, “At Gloria's Grocery, a New Orleans corner store is the center of neighborhood life”

FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.

First place: Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, Austin restaurant review: “Canje brings Caribbean flavor and soul to East Austin”

Judge’s comments: “This restaurant review not only made me want to go to Austin immediately to eat at this place, but it also took me into the history and influences that make this menu so special. The writing was beautiful and intelligent; I love that it was both conversational in tone and erudite in content. And I also love the way the writer reminded us why eating out, at its best, is such a life-affirming experience, and one that, post-pandemic, we must not take for granted. I don't expect a restaurant review to move me, but in addition to making me hungry, this nuanced, thoughtful and well-reported story also touched my soul.”

Second place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune  | The New Orleans Advocate, Review of French cafe in New Orleans

Judge’s comments: “This story was a fun one to read. I especially loved the way the writer put this French restaurant into the context of the neighborhood, with local folks passing by and stopping in, and into the context of New Orleans' French heritage, describing, for example, the celebration of Bastille Day. Not easy to describe a place that is both elegant in its offerings and warm and friendly in its ambience, but this story achieves that. I will certainly be stopping by this place on my next visit!”

FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. 

First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Tipping Point – The Colorado in Peril”

Judge’s comments: "Impressive seems an understatement for the depth and scope of this project on Colorado's fires and drought and the impact they are having on the state and the Colorado River. There's science — we learn hydrophobic soil is not good — but we also meet the people who are confronting the issue in their daily lives. We learn that ‘not everyone suffers equally.’”

Second place: Staff, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Buffalo's East Side: What a neighborhood ravaged by a mass shooting reveals about the power of community”

Judge’s comments: “In the wake of a racist shooting, this series delved into an underserved Buffalo neighborhood brought low by neglect and disinvestment. But the life and light of the series are the people who love the place and have hopes for a better future. We meet them in telling detail, on the streets, in their gardens and sometimes wheeling their plants in a cart. The reader roots for them all.”

Third place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “The Rising: Legacy of Denmark Vesey and crushed 1822 slave revolt still inspires activism, debate”

Judge’s comments: “The story of Denmark Vesey is compelling and complex. The writer adeptly takes on the challenge of who gets to write history and how to find the most likely truth of the matter. And we're here for it.”

Honorable mention: Brian PJ Cronin, The Highlands (N.Y.) Current, “The Challenge for Churches”

NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.

First place: Daryl Gibson, Deseret News, “The world's most remarkable kid died in Newcastle, Utah”

Judge’s comments: “The fascinating story of a remarkable kid who was taken from us too soon. The colorful anecdotes of his life make us wonder what more he could have accomplished.”

Second place: Tristan Baurick, The Times-Picayune  | The New Orleans Advocate, “The Last Days of Isle de Jean Charles”

Judge’s comments: “A detailed account of a people at the mercy of rising seas and government bureaucracy.”

Third place: Matthew Korfhage, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “A veteran's son received a mysterious box. It held the secret to his father's early death”

Judge’s comments: “This story sheds light on the little-known tale of America's Atomic Veterans -- and the legacy of harm potentially passed on to their descendants.”

Honorable mention: Jennifer Hawes Berry, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, Captive no more: One SC man’s journey to freedom after years in modern-day slavery”

FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.

First place: Kelly Powers, The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal, “Threatened communities along the Mid-Atlantic”

Judge’s comments: “This writer tells fascinating histories of unique communities. The clear, compelling writing style connects strongly — and memorably — with readers.”

Second place: Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News, Religion beat

Judge’s comments: Arresting topics are bolstered by strong writing and deep reporting. This journalist writes with well-deserved authority.

Third place: Matthew Leimkuehler, The (Nashville) Tennessean, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Clearly a storyteller, this writer is a master of the sharp lede and exquisite detail. Very compelling profiles.”

Honorable mention:Karen Hendricks, TheBurg, Environmental beat: “Night Watch, Reigner Reigns over the Outdoors, They Made a Stink”

FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.

First place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune  | The New Orleans Advocate, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Ian McNulty's writing is at once elegant and thoughtful and sometimes humorous, but always evoking a strong sense of place, especially in the Cafe Degas review. A clear first place winner!”

Second place: Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 Magazine (Baton Rouge, La.), Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Maggie Heyn Richardson's love of good food and her local knowledge shines in these three well-written pieces, especially the extensive review of bakeries. Bravo!”

Third place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “His gourmet hot dog restaurant serves up ostrich, rattlesnake, rabbit and more | Craving Colorado”

Judge’s comments: “Seth Boster has an easy writing style that he obviously combines with ample reportage. The biker profile was a standout in this third place entry.”

Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Mother's love the key ingredient at Japanese bakery near Denver | Craving Colorado”

GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. 

First place: Chris Willman, Variety

Judge’s comments: “Three smart, thoughtful, incisive pieces on music legends including Bob Dylan, early rock and roll artists and Taylor Swift. The analyses weren't predictable, and the articles showed true craft of writing.”

Second place: Mary C. Curtis, Roll Call

Third place: Michael Schneider, Variety

Honorable mention: Jay Evensen, Deseret News

ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews.

First place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, Visual arts

Judge’s comments: “Oh, the texture! There's so much color here, and the way it's interwoven with story makes each piece irresistible. Every piece gripped me. Loved this work.”

Second place: Chris Willman, Variety, Music reviews

Third place: Owen Gleiberman, Variety, Film reviews

Honorable mention: Jennifer Huberdeau, Berkshire Eagle, Arts criticism

SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.

First place: Jason Wolf, Buffalo (N.Y.) News, “'Does anybody want to talk about it?' Youth football coach a shepherd through Buffalo mass shooting”

Judge’s comments: “Wonderfully written, timely and emotional -- a perfect feature story.”

Second place: Sarah Todd, Deseret News, “The untold story of the high school coaches who helped shape Utah Jazz’s Texas trio”

Judge’s comments: “A smart piece weaving together narratives with the reminder: good coaching lasts a lifetime.”

Third place: Melissa Federspill, The Uvalde Leader-News, “Peers, coaches choose middle linebacker Rendon to wear #21”

Judge’s comments: “Short but powerful.”

Honorable mention: Amie Just, Lincoln Journal Star, “After bleeding ulcer threatened his life, Sam Griesel is thrilled to be wearing red”

VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes.

First place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Tipping Point: Lake Powell reaches record lows amid drought”

Judge’s comments: “Beautifully shot, produced and edited. A must watch video story.”

Second place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Mountain Unicycling in Colorado”

Judge’s comments: “Fun and cool video about mountain cycling.”

BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. 

First place: Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, “Sustainability Issue”

Judge’s comments: “Fantastic stories and ambitious reporting with a sophisticated, beautiful and easy-to-navigate web presentation made this section a winner.”

Second place: Mackensy Lunsford and Todd Price, Southern Kitchen, “Fire & Smoke: The Art of Cooking Outdoors”

Judge’s comments: “A really interesting take on a food section that honors the First Peoples' histories and stories behind the backyard barbecue, as well as exploring the influences from other parts of the world.”

Third place: Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, “2022 Dining Guide: The best restaurants in Austin”

Judge’s comments: “A sweet intro set the stage for this roundup, complete with evocative food descriptions and great photos.”

Honorable mention: Kirk Williamson, Enrique Limón, Chicago Reader, “The People Issue (Volume 52, Number 3)”

BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.

