The Arizona Press Club’s journalism awards recognize the best in writing/reporting, design, audio, video and photojournalism by journalists in the state. This contest will accept entries from Arizona-based journalists originally published in 2025.

Deadline Extended: April 26 MAY 4, 2026.

Contest platform: Enter by registering, submitting your entries and paying entry feeds at www.newspapercontest.com/azpc.

See the complete rules and comprehensive directions on how to enter.

THE RULES FOR WRITING/REPORTING, DESIGN, AUDIO, VIDEO AND PHOTOJOURNALISM

ELIGIBILITY

Journalists are considered members of the Arizona Press Club if they work in the production of news for any Arizona newspaper, online news site, periodical, newsletter, or news service whose primary purpose is to inform the public rather than to sell products or promote a business, government, nonprofit organization or ideology. Journalists for radio and TV news outlets are eligible to enter written reporting published online. Broadcast audio/visual reports are not eligible except in specific audio and visual categories (except for Community News Outlet of the Year and Virg Hill Journalist of the Year.) 

All photographers (staff, part-time, freelance, contract and college student) are eligible if they are Arizona residents who had their work published in print or online by a news organization during 2025. Wire service and agency photographers based in Arizona are eligible.

Entries must have been originally published in 2025.

All entries must have been produced for the editorial department of an Arizona publication, media outlet, news website or wire service. Work produced for advertising, marketing or other departments is not eligible. Eligible publications must have editorial independence and exist primarily to produce reporting. Advocacy groups that publish news stories are not eligible.

Stories reported or written by or for publications or websites based outside Arizona are not eligible.

DEADLINE

Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Arizona time, May 4, 2026. All entries must be submitted online at www.newspapercontest.com/azpc.

CATEGORIES

All categories can be entered by any journalist in the state, including students.

Spanish-language publications may enter any of the English-language categories, provided that all stories, headlines and captions are translated into English.

Journalists for student/school-run publications, including college/university newspapers and wire services, should enter the Student Division.

MEMBERSHIP AND ENTRY FEES

Eligible journalists who wish to be club members without entering the contest should go to the contest page and select a club membership and proceed to payment without submitting contest entries. Thank you for your support!

$10 per entry for Student categories

$15 per entry for Statewide categories

The Big 3

Virg Hill Journalist of the Year: $25 to enter (can include audio, video or written entries.)

Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year: $25 to enter

Community News Outlet of the Year: $25 to enter (can include audio, video or written entries.)

PAYMENT

Unpaid entries will not be considered. Improperly submitted entries will be disqualified.

STAFF ENTRIES

Entries with five or more contributors should be submitted as a Staff Entry.

JUDGING

Entries will be judged by out-of-state journalists selected by the Arizona Press Club Board of Directors. Judges’ decisions are final, unless winning entries do not conform to APC rules.

If there is a tie for first place, no second-place award is given. If there is a tie for second, no third-place award is given.

ETHICS AND DISQUALIFICATION

The Arizona Press Club promotes ethical journalism and recognizes that contest rules cannot envision every potential breach of professional standards. The club reserves the right to disqualify any entry or withdraw any award based on ethical violations or violations of the rules, as deemed by the board. Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. If an entry is disqualified, the prize will be awarded to the next-place winner. Disqualified entrants will forfeit their entry fees.

GRIEVANCE POLICY

For problems, concerns and complaints about the contest, the contest chairperson shall notify the executive officers. The committee will rule on the matter or forward it to the full Press Club board for final approval.

DISCLAIMER

The Arizona Press Club is not responsible for lost entries but will take reasonable care processing the entries.

ENTRY PROCEDURES

• Journalists should use the field provided on the entry form to explain the size of their outlet or newsroom, resources available to them during the reporting process, challenges faced and impact, if any.
• List headlines or images completely to help identify entries.
• Entries must be submitted exactly as they were published. URLs to online versions can be submitted; for content not available online, content can be uploaded elsewhere as PDFs, doc or docx files and a link provided.
• Multiple story entries for categories should reflect sustained coverage of a single issue or topic, not overall beat reporting. (Example: A collection of stories about the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or about drunken driving enforcement would be eligible; a collection of stories about different police agencies or unrelated topics would not be eligible.)
• Enter as many times and in as many categories as desired. However, no story may be submitted more than once, except that stories entered in other categories may also be used to enter Journalist of the Year-level categories and other exceptions only as noted.
• If a story is entered in more than one category, the Arizona Press Club board will determine the single best category to have it judged in, and remove it from contention in the other categories, at the board’s sole discretion. A refund for invalid and/or excess entries may be provided, at the board’s discretion.
• Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. If an entry is disqualified, the prize will be awarded to the next winner. Disqualified entrants will forfeit their entry fees.

PART II

THE CATEGORIES

SPANISH-LANGUAGE PUBLICATIONS

Unless otherwise noted, entries are strictly limited to a maximum of five stories or pieces of work. Sidebars count toward the total. (Example: Four stories plus a sidebar is a valid entry. Four stories plus two sidebars is not.) Column categories have a different story count; see specific rules for each.

Spanish-language news reporting: A single story or up to five stories about one news event or issue.

Spanish-language feature reporting: A single story or up to five stories that reflect how people live their daily lives.

Spanish-language commentary/analysis:

CATEGORIES

Categories are intended to honor the work of any Arizona journalist from any size of publication. All entries, except if specifically noted otherwise, are strictly limited to a maximum of five stories or pieces of work. Sidebars count toward the total. (Example: Four stories plus a sidebar is a valid entry. Four stories plus two sidebars is not.) Many categories have a different story count; see specific rules for each.

The Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting: One or more pieces on a single subject – published on a single day, or over the course of the year – that are the result of extensive research and original investigation. The winning entry will uncover corruption, incompetence or systemic problems in an area of high public interest and importance. A one-page letter, explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories, is optional.

Public service journalism: One or more pieces on a single subject – published on a single day, or over the course of the year – that serve the public good. May include sidebars. A one-page letter explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories is optional.

Breaking news: A single day’s reporting of one or more pieces of unscheduled news on a single subject. May include sidebars. Entries should be reported and written in a single shift. A one-page letter explaining deadline circumstances is optional.

Justice system reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of law enforcement, courts, corrections, fire and rescue, or related areas.

John Kolbe Politics Reporting Award: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of local, state or federal political issue or election-related coverage.

Health and social issues reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of healthcare or social issues. Social issues may include faith and religion, social services and the poor, families and children, aging and substance abuse.

Environmental reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic or trend related to natural resources, ecology, environmental policy, science or human interaction with nature.

Education reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic related to education.

Immigration reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific event or topic about immigration and related issues.

Business reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns on a specific aspect of business, finance or consumer issues.

Sports reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, about a specific sport, team, issue, athlete or sporting event. This category is open to news, features and investigative reporting.

Column, opinion and editorial writing: Three pieces identified as columns written with a focus on reporting news, explaining recent events or telling a human-interest story, including sports; or, three opinion pieces expressing the views of a publication as an institution, whether signed or unsigned.

Personality profile and human interest writing: A single story or up to five stories that give an in-depth look at an individual or a specific group of people, or that demonstrate excellent use of narrative voice.

Arts, food and beverage reporting and criticism: Three stories that explore events, personalities or trends about food, theater, visual arts, music, movies, fashion or similar subjects. Entries may be written from the author’s point of view.

Short-form audio storytelling: A single audio story or series on any subject. Entries should be under two-minutes and may include podcasts or radio broadcasts.

Long-form audio storytelling: A single audio story or series on any subject. Entries should be longer than two-minutes and may include podcasts or radio broadcasts.

Podcast: Up to three episodes.

Video storytelling: A single video story or series on any subject.

Newsletter: Up to five samples

Photojournalism – Picture Story: (10 images max.)

Photojournalism – News: A single photograph from a news event.

Photojournalism – Feature: A single photograph of a “found” situation that features strong human interest, or a fresh view of an everyday scene.

Photojournalism – Pictorial: A single picture that explores a graphic or aesthetic moment with emphasis on composition.

Photojournalism – Sports: A single picture that captures a news or feature event, including peak sports action or emotion or other reaction among athletes and fans.

DESIGN CATEGORIES

Print page design portfolio: Up to three pages of a publication

Digital project design portfolio: Up to three pages of a website or newsletter

STUDENT JOURNALISM

Work in these categories must have been published in a student news outlet. Students who wish to enter work published elsewhere should enter the Statewide category.

Student news reporting: A single story or up to five stories about one news event or issue. Entries may include investigative reporting that includes extensive research and original investigation. Sports reporting may be entered in either news reporting or features reporting category.

Student features reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, that reflect how people live their daily lives. Entries may include sports features.

Student photojournalism: A single photograph from a news, sport or feature assignment, or up to five photographs that show a body of work.

VIRG HILL ARIZONA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

Virg Hill was a popular and witty political columnist and reporter for The Phoenix Gazette. Hill died at the age of 62 of a heart attack while covering the Arizona House of Representatives. He passed away in January 1969, and in December of that year, the Arizona Press Club created the award in his honor.

The Virg Hill Award goes to the journalist who, in the opinion of the judges, did the best work during 2025. The winner will be selected by three out-of-state judges.

• Entries shall include at least five and no more than eight main stories (sidebars may also be included and do not count as part of the total).
• Up to two of those stories may have a double or multiple bylines. All others must have a single byline.
• Entries may include a one-page letter explaining the obstacles overcome in reporting one or all of the stories in the entry.
• The winner, the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive a certificate.

