Division 3, combined category winners of SFJ 2024 Excellence-in-Features journalism awards

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Society for Features Journalism’s Excellence-in-Features contest!

To be clear, winning this contest is no easy feat. Our judges fielded nearly 1,000 entries this year, so a huge congratulations goes to the three winners in each category. In some cases, limiting the winners to three simply could not be done, so there are a few ties and honorable mentions.

Read on to be inspired and amazed by your hardworking features colleagues.

The SFJ Board of Directors would like to extend its thanks to the many judges who volunteered their time to help SFJ celebrate the craft of storytelling in words, videos and podcasts.

These are the winners in Division 3, which include digital-only organizations, and the Combined categories, which feature podcasts. We’ve also included judges’ comments about the winners. First-place winners (except in Sweepstakes Awards) will receive a $300 prize.

Click here to see Division 1 winners or Division 2 winners.

Once again, congratulations to all, and thank you to everyone who entered this year’s contest!

DIVISION 3: Circulation 200,000 and up; digital-only organizations

FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: This honor recognizes the organizations in each division that have won the most awards. No entry is necessary. Instead, points are assigned for each of the winning entries: 20 points for first place, 15 points for second place, 10 points for third place and 5 points for honorable mention. The organizations with the highest number of points receive the sweepstakes awards.

First place: The Washington Post. First-place awards in general feature (999 words or fewer), arts and culture criticism portfolio, arts and entertainment feature, sports feature, food feature, special section, special product and feature writing portfolio. Second-place awards in general feature (999 words or fewer), sports feature, food criticism, visual storytelling and utility feature portfolio. Third-place awards in narrative storytelling, food writing portfolio and utility feature portfolio. Honorable mention awards in general feature (2,499 words+), food feature, feature series or project, general commentary, food writing portfolio and visual storytelling.

Second place: Los Angeles Times. First-place award in food feature, food criticism and feature beat specialty writing. Second-place awards in feature beat specialty writing, food criticism, arts and culture criticism portfolio, feature series or project, and podcasting (recurring series). Third-place awards in general feature (1,000-2,499 words) and arts and entertainment feature. Honorable mention award in arts and culture criticism portfolio.

Third place (TIE): Boston Globe. First-place awards in general feature (1,000-2,499 words), general commentary portfolio and podcast (recurring series). Second-place award in narrative storytelling. Honorable mention award in feature beat writing portfolio.

Third place (TIE): NJ Advance Media | NJ.com. First-place award in feature series or project. Second-place award in narrative storytelling, special section, and inclusion and representation in features. Third-place award in visual storytelling and podcast (narrative). Honorable mention awards in narrative storytelling and food criticism.

GENERAL FEATURE (2,500+ words): Longform storytelling at its finest

First place: Edgar Sandoval, The New York Times, Two children, a burst of gunfire and the year that came after.
Judge’s comment: Heart wrenching look at Uvalde survivors one year after the mass shooting. The reporter succeeded at delving deeply into the lives of two children who underwent surgeries and physical therapy and who still struggle with the psychological effects of what they witnessed. The ability to gain such trust and access speaks to great skill, and the writing is simply elegant.

Second place: Sydney Brownstone, The Seattle Times, Lost patients.
Judge’s comment: The story of one woman illuminates the lives of thousands of others sent to a mental institution. Told with respect and detail, the past becomes present. A multimedia approach added to the depth of reporting.

Third place: Matt Kempner, Colleen McMillar, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Dancer
Judge’s comment: The writer takes you through hope, loss and tragedy — and suspense. Nice multi-media package with video.

Honorable mention: Maura Judkis, The Washington Post, Washington is full of rats. These dogs are happy to help with that.

GENERAL FEATURE (1,000-2,499 words): Feature storytelling at its finest

First place: Malcolm Gay, Boston Globe, Enslaved potter David Drake searched for his family. More than 150 years later, they’ve found him.
Judge’s comment: Powerful story, beautifully written and researched, as a genealogist tracked down a potter who included pleas in his work. This brings stunning history to light. What the museum does next should be watched. Best in this category.