First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Out There Summer/Fall Guide”

Judge’s comments: “From its fun biker-meets-saloon cover to its array of different storytelling techniques, this summer/fall guide, a mix of travel and entertainment elements, is a beautiful and informative look at the Colorado Springs area. What separates this from the rest of the pack is its polish and attention to detail – the stories are authoritative, interesting and fun, and the design is first-rate throughout.”

Second place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo) Gazette, “OTC Winter Guide”

Judge’s comments: “Though its theme is ice, this winter guidebook is warm and inviting. The writing is well done, especially the listicles, and the design complements the writing rather than working against it. It offers a nice variety of formats and an effective design.”

Third place: Herald Staff, The Daily (Everett, Wash.) Herald, “Sound & Summit Magazine”

Judge’s comments: “A few nicely written features are the highlight of this small but effective magazine celebrating two counties in the Puget Sound area. It’s a bit food and drink heavy, but the stories are interesting. A bit more variety might have elevated this publication.”

BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.

First place: Alexandra Rain, Deseret News, “The prodigal mother”

Judge’s comments: “A wonderful, searing, insightful piece that perfectly marries first person with actual service journalism for the millions dealing with this issue. Loved the dance details and this line in particular — ‘There aren’t memorials for living addicts. Their hearts still beat but to a different rhythm’ — really struck a chord. This is what first-person journalism should be. Moving but also instructive. Terrific work.”

Second place: Ethan Bauer, Deseret News, “The house that exile built”

Judge’s comments: “Excellent piece. Very evocative in painting a picture of places and people. It was informative about the history and touching with the regards to the writer's longing and confusion, both his own and on behalf of his family. Deft use of details and bits of humor throughout to leaven the gravity and history lessons. Great job.”

Third place: Peter D. Kramer, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Even after '13 Seconds,' Buffalo Bills fans believe. This is how they do it.”

Judge’s comments: “A lovely human interest tale well-told through the larger lens of the sports team. Great MOS interviews and videos and, even though I know it's first person, great foregrounding of the actual subjects and local flavor. Very enjoyable!”

BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.

First place: Peter D. Kramer, The (Westchester N.J.) Journal News, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Peter's entry stood out for two reasons: His story on the aftermath of the Buffalo supermarket massacre was the best single piece in this category, and the range he demonstrated as a writer with his months-long dive into the reshaping of the Rockettes. The former showed what a thoughtful reporter can do to craft a sensitive feature in short order; the latter, while possibly ultimately too much of a good thing, was a great example of weaving numerous characters and their story lines into a compelling read.”

Second place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Jennifer is clearly a gifted writer and reporter. She has a great eye for detail and ear for compelling quotes. The subject matter of these pieces is also compelling: they are stories of people who might otherwise be forgotten. My only quibble: Each of these might have used another edit to tighten them.”

Third place: Adam Parker, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Adam is a terrific storyteller. As with the work of his colleague Jennifer, I was struck by the subject matter in this entry: in-depth stories of lives not routinely seen in newspaper pages. The story about Polly Sheppard was the best in his entry, a three-dimensional portrait of a strong but haunted survivor. Same comment, though, on the length of these pieces: a bit tighter would have made them stronger.”

Honorable mention: Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, Portfolio

INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES: The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or under covered communities through revelatory storytelling. 

First place: Mackensy Lunsford, Todd Price and George Walker IV, The (Nashville) Tennessean, “Uneven Ground: Exceptional Black farmers and their fight to flourish in the South”

Judge’s comments: "’Uneven Ground’ is a full and empathetic portrait of the human experience in the present and history of Black farmers. The work focuses on the personal stories of a community -- despite the physical distance of one interviewee from another. The series still finds their common issues so that readers can see the bigger picture. The series offers unexpected new information and context for contemporary challenges. The writers’ work is uniformly personal and accessible. The photographs are close and beautiful. The publication obviously supported enterprise reporting and original presentations and the investment paid off.”

Second place: Chip Rowe, Leonard Sparks and Pierce Strudler, The Highlands (N.Y.) Current, “Always Present, Never Seen”

Judge’s comments: “This lengthy and comprehensive feature series. ‘Always Present Never Seen,’ displays an enormous amount of work and thought. The writing is clean and easily accessible. The series contains an excellent balance between current reportage and historical research.”

Third place: Staff, (Rochester, N. Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Resettling Main Street — Refugees Bring Revitalization to some of America's Smaller Cities”

Judge’s comments: "Resettling Main Street provides excellent national coverage of diverse communities with a wide range of interviews, clear writing and current data. The feature series is well-timed to the larger issues facing the U.S. now.

Honorable mention: Tracy Schuhmacher and Robert Bell, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Welcoming People with Disabilities”

DIVISION 2  |  Circulation 90,000 to 199,999

FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 21 categories.

First place: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: First place awards in short feature, general commentary, sports and consumer/service features; second place awards in features beat writing, general commentary and inclusion and representation in features.

Second place: The Oregonian: First place awards in general features and visual storytelling; second place awards in food features and visual storytelling; third place awards in visual storytelling, short features and arts & entertainment feature; honorable mention in visual storytelling.

Third place: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel: First place awards in food feature and food criticism, second place awards in short features and special product; third place awards in general commentary and consumer/service feature.

GENERAL FEATURE: Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.

First place: Tom Hallman Jr., The Oregonian, “Their little parrot was thought to be a goner after he flew away in downtown Portland”

Judge’s comments: “Tom Hallman Jr.’s piece about a tiny parrot named Joy who once was lost but now is found is a storytelling masterpiece. Tom starts out with this lede: ‘More than 40 years in the writing business and I’ve never stumbled across a story as crazy as the one I’m about to tell you.’ And he DELIVERS! In this celebration of the power of human connection and kindness, Tom takes us by the hand and brings us on a journey filled with unexpected plot twists, loveable characters and the happiest possible outcome. Anyone who reads this story will be left cheering, crying and feeling grateful to be alive. Bravo!”

Second place: Samantha Michaels, Mother Jones, “She Never Hurt Her Kids. So Why Is a Mother Serving More Time Than the Man Who Abused Her Daughter?”

Judge’s comments: “Mother Jones’ in-depth examination of failure-to-protect laws that incarcerate mothers for violence committed by other people is both harrowing and haunting. These little-known laws target women — particularly women of color — for failing to protect their children from abuse by men who, in many cases, also are abusing the kids’ terrified and trapped moms. This story masterfully dissects the case of an abused mother named Kerry King who never hurt her children but who got 30 years in prison — 12 more years than the man who horrifically abused her daughter. The 17-minute documentary video accompanying this must-read story is also excellent.

Third place: Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times, “Nothing lasts forever, but manhole covers come close”

Judge’s comments: “Hooray to Neil Steinberg for writing the loveliest story about, of all things, the manufacture of manhole covers. Neil’s writing is infused with a sense of wonder and curiosity, and his story overflows with fascinating details. (For instance, did you know that iron is the fourth-most common element in the universe, or that the process of casting iron is thought to have originated in ancient China around the sixth century B.C.?) What really makes this story sing, though, is his appreciation for the foundry workers behind the objects that “are literally everywhere, around the world and at our feet, on every block, every street corner.” It’s easy to see why this was one of the Chicago Sun-Times’ best-read stories of the year.

Honorable mention: Lucy Meyer, The Guardian, “His daughter went missing at 16. But his fight was only beginning”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. 

First place: Eric Stinton, Hana Hou! Magazine, “Breaking Ground”

Judge’s comments: “Just like breakdancing, this read was fun and fantastic.”