NICK OZA ARIZONA PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

Nick Oza was an Arizona Republic photojournalist who died in a vehicle crash at age 57 in late 2021.

Oza was awarded the Arizona Press Club 2017 Arizona Photojournalist of the Year and shared in two Pulitzer Prizes in his career. He was an immigrant who spent much of his time at the Republic documenting immigrants traveling through Mexico in search of better lives in the United States.

The award was named for Oza beginning with the 2023 awards to honor his dedication to photojournalism and the respect he showed for the community he served.

The Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year goes to the photojournalist who, in the opinion of the judges, did the best work during 2025.

Entries should include:

• At least one Picture Story but no more two. (Up to 10 images)
• Up to 10 single photographs. No more than 30 images in a portfolio. You must have at least four categories represented from the following:

• News (Single photo)
• Feature (Single photo)
• Pictorial (Single photo)
• Sports Action (Single photo)
• Sports Feature (Single photo)
• Picture Story (Project)

Entries may include a one-page letter explaining the obstacles overcome in reporting one or all of the stories in the entry.

ARIZONA COMMUNITY NEWS OUTLET OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

The Community News Outlet of the Year Award is a new award designed to recognize an entire news organization for its engagement with and impact to the community in 2025.

Entry should include a letter detailing the organization’s commitment to the community, including ways it engages with its audience, and the result this work and the organization’s coverage has on the community.

(Nearly) all of the results are in!

We’re proud to announce the winners of the Arizona Press Club’s 2024 journalism contest. Congratulations to all the journalists recognized for their outstanding work!

Virg Hill Arizona Journalist of the Year

• 1st Place (tie): Emily Bregel – Arizona Daily Star
• 1st Place (tie): Chelsea Curtis – Arizona Luminaria
• 1st Place (tie): Jason Wolf – Arizona Republic

Judges: Rebecca Woolington is Deputy Managing Editor for Investigations at the Tampa Bay Times.

Will Anderson is Editor in Chief of the Dallas Business Journal.

Ricardo Sandoval Palos is the public editor for PBS and the cofounder of Palabra.

Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year

• 1st: Mamta Popat – Arizona Daily Star
• 2nd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star
• 3rd: Grace Trejo – Arizona Daily Star

Judges: Lisa Krantz is an assistant professor at the University of Montana School of Journalism and a newspaper photographer for 24 years.

Vincent Alban is a 2025–26 reporting fellow at The New York Times.

Laura Seitz is a staff photographer at Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Community News Outlet of the Year

• 1st: Arizona Luminaria
• 2nd: Tucson Sentinel
• 3rd: Arizona Public Media

Judges: Erin Edgemon is the business editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Eline Gordts is West Coast Editor at Guardian US, where she oversees west coast and tech coverage.

Andrea Wenzel is an assistant professor of journalism at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication.

Spanish-language news reporting

• 1st: Beatriz Limón with Arizona Luminaria — “Karina Ruiz election stories”
• 2nd: Carlos Bujanda, Iris Amador, Daniel Robles, Maritza L Félix with Conecta Arizona — “Comunidades rurales”
• 3rd: Maritza L. Félix, Daniel Robles with Conecta Arizona — “Muestren las Actas”

Judge:

Spanish-language feature

1st: Celia Esperanza Ramos – Conecta Arizona, “Voces desde una clínica de Arizona: cómo las mujeres enfrentan la legislación sobre el aborto”

Judge’s comments: Ramos’ piece “effectively communicates the many forces shaping women’s access to and decisions about abortion. The story clearly lays out the political situation while using stories to show how each woman’s decision is deeply personal. A timely and sensitive work of reporting.”

2nd: Cris Seda Chabrier – Tucson Sentinel, “No quiero ser Santo Álvaro”: Conoce al artista que pone cruces en el desierto”

3rd: Maritza L. Félix – Conecta Arizona, “Reprobada: una política de inmigración inhumana se robó la educación de jóvenes latinos”

Judge: Martha Pskowski is a Spanish-speaking independent journalist based in El Paso, TX, and writes about the environment and climate change for Inside Climate News.

Spanish-language commentary

• 1st: Maritza L. Félix with Conecta Arizona — “El regreso de Trump”
• 2nd: Maritza Félix with Conecta Arizona — “Cruzando Líneas – La columna”
• 3rd: Maritza Félix with Conecta Arizona — “Cruzando Líneas – Más personal”

Judge:

Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting

1st: Tim Steller, Emily Hamer – Arizona Daily Star, “Twisted Message”

Judge’s comments: Steller and Hamer’s series “represents the hallmark of investigative journalism: revealing new and noteworthy information in an endlessly-readable format that produced concrete changes as a result.”

2nd: Robert Anglen, Elena Santa Cruz, Michael Chow – Arizona Republic, “Brushed Under the Rug — Gilbert Police and the Gilbert Goons”

3rd: Robert Anglen, Elena Santa Cruz – Arizona Republic, “Apache County Attorney’s Spending Spree”

Judge: Jacob Gardenswartz is a White House reporter and producer for Scripps News based in Washington, D.C.

Public service reporting

1st: Daniel Gonzales and Sam Kmack – Arizona Republic, “Inside The Thunderbirds, the secretive, all-male organization that runs the Phoenix Open”

Judge’s comments: Gonzales and Kmack “took on a powerful local organization filled with prominent people, and shined a light on the group’s lack of diversity, allegations of cultural appropriation and questionable giving practices. It wasn’t easy to find people willing to comment on criticisms of the group, but the reporting was persistent and thorough.”

2nd: Jen Fifield – Votebeat, “How Arizona tackles a language barrier to provide Navajo voters a ballot they can listen to”

3rd: Josephine Jaye McAuliffe – Lookout News, “How Arizona Counselors Still Use Conversion Therapy”

Judge: Lisa Schencker is a business reporter at the Chicago Tribune covering health care.

Breaking news

1st: Bruce Pascoe – Arizona Daily Star, “Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who breathed life into broadcasts from McKale Center, dies at 71”

Judge’s comments: “The comprehensive nature of (Pascoe’s) news obituary with no notice is the definition of pivoting when there is breaking news.”

2nd: Ellie Wolfe – Arizona Daily Star, “U of A president orders arrests, police and protesters clash”

3rd: Paola Rodriguez – Arizona Public Media, “Hours after near-total ban upheld: Providers in AZ abortion clinic fear for patients’ lives”

Judge: Mike Brice is Managing Editor at The Toledo Blade.

Justice system reporting

1st: Michael Kiefer – Arizona Mirror, “Parole paradox”

Judge’s comments: Kiefer’s piece is “diligent and thorough reporting on high-impact justice issue. Very well done!”

2nd: Hannah Dreyfus and Alexis Waiss – Arizona Republic, “’I want them to know I’m coming to help’: Phoenix father’s custody case challenges ‘pseudo-theory’”

3rd: Natalie Robbins – Tucson Sentinel, “Navigating a ‘full-blown crisis’ inside the Pima County Jail”

Judge: Becky Troyer is the Editor-in-Chief of the Triangle Business Journal.

John Kolbe Award for Political Reporting

1st: John Washington – Arizona Luminaria, “Sheriff Primary Election”

Judge’s comments: “There were many compelling election coverage entries, but I love that this publication went big on a down ballot race and really kept their focus on the readers. It’s obvious a lot of intentionality went into deciding what the best use of their time would be in a busy election. They provided voters with useful stories and tools to make informed decisions. I also liked the background check idea. Bravo.”

2nd: Wayne Schutsky – KJZZ, “Who’s hijacking the Arizona Green Party?”

3rd: Hank Stephenson – Arizona Agenda, “Capitol Coverage”

Judge: Andrea Drusch covers local government for the San Antonio Report.

Health and social issues reporting

1st: Ray Stern — Arizona Republic, “Meth and heat make a deadly mix”

2nd: Yana Kunichoff & John Washington — AZ Luminaria, “Power outage and heat-related death at Tucson mobile-home park spark fear among residents”

3rd: Emily Bregel — Arizona Daily Star, “Border Patrol confiscation of migrants’ meds leads to medical harm, wasted funds”

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, SciLine director, ex-editor in chief of the Center for Public Integrity

Environmental and science reporting

1st: Emily Bregel – Arizona Daily Star, “Mining giant’s water use draining Sonoran aquifers, with implications for Arizona”

Judge’s comments: “Deep, thoughtful borderland reporting that makes legible the international breadth of a water problem, its connections to multiple environmental consequences, and the stakes for the people involved.”

2nd: Shondiin Silversmith – Arizona Mirror, “The End of RECA”

3rd: Brandon Derr – Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, “Outdated groundwater regulations exploited by industrial-scale agriculture”

Judge: Molly Peterson is a climate and environmental journalist based in Los Angeles.

Education reporting

1st: Helen Rummel, Sasha Hupka and Hannah Dreyfus – Arizona Republic, “UA President Robbins OK’d online school deal despite red flags. It’s costing the university $265M”

Judge’s comments: “This package was a top-notch example of accountability journalism that blended public records, human voices and writing that pulled no punches. It’s clear this work made a difference in Arizona’s higher education landscape as it illuminated problems that enraged the governor and taxpayers. I’m glad these reporters stuck with an important story and went at it from different angles, unraveling it piece by piece.”