Second place: Adam Szetela, The Guardian, Can anyone still make it as a country singer in Nashville?
Judge’s comment: Fascinating story, well detailed, on a challenge that everyone would find interesting. For every country star there are many people like this, struggling to get by. A reality check.

Third place: Vanessa Arredondo, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco and L.A. failed to reduce pedestrian deaths. One girl’s killing shows why.
Judge’s comment: Every parent's nightmare highlights a major problem in public safety that governments can't solve. Compelling details, heartbreaking storytelling. Let's hope these cities can address this.

Honorable mention: Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, Music PR’s Mr. And Mrs. Smith.

GENERAL FEATURE (999 words or fewer): Excellence in short feature writing

First place: Travis M. Andrews, The Washington Post, What’s ‘love’ got to Drew with it?
Judge’s comment: This feature is my favorite kind of journalism: thoughtful, witty writing that observes a cultural nugget and expands it into something meaningful and poetic. The subject is original, the lede is a killer, and the varied observations are sharp. Not a word is wasted. I think a person is better after they've read Travis M. Andrews' essay than before.

Second place: Michael Cavna, The Washington Post, The art of capturing Trump in court.
Judge’s comment: When major news breaks, journalists often scramble to find any little entry point to break out into a separate story. Though small in scope compared to the big Trump trial headlines, this feature is essential. Michael Cavna writes a snappy profile of a person whose pencil sketched history. The story maintains a light, effortless tone throughout without ever downplaying the gravity of the moment. It's a great example of giving the reader a story they didn't know they wanted until they read it.

Third place: Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, The GOAT whisperer.
Judge’s comment: Jason Lipshutz writes an impeccably focused and interest-packed profile of a behind-the-scenes luminary. The details included about stars like Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney help place the reader in the subject's shoes and capture the wonder of a surreal career.

Honorable mention: Alexandra Martinez, Hyperallergic, Artist Malcolm Lauredo is Miami’s unconventional historian.

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

First place: Geoff Edgers, The Washington Post, Tiffany Haddish wants it all.
Judge’s comment: A compelling, revealing and strongly written profile on comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish. A must-read feature.

Second place: Meaghan Garvey, Billboard, Deliverance.
Judge’s comment: A riveting and gripping profile on rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again.

Third place: Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, Netflix turns to South Korean writers and crews as Hollywood strikes. But they feel exploited too.
Judge’s comment: Informative and newsworthy.

Honorable mention: Earl Hopkins, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Meet the Philly artist who counts Shaq, Kevin Hart and Brooke Shields among his fans.

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

First place: Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, How two friends sparked L.A.’s sushi obsession – and changed the way America eats.
Judge’s comment: The story deftly weaves together a compelling personal story with the history of how sushi came to America. A subtle tour de force.

Second place: Hanna Raskin, TheFoodSection.com, Shoot, that’s good barbecue.
Judge’s comment: The piece shows what happens when you have a clear eyed and smart writer who deeply knows their beat and the region they cover.

Third place: Esther Mobley and Yoohyun Jung, San Francisco Chronicle, It sparked California's $40 billion wine industry. But what if it was all wrong?
Judge’s comment: The compelling story both demystifies the past and gives us a potential glimpse of the future.

Honorable mention: Anahad O’Connor and Aaron Steckelberg, The Washington Post, Melted, pounded, extruded: Why many ultra-processed foods are unhealthy.

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

First place: Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, Villa’s Taco is the essential taqueria that only L.A. could dream up.
Judge’s comment: This Bill Addison piece does everything a great review aspires to do. A mix of deep background, an infusion of light and oxygen to breathe big life into a smaller restaurant concept and tasting notes that transcend the esoteric and give us a real sense of knife, fork, table and taste.

Second place: Tim Carman, The Washington Post, The 10 best burgers in the D.C. area.
Judge’s comment: They should charge 10x the subscription rate for reader-service pieces this thoroughly researched, this focused on the service region and this well-written. It's like 10 reviews under the banner of a contextual essay that establishes Tim Carman's expertise while pulling us into childhood experiences that resonate within each of us.