Second place: Jane Henderson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Bones of Contention”

Judge’s comments: “Informative and well-written.”

Third place: Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian, “‘Outdoor School’ movie brings together a diverse Portland creative team for a story of homelessness and hope”

Judge’s comments: “A touching story with joy at the center of it all.”

SHORT FEATURE:Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.

First place: Bob Batz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Aliquippa wants to get the band back together”

Judge’s comments: “It's hard to fault Bob Batz Jr.'s tale of a small town junior/ senior high school struggling to have a band to play at football games — and largely succeeding. It's funny and sweet and heartwarming, full of pizza, pride and pandemic price inflation. And then there's the ‘Blues Brothers’ inflected lede – ‘Aliquippa wants to get the band back together.’ Bravo.”

Second place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun Sentinel, City and Shore magazine, “Light in the Darkness”

Judge’s comments: “Mark Gauert's entry, ‘Light in the Darkness,’ is gentle and wistful and full of wonder. Mosquitoes kept the stargazers from their goal. But disaster — Hurricane Wilma — inadvertently revealed the beauty of the Milky Way.”

Third place: Samantha Swindler, The Oregonian, “Why does Garibaldi have a cellphone booth? Ask the town’s tallest barber”

Judge’s comments: “Samantha Swindler's story is funny from top to bottom. The tallest barber in Garibaldi doesn't crest 5 feet. She has a cellphone booth so clients keep their secrets to themselves (more or less). And the way she describes her job makes for a memorable kicker: ‘I get to make a living running my fingers through men's hair. What could be better?’ Indeed.”

FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. 

First place: Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun Sentinel, “After a violent spiral, famed Chicago chef seeks redemption — and Michelin stars — in South Florida”

Judge’s comments: “Beautiful writing. The story doesn't sugar-coat or dance around the chef's past, but lays it out there for the reader to see. The food descriptions are glorious.”

Second place: Samantha Swindler, The Oregonian, “Table setting competition sets a high bar at Oregon State Fair”

Judge’s comments: “Love this story so much! The descriptions, the interviews, it's all wonderful. I now will forever be careful to make sure my pinks match.”

Third place: Hal B. Klein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Amazing Dumplings brings a couple’s northern Chinese cuisine to Squirrel Hill”

Judge’s comments: “Beautiful writing. Love the descriptions of the dumplings and the details about the restaurant owners' lives.”

Honorable mention: Christina Tkacik, The Baltimore Sun, “As Maryland crab houses face labor shortage, Black crab pickers recall legacy of struggle”

FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.

First place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun Sentinel, City & Shore magazine, “The Fault in Our Stars”

Judge’s comments: “Uses a funny, conversational style to make a larger point that’s relevant to local readers: how to really judge restaurants now that Michelin has arrived.”

Second place: Ian Froeb, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Santa Fe Bistro takes a wrong turn at Albuquerque, crashes in Creve Coeur”

Judge’s comments: “Laugh-out-loud funny. And backs up its barbs with the colorful details that let the reader feels as if they, too, are tasting (and recoiling from) the food.”

Third place: Mike Sutter,  San Antonio Express-News, “Review: Cullum’s Attaboy a brunch tour of long-lost S.A. faves”

Judge’s comments: “In lively, witty writing, the writer captures not just the menu and feel of the restaurant but the history and culture of the city that powers it.”

Honorable mention: Hal B. Klein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Best Pizza in Pittsburgh

FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. 

First place: Hannah Levintova, Tim Murphy and Ian Gordon, Mother Jones, “How Private Equity Looted America”

Second place: Courtney Crowder and Brianne Pfannenstiel, The Des Moines Register, “The death of the Iowa Democratic caucus: How 50 years of jury-rigging doomed an American tradition”

Third place: Hanh Truong and Savanna Smith, The Sacramento Bee, “Bee Curious”

Honorable mention: News team, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Coping with inflation”

NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.

First place: Raquel Rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Ken Armstrong, ProPublica, “The Landlord & the Tenant”

Judge’s comments: “The best feature writing is built on authoritative reporting. This story, wherever your outrage is directed by its facts, is a model of comprehensive, unassailable reporting. A tour de force.”

Second place: Courtney Crowder, The Des Moines Register, “'We Had a Way Out': Exhaustion, anger, courage and sorrow in an Iowa ICU fighting another COVID wave”

Judge’s comments: “One of the signature achievements of memorable feature writing is to make the familiar feel not just fresh again, but vital. The toll of the pandemic came to include our capacity for both sorrow and admiration. This story shakes us out of that stupor and makes us feel both again. No small thing.”

Third place: Lucy Meyer, The Guardian, “His daughter went missing at 16. But his fight was only beginning”

Judge’s comments: “The episodes could not have been an accident: Native people telling as federal task force about their lost loved ones found themselves silenced, literally muted by the investigators there to listen. It's an arresting passage in this story, and the accomplishment of the work is that it unmutes those who had been silenced. They get to tell their stories of hurt and confusion and frustration in full. Impressive.”

FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.

First place: David Hudnall, The Kansas City Star, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “David Hudnall shows extraordinary range in this portfolio of narrative stories. Is it business? Is it travel? Is it investigative? Is it profile? Is it culture? Who cares?! It’s a collection of sit-down, kick-back, rocking-chair reads that introduce the people and stories behind a diverse collection of Kansas City-area businesses: from the homegrown global fashion icons and the billionaires who closed them down; to the proprietors and customers of the oldest bar in town; to the tiny town undergoing an unlikely transformation into a tourist destination. Using techniques from first-rate digging to first-person, Hudnall’s portfolio shows why feature writing is a pillar of our community storytelling.”

Second place: Abby Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Good news beat

Judge’s comments: “This portfolio is the living, breathing rebuttal to all those who suggest that a focus on telling positive human-centered stories will inevitably be shallow, trite or cliché. In this entry, Abby Mackey uses deft storytelling and an ear for dialogue, a distinct sense of place and authentic characters, to bring to life the neighbors in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. A community finds a way to give back to someone who daily changes their lives in big and small ways; a photographer sheds light on and creates art with an unexpected community; an accident victim and her life-saving first responder meet by chance 40 years later: These stories are the usually unseen golden threads underlying the complexity of everyday life, illuminated beautifully by this portfolio’s work.”

Third place: Jeremy Reynolds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Classical music beat

Judge’s comments: “Here is how you make people care about the music they aren’t streaming through their AirPods: Make it human. Follow a world-renowned conductor to his homeland and weave a story of details and personality and humanity with the cold, hard facts of the business of classical music. Introduce a group of people with mental health issues who overcome, who find joy and a sense of self and sanity – through playing music together. Build affinity around the top international news headline with the melody that is strumming the world’s, and the community’s, heartstrings. Jeremy Reynolds’ classical music portfolio tells the human stories of music beyond the orchestral hall and in so doing, shows why beat reporting still matters in features journalism.”

FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.

First place: Christina Tkacik, The Baltimore Sun, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Strong, clear writing that vividly captures time and place (Baltimore, 2022). The Black crab-pickers story shed light on a dying part of Maryland food culture that many eaters might not realize. The piece on the murder of an Italian restaurateur conveyed the unease and randomness of big-city violence (and its impact on the community). The detailed feature on restaurants which took federal pandemic money and then closed was good old-fashioned watchdog journalism.”