2nd: Carolina Cuellar – Arizona Luminaria, “English-only project”

3rd: Cheyanne Mumphrey, Sharon Lurye and Morgan Lee – Associated Press, “Native American students miss school at higher rates. It only got worse during the pandemic”

Judge: Talia Richman is a reporter for The Dallas Morning News Education Lab.

Immigration reporting

• 1st: John Washington with Arizona Luminaria — “Asylum series”
• 2nd: Emily Bregel with Arizona Daily Star — “Missing migrant remains out of reach in protected Arizona wilderness”
• 3rd: Daisy Zavala Magana with Nogales International — “Migrants grapple with heightened immigration restrictions”

Judge:

Business reporting

1st: Sasha Hupka – Arizona Republic, “‘No mercy’: A unique rural Arizona power company’s aging infrastructure threatens lives”

Judge’s comments: “In a contest with several strong contenders, this enterprise package stood out for the way the reporter provided vivid detail and humanized the story of an unreliable electricity provider and its negative impact on the community. The reporting offered a significant public service, uncovering how the utility lacked oversight. The outage information had to be verified through customer accounts, official correspondence and other sources. The reporter worked diligently to build trust with residents in this rural area and on the reservation—many of whom likely had little prior experience with journalists—so they would feel comfortable sharing their stories. The reporting was so impactful that it caught the attention of state and federal officials and even inspired residents to donate money to help affected customers pay their bills.”

2nd: Russ Wiles – Arizona Republic, “Five-part series on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and how the company is rejuvenating Arizona’s technology sector”

3rd: Cathalena E. Burch – Arizona Daily Star, “Too much wine, not enough drinkers: Arizona wine industry is in a slump”

Judge: Nicole Norfleet is a night editor at the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Sports reporting

1st: Michael Lev — Arizona Daily Star, “Unbreakable: Nothing could deter dogged Tucsonan Bailey Bish in her quest to win the U.S. Adaptive Open”

2nd: Michael Lev — Arizona Daily Star for “Connection between Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Oumar Ballo goes beyond basketball”

3rd: Jason Wolf— Arizona Republic for “Latest Payton NFL award winner’s charity continues recent pattern of mismanagement”

Column, Opinion or editorial reporting

1st: Tim Steller – Arizona Daily Star, “Tucson’s deepening drug problem”

Judge’s comments: “Timothy Steller has a really confident voice. He uses just enough words to put the reader in the situation, but not too many to get in the way of the story. That’s an impressive combo.”

2nd: Michael Lev – Arizona Daily Star, “Michael Lev columns”

3rd: Blake Morlock – Tucson Sentinel, “What the Devil won’t tell you”

Judge: Steve Calechman is a contributing editor for Men’s Health and a writer for MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program.

Personality profile/human interest reporting

1st: Clara Migoya – Arizona Republic, “Raising chiles or raising questions over Arizona water, Ed Curry has ‘skin in the game'”

Judge’s comments: “Migoya’s strong use of detail and narrative voice managed to capture Ed Curry’s world. She nailed not only his own personality and priorities – but the larger undercurrent of an issue facing the state: Water access.”

2nd: Norma Coile – Arizona Daily Star, “Bob Hirsh, Tucson’s ‘finest criminal defense lawyer,’ dies”

3rd: Samantha Callicutt – Arizona Luminaria, “Forced to flee civil war, this Syrian mother found a new home in Tucson”

Judge: Kelly Powers is a culture reporter for the USA TODAY Network, Northeast Region.

Arts, food, beverage reporting and criticism

1st: Gabriel Pietrorazio – KJZZ for “Indigenous Foodways of Arizona”

Judge’s comments: “A powerful group of stories from Gabriel Pietrorazio, told with authority and without performative sentimentality. Thorough sourcing and contextual history, with a range of voices from the people involved to give it a sense of immediacy and humanity. The idea that a restaurant has to make it clear that its mutton is *not local* says so much. In the dry farming piece, the writer tells a complete origin story in just a few words: “253rd generation dry farmer.” And the packrat piece shows us how food connects us to our heritage beyond the manufactured rose-gold glow of social media. This is writing, reporting and storytelling with a real sense of time and place.”

2nd: Reia Li – Arizona Republic, “A booming Taiwanese restaurant scene serves TSMC workers a taste of home in Phoenix”

3rd: John Washington – Arizona Luminaria, “Past and future of Santa Cruz river is captured in a haunting sonic performance at MOCA”

Judge: Mike Sutter is a restaurant writer/critic for the San Antonio Express News.

Photojournalism – Sports

1st: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic, “Winning reflection”

Judge’s comments: “Great seeing in what could have been a very boring assignment. Immediately draws the eye and provides all the context.”

2nd: Rob Schumacher – Arizona Republic, “Breaking History”

3rd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Territorial Cup”

Judge: Josh Bessex is a photographer at The Buffalo News in Buffalo, N.Y.

Photojournalism – Picture story

1st: Mamta Popat – Arizona Daily Star, “Good Friday Cross Procession”

Judge’s comments: “Lovely photo story on the Good Friday Cross Procession. Strong community-focused photojournalism. Each image in a photo story is beautifully seen, and stands on its own. The pacing of the photo story has a strong beginning, middle and end. The photographer shared dynamic lighting, heartfelt emotion and moments. A very strong and tightly-edited photo story.”

2nd: Taylor McCormick – The Lumberjack, “The highs and lows of Arizona’s election role”

3rd: Grace Trejo – Arizona Daily Star, “U.S. flag placement at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery”

Judge: Erika Schultz is a longtime photojournalist at the Seattle Times.

Photojournalism – Feature

1st: Mamta Popat – Arizona Daily Star, “Veterans Day parade”

Judge’s comments: “Wonderfully cropped moment from a crowd of parade onlookers. That kid’s face is priceless. “

2nd: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic, “Selfie”

3rd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Untangle”

Judge: Tom Fox was part of a small team of photographers at The Dallas Morning News who won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography, and was a Pulitzer finalist again in 2020.

Photojournalism – Pictorial

1st: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Football dusk”

Judge’s comments: “Beautiful light, moment, composition and surprise in one frame. Great work!”

2nd: Diannie Chavez – Arizona Republic, “Rodeo Shadows”

3rd: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic, “Lights”

Judge: Gabrielle Lurie is a staff photographer at the San Francisco Chronicle. Lurie is a Pulitzer finalist and a NPPA winner.

Photojournalism – News

1st: Rob Schumacher – Arizona Republic, “Summer Games Closing Ceremony”

Judge’s comments: “Wonderful light, composition and moment.”

2nd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Monsoon Flooding”

3rd: Grace Trejo – Arizona Daily Star, “Manzo Bobcats’ Garden-to-Table experience”

Judge: Jon Shapley is a visual journalist for the Houston Chronicle. He won NPPA in 2024 for general news photography.

Print page design portfolio

1st: Jake Stevens – Phoenix Business Journal, “Tempe Town Lake feature ”

2nd: Brisa Karow, Jason Maggio, Sarah Marshall – The Lumberjack Magazine, “Dish it!”

3rd: Chloe Legay, Jason Maggio, Hannah Barrett – The Lumberjack Magazine, “Mapping the Southwest’s Fuel Chain”

Judge: Sean Parsons runs the Colorado-based creative studio Sean Parsons Design, whose clients have included 5280 Magazine.

Digital project design portfolio

1st: Paul Thompson, Jim Poulin, Shaun Martin – Phoenix Business Journal

2nd: Mason Callejas – The Arizona Republic, “A sobering scandal”

Judge: Alex Tatusian is deputy creative director at the San Francisco Chronicle and previously worked at the LA Times and Marshall Project.

Short-form audio storytelling

1st: Gabriel Pietrorazio – KJZZ, “Diné jazz trumpeter Delbert Anderson and his quartet perform at ASU Kerr Scottsdale”

Judge’s comments: “Nice use of sound, including the sound bite, and interesting subject matter.”

2nd: Gabriel Pietrorazio – KJZZ, “The Native American Basketball Invitational was bigger than ever, breaking records this year”

Judge: Lilly Ana Fowler is a radio journalist in Seattle.

Long-form audio storytelling

1st: The Arizona Republic, “Rediscovering: The Roots of Radicalism” series

Judge’s comments: “A really smart lens into looking at the history of conspiracy-minded and far-right Arizona history. Ambitious and epic in scope.”

2nd: KJZZ, “Last Resorts”

3rd: Danyelle Khmara – Arizona Public Media, “AZPM for “Exponential Increase in Mexican Families Fleeing Violence in Tucson Sector”

Judge: Antonia Cereijido is the host of Imperfect Paradise, a weekly narrative series about dreamers and schemers, hidden worlds and fascinating people

Podcast

1st: Amanda Luberto and team – Arizona Republic, “Valley 101 – Should Arizona be using its limited water on growing weed?”

2nd: Amanda Luberto, Ronald J. Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl – Arizona Republic, “The Gaggle – How do you win Arizona?”

3rd: Zac Ziegler, Christopher Conover, Hannah Cree, Danyelle Khmara, Katya Mendoza, Paola Rodriguez – Arizona Public Media, “Tapped: Season 3”

Judge: Will Coley is an audio producer whose stories have aired on NPR and BBC World Services.