Third place: Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times, The top 30 best tacos in Western Washington. Our food critic ate 500 tacos to come up with this list.
Judge’s comment: Food styles and foodways are never confined to the regions in which they were born. Like wildflowers, their seeds are carried on the wind by the people who found new places to bloom. That's the story of Washington tacos told here by Tan Vinh, a story born of days, nights and miles on the road. I learned about taco styles, about the people who bring them to life — and the places not only from which they came, but the places they now call home. This piece is a powerful expression of the power of lists as a storytelling vehicle.

Honorable mention: Jeremy Schneider, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com, N.J.'s hottest chef just opened a new restaurant. This time, it's personal.

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

First place: Spencer Kent and Andre Malok, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com, The Stranger in the Mirror
Judge’s comment: This captivating tale pulls the reader in from the first sentence. The story recounts the traumatic and painful odyssey a 20-year-old man takes to receive face and double-hand transplants after suffering disfiguring and life-threatening burns over 70% of his body. Gripping, unflinching detail and excellent storytelling highlight this entry, and the accompanying documentary augments the powerful account.

Second place: August Brown, Stacy Perman and Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, Behind the calamitous fall of hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Judge’s comment: This insightful, well-reported story examines four lawsuits filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs, months before recent video footage proved the fallen music mogul had acted violently toward women. This powerful, revealing report offers eye-opening, eye-witness accounts from people who have worked with or had dealings or relationships with Combs stating that despite the “good guy” image he cultivated, he long has had a history of violence against women – and men.

Third place: Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, The Climate Generation: Born into crisis, building solutions
Judge’s comment: This comprehensive, yearlong project takes reporters to Bangladesh, Barbados, Canada, Germany, Namibia, Portugal, Turkey and the United States. In this fascinating and compelling report, they talk with young people around the globe fighting the varied effects of climate change in very different ways. The colorful, well-written stories also speak to the connections among the young climate change fighters worldwide. The impressive package also includes a podcast, a Facebook Live event and an animated video introduction to the project.

Honorable mention: Staff, The Washington Post, The Best Pizza in America

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

First place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay Times, The Fifth Sense.
Judge’s comment: This masterful storyteller has done it again. At a time when the world was fearing the loss of smell because of COVID, Lane DeGregory gives us a tale about a woman who might – just might – be regaining that sense after 34 years with the help of medical marijuana. Here’s how the story starts: “The first smell was lemon. At least she thought it was lemon.” With that, we’re off for a rollicking ride that is personal, emotional and educational. And it’s the mystery – is the woman once again able to smell? – that makes it impossible to put down.

Second place: Felice Freyer, Boston Globe, Three siblings with cystic fibrosis bonded over daily struggles. Then came a breakthrough drug.
Judge’s comment: This tale follows three siblings and their battle with cystic fibrosis – and how a new drug changed their lives by helping them overcome the ravages of the disease. Masterfully told, the story offers readers a wealth of information about both the ailment and the breakthrough drug but never loses sight of the humanity. We get to know Jessie, Josh and Becky, and we root for their triumphs and mourn their setbacks. And we come away with a better understanding of the disease and the “miracle pills” that are changing lives.

Third place: Dan Zak, The Washington Post, The testing of East Palestine.
Judge’s comment: This is a fascinating look at the train derailment that spewed toxic chemicals into the air in East Palestine, Ohio, told through the eyes of two people who survived – one who left the town and one who stayed. By focusing on small moments, writer Dan Zak tells the big story in a dramatic and compelling fashion.

Honorable mention: Spencer Kent, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com., The stranger in the mirror.

FEATURES BEAT SPECIALTY 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: Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times
Judge’s comment: Take Daniel Hernandez’s three stories with you when you visit Mexico City. All offer insight and expertise in an engaging way — delightfully written, vivid and detailed. The sights, smells and sounds echo through each paragraph. The interactive restaurant map is particularly helpful.