Second place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Experienced, authoritative, mellifluous and hilarious review-writing on display. How could anyone not appreciate a withering critique of a churrascaria that takes a cutting dig at ‘the infinite sadness of the meat parade’ and a sideswipe at the disturbing trend of restaurants allowing non-service dogs inside dining rooms?”

Third place: Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: Lively writing, interesting subject matter, all tied heavily to a sense of place with a distinctive voice. The Texas wine vs. cotton crop story was edifying, the California burrito invasion story amusing (french fries!?) and the No Beans vs. Beans chili debate story a history lesson that true food enthusiasts should devour. Great quote: ‘People who are arguing about beans, they don’t know beans about American foodways.’”

Honorable mention: Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Portfolio

GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. 

First place: Brandon McGinley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Brandon McGinley's columns reflect an analytical mind, an observant eye and a compassionate heart. A column about Senate candidates shows deft analysis, as well as his gift for description as he sums up Rep. Conor Lamb: ‘He is just the right height -- taller than usual, but not unusually tall -- and has maintained his military fitness, and every hair on his head is where it is meant to be.’ He visits a crime scene and makes us view the exact spot of the killing as sacred ground. He unspools his tales with prose that is approachable, deceptively simple and elegant. This is most apparent in a piece written as a letter to a son lost through miscarriage. ‘Dear John Isaiah,’ it begins. Reflecting on his family's loss, and what might have been, McGinley surely left readers in tears as he recounts this scene from the cemetery: ‘It rained the morning we buried you, not enough to be uncomfortable and just enough to feel cinematic. It was perfect. Your older sister said the sky was crying for you.’"

Second place: Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “In columns that are passionate and angry but never lapse into ranting, Tony Norman raises important questions about the fatal shootings of Black men. Where, he asks, is justice? And why aren't authorities releasing more information about what happened? They're the kind of questions authorities would rather not answer. Norman, in blunt, forceful prose, asks them.”

Third place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Mark Gauert seems to find meaning and messages in just about anything — while tying his shoes, while feeding a cat, while gazing at the Milky Way. His columns celebrating the seemingly ordinary are tightly written and thoughtful.”

ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.

First place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Sometimes biting, sometimes poignant but always engaging, Mike Sutter's culinary commentary is absolutely delicious.”

Second place: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte Observer, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: While some concert reviews are rote recaps of a night's highlights, Théoden Janes' writeups not only make you feel like you were there, but also break down the cultural importance of the event.”

Third place: Joshua Axelrod, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: Joshua Axelrod's reviews are entertaining and smartly connect the material back to local readers.

SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.

First place: Sean D. Hamill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “A secret life in the rackets”

Judge’s comments: “A thorough and complete examination of the unknown tales behind one of Pittsburgh's most famous sports leaders. Well-reported and presented with elegant digital touches. The editors should be applauded for adding so much context on how and why they had access to the documents. Excellent work.”

Second place: Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “They grew up Amish in Wisconsin. Now these cousins are living a NASCAR dream”

Judge’s comments: “A smart story idea which was told in a non-judgmental and thoughtful way. The writer avoided stereotypes and cliches, telling a personal tale in a way that anyone could understand.”

Third place: Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “How Giannis Antetokounmpo's view on ego, humility has inspired people around the world”

Judge’s comments: “A very interesting way to use a sports comment to produce a story with an audience well beyond sports. Great reporting to find a diverse group of people who were affected by a quote at a sports news conference. A very interesting way to use a sports comment to produce a story with an audience well beyond sports. Great reporting to find a diverse group of people who were affected by a quote at a sports news conference.”

Honorable mention: Eric Stinton, Hana Hou! magazine, “One for the team”

VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.

First place: Samantha Swindler, The Oregonian, “Garibaldi Crab Races: Dungeness crabs race to the finish for charity”

Judge’s comments: “This video about the Garibaldi crab races features all the elements of excellent visual storytelling: compelling video, engaging subjects, dynamic editing and thoughtful story structure. The intro’s energetic visuals and enigmatic narration immediately drew me in; I had to learn more about this quirky event! The breadth and variety of beautifully framed, vibrantly colored shots keeps you visually engaged as the well-crafted and well-paced voiceover tells the story of this whimsical community tradition. Expertly mixed audio—a major feat in a raucous environment—leverages exciting natural sounds of the races and crowds along with up-tempo music that perfectly captures the event’s spirited energy. The result: a front row seat at the races!”

Second place: Vickie Connor, The Oregonian, “Circles in the sand”

Judge’s comments: “Gorgeous footage and a well-timed edit bring “Circles in the Sand” to life in a beautiful, visual way. The variety of framing — particularly the stunning wide shots — and excellent use of sequences (e.g., a close of the rake followed by a wide of the beach and mid of participants) makes for a dynamic viewing experience that transports audiences into the labyrinth. The subtle music, use of ocean sounds, and relaxed pace of the edit reinforces its peaceful and meditative message.

Third place: MJ Johnson, The Oregonian, “Deaf-owned Portland restaurant Pah! opens in Lents neighborhood”

Judge’s comments: "'Deaf-owned Portland restaurant' is a powerful and educational video that smartly utilizes ASL as both a narrative and visual storytelling technique. A compelling interview subject coupled with strong soundbite selection and structure highlights the owner’s passion for his business and his community. While the use of natural sound and a single shot throughout the interview scenes keeps the focus on Lillouie’s signing, a greater variety of footage (food, customer interactions, etc.) and/or music/sound could make for an even more engaging piece. The video flourishes during its more dynamic moments of visual/auditory creativity — for example, as a picture-in-picture technique features both Lillouie at work and narrating, or when music and energetic shots bring his drag show to life. Overall, it is a moving and informative profile that sheds important light on an often-underrepresented community."

Honorable mention: Vickie Connor, The Oregonian, “Alameda Elementary School's bike bus allows active group transportation for these Portland students”

BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. 

First place: Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, “Chicago-pedia, Volume Tree, Our town’s lexicon”

Judge’s comments: “What a fun feature, and a twist on the usual 'guide to the city.' I can see readers saving this guide as an intro to the city for visitors or new residents. It's clear a lot of institutional knowledge, irreverence and cheeky attitudes went into compiling the guide.”

Second place: Arts + Culture Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, “Arts + Culture – Looking Ahead” special section

Judge’s comments: “I enjoyed read this; it was packed with staff-written content with good diversity across mediums so readers have options that might interest them. Great photography, too.”

Third place: Ian Froeb and Gabe Hartwig, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Ian Froeb's STL 100”

Judge’s comments: “I love a restaurant guide, especially one that that's well organized and can be referred to again. I was glad to see the reviewer acknowledged the difficulty for restaurants reopening post-pandemic and adjusted their judging accordingly. I would have liked to see a little better reproduction quality on the photos in the print guide; the color and resolution was distinctly muddy.”

Honorable mention: Jan Waddy, and Jim Kiest, San Antonio Express-News, “S.A. Life”

BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.

First place: Amy Bertrand and Gabe Hartwig, “STL Life”

Judge’s comments: “STL Life brings new life to the classic features section with well reported local stories broad enough to appeal to a national audience. Examples include Aisha Sultan’s excellent feature on St. Louis’s Pi Day, not just another day in the 314 area code. Jane Henderson’s thorough article on the ethics of displaying mummies as art was a thoughtful piece based on a local exhibit. Sultan’s columns tackle tough subjects such as why teachers are retiring early. The layouts are fresh and exciting, pushing the limits of what designers can do in a newspaper format.”