Video storytelling

No entries

Newsletter

• 1st: LOOKOUT for LOOKOUT Newsletter
• Judge’s comments: “LOOKOUT achieves what I believe is the most important job of a newsletter: meeting readers where they are. It’s clear that the team put thought and care into every aspect of their newsletters, from the content to the length to the dynamic and visually appealing designs. Each of their three newsletters meets a different need, but all are highly effective at engaging the audience and kept me riveted as I scrolled through (which can be a tall task as people are inundated with emails and only have so much time to catch up on their inboxes!) I was particularly drawn to the ‘Eyes on the Capital’ newsletter for its service journalism elements; the LOOKOUT team included buttons for readers to click to read a bill or email a political representative. These small touches make it easier for readers to understand complex political landscapes and where they fit in. Well done!”
• 2nd: KJZZ for “Prickly Newsletter”
• 3rd: Arizona Agenda for “Arizona Agenda Newsletters”

Judge: Kiley Price

Student news

1st: Chloe Legay – The Lumberjack, “Indigenous Resistance Against Uranium Mining”

Judge’s comments: “The Lumberjack’s thoughtful coverage of the Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine offered valuable insight into a national issue with strong local impact. Reporters worked to give Havasupai Tribe members a strong voice in stories that highlight a history of injustice and fear of continued devastation on the reservation.”

2nd: The Lumberjack staff, “Spring 2024 NAU SJP Protests”

3rd: Austin Hagan, Brisa Karow, Marvin Sagisi – The Lumberjack, “Landing an international bird-tracking program in northern Arizona”

Judge: Melissa Manno covers education for the San Antonio Express-News.

Student features

1st: Analeise Mayor – Arizona Sonoran News, “Starting Over After the Fire”

2nd: Jackson Kimball – Arizona Sonoran News, “After 8-year lull, Cushing Street Skate Park back on track”

3rd: Annabel Lecky – Arizona Sonoran News, “Animals of Distinction brings ‘Frontera’ U.S. premiere to Centennial Hall”

Judge: Sydney Brownstone is an investigative reporter at The Seattle Times.

Student photojournalism

1st: Chloe Legay – The Lumberjack, “Indigenous Resistance Against Uranium Mining”

Judge’s comments: “The photographer included different moments while covering this story with a nice opening image, a detail, and a few other photos. The first image was a good choice in introducing the story and provided context for the other images as well. I appreciated the detail in the second image with more information that contributed to the storytelling. A couple of the later images could have benefited from a slightly different angle for the compositions. Some of the main people in the photos were a little covered up or were harder to find against others in the background. Though, overall the photographer did a nice job in covering this story and I would be interested in seeing more.”

2nd: Taylor McCormick – The Lumberjack, “Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz visits Window Rock”

Judge: Katina Zentz is a staff photojournalist for The Frederick News-Post in Frederick, Maryland.

We’re bringing back one of our favorite traditions at the Arizona Press Club — the Brick Wall and Sledgehammer awards! Nominations open this Sunday, June 1.

The Brick Wall Award “honors” (with heavy sarcasm) the most secretive government agency or politician in Arizona. The ones who go above and beyond to dodge public records requests, ignore open meeting laws, or otherwise block access to the public’s right to know.

On the flip side, the Sledgehammer Award celebrates the journalists who won’t take no for an answer — the reporters who dig, pry, and hammer their way through stonewalling to uncover the truth.

It’s a powerful reminder of what journalism is all about. We can’t wait to see your nominations.

Upload a letter explaining the challenges faced and obstacles overcome to this Google Drive folder by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. We’ll announce winners by the end of July.

In the form below, describe your career plans in a one-page cover letter and link to three published clips.

The deadline to apply is April 21. Email any questions to scholarship chair Danyelle Khmara at danyellekhmara@gmail.com.

The results are in

With our sincerest apologies for the delay and a great deal of respect for all of the amazing journalism undertaken by so many Arizona reporters, photographers and editors, we’re proud to announce the complete list of winners of the Arizona Press Club’s 2023 journalism contest.

Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who shared their excellent work!

Virg Hill Arizona Journalist of the Year

• 1st Place: Robert Anglen – Arizona Republic
• 2nd Place: Jen Fifield – Votebeat
• 3rd Place: Dylan Smith – Tucson Sentinel

Judges: Kelly Ann Scott, Houston Chronicle; Charles Ornstein, ProPublica; Scott Kraft, LA Times

Community News Outlet of the Year

• 1st: Conecta Arizona
• 2nd: Arizona Luminaria
• 3rd: Navajo Times

Judges’ comments: Martiza Félix is doing the hard work in community but also presenting a model that’s informing journalism conversations across the country.

Judges: Ashley Alvarado, LAist; Logan Jaffe, ProPublica; Max Gersh, Indianapolis Star

Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year

• 1st: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star
• 2nd: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic
• 3rd: Mamta Popat – Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Bethany Baker, Francisco Kjolseth, Rick Egan (Salt Lake Tribune.)

Spanish-language news reporting

1st: Beatriz Limón – Arizona Luminaria; “Un programa de ASU está abordando la brecha de diversidad y la retención de maestros en la fuerza laboral educativa de Arizona.”

2nd: Maritza L. Félix, Gustavo Guirado, Liliana López Ruelas – Conecta Arizona, “Fin del Título 42: afirman que las solicitudes de asilo se deberán tramitar en la aplicación CBP One.”

3rd: Bennito L. Kelty – Tucson Sentinel, “Jefa de pequeños negocios por Biden visita Tucson, promete inversión en latinos, tiendas locales.”

Judge: McNelly Torres

Spanish-language feature

1st: Beatriz Limón – Arizona Luminaria, “Voluptuosas figuras del icónico artista colombiano Fernando Botero adornan el Jardín Botánico del Desierto de Arizona”

2nd: Maritza L. Félix, Gustavo Guirado, Julio Cisneros – Conecta Arizona, “Tamales en el Superbowl”

3rd: Maritza L. Félix – Conecta Arizona, “Agua del Aire”

Judge: Ambar Colón, La Voz Chicago

Spanish-language commentary

1st: Maritza L. Félix – Conecta Arizona, “Cruzando Líneas, la columna: “Humanos en conflicto”, por Maritza L. Félix.”

Judge: Laura Castaneda

Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting

1st: Robert Anglen, Elena Santa Cruz – Arizona Republic, “Gilbert Goons and the fatal beating of Preston Lord”

2nd: Caitlin McGlade, Sahana Jayaraman, Melina Walling – Arizona Republic, “The bitter end”

3rd: Carol Ann Alaimo, Emily Bregel – Arizona Daily Star, “Members flee Tucson church’s actions, teachings”

Judge: Ryan Gabrielson, ProPublica

Public service reporting

1st: Robert Anglen, Ryan Randazzo – Arizona Republic, “The truth behind the Cyber Ninjas and the Arizona ‘audit.'”

Judge’s comments: The Arizona Republic built on reporting that exposed the Cyber Ninjas audit of the state’s 2020 election results as a partisan attack on democracy with an incredible, perhaps unprecedented, investment in money and time to force an accounting of the truth for the sake of voters and history.

2nd: Angela Gervasi – Nogales International, “Mining developments and zoning plan unfold in Santa Cruz County.”

Judge’s comments: Nogales International’s deep coverage of what an international mining company’s redevelopment plans could mean for a rural community exemplifies the ideal of what local journalism can do in equipping communities with the information they need to navigate existential threats to democratic government and public health.

Judge: Matt DeRienzo

Breaking news

1st: David Smith, Holly James – Navajo Times, “Chinle Flooding”

2nd: Paul Ingram – Tucson Sentinel, “Pima County Attorney won’t charge officers over inmate’s death after jail tasing”

3rd: Camaron Stevenson – Copper Courier, “Anti-abortion Arizona judge recuses himself from abortion case”

Judge: Dana Amihere, AfroLA

Public safety reporting

1st: Jimmy Jenkins – Arizona Republic, “Arizona inducing the labor of pregnant prisoners against their will.”

Judge’s comments: Solid government and human rights watchdog reporting that ultimately prompted legislative action to address the rights of incarcerated pregnant women. The reporting gave voice to a population that is often overlooked and pushed back on non-answers from the state when faced with allegations by multiple named women. The reporter’s expertise and sourcing on the beat shows.

2nd: Isaac Stone Simonelli – Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, “Sovereign Citizens”

Judge’s comments: A well-executed three-part series exploring a niche movement that has grown since COVID, especially in pockets of the state, that many readers probably have never heard about. Reporting on conspiracy theories and extremism can be tricky, and great care should be made to avoid amplifying harmful ideologies. This piece balances those concerns by wrapping it in greater context and explaining why the public should care. Good use of public records, engaging writing and organization.

3rd: Dylan Smith and Paul Ingram – Tucson Sentinel, “Pima sheriff’s deputies arrest reporter covering protest against Raytheon”

Judge’s comments: A good, deep dive into a breaking news event, with multiple interviews on both sides, good use of public records and an admission by the sheriff of being unfamiliar with his own department’s policies on the matter.

Judge: Kristina Davis, San Diego Union Tribune

John Kolbe Award for Political Reporting

1st: Stacey Barchenger – Arizona Republic, “Coverage of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs”

Judge’s comments: Superb, persistent, insightful reporting all round. The reporter demonstrated doggedness in staying on a good story: the eye-popping amount raised for the inauguration and the secrecy surrounding what paid what to sponsor the events associated with that inauguration. And all this for a person who ran as a candidate who was “committed” to transparency if she were elected. The reporting is a good reminder to not uncritically believe what politicians say on the campaign trail; watch what they do after they’re elected. The eventual disclosure by the governor of many but not all donors after public pressure further demonstrated the need for dogged, accountability reporting like this. Then there’s the hiring of a well-connected consultant by a moneyed Saudi Arabian firm to help it navigate Arizona law- and regulation-making, not to mention the state’s political world, followed by a story about the governor installing a person from her campaign security detail into a job at a state agency with a six-figure salary. Taken all together, the series of stories offered readers of the Arizona Republic a glimpse into the murky world of money, power and relationships that accompany the culture of statehouses. As noted above, good all-round journalism.