Second place: Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times
Judge’s comment: Three stories about the challenges in rural education in northern California. Deeply reported, revealing details and strong use of quotes. These stories make readers care about the topic and the individuals, and exposes what happens when state policy ignores the realities of a powerless constituency. The reporter clearly spent time with her subjects to earn their trust. The story of a sometimes-homeless teen excelling despite her circumstances is a powerful tale this judge won't soon forget.

Third place (TIE): Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News
Judge’s comment: Three stories that explore the real-life stories of people at the center of vaccine conspiracies. These are well-documented and thoroughly reported stories that are complicated and nuanced, told with clarity and strong pacing. She demystifies RFK Jr. as well as the less famous individuals swept up in the news.

Third place (TIE): Jason Nark, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Judge’s comment: Jason Nark excels at finding singular individuals to profile in rural Pennsylvania. His writing captivates from the opening lines, and he uses quotes with precision to paint vivid portraits. Descriptive and detailed, these stories are haunting.

FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three food stories, columns or reviews by the same writer

First place: Joseph Lamour, Today.com
Judge’s comment: Joseph’s stories sing with great writing and humor, all anchored by great reporting. I was pulled into every story.

Second place: Elena Kadvany, San Francisco Chronicle
Judge’s comment: Elena’s stories are local, but written with enough zing and context that even this judge halfway across the country was pulled in. The reporting is strong, and the stories benefit from Elena's willingness to show her subjects’ flaws.

Third place: Emily Heil, The Washington Post
Judge’s comment: Consumer food and recipe writing is hard, too often put together as a laundry list of items and perfunctory intros grasping at a time peg. But Emily does a great job of injecting humor, personality and perspective into her stories without making them about her.

Honorable mention: Aaron Hutcherson, The Washington Post

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: Kara Baskin, Boston Globe
Judge’s comment: Kara Baskin’s column about her struggle with anxiety is a raw, personal and brave reflection so compelling — and likely so common in society — that it undoubtedly will resonate with many readers. And it could help them. It also could help open the eyes of lawmakers and mental health officials about the need for more access to mental-health care for those who need help but aren’t in an immediate, life-threatening crisis. With this column and her columns on helicopter parents and old friends, she takes new and different approaches to topics that will be relevant and interesting to a broad audience. And her writing is a level of sophistication above the rest — crisp and conversational, lively and full of such rich detail that it pulls the reader into the scenes she paints.

Second place: Maggie Gordon, Houston Landing
Judge’s comment: Maggie Gordon’s columns about what it’s like to walk a lot of miles in other people’s shoes stand out because of the creative approach she takes to showing readers, rather than telling readers, about the lives of people who can barely afford shoes. This columnist gets out of the office and into the streets to provide riveting details about what it’s like to be someone else — what it’s like to shop for groceries when you live in a food desert and don’t have a car, or what it’s like to walk to school along wide, busy streets with no sidewalks. Gordon’s immersion in the topics allow her to write with authority and incredible detail.

Third place: Jodi Rudoren, Forward
Judge’s comment: Jodi Rudoren isn’t afraid to admit she was wrong in her knowledge about Israel and Gaza, and it made for a compelling personal approach to exploring the conflict there immediately after Hamas attacked and killed Jews in Israel. Her column revealing the messages in artwork about that day of terror was riveting. And a column about how to answer the questions children raise in such a moment is both tear-inducing and informative for children and adults.

Honorable mention: Monica Hesse, The Washington Post

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: Rachel Tashjian, The Washington Post
Judge’s comment: Love the writing. The three pieces combine interesting writing, good choice of topic and expertise in a way that makes this my favorite of all the entries.

Second place: Carolina Miranda, Los Angeles Times
Judge comment: Whether I was reading about the Sphere or Sombrita or El Presidio Plaza, I found myself transported to the place through the writer's words. Fun where appropriate, sober and reflective where appropriate — I was driven to keep reading and learned quite a bit along the way.

Third place: Jon Bream, Star Tribune News
Judge’s comment: So many Taylor Swift stories crossed my desk, but the texture in the one shared here is just fantastic. Great writing overall.