Second place: Mark Gauert, Melina De Rose and Anderson Greene, South Florida Sun Sentinel, “City & Shore PRIME Magazine”

Judge’s comments: “Prime is a magazine for readers 50 and older that understand its audience and finds it with relevant content rather than a callout for readers of a certain age. Greg Carannate’s story on Bruce Springsteen and exorbitant ticket prices is a great example and well written with lines like: ‘Maybe The Boss was trading in his blue jeans for blue blood?’ Mark Gauert’s ‘First Words’ columns are elegant personal essays that set the tone for each issue. Robyn Friedman's On the Money columns decipher issues as complex as choosing a Medicare plan. The calendar lists events and activities that Prime readers might want to attend while reflecting a broad range of tastes. At a hefty 100 pages or more, the magazine contains a smart mix of interesting, reported stories and engaging photos and layouts.”

Third place: Gretchen McKay, Jennifer Kundrach, Ashley Marchetti, Pittsburgh Post-Gazelle, “Food Section”

Judge’s comments: “The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette devoted its Aug. 4 Food & Flavor section to the challenges of inflation for home cooks and diners. Gretchen MacKay's cover story on how to feed a family of four for $200 a week is service journalism at its best. Other stories identified the best happy hours for those on a budget, and showed how some area farmers' markets are competing on price with grocery stores. Another Food & Flavor issue profiled the author of a vegan Chinese cookbook. The layouts were engaging and stories covered a mix of topics beyond the usual food section fare.

Honorable mention: Josh Neufeld, Chicago Sun-Times, “Vaccinated at the ball, The Journalist's Resource”

BEST CONSUMER/SERVICE FEATURES: Three stories focused on educating readers about topics that affect their everyday lives (e.g., health, retail prices, product availability) in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented, “news you can use” way. 

First place: Hanna Webster and Emily Mullin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Judge’s comments: “The Post-Gazette's reporters did a fantastic job of translating national policy changes into what-does-it-mean-for-me? series of FAQs about abortion pills and hearing loss solutions. Note its conversational headlines and tight-bright-authoritative writing voice.”

Second place: Brianna Taylor, The Sacramento Bee, “How to navigate the California food waste mandate”

Judge’s comments: “The Sacramento Bee's series surely helped readers navigate an issue that really changed daily life. The easy-to-read format was perfectly digestible too with bullets, lists, links to deeper dive coverage.

Third place: Lois Solomon, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “We never know what our readers are thinking — until we ask! Lois Solomon's COVID-inspired ask-us-anything experiment has morphed into a wide-ranging, reader-focused service column that creates a fun (helpful!) space for readers to get their burning questions answered.”

BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.

First place: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte Observer, “As a baby, I was left on a street by ... someone. As an adult, I tried to figure out why”

Judge’s comments: “Compelling, deep, personal, touching, informative — Théoden's story is a must-read.”

Second place: Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Homeschooling our eighth grader”

Judge’s comments: “Parenthood is a wild ride, and this reflection is moving and special.”

Third place: Anne Elizabeth Moore, The Guardian, “I was given a house for free – but it already belonged to someone else”

Judge’s comments: “Insightful and well written.”

BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.

First place: Courtney Crowder, The Des Moines Register, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Crowder’s voice is remarkably compelling in this selection of stories about a mariachi band uniting an Iowa town, a Black soldier whose heroic acts were never awarded with a Medal of Honor and a daughter losing her unvaccinated father to COVID. Crowder’s work keeps the reader hooked with rich detail, stellar reporting and cultural context.”

Second place: John-John Williams IV, The Baltimore Sun, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “All three of Williams’ entries were fascinating to read while spotlighting important topics: the injuries that impact drag queens, the “beautillion” rite of passage for Black students in Maryland and businesses’ renewed emphasis on a Black aesthetic. Williams’ use of quotes throughout the stories was particularly strong.”

Third place: Abby Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Mackey is impressively versatile, covering a boudoir photographer who helps women find self-love, a chef and farmer bringing Filipino fruits and vegetables to Pittsburgh and an occupational therapy student’s experience with autism. Each story was beautifully written and brimming with detail.”

Honorable mention: Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio

INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES: The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or under covered communities through revelatory storytelling. 

First place: Ricardo Kaulessar, The Record, “How Indians in Jersey City fought back against the terror of 'Dotbusters' in the 1980s”

Judge’s comments: “This article about the violence and horror suffered by Indians in the United States elucidates a history that is not often told and that is important for Americans to understand. Kaulessar’s storytelling is clear and plain and is a stark reminder that a diverse array of people have suffered the perils of ignorance and hate in America.”

Second place: Laura Malt Schneiderman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Pittsburgh’s unique (ASL) signs: Signing with a Pittsburgh accent”

Judge’s comments: “This article about the uniqueness of sign language in the Pittsburgh region is an educational and lively window into the world of people who are hard of hearing. I learned from this story and I suspect many readers and viewers did, too. The videos accompanying this package brought the story alive and were a creative touch that added to the depth of the package.”

Third place: Mick Stinelli, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “An archive documents the partying and pain in Pittsburgh’s queer history”

Judge’s comments: “The strength in this article about a slice of Pittsburgh’s queer culture lies in its honesty. The author pulls no punches acknowledging the partying, pain and even privilege that existed in the community. We learn through words, images and other materials about people and a world that many may not have known.”

Honorable mention: J.M. Banks, The Kansas City Star, “In the Kansas City coffee industry, these Black entrepreneurs are brewing change”

DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up; digital-only organization

FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 21 categories.

First place: Los Angeles Times: First place awards in food feature, feature series or project, feature writing portfolio and arts and culture criticism; second place awards in general feature, food criticism and special section; third place awards in feature series or project and first-person narrative essay; and honorable mention awards in food criticism, food feature, narrative storytelling and sports.

Second place: Washington Post: First place in special section, consumer/service feature and inclusion and representation in features; second place awards in food feature, art & culture criticism and visual storytelling; and an honorable mention in feature series or project.

Third place: San Francisco Chronicle: First place award in food criticism; second place awards in short feature, food portfolio and feature writing portfolio; third place awards in arts & entertainment feature, feature beat writing and special section.

GENERAL FEATURE: Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.

First place: Marisa Agha, Time, “Someone is Killing Wild Horses in Arizona. One Woman is Determined to Find Out Who”

Judge’s comments: “From the beginning to end, this well-written story made every word count. It detailed Betty Nixon's relentless journey to figure out the grim fate of wild horses even during her retirement. Betty's story is inspiring and her efforts are highly commendable. This story made sure to show just that.”

Second place: Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, “How two L.A. COVID swindlers dodged the FBI and joined the European jet set”

Judge’s comments: “This was a fine layout of how a swindling couple eluded the FBI in a European jet-setting escapade until their ultimate capture. This story covered them every step of their illegal plight.”

Third place: Alex Morris, Sean Woods, Noah Shachtman, Rolling Stone, "How ‘Baby Al Capone’ Pulled Off a $24 Million Crypto Heist"

Judge’s comments: “Landing the first interview with Ellis Pinsky was a tremendous get. The next was having him open up about his story behind pulling off a multi-million-dollar crypto heist. This story set the stage and other media outlets soon followed.”

Honorable mention: Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, “How a homeless woman and her ‘emotional support duck’ survive on the streets of L.A.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. 

First place: Joseph Lamour, Today.com, “Ayo Edebiri isn't following anyone else's recipe”

Judge’s comments: “Beautifully written.”

Second place: Neal Justin, Star Tribune News, “Man of 10,000 stories”

Judge’s comments: “Striking and profound.”