2nd: Jen Fifield – Votebeat, “Arizona voters were told the election went fine. Records show a county director saw glaring errors, cashed out, then fled”

Judge’s comments: Rigorous reporting that shines a light on the many steps that go into a successful vote count and what happens when those steps are not followed systematically. Very timely reporting in addition to it being informative. I’ve been around elections and done my own reporting around vote counts and I learned something new by reading these stories.

3rd: Ray Stern – Arizona Republic, “Legislative pork spending on rodeo, tramway and more”

Judge’s comments: The story about the $850,000 study exhibited investigative reporting chops. The other stories in this entry demonstrated a savviness about how state budgets are put togther.

Judge: Trip Jennings

Health reporting

1st: Arlyssa D Becenti – Arizona Republic, “Legislative proposal targets ‘frightening’ scam rehab centers that prey on Native people”

Judge’s comments: Great reporting on failings at all levels of government to stop people preying on vulnerable substance users. Comprehensive, detailed, but not overwhelming.

2nd: Joe Duhownik – Courthouse News Service, “Mobile home park fights Christian university over forced eviction”

Judge’s comments: Well reported, cogent storytelling, good sourcing on the ground. Nice package.

3rd: Debra Utacia Krol – Arizona Republic, “Native families welcome children home, but ‘long road’ not over for others”

Judge: Rose Hoban, NC Health news

Environmental journalism

1st: Joan Meiners – Arizona Republic, “Arizona’s colliding heat and housing crises: a deep dive into the intersection of the state’s most pressing social and environmental problems”

Judge’s comments: Such a great, original angle of reporting and SO well researched and well done. Outstanding. I love how clearly she demonstrated the ripple effects on the environment, heat and human health. The interactive element of this that allows people to check their own living areas really also makes it not just accountability, investigative, narrative but also SERVICE and IMPACT. Bravo. Rn this looks like my top choice. Also the writing is phenomenal.

2nd: Brandon Loomis – Arizona Republic, “Energy transition opens new fronts in old mining battles”

Judge’s comments: Brandon is clearly a talented environmental reporter who can explain impact and significance for readers both in Arizona and beyond. I like how he made these issues feel relevant beyond just Arizona.

3rd: Arlyssa D Becenti – Arizona Republic, “Navajo Nation president vetoes a plan to explore for helium near 2 tribal communities”

Judge’s comments: I really liked this reporting- it felt important and critical and I appreciated the deep knowledge the reporter has.

Judge: Amanda Morris, Washington Post

Education reporting

1st: Ray Stern – Arizona Republic, coverage of Arizona School Board Association chief’s false claims of having a college degree

2nd: Ellie Wolfe – Arizona Daily Star, coverage of University of Arizona financial crisis

3rd: Daniel Gonzalez – Arizona Republic, “Dual language classes are growing in Arizona schools. Tom Horne says they violate the law”

Judge: Claire Stremple

Immigration reporting

1st: Daniel Gonzalez – Arizona Republic, “Arizona’s Cuban population grows as people fleeing economic, political crisis look beyond Florida”

2nd: Paul Ingram – Tucson Sentinel, “No More Deaths volunteers evacuate migrants from ‘dire’ cold as Christmas nears in remote AZ desert”

3rd: Danyelle Khmara – Arizona Daily Star, “Ducey’s border barrier cost more per mile than Trump’s wall”

Judge: Hamed Aleaziz

Business reporting

1st: Natasha Yee – Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, “Marijuana Social Equity Disparity”

Judge’s comments: Natasha’s series has all the hallmarks of great accountability journalism. It digs in after the fanfare has passed to see what has happened, and whether a program designed to do good is actually doing it. She fills it out with strong prose, intricate detail and fantastic data collection. At its heart, it’s a series about equity that rightfully centers the people who are most vulnerable.

2nd: Robert Anglen – Arizona Republic, “Secrets Spill Out of My Sister’s Closet”

Judge’s comments: Robert does what is often really hard in stories like this: He gets everyone to talk. And he weaves all their perspectives expertly, using court documents and the voices of customers and past employees to give a full picture of the stakes. It’s a fascinating read and a classic, top-notch business series.

3rd: John Washington – Arizona Luminaria, “Labor solutions story”

Judge’s comments: I love John’s approach with this story. He goes into it from a solutions angle, detailing the reach of a program that serves people who are so often forgotten and marginalized. He employs beautiful prose and exquisite detail to humanize this story, which I think is the right approach here, centering the people who are most impacted. We get a sense of what is working in the program — and what the limitations are. A fantastic solutions story.

Judge: Chabeli Carranzana, The 19th

Sports reporting

1st: Jason Wolf – Arizona Republic, “Mismanagement of the Year”

2nd: Brandon Brown – Arizona Republic, “Why ASU, UA poured $125.5M into athletics at height of pandemic, among most in the U.S.”

3rd: Phoenix Business Journal, Continuing business coverage of the Arizona Coyotes

Judge: Amie Just, Lincoln Journal Star

Column/Opinion

1st: Blake Morlock – Tucson Sentinel, “What the Devil won’t tell you”

2nd: Bill Goodykoontz – Arizona Republic, for various media columns

3rd: Hank Stephenson – Arizona Agenda, for various pieces

Judge: Melinda Henneberger, Kansas City Star

Personality profile/human interest reporting

1st: Emily Bregel – Arizona Daily Star, “In Sonora, ‘searching mothers’ comb the desert for disappeared loved ones”

2nd: Kianna Joe, Holly James – Navajo Times, “Christine Lester”

3rd: Ray Stern – Arizona Republic, “Jake Hoffman personifies conservative power in Arizona”

Judge: Laurie Notaro

Arts, food and beverage reporting

1st: Gabriel Pietrorazio – KJZZ, “These Native chefs see a future for tribal agritourism in Arizona, brimming with untapped potential”

2nd: Cathalena Burch – Arizona Daily Star, “Review: Tucson gets wonderful world premiere of ‘Frankenstein’ the opera”

3rd: Maritza Felix – Conecta Arizona, “Juan Gabriel: Un amor eterno”

Judge: Aimee Levitt

Photojournalism – Sports action

1st: Mamta Popat – Arizona Daily Star, “Rodeo”

2nd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Rain Tackle”

3rd: Arianna Grainey – KAFF News, “Battle for the ball”

Judge: Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune

Photojournalism – Sports feature

1st: Darryl Webb – Phoenix Business Journal, “Diamondbacks celebrate win over Dodgers”

2nd: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic, “Long look”

3rd (tie:) Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Rodeo hackey sack.”

3rd (tie:) Kelly Presnell – “Softball”

Judge: Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune

Photojournalism – Picture story

1st: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic, “A little bit country”

2nd: Mamta Popat – Arizona Daily Star, “Restoring lanterns”

3rd: Arianna Grainey, Arizona Digital Free Press, “Nitropress”

Judge: Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune

Photojournalism – Feature

1st: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Grad Memorial”

2nd: Mamta Popat – Arizona Daily Star, “Rodeo parade”

3rd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Sun spin”

Judge: Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune

Photojournalism – Pictorial

1st: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Lightning and grad memorial”

2nd: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic, “Through the glass”

3rd: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic, “Sunset cowboy”

Judge: Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune

Photojournalism – News

1st: Paul Ingram – Tucson Sentinel, “Hundreds of migrants wait in AZ desert after crossing U.S.-Mexico border”

2nd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star, “Fire”

3rd: Paul Ingram – Tucson Sentinel, “No More Deaths”

Judge: Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune.

Print page design portfolio

1st: Rick Konopka – Arizona Republic, “Four the sweep/Hate/O’Connor Obit”

2nd: Priscilla Bolaños – Nogales International, “Photo spreads”

Judge: Nicole Vas, LA Times

Digital design portfolio

1st: Mason Callejas – Arizona Republic, “4 years of high school interrupted by COVID. Here’s what 11 Arizona graduates have to say”

2nd: Andrea Brunty – Arizona Republic, “The Bitter End”

3rd: Jamie Donnelly – Arizona Daily Star, “#ThisIsTucson Eat+Drink”

Judge: Kelsey Harrell, Tampa Bay Times

Audio storytelling

1st: Christopher Conover, Summer Hom, Danyelle Khmara, Katya Mendoza, Paola Rodriguez, Zac Ziegler – Arizona Public Media, “Tapped: Season 2”

2nd: Katya Mendoza, Zac Ziegler, Paola Rodriguez, Tony Perkins – Arizona Public Media, “That Was Exactly Us: Stories of Latino culture in baseball and empathy through adaptive sports”

3rd: Kaely Monahan – Arizona Republic, “Arizona HERstory on Valley 101: Meet Ayra Hackett, community leader and Black publisher”

Judge: Julieta Martinelli, Futuro Media

Video storytelling

1st: Arizona Republic Staff, “Beyond the Gridiron: Basha”

Judge’s comments: Impressive amount of resources dedicated to high school football. The storytelling is engaging. High quality videography. Great access. Really good character development. Editing is strong.