Honorable mention: Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times

SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment on any sports topic

First place: Sally Jenkins, The Washington Post, Bitter rivals. Beloved friends.
Judge’s comment: A compelling tale beautifully reported and written, and the narrative arc is cinematic.

Second place: Kent Babb, The Washington Post, Football bonded them. Its violence tore them apart.
Judge’s comment: The reporting, character description and narrative structure are terrific. It builds suspense that keeps you reading.

Third place: Kevin Armstrong, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com, Death at the racetrack.
Judge’s comment: Such terrific description and color. The characters really come to life. And the structure is spot on.

Honorable mention: Barbara Laker and David Gambacorta, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Field of dread.

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

First place: Blair Waltman-Alexin, Decibel | Austin PBS, Are there still doves in Dove Springs?
Judge’s comment: "Are There Still Doves in Dove Springs?" is a standout entry that delightfully blends creative visual storytelling with smart, playful writing to investigate the fate of the titular birds in one Austin neighborhood. The vibrant soundtrack, breadth of visuals spanning city landscapes and sprawling nature, and expertly crafted, quirky narration, transforms a potentially dry or niche topic into an engaging exploration. Hilariously whimsical animations are the cherry on top of this enjoyable piece that both educates and entertains.

Second place: Drea Cornejo and Jayne Orenstein, The Washington Post, The women racing to stop America’s maternal mortality crisis.
Judge’s comment: “The Women Racing to Stop America’s Maternal Mortality Crisis” draws on personal accounts, striking news audio, grim data, expert and activist commentary, and in-depth reporting to paint a stark reality of the country’s Black maternal mortality epidemic. Subtle scoring and a wealth of compelling, docu-style visuals usher viewers from exam rooms to public rallies, while profiling those on the front lines. Rich and layered reporting uncovers the deep-rooted racism, classism and gender discrimination fueling this public health crisis.

Third place: Andre Malok, Natalie Paterson, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com, Dead whales at Jersey Shore stir up emotion, speculation about offshore wind.
Judge’s comment: “Dead Whales at Jersey Shore” blends haunting, disturbing footage with a somber soundtrack and raw, first-person accounts to build a sense of urgency and impending doom about mounting whale deaths in the area. Impassioned reporting coupled with emotional interviews from locals and officials, portrays a sobering reality of what some believe to be an emerging ecological crisis. While footage of the deceased whale is beautifully shot and undeniably powerful, the piece could benefit from a greater variety of visuals and/or visual storytelling techniques. Overall, this is a very poignant report.

Honorable mention: Drea Cornejo, Jayne Orenstein, The Washington Post, How a python hunter is saving native species in Florida.

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

First place: Staff, The Washington Post, 50 hip-hop artists share 50 songs they love.
Judge’s comment: Bright, interactive and super-fun. This is a must-see and must-read project celebrating 50 years of hip-hop.

Second place: Staff, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com, The stranger in the mirror.
Judge’s comment: Very moving.

Third place: Food staff, San Francisco Chronicle, Why we adore Anderson Valley.
Judge’s comment: Great layout and read.

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: Tom Sietsema, The Washington Post, Spring and Fall Dining Guides 2023
Judge’s comment: Strong writing, clear opinions, gorgeous (and mouth-watering) photography — those elements alone make these entries memorable. The digital presentation, including a well-thought-out quick navigation system, make these guides a vital bookmark for your laptop or phone.

Second place: Sue Campbell, Star Tribune News, Star Tribune Magazine
Judge’s comment: The Star Tribune Magazine goes out with the same quality it's had for years: an interesting mix of subjects, evocative writing and beautiful photos. The strong sense of place that comes through all is hard to find in today's journalism landscape. This gem of a magazine will be missed.

Third place: Staff, Newsday, FeedMe Magazine
Judge’s comment: This was a competitive category and Newsday's food team rises to the top 3 yet again. Strong themes, thoughtful writing and a sense of fun saturate these beautiful guides. Book your flight to the East Coast and bring your loose pants.