Third place:Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, “Bay Area theater leaders”

Judge’s comments: “Powerful.”

Honorable mention: Amy Yee, Bloomberg, “Vancouver Pays Tribute to Chinese Canadian History Amid Spike in Anti-Asian Racism: One Chinatown museum has opened as part of Canada’s redress for past discrimination, while another fosters hope for the future.’”

SHORT FEATURE:Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.

First place: Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, “Senior women find joy on the softball field: Meet the Colorado Peaches”

Judge’s comments: “This is the kind of story you never forget, told with soul and brevity. The Colorado Peaches are a dream subject for a feature writer, and Sarah Matusek wastes no words in telling their story. Joyful, inspiring and a touch bittersweet. It's all there in this great quote: ‘The more I ask of my body, the more it gives.’”

Second place: Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, “When exactly was the golden age of San Francisco? We did the math”

Judge’s comments: “A fabulous concept that could instill jealousy in any culture writer who seeks to capture their city. Smart and witty writing.”

Third place: Richard Chin, Star Tribune News, “You can buy moon dust from 1969's Apollo 11 landing — eaten by cockroaches”

Judge’s comments: “Wonderful and weird.”

Honorable mention: Kirby Adams, Courier Journal, “A Kentucky man posed as a dead body on TikTok for 321 days. Now he's going to be on CSI”

FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. 

First place: Leila Miller, Los Angeles Times, “Are grasshoppers as delicious as ham? Mexico’s insect hunters would like you to find out”

Judge’s comments: “A deeply reported, richly detailed and revealing feature. A joy to read.”

Second place: Alexis E. Barton, The Washington Post, “My family poured love and joy into entertaining. Now it's my turn.”

Judge’s comments: “The author elegantly uses her personal experience to reveal broader cultural practices. And the descriptions of the food are particularly evocative.”

Third place: Hanna Raskin, The Food Section, “It won’t be the same without Snack Bar”

Judge’s comments: “The story reads like a vignette that illuminates larger trends in the history of dining in the South.”

Honorable mention: Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, “$10,000 for one Instagram post? How food influencers can make or break restaurants”

FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.

First place: Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, “The French Laundry remains so hot there’s a black market for reservations. Is it still worth the splurge?”

Judge’s comments: "The mark of great food criticism is that even when the writer doesn't give a restaurant high marks, their wit and commentary make you nonetheless want to share the meal with them. That was the case here.”

Second place: Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, “Where’s the snook whisperer? Making mariscos in a magical Inglewood backyard restaurant”

Judge’s comments: “The writer does an excellent job of transporting you to this backyard restaurant. When you start looking at your calendar to see if you can fly to that city anytime soon, you know you've read a good piece."

Third place:Jon Cheng, Star Tribune, “Review: Mara at the Four Seasons in Minneapolis reaches for the stars”

Judge’s comments: “Really nice job of conveying the sense of place and taste without verging into flowery overstatement.”

Honorable mention: Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, “In a storied Hollywood pub, Horses becomes a new modern L.A. institution”

FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. 

First place: Gale Holland, Christina House and Claire Hannah Collins, Los Angeles Times, “Hollywood’s Finest”

Judge’s comments: “Three tenacious women navigate the world of homelessness in a gripping series engineered by three women journalists. At its root, this can be seen as a story of motherhood facing down the challenges of addiction, childhood trauma and the social-services bureaucracy — a flower blossoming in cracked concrete — told with empathetic but clear-eyed mastery.”

Second place: Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, “A young dad clings to his only hope after a destructive COVID infection. It comes with a heavy price”

Judge’s comments: “An extraordinary tale of one family's Covid odyssey. Attention to medical detail is secondary to the human dimensions that bring these people to life on the page, thanks in large part to the work of photographer Godofredo Vásquez, who also served as translator. You root for this family every step of the way, and end with hope for their still-uncertain future -- and a hunger to learn what might lie ahead.”

Third place: Jessica Roy, Los Angeles Times, “My wallet was stolen at a bar. Then my identity theft nightmare began”

Judge’s comments: “Outstanding service journalism in the form of a first-person nightmare.”

Honorable mention: David Montgomery, The Washington Post, “Problems and Possibilities Facing American Democracy”

NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.

First place: Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe, “Kate Price remembers something terrible”

Judge’s comments: “Ten years ago, reporter Janelle Nanos heard an expert in sex trafficking speak about her own abuse as a child. The woman, Kate Price, remembered being abused by her father at her home – and also taken to rest areas where she was violated by interstate travelers, whose encounters had been arranged by her dad. Nanos was intrigued and spent a decade reporting the story and even confronting the father. Kate Price had remembered something awful, and because of Nanos's reporting, she eventually had proof that her memories were, indeed true. This is a Herculean effort, with gorgeous prose that illuminates a truly heinous crime. Journalism at its finest.”

Second place: Holly Yan, CNN, “A single mom’s 4 kids had to fend for themselves when tragedy struck. How a chance encounter years ago saved their future”

Judge’s comments: “Heartbreaking, and hopeful, tale of a mom and her four kids who struggled to survive until a chance encounter with another woman changed their lives. Compellingly written, with cliffhangers at the end of each segment that make it impossible to put down. CNN.com continues to be a standout in the field of long-form journalism.”

Third place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay Times, “In Gulfport, Ukrainian girls find sunshine — and refuge from war”

Judge’s comments: “This is a beautifully told look at how the Russian invasion has affected one Ukranian family. Lane DeGregory offers insightful vignettes of a mother and her two girls who relocated to Florida while the husband remains in his homeland, waiting to fight. What sticks with you are the small details that play out in monthly chapters.”

Honorable mention: Kiera Feldman, Los Angeles Times, “He worked from home and died suddenly. Five days passed before his body was found"; St. John Barned Smith, Houston Chronicle, “After 40 years, a murdered Houston couple has finally been identified. Where is their missing baby?”

FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.

First place: Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, “San Francisco’s Chinatown is caught between past and future”

Judge’s comments: “Christopher Reynold's traveling writing vividly conveys not just the destination, but the context of each unique location. Not just what a visitor would see, but the why. The people, the history, the changing landscape all weave through these compelling stories that are so much more than travelogues.”

Second place: Michael Rietmulder, The Seattle Times, Music Beat Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Michael Rietmulder is a master of his beat. His stories out of Seattle's music universe are written with energy and authority, a strong sense of place and the people who inhabit it. These stories sing.”

Third place: Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, Wine Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Esther Mobley's enterprising stories out of California's wine region illuminate the somewhat arcane industry in a way that makes for fascinating reading. They are deeply reported, yet easy to read. Dare I say, like a fine wine?”

FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.

First place: Scott Vogel, Newsday, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Newsday writer Scott Vogel’s engaging entries were crisp and quick-witted with a light and funny approach. After all, who hasn’t been tempted to just outsource a reasonable semblance of Thanksgiving dinner to Wendy’s, KFC and Popeyes? His pieces on a pair of brothers who take Halal dining by storm in Deer Park with their ‘crazy kebab’ creation and ‘Calamity Janes’ who turn to clamming for solace, friendship and dinner show how far-ranging food is in our lives.”

Second place: Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Soleil Ho’s reviews at the San Francisco Chronicle offer vivid food descriptions that make you feel as if you are sitting in the restaurant, dining right there next to her. As a champion for the diner, she is not afraid to say the quiet part out loud when former storied restaurants become perhaps not worth the energy, time and expense it takes to get a reservation let alone eat there.”