2nd: Katya Mendoza, Diana Cadena, Clarice Bales, Bob Lindberg, Danny Sax – Arizona Public Media, “Be Lezo Like – Remembering the life and legacy of former UA hurdler Lezo Urreiztieta”

3rd: Camaron Stevenson – Copper Courier, “Closing Foreign Farms, Opening Fissures”

Judge: Katie Campbell, ProPublica

Student news

1st: Alex Appel, Francesca D’Annunzio and Joshua Shimkus – Cronkite News, “Arizona’s defunct border wall leaves trail of runaway costs, error-filled invoices and questions about state’s oversight”

2nd: Alex Wakefield – State Press, “Tempe entertainment district could use over one million gallons of water daily”

3rd: Phineas Hogan – State Press, “Israel and Palestine Conflict at ASU”

Judge: Alexei Koseff, Cal Matters

Student features

1st: Fatima Gabir – State Press, “Sudan Will Not Be Forgotten:

Judge’s comments: Overall, this story is well written, and provides a unique look into the largely ignored conflict in Sudan. As a journalism feature, it is uncomfortably close to essay, hanging on the writer’s personal story and that of the writer’s family, advocating for more US attention to the conflict in Sudan. That being said, the information is supported by significant additional reporting and does not appear to violate contest rules. The personal stories provide a unique and compelling narrative, creating interest for readers in an otherwise distant issue, which is the point.

2nd: Sophia Braccio – State Press, “Dorm Away from Home”

Judge’s comments: This story is a great idea — looking at the personalization that makes dorm rooms home. Writing is mostly clean, and moves along well. It could have been better with more depth. At a time when mental health is a huge issue on college campuses, this seems a missed connection. In that context, personalizing space is a therapeutic act, and I wanted to know more about the emotional effect of this decorating, and how it has/hasn’t helped. The story also could have addressed conflict between roommate styles.

Judge: Lisa Davis

Student photojournalism

1st: Mason Kumet – The Daily Wildcat, “Arizona Secures Bowl Eligibility”

Judge’s comments: Fun photo and the photographer did well handling a chaotic moment.

2nd: Calvin Stewart – State Press, “ASU wide receiver Melquan Stovall stiff arms a Colorado defender”

Judge’s comments: This is good sports action. I like the moment happening.

3rd: Reece Andrews – State Press, “ASU senior gymnast Hannah Scharf throws up the fork on the floor.”

Judge’s comments: This is a fun moment.

Judge: Grace Hollars, Indianapolis Star

We’ve extended the deadline for our 2023 journalism contest to Friday, August 23.

Journalists are eligible to enter if they worked for an Arizona news outlet and produced content in a written, audio or visual format in 2023.

Find full eligibility and rules at azpressclub.org/2024/07/24/the-2023-arizona-press-club-contest-is-now-open/. Enter at https://betternewspapercontest.com/login Select “Arizona Press Club” contest from the list on the left. Select “open call login” from the list on the right.

Newsroom leaders can also create a single login and share the information with staff.

PART I

THE RULES FOR WRITING/REPORTING, DESIGN, AUDIO, VIDEO AND PHOTOJOURNALISM

ELIGIBILITY

Journalists are considered members of the Arizona Press Club if they work in the production of news for any Arizona newspaper, online news site, periodical, newsletter, or news service whose primary purpose is to inform the public rather than to sell products or promote a business, government, nonprofit organization or ideology. Journalists for radio and TV news outlets are eligible to enter written reporting published online. Broadcast audio/visual reports are not eligible except in specific audio and visual categories (except for Community News Outlet of the Year and Virg Hill Journalist of the Year.) 

All photographers (staff, part-time, freelance, contract and college student) are eligible if they are Arizona residents who had their work published in print or online by a news organization during 2023. Wire service and agency photographers based in Arizona are eligible.

Entries must have been originally published in 2023.

All entries must have been produced for the editorial department of an Arizona publication, media outlet, news website or wire service. Work produced for advertising, marketing or other departments is not eligible. Eligible publications must have editorial independence and exist primarily to produce reporting. Advocacy groups that publish news stories are not eligible.

Stories reported or written by or for publications or websites based outside Arizona are not eligible.

To enter, visit betternewspapercontest.com/login. Select “Arizona Press Club” contest from the list on the left. Select “open call login” from the list on the right.

DEADLINE

Entries must be submitted by Monday, August 12, unless entrants make special arrangements in advance with Press Club Co-Presidents Camryn Sanchez, csanchez@kjzz.org and Amy Silverman asilverman@kjzz.org.  

All entries must be submitted online at azpressclub.org.

CATEGORIES

All categories can be entered by any journalist in the state, including students. 

Spanish-language publications may enter any of the English-language categories, provided that all stories, headlines and captions are translated into English.

Journalists for student/school-run publications, including college/university newspapers and wire services, should enter the Student Division.

MEMBERSHIP AND ENTRY FEES

Eligible journalists who wish to be club members without entering the contest should go to the contest page and select a club membership and proceed to payment without submitting contest entries. Thank you for your support!

$10 per entry for Student categories

$15 per entry for Statewide categories

The Big 3

Virg Hill Journalist of the Year: $25 to enter (Can include audio, video or written entries.)

Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year: $25 to enter

Community News Outlet of the Year: $25 to enter (Can include audio, video or written entries.)

PAYMENT

Unpaid entries will not be considered. Improperly submitted entries will be disqualified. 

STAFF ENTRIES

Entries with five or more contributors should be submitted as a Staff Entry. 

JUDGING

Entries will be judged by out-of-state journalists selected by the Arizona Press Club Board of Directors. Judges’ decisions are final, unless winning entries do not conform to APC rules.

If there is a tie for first place, no second-place award is given. If there is a tie for second, no third-place award is given.

AWARDS

Winners will be announced by Friday, Sept. 20  and will receive certificates. 

ETHICS AND DISQUALIFICATION

The Arizona Press Club promotes ethical journalism and recognizes that contest rules cannot envision every potential breach of professional standards. The club reserves the right to disqualify any entry or withdraw any award based on ethical violations or violations of the rules, as deemed by the board. Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. If an entry is disqualified, the prize will be awarded to the next-place winner. Disqualified entrants will forfeit their entry fees.

GRIEVANCE POLICY

For problems, concerns and complaints about the contest, the contest chairperson shall notify the executive officers. The committee will rule on the matter or forward it to the full Press Club board for final approval.

DISCLAIMER

The Arizona Press Club is not responsible for lost entries but will take reasonable care processing the entries.

ENTRY PROCEDURES

• Visit betternewspapercontest.com/login.
• To enter, visit betternewspapercontest.com/login.
• Select “Arizona Press Club” contest from the list on the left.
• Select “open call login” from the list on the right.
• Journalists should use the field provided on the entry form to explain the size of their outlet or newsroom, resources available to them during the reporting process, challenges faced and impact, if any. 
• All entries require an electronic signature, which is included at the end of the electronic submission page. On entries with multiple contributors, only one contributor needs to sign.
• List headlines or images completely to help identify entries.
• Entries must be submitted exactly as they were published. URLs to online versions can be submitted; for content not available online, content can be uploaded elsewhere as PDFs, doc or docx files and a link provided.
• Multiple story entries for categories should reflect sustained coverage of a single issue or topic, not overall beat reporting. (Example: A collection of stories about the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or about drunken driving enforcement would be eligible; a collection of stories about different police agencies or unrelated topics would not be eligible.)
• Enter as many times and in as many categories as desired. However, no story may be submitted more than once, except that stories entered in other categories may also be used to enter Journalist of the Year-level categories and other exceptions only as noted.
• Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. If an entry is disqualified, the prize will be awarded to the next winner. Disqualified entrants will forfeit their entry fees.

PART II

THE CATEGORIES 

SPANISH-LANGUAGE PUBLICATIONS

Unless otherwise noted, entries are strictly limited to a maximum of five stories or pieces of work. Sidebars count toward the total. (Example: Four stories plus a sidebar is a valid entry. Four stories plus two sidebars is not.) Column categories have a different story count; see specific rules for each.

A1. Spanish-language news reporting: A single story or up to five stories about one news event or issue.

A2. Spanish-language feature reporting: A single story or up to five stories that reflect how people live their daily lives.

A3. Spanish-language commentary/analysis: 

CATEGORIES

Categories are intended to honor the work of any Arizona journalist from any size of publication. All entries, except if specifically noted otherwise, are strictly limited to a maximum of five stories or pieces of work. Sidebars count toward the total. (Example: Four stories plus a sidebar is a valid entry. Four stories plus two sidebars is not.) Many categories have a different story count; see specific rules for each.

C1. The Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting: One or more pieces on a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that are the result of extensive research and original investigation. The winning entry will uncover corruption, incompetence or systemic problems in an area of high public interest and importance. A one-page letter, explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories, is optional.

C2. Public service journalism: One or more pieces on a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that serve the public good. May include sidebars. A one-page letter explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories is optional.

C3. Breaking news: A single day’s reporting of one or more pieces of unscheduled news on a single subject. May include sidebars. Entries should be reported and written in a single shift. A one-page letter explaining deadline circumstances is optional.

C4.Public safety reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of law enforcement, courts, corrections, fire and rescue, or related areas.

C5. John Kolbe Politics Reporting Award: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of local, state or federal political issue or election-related coverage.

C6. Health and social issues reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of healthcare or social issues. Social issues may include faith and religion, social services and the poor, families and children, aging and substance abuse.

C7. Environmental reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic or trend related to natural resources, ecology, environmental policy, science or human interaction with nature.