UTILITY FEATURE PORTFOLIO: 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: Jennifer Mascia, TheTrace.org
Judge’s comment: These stories showed an outstanding use of data journalism and research to understand a societal issue. I am just in awe at the research this reporter shared with the readers.

Second place: Teddy Amenabar, The Washington Post
Judge’s comment: These topics are excellent, unique and are a great way to include the younger audience as readers. They also focus on trending issues and topics. I was very impressed.

Third place: Gretchen Reynolds, The Washington Post
Judge’s comment: These articles were very good as the topics were fresh, empowered different people to do different health and fitness routines. The stories were engaging to different readers.

Honorable mention: Erin McCarthy, The Philadelphia Inquirer

FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAY: 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: Amanda Joy Calhoun, The Emancipator, A patient called me a racial slur. Unfortunately, my experience is universal.
Judge’s comment: This essay stands out for its powerful and raw portrayal of racism in medicine. It conveys the emotional and psychological impact of being subjected to racial slurs and the broader systemic issues within healthcare. The author's clear and candid writing style makes it a strong and impactful piece.

Second place: Catherine Shields and Rheana Murray, Today.com, I had to overcome my shame of being a mom to a child with a disability.
Judge’s comment: This essay is deeply moving and honest, shedding light on the journey of a mother coming to terms with her own perception of her child's disability. The author's vulnerability and resilience are beautifully conveyed. The piece is well-structured and engaging, offering a powerful message about acceptance and love.

Third place: Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times, Tuesdays with Murray: 5 life lessons from a Seattle bartending folk hero.
Judge’s comment: This essay is engaging and uplifting, offering a tribute to a beloved bartender and Seattle "third spaces." The narrative captures the essence of Murray, is well-written and charming, blending humor and wisdom. While it may not carry the same emotional heartbreak that other eulogies brought to this category, it provides a meaningful and enjoyable story that casually challenges the reader to be a better human.

Honorable mention: Mary Forrest Engel and Rebecca Dube, Today.com, The week I spent with my son after he died.

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

First place: Jesús Rodríguez, The Washington Post
Judge’s comment: Jesús Rodríguez's portfolio stands out for his skilled reporting, storytelling and attention to incredible little details. The brilliant quotes sprinkled throughout the stories showcase his knack of asking the right questions and getting people to answer them.

Second place: John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press
Judge’s comment: Beautiful is the best way to describe this portfolio. John Carlisle's engaging writing style is not only thorough but also illuminating from beginning to end.

Third place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay Times
Judge’s comment: Lane DeGregory's solid narrative structure is powerful, vivid and revelatory. It's hard not to get emotional reading her stories.

Honorable mention: Christopher Muther, Boston Globe

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

First place: Justin Agrelo, Chicago Survivor Storytelling Network, thetrace.org, Chicago Shooting Survivors, In their Own Words
Judge’s comment: The Trace's “Chicago Shooting Survivors, In Their Own Words” is a shining example of how journalism can be a powerful force for empowering communities to tell their own stories. Rather than simply reporting on the impact of gun violence in Chicago, Justin Agrelo and The Trace team helped survivors develop their writing skills and gave them the platform to share their experiences in their own words. By centering the voices of those most directly affected and collaborating with them as partners, this project challenges traditional assumptions about the role of journalism. It demonstrates how we as journalists can use our skills and resources to uplift and amplify the stories that matter most to the communities we serve. The resulting collection of personal essays brings nuance, texture, and humanity to an issue that is too often reduced to statistics and stereotypes. Projects like this remind us of the transformative potential of journalism when it is practiced with intentionality, compassion, and a deep commitment to empowering others.

Second place: Karim Shamsi-Basha, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com, Dishes and Dreams
Judge’s comment: In "Dishes and Dreams," Karim Shamsi-Basha invites us into the homes of 10 Arab American families in New Jersey, and shows us how the flavors and rituals of home cooking are a powerful source of connection, comfort, and identity for immigrant communities. In this beautiful ethnography of a diverse community, Shamsi-Basha also deftly weaves in the political and personal context of the Arab American experience, acknowledging the tragedy of war and displacement while also celebrating the resilience and humanity of those who "dare to embrace their lofty dreams." His own story, of leaving his homeland of Syria as a college student, adds an extra layer of poignancy to the piece. As he writes, "Beyond the ideas of dishes and dreams, these are stories of our shared canvas of humanity, beaming with a million colors." This piece is a stunning example of how food writing can be an instrument for cultural understanding and connection.