Third place: Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “It didn’t take new Free Press restaurant reviewer Lyndsay C. Green long to figure out that her dining experience wasn’t typical in Detroit’s Motor City, which has been in the spotlight because of a revived dining scene: She and her husband were often the only Black diners in the restaurant, and that included front of the house staff. Her stories examining the dining world from the Black perspective offer fresh insight into the food scene of the largely Black city.”

Honorable mention: Hanna Raskin, The Food Section, Portfolio

GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. Newsletters qualify here.

First place: Karim Shamsi-Basha, NJ Advance Media, “I am Muslim and I love Christmas. Don’t you? // 9/11 is a rough memory with jagged edges // The mystery and magic of my mother’s cooking”

Judge’s comments: “Karim Shamsi-Basha's personal writing will make you smile, laugh, tear up and think. Exceptional work.”

Second place: Eric Stinton, Honolulu Civil Beat, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Eric Stinton's stories about education and students are spot on and his words peel back the many layers of these young people, who have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. Well done storytelling.”

Third place:Leslie Gray Streeter, The Baltimore Banner, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Leslie Gray Streeter's writing is spirited and serious, and these stories showcase a talented collection of must-read articles. Also, this headline is everything: "Nancy Pelosi might represent California but she’s always Baltimore’s Italian auntie to me."

Honorable mention: Daysi Calavia-Robertson, NJ Advance Media,Portfolio

ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.

First place: Carolina Miranda, Los Angeles Times, Times, “Beyond the 6th Street Viaduct media alarmism. Lessons from a week on the new bridge.”

Judge’s comments: “I especially enjoyed the journal format to the Beyond the 6th Street Viaduct media alarmism. Lessons from a week on the new bridge. It included other people's experiences, and many people outside of the area may not know much about the bridge. A story like this can attract new readers to the website. I like the alternative format used. The other stories were well-written.”

Second place: Ashley Fetters Maloy, The Washington Post, Fashion criticism

Judge’s comments: “I enjoyed the topic for the fashion used. You analyzed a different generation of fashion used in a film that was popular to many. I felt this is a great way to draw a lot of readers to your stories. You offered a lot of insight and relevant detail. Your stories were a joy to read.”

Third place: Brad A. Johnson, The Orange County Register, Restaurant criticism

Honorable mention:Jerald Pierce, The Seattle Times, Arts criticism

SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.

First place: Kevin Armstrong, New Jersey Advance Media, “The Nomads of Summer”

Judge’s comments: “This story about an independent minor league team that played all its games on the road is so well written, and the whimsical tone is just right. Terrific detail and great use of quotes. A pleasure to read and an eloquent argument for long-form sports journalism.”

Second place: Olivia Carville, Bloomberg, “What Happened at the Stables”

Judge’s comments: “In this story examining sexual abuse in the sport of equestrian and the watchdog created in response, a tough subject is thoroughly examined. There's detailed and balanced reporting, and the writing is artful, with moving individual accounts that help bring the larger issues into focus.”

Third place: Ryan Lenora Brown, Insider, “The not-quite-redemption of South Africa's infamous ultra-marathon cheats”

Judge’s comments: “In this tale of South African brothers who cheated in an ultra-marathon, the story justifies the length. Great reporting and well written, finding the right balance and tone. Terrific detail gives the reader a sense of the principals and locale.”

Honorable mention: David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, “Meet the Savannah Bananas, who’ve captivated fans and MLB. ‘We exist to make baseball fun’”

VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.

First place: Tui McLean, Valeria Perasso and Claire Williams, BBC World Service, “The Last of Albania's Sworn Virgins”

Judge’s comments: “Two stories in one! Love the juxtaposition of the aunt and nieces views. Well shot, produced and edited. A nice peak inside a tradition unknown to most in the world.”

Second place: Amber Ferguson, The Washington Post, “She wanted Black sperm donor. There were none”

Judge’s comments: “Great production, the subject clearly felt comfortable sharing her journey. The multiple locations help.”

Third place: Monica Herndon, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Kalaya's Chef Chutatip 'Nok' Suntaranon goes home to Thailand”

Judge’s comments: “Both touching and informative. Great details about the subject’s background.”

Honorable mention: Blair Waltman-Alexin, Pete Ramirez, and Samantha Guzman, Decibel, Austin PBS, “Cooking Up The Dream”

BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. 

First place: Christina Barron, Alla Dreyvitser and Annaliese Nurnberg, The Washington Post, “Sea change: Ocean conservation successes offer hope and inspiration”

Judge’s comments: “This section is the best comprehensive coverage of people making a difference, fixing human destruction of oceans and recruiting a new generation of saviors. Excellent visuals.”

Second place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “How to Save a Life”

Judge’s comments: “Valuable material for educating readers about the mental health crisis. A great mix of first-person essays, especially by Sandhya Kambhampati, and an informative piece by Erica Crompton about how to help people in psychosis.”

Third place: Staff, San Francisco Chronicle, “The ultimate Highway 1 road trip”

Judge’s comments: “I couldn't help but be jealous of Clara Mokri. Great photos. This could be a travel book.”

Honorable mention: Staff, Boston Globe, “Bostonian of the Year: Bill Russell”

BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.

First place: Staff, Newsday, Newsday's “FeedMe” magazine

Judge’s comments: “Meet me on Long Island, we have a lot of eating to do. The sense of place, variety of topics and innovative/useful storytelling from the Newsday food team is hard to beat. You get a real taste of this vibrant scene, from the dishes to the people behind them. And the guides and maps can fill your social calendar for months. I’m saving that gelato map to bring with me when I do the Italy tour of Long Island. Seriously, don’t read these sections while hungry.”

Second place: Sue Campbell, Star Tribune News, Star Tribune magazine

Judge’s comments: “This was a close category. The Star Tribune's quarterly magazine is jam-packed with stories and photos that will make readers want to get out of their homes, even in freezing temperatures. Smart themes, from travel to lake towns to dining, well executed, will make readers want to keep these issues around for reference for months to come. Shoutout to the stories edition that highlighted on people’s struggles along with their successes, and the spotlight on a new generation of Minnesota adventurers.”

Third place:Jody Schmal and Melissa Aguilar, Houston Chronicle, “HC Magazine”

Judge’s comments: “Where to start – making a dent in the list of Houston’s top 100 restaurants or planning a Hill Country getaway using the Chronicle’s suggestion? Another delicious entry in this competitive category, the Chronicle’s magazine is a gorgeous window into living the good life in Texas’ biggest city.”

BEST CONSUMER/SERVICE FEATURES: Three stories focused on educating readers about topics that affect their everyday lives (e.g., health, retail prices, product availability) in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented, “news you can use” way. 

First place: Richard Sima, The Washington Post, “Brain Matters” column

Judge’s comments: “My ‘joy snack’ for today and likely for days to come was reading these timely columns that are so deceptively simple but so valuable and enjoyable coming from this trained and gifted neuroscientist/writer. Realizing the wondrous impact of joys that come in all sizes. The effect of gratitude on both giver and receiver, and why feeling tipsy can feel so good and so bad, too. Such a nice cross-section of work – OK, to crib from the writer: a joy. More than just a snack, too.”

Second place: Staff, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Service Desk

Judge’s comments: “This is good service journalism and a poignant community portrait all at once: The entrants' quest for 'lasting, useful, meaningful, relevant, local resources' has been met and exceeded - everyday issues in so many American communities are focused, well sourced and so much more than just a how-to list.”