C8. Education reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic related to education.

C9. Immigration reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific event or topic about immigration and related issues.

C10. Business reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns on a specific aspect of business, finance or consumer issues.

C11. Sports reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, about a specific sport, team, issue, athlete or sporting event. This category is open to news, features and investigative reporting.

C12. Opinion and editorial writing: Three pieces identified as columns written with a focus on reporting news, explaining recent events or telling a human-interest story, including sports; or, three opinion pieces expressing the views of a publication as an institution, whether signed or unsigned.

C13. Personality profile and human interest writing: A single story or up to five stories that give an in-depth look at an individual or a specific group of people, or that demonstrate excellent use of narrative voice.

C14. Arts, food and beverage reporting and criticism: Three stories that explore events, personalities or trends about food, theater, visual arts, music, movies, fashion or similar subjects. Entries may be written from the author’s point of view.

C15. Audio storytelling: A single audio story or series on any subject. Entries may include podcasts or radio broadcasts.

C16. Video storytelling: A single video story or series on any subject.

C17. Photojournalism – Picture Story: (10 images max.)

C18. Photojournalism – News: A single photograph from a news event.

C19. Photojournalism – Feature: A single photograph of a “found” situation that features strong human interest, or a fresh view of an everyday scene.

C29. Photojournalism – Pictorial: A single picture that explores a graphic or aesthetic moment with emphasis on composition.

C21. Photojournalism – Sports: A single picture that captures a news or feature event, including peak sports action or emotion or other reaction among athletes and fans.

DESIGN CATEGORIES

D1. Print page design portfolio: Up to three pages of a publication 

D2. Digital project design portfolio: Up to three pages of a website or newsletter

STUDENT JOURNALISM

Work in these categories must have been published in a student news outlet. Students who wish to enter work published elsewhere should enter the Community or Statewide categories.

E1. Student news reporting: A single story or up to five stories about one news event or issue. Entries may include investigative reporting that includes extensive research and original investigation. Sports reporting may be entered in either news reporting or features reporting category.

E2. Student features reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, that reflect how people live their daily lives. Entries may include sports features.

E3.Student photojournalism: A single photograph from a news, sport or feature assignment, or up to five photographs that show a body of work. 

VIRG HILL ARIZONA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

Virg Hill was a popular and witty political columnist and reporter for The Phoenix Gazette. Hill died at the age of 62 of a heart attack while covering the Arizona House of Representatives. He passed away in January 1969, and in December of that year, the Arizona Press Club created the award in his honor.

The Virg Hill Award goes to the journalist who, in the opinion of the judges, did the best work during 2023. The winner will be selected by three out-of-state judges.

• Entries shall include at least five and no more than eight main stories (sidebars may also be included and do not count as part of the total).
• Up to two of those stories may have a double or multiple bylines. All others must have a single byline.
• Entries may include a one-page letter explaining the obstacles overcome in reporting one or all of the stories in the entry.
• The winner, the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive a certificate.

NICK OZA ARIZONA PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

Nick Oza was an Arizona Republic photojournalist who died in a vehicle crash at age 57 in late 2021.

Oza was awarded the Arizona Press Club 2017 Arizona Photojournalist of the Year and shared in two Pulitzer Prizes in his career. He was an immigrant who spent much of his time at the Republic documenting immigrants traveling through Mexico in search of better lives in the United States.

The award was named for Oza beginning with the 2023 awards to honor his dedication to photojournalism and the respect he showed for the community he served.

The Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year goes to the photojournalist who, in the opinion of the judges, did the best work during 2023.

Entries should include:

• At least one Picture Story but no more two. (Up to 10 images)
• Up to 10 single photographs. No more than 30 images in a portfolio. You must have at least four categories represented from the following:
  • News (Single photo)
  • Feature (Single photo)
  • Pictorial (Single photo)
  • Sports Action (Single photo)
  • Sports Feature (Single photo)
  • Picture Story (Project)

Entries may include a one-page letter explaining the obstacles overcome in reporting one or all of the stories in the entry.

ARIZONA COMMUNITY NEWS OUTLET OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

The Community News Outlet of the Year Award is a new award designed to recognize an entire news organization for its engagement with and impact to the community in 2023. 

Entry should include a letter detailing the organization’s commitment to the community, including ways it engages with its audience, and the result this work and the organization’s coverage has on the community.

Finally, the results are in… most of them.

With great apologies for the lengthy delay, and with a lot of admiration for all of the amazing journalism undertaken by so many Arizona reporters, photographers and editors in very trying circumstances, the Arizona Press Club is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 journalism contest.

This list is not yet complete — check back in the coming days for the results of even more categories.

Congratulations to all the winners, and everyone who shared their excellent work!

Virg Hill Arizona Journalist of the Year

• 1st Place: Rachel Leingang – Arizona Agenda & Arizona Republic
• 2nd Place: Jen Fifield – Arizona Republic
• 3rd Place: Tony Davis – Arizona Daily Star

Judges’ comments: Rachel Leingang personalized the staggering loss from COVID-19, took readers inside the classroom to see the impact closures had on Arizona students and identified policy solutions to the state’s opioid crisis. Among a strong class of entries, we were impressed by the breadth, quality and variety of her work. The public records guide was a helpful addition.

Jen Fifield’s dogged reporting helped readers follow along the perplexing Maricopa County ballot audit. She put the audit into context, clearly described the unanswered questions and followed the money. A job well done.

Tony Davis did a masterful job contextualizing environmental news for readers and explaining why it is important for their communities.

Judges: Suki Dardarian, Star Tribune; Samuel Robinson, Axios Detroit; Tyler Buchanan, Axios Columbus

Community Journalist of the Year

• 1st: Jeremy Duda – Arizona Mirror
• 2nd: Paul Ingram – Tucson Sentinel
• 3rd: Lee Shappell – Wrangler News

Judges’ comments: As a judging panel, we wish to commend Jeremy Duda on his efforts to connect the dots on groups and individuals and extremism infiltrating its way into Arizona politics. The submitted stories, which had solid reporting and sourcing, showed a fearlessness and hustle that made this entry rise to the top. Reporting on every aspect of the redistricting process, while not the splaishest subject, is exactly the type of work we need to help readers understand the political and electoral process. We’re glad that Arizona had such a strong resource as the state worked through this controversial process. We hope Jeremy will continue to work hard to reveal who is behind some of the issues plaguing Arizona and its politics for years to come.

Judges: Christina Lords, Idaho Capital Sun; Alec MacGillis, ProPublica; Keith Kohn, Victoria (Texas) Advocate

Community Photographer of the Year

• 1st: Arianna Grainey – Independent Newspapers
• 2nd: Billy Hardiman – Wrangler News
• 3rd: Paul Ingram – Tucson Sentinel

Judge: Al Diaz, Miami Herald

Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year

• 1st: Patrick Breen – Arizona Republic
• 2nd: Kelly Presnell – Arizona Daily Star
• 3rd: Antranik Tavitian – Arizona Republic

Judge: Al Diaz, Miami Herald

A1. Spanish-language news reporting

1st: Emily Bregel
“Emergencia sanitaria en Guaymas y San Carlos por la fuga de aguas residuales”
Arizona Daily Star / La Estrella

Judge’s comments: Se trata de una investigación muy completa sobre este problema de salud pública en Guaymas, Sonora. Contiene historias de personas afectadas, bien narradas; opiniones de expertos y de funcionarios responsables, análisis a la calidad del agua. Es un trabajo periodístico robusto que retrata una problemática social y de salud de uno de los destinos turísticos más importantes de Sonora.

2nd: Araceli Cruz
“Lo que debes hacer si te niegan la vacuna por ser indocumentado”
The Copper Courier

Judge’s comments: Me parece que la noticia es muy oportuna en el contexto de la pandemia por Covid-19, y refleja una problemática de discriminación a personas sin un estatus legal en los Estados Unidos que presentaron dificultades para ser vacunados. La nota contiene la historia de una persona afectada y es contrastada con lo que la ley dice al respecto. Es una nota de denuncia que orienta a los lectores sobre qué hacer si les niega la vacuna. Insisto, es una nota útil y de denuncia, de ahí su potencial.

Judge: Juan Carlos Zuniga, Uniradio Noticias/Meganoticias Hermosillo

A2. Spanish-language feature reporting

1st Place: Bennito Kelty
“Familias de pioneros mexicanos logran salvar acceso al panteón histórico en Vail”
Tucson Sentinel

Judge’s comments: Se trata de una historia que refleja el poder de una comunidad por defender sus raíces. Cuenta con testimonios, datos históricos y una narración que permite a personas ajenas al contexto de dicha comunidad inmiscuirse en la importancia del sitio y lo que representa para sus habitantes.

2nd Place: Claudia Bungard
“Tras perder a su hijo, esta mamá de Tucsón apoya a quienes enfrentan adicciones”
Arizona Daily Star / La Estrella

Judge’s comments: Me pareció una historia potente, bien narrada, que refleja una problemática de salud pública en Arizona y que orienta a los lectores sobre qué hacer ante un problema de adicciones.