Third place: Erin Allday, Salgu Wissmath, San Francisco Chronicle, ‘It’s kind of like putting on armor’: How clothing can spark euphoria for transgender people.
Judge’s comment: In “‘It's kind of like putting on armor’: How clothing can spark euphoria for transgender people," the San Francisco Chronicle shows how fashion plays a role in the lives of transgender individuals. The judges selected this piece because it puts forth a clear and compelling point of view: that the clothes we chose to wear are a fundamental part of the human experience, especially for those whose gender identity has been marginalized or suppressed. These profiles offer a nuanced and intimate portrait of the challenges and joys of finding clothes that align with one's true self. This piece is a great example of how journalism can uplift and celebrate the diversity of the human experience.

COMBINED DIVISION CATEGORIES

PODCAST – NARRATIVE: An audio story told in a narrative story or lifestyle or cultural coverage

First place: Maurice Chammah, Dave Anderson and Tom Fuller, The Marshall Project, Smoke Screen: Just say you’re sorry.
Judge’s comment: A masterful examination of an often overlooked problem of an unjust justice system. Part of the mastery is making us so invested in the villain, and why his genius is so controversial as well as compelling. Beyond that, this series carries the weight that could change real lives and impact future matters of police interrogation. Also, it's damn entertaining. I couldn't wait to get to the next episode. That's a testament to the craft of this series.

Second place: Jana Pruden, Kasia Mychajlowycz, The Globe and Mail, In her defence.
Judge’s comment: This is a compelling story and treated without the sensationalism of a cliched "dateline" motif. But two things stand out as exemplary: 1. It uses the story to relate the darkness that hides under the romanticized idea of what rural life can be. It destroys stereotypes in the process. 2. The series made the wise decision to let the “characters” tell their stories, without interruptions, without unnecessary interjections from the “hosts.” That choice provides chilling realism and surprising empathy in a dark narrative.

Third place: Matthew Stanmyre, NJ Advance Media | NJ.com, Lights out: The loss of a lifetime.
Judge’s comment: Sports narratives are often lost in bluster, hyperbolized heroism and the gaze of fandom. What this series does so well is get beyond the moments of glory that live in legend to show us the fallout of that fantastical performance. Some of that fallout is pleasant, some of it is distressing. Through it all we get an accurate portrait of the weight that's attached to the mythology around American athletes, and how that weight can be a burden or a blessing. We need more sports reporting like this, work that isn't beholden to the “sports gods” and fans with short attention spans.

Honorable mention: Staff, Long Lead, and Staff, Campside Media, Long shadow: Rise of the American far right.

PODCAST – RECURRING SERIES: A regular, recurring podcast series that handles lifestyle or culture coverage

First place: Jesse Remedios, Ivy Scott and Meredith Goldstein, Boston Globe, We found love, from the Love Letters podcast.
Judge’s comment: A lovely and honest series. I really appreciate how the hosts shared their own biases going into the stories and how much time was given to subjects to tell their stories. I got the sense the show was truly about their experiences, without dramatization or judgment. The series shows that love is ultimately not a feeling, but a series of actions, behaviors and commitments — and that it can happen to anyone, anywhere.

Second Place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, The ‘G-word’: The slur you didn’t know was a slur.
Judge’s comment: It’s clear the staff put a lot of time, effort and care into telling this story about the Romani people. I felt a little torn as a listener between wanting a deep narrative about the main character or wanting a more documentary-style narrated story.

Third Place: Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, Why we wrote this.
Judge’s comment: Behind-the-scenes stories are always fun to hear about, so I appreciate how this podcast allows the journalists to share their personal experiences. Would be fun to make each episode fuller, and treat it like its own news product in addition to being a companion to a story.