Third place: Laura Coffey, Danielle Campoamor and Meghan Holohan, Today.com, “COVID's ongoing impacts on kids under 5 — and their exhausted parents — in early 2022”

Judge’s comments: “This was direct and sometimes tough to read, and a look, for many of us, at people who were facing the same fears through different situations: Will I get sick? Could my child die before I can get them vaccinated? Am I bringing a deadly virus home? COVID took so much from all of us, from how we lived to if we lived - and through the eyes of these parents and families, that anguish is palpable. As was pointed out so well, it's hard enough being a parent. Toss in a pandemic and ‘all bets are off.’"

Honorable mention: Crystal Paul, Maya Miller and Jackie Varriano, Seattle Times, “Tipping Guide”

BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.

First place: Myra Sack, Boston Globe, “Holding Havi”

Judge’s comments: “This is a powerful story of love and grief co-mingling as parents cope with their toddler daughter's incurable disease. They celebrated her life every week with ‘Shabbirthdays’ (combining Friday Shabbat and weekly birthdays). In doing so, they forged their own nontraditional path, allowing their grief to spur them to live in the moment and cherish their child's life.”

Second place: Rheana Murray, and Jared Crawford, Today.com, “Naming rights: Giving my mother back her name, 30 years after her death”

Judge’s comments: “In this beautifully told essay, a son who lost his mother at age nine completes a quest to have her name added to her unmarked grave. Its broader themes are loss, hope and enduring love.”

Third place: Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, “California’s abandoned homesteads fascinated me as a kid. Then my childhood home became one.”

Judge’s comments: “This piece is about the author's childhood home, which her family abandoned when they couldn't pay the mortgage, and then sat vacant for decades. The essay takes on unfair lending practices, squatting and gentrification, as well as describes the urge so many people feel later in life to visit their childhood homes. It is told with clarity, a sense of intrigue and nostalgia.”

Honorable mention: Janelle Harris Dixon, Shondaland, “Love Stories: Our Love Taught Me Anything Is Possible”

BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.

First place: Georgina Gustin, “Inside Climate News, Food Shocks”

Judge’s comments: “Georgina Gustin takes readers on a breathtaking journey to Africa, where she vividly reveals the deadly consequences of climate change on the people, animals and landscape. With her fluid writing she makes clear the complexities of science, policy and culture. Her stories are detailed yet not dense, intimate yet sweeping.”

Second place: Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Peter Hartlaub's stories are simply great reading: interesting and memorable. He starts with good ideas -- a Japanese family's internment saga; a Chintown Boy Scout troop's endurance; an archival re-creation of how the Transbay Tube was built. Each story unfolds in surprising ways, with context, strong characters and great use of dialogue.”

Third place: Jana Pruden, The Globe and Mail, Portfolio

Judge’s comments: “Jana Pruden shows range with her deeply reported story of a woman imprisoned for killing her abusive husband, the scourge of wild boars and the revival of roller skating. These stories are a strong reflection of the region and the people.”

Honorable mention: John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, Portfolio

INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES: The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or under covered communities through revelatory storytelling. 

First place: Alexis E. Barton, The Washington Post, “The Finer Things: My family poured love and joy into entertaining. Now it's my turn.”

Judge’s comments: “I love this piece for so many reasons! The way Alexis Barton conjures the memories of her grandmothers in glorious detail: I could just taste their bubbling peach cobblers and delicately creamy soups; detect the sweet scent of their Chanel No. 5 and Opium perfumes; and delight in their electric blue pedicures! This story brilliantly weaves themes of family, memory, Black joy and sorrow, and—put so beautifully by Ms. Barton—unapologetic celebration! This is a feature that reminds us to nurture our communities by telling the stories that might not seem as urgent or newsworthy, but are nonetheless a reminder of who we are and why we exist.”

Second place: Jessica Mendoza and Jingnan Peng, The Christian Science Monitor, “Say that Again?”

Judge’s comments: “It's clear that Jessica Mendoza and Jingnan Peng lead this project with the sense of curiosity and need for understanding that makes this series so compelling. This is feature writing at its best, only they have crafted *audio* narratives. No matter! Their solid writing and reporting comes through in each story — from the sources they interview to the questions each episode poses and aims to unpack. This series is full of honest questions and conversations, handled with the care and nuance these topics deserve.”

Third place: Amy Silverman, The Center for Public Integrity, “Million-dollar question: How to find safe homes for those with complex needs”

Judge’s comments: “Amy Silverman tells Zainab's story with empathy and honesty. Great reporters build a relationship of trust with sources, and this story is a testament to that. From Ms. Silverman's thorough reporting, we all gain a deeper understanding of a difficult and complex topic. Bravo to her and CPI for hosting these important conversations about human dignity and society's role in securing it for everyone.”

Honorable mention: Staff, Seattle Times, The Seattle Times’ A1 Revisited project

COMBINED DIVISION CATEGORIES

BEST PODCAST — NARRATIVE: An audio story, told in a narrative style, on lifestyle or culture coverage. 

First place: Ian Urbina, Ryan Ffrench and Michael Ward, Los Angeles Times, “The Outlaw Ocean”

Judge’s comments: This is a masterclass in chronicling one person's obsession and turning it into a multi-episode narrative arc that that never wavers from being fascinating, shocking and enlightening. And unlike so many podcasts that rely on tired wit from cookie cutter hosts, this collection allows the journalist with the obsession to guide us through the stories that kept him up at night. After listening to this, I'm not sure how any of us can view the ocean in a simplistic way again. A final note, this isn't just great podcasting, it's great journalism and storytelling. More podcasts should take notes.

Second place: Staff, Bloomberg, “In Trust”

Judge’s comments: “Wonderful composition to this podcast — both in form and ideation. It's the rare podcast that examines a topic never touched, and how it unfolds challenges us intellectually in all the ways good cultural journalism should.”

Third place: Staff, Center for Public Integrity, “The Heist Season 2: The Wealth Vortex”Judge’s comments: “This topic, inequity in banking and lending, shouldn't be this interesting. But the deft storytelling keeps us going through the stories of bias and innovation.”

Honorable mention: Hana Baba and Leila Day, Radiotopia and PRX, “The Stoop: Stories across the Black Diaspora”

BEST PODCAST — RECURRING SERIES: A regular, recurring podcast series that handles lifestyles or culture coverage.

First place: Staff, Bloomberg, “Foundering: The Amazon Story”

Judge’s comments: “If someone wanted to know how to turn deep investigative profiles into a podcast, this can be the style standard. The set up for each profile, along with the music, help prepare the listener for the juicy stuff ahead. I appreciate the shorter episodes, each ending with great teases to the next episodes. The use of clips and interviews are highly effective.”

Second place: Hana Baba, Leila Day, Radiotopia and PRX, “The Stoop: Stories across the Black Diaspora”

Judge’s comments: “Listening to this pod feels like you're listening in on two friends talking through their feelings about how Black culture is understood, experienced or portrayed across the world. You learn as much about the hosts as about the topics themselves, from people who live it.”

Third place: Bob Sullivan and Julie Getz, AARP, “The Perfect Scam”

Judge’s comments: “This show reveals all the insidious ways people can be scammed, and how it's likely to happen to any of us. Really appreciate the cliffhangers at the end of each opening episode, the recreation of events and the interview subjects chosen.”

Honorable mention: Saya,Anisa Khalifa, and Paroma Chakravarty, “Dramas Over Flowers”