Judge: Juan Carlos Zuniga, Uniradio Noticias/Meganoticias Hermosillo

A3. Spanish-language commentary/analysis

No award given

B1. Community investigative reporting

1st place. Sam Kmack
Inequity in 504 plans
Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

2nd place. Jerod MacDonald-Evoy
Election auditors didn’t screen workers
Arizona Mirror

3rd place. Jeremy Duda & Garrett Archer
Cyber Ninjas leader ignored contradicting records
Arizona Mirror

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

B1. Statewide investigative reporting

1st place. Anne Ryman
Abuse in massage industry
Arizona Republic

2nd place. Rob O’Dell
Problems at monkey facility
Arizona Republic

3rd place. Sam Kmack
Inequity in 504 plans
Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

B2. Community public service reporting

1st place. Maria Polletta and Shaena Montanari
Outbreaks, quarantines and closures: Help AZCIR track COVID-19 in Arizona schools
Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

2nd place. Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson
Arizona Agenda’s guide to getting public records
Arizona Agenda

3rd place. Lee Shappell, Wrangler News staff
Sound off: Neighbors livid over roar from newly widened loop 101
Wrangler News

Judge’s comment: “A news site shouldn’t have to attempt to track where a virus is spreading in local schools and school districts during a deadly historic pandemic. But when a news site does exactly that due to governmental negligence and/or complacence (or cynicism) amid a public health crisis, kudos. Such ambition deserves to be praised for its public service.”

C2. Statewide public service reporting

1st place. Anne Ryman, Ty Vinson, Justin Price
How Arizona allows massage therapists with sexual abuse allegations to keep working
Arizona Republic

2nd place. Amy Silverman
A place that should know better
Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

3rd place. Jessica Boehm, Catherine Reagor, Ralph Chapoco
Pandemic evictions were halted, but metro Phoenix landlords still filed for almost 30,000
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comment: “Hell of a series; a deeply reported, compellingly written investigation with high impact.”

Judge: Trip Jennings, New Mexico In Depth

B3. Community breaking news

1st place: Jeremy Duda and Jim Small
“Arizona Senate hires ‘Stop the Steal’ advocate to lead 2020 election audit”
Arizona Mirror

Judge: Sherri Lewis, Texas Tech journalism instructor

C3. Statewide breaking news

1st place: Cathalena Burch
“Back-to-back hail, early frost in ’20 decimate ’21 Sonoita harvest”
Arizona Daily Star

2nd place: Jen Fifield
“Arizona Senate audit gets off to shaky start, with rules finalized on the fly”
Arizona Republic

Judge: Sherri Lewis, Texas Tech journalism instructor

B4. Community public safety reporting

1st place. Shondiin Silversmith
Violence Against Indigenous Women
Arizona Mirror

2nd place. Lidia Terrazas and Jonathan Clark
Police Kill Truck Driver
Nogales International

3rd place. Jeremy Duda
Criminal Justice Reform Prospects
Arizona Mirror

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

C4. Statewide public safety reporting

1st place. Jimmy Jenkins, Tessa Duvall, BrieAnna Frank
DOJ probes Phoenix and Louisville
Arizona Republic

2nd place. Elvia Verdugo
Firefighters and Mental Health
Arizona Daily Star

3rd place. Nicole Ludden
Prison Guards and COVID-19 Vaccines
Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

B5. Community political reporting

1st Place: Julia Shumway
“Boyer’s vote triggers threats of violence, retribution”
“GOP senators take revenge on Boyer”
Arizona Capitol Times

Judge’s comments: Julia Shumway’s clear and engaging writing helps illustrate an important issue facing Arizona, the country and democracy as a whole: the consequences of misinformation and trumped up accusations of election interference. Many of the stories submitted in this category dealt with similar issues by strong reporters, but it is Shumway’s writing — its structure, pacing, context, and, most importantly, its understandability to the average reader — that made this entry stand out. As reporters we often focus on when politicians make bad policy decisions and write about those decisions at length, but we should also, as Shumway did, make every effort tell stories of elected officials who seemingly did their best to acquaint themselves with a controversial and impactful issue and made a different, unexpected decision — one that would ultimately threaten the safety of himself and his family — and stand up for democracy when it needed it most.

2nd Place: Jeremy Duda
“The ‘unstoppable’ Kari Lake?”
Arizona Mirror

3rd Place: Hank Stephenson
“A brief history of political mapping”
Arizona Agenda

Judge: Christina Lords, Idaho Capital Times

C5. Statewide political reporting (John Kolbe Politics Reporting Award)

1st Place: Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Ronald J. Hansen and Jen Fifield
“Democracy in doubt” series
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comments: Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Ronald J. Hansen, Jen Fifield have excelled at taking an enormous and complicated question facing the state of Arizona and the country after the 2020 election — “How did we get here?” — and created a series of stories that answered that question all Americans have been left wondering in the years since. They did it with deep historical and statewide context, using thousands of public records and interviews with dozens of people to tell the full story. The series was incredibly easy to read and understand, and their sourcing added validity to a story that, in this political environment, must be ironclad to be believed by a public that has an increasing inability to tell fact from fiction. We need work like this now more than ever.

2nd place: Stacey Barchenger
AZ governor race coverage
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Ray Stern
AZ redistricting commission coverage
Arizona Republic

Judge: Christina Lords, Idaho Capital Times

B6. Community local government reporting

1st place: Lidia Terrazas
“At City of Nogales, call to the public is a casualty of the pandemic”
Nogales International

Judge’s comments: While all three of the top stories in this category were extremely well done, this one stood out because it focuses not only on a topic that could easily be overlooked by the average reporter. Instead, you provided a deeper look into public access and how it’s evolved during and since the pandemic. Kudos! Fantastic lead pulled me in and demanded an immediate read.

2nd place: Jessica Swarner
“Activists win yearslong battle for Mesa nondiscrimination ordinance”
Copper Courier

C6. Statewide local government reporting

1st place: Ray Stern
“Tempe quietly fires its library director after staff complaints”
Phoenix New Times

B7. Community state/federal government reporting

1st Place: Rachel Leingang
“The state neglects its technology. It screws over Arizonans who need help.”
Arizona Agenda

Judge’s comments: Excellent work on an underreported topic, making the issues clear. The report also fosters understanding.

2nd place: Kyra Haas, Nathan Brown and Wayne Schutsky
“Ninja report insinuates wrongdoing, Fann calls for probe”
Arizona Capitol Times

3rd place: Laura Gómez
“Republican Lawmakers pass bill critics say erases non-binary people”
AZ Mirror

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus & the Los Angeles Press Club

C7. Statewide state/federal government reporting

1st place: Stacey Barchenger
“How often does voting fraud happen?”
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comments: Insightful approach to a topic of importance and brings the issue to the hometown. Great work.

2nd place: Ray Stern
“Chicanos Por la Causa’s hiring of Arizona lawmakers draws scrutiny”
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Stacey Barchenger
“Donors spent millions Arizona elections but the funders remain a mystery for now”
Arizona Republic

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus & the Los Angeles Press Club

B8. Community health reporting

1st place: Shaena Montanari
“Valley fever vaccine for dogs shows promising results, first step toward human trials”
AZ CIR

Judge’s comments: Excellent and detailed reporting that gives hope to those suffering from this mysterious disease. Good work!”

2nd place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy
“There are hardly any flu cases this year and covid might be why”
AZ Mirror

3rd place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy
“Scam online pharmacies selling fake, dangerous pills find opportunity in the pandemic”
AZ Mirror

Judge: LA Press Club

C8. Statewide health reporting

1st place: Ray Stern
“Shifts for Shots: How Savvy Vaccine Seekers Worked the Volunteer System”
Phoenix New Times
Judge’s comments: Good work that gives the public a look beneath the surface during a vulnerable time.

2nd place: Patty Machelor,
“Pandemic overwhelms Southern Arizona healthcare industry”
Arizona Daily Star

3rd place: Melina Waling
“Viruses and Vaccines”
Arizona Republic

Judge: LA Press Club

B9. Community Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award

1st place: Katya Mendoza
“Irregular ‘side blooms’ on saguaros signify a parched desert”
Tucson Local Media

Judges’ comments: The story looks at a strange phenomenon affecting saguaros — the emergence of side-blooms — and uses this seemingly pedestrian phenomenon as an anchor to explore much larger climate issues. The piece is well-written with vivid descriptions of the people and places the reporter visited. The reporter uses the emergence of these blooms to bring the reader in and explain how extreme weather and climate change are affecting desert ecosystems.

2nd place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy
“Years of raging Arizona wildfires bring focus onto climate change, drought”
AZ Mirror

Judges’ comments: The story is a straightforward take on the science linking climate change to increasing severity and frequency of wildfires in Arizona. It provides plenty of context to make crystal clear how wildfires have changed in severity over time. The writing is clear, leaving the reader to walk away with a better understanding of climate science and how it relates to wildfire.

Judges: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity; Luke Runyon, Ted Scripps Environmental Journalism Fellow CU-Boulder, KUNC Color; Rob Chappell, Madison 365

C9. Statewide Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award

1st place: Kendal Blust
“Aguas negras: In 2 Mexican beach towns, raw sewage is running through the streets”
KJZZ

Judges’ comments: Blust’s reporting captures the nuances of a sewage crisis in northern Mexico, and vividly transports the reader to the small communities being plagued by public health concerns. Through clear writing, compelling visuals and a package of multimedia elements, the story focuses on not just the problem itself, but the people at the heart of it who are living with the effects each day. Rather than just dig into the problem itself the story also poses some solutions and examines the efficacy of those approaches.

2nd place: Tony Davis
Colorado River coverage
Arizona Daily Star

Judges’ comments: This entry is to be commended for its ability to make sense of a complex issue facing the southwest — the decline of the Colorado River. Through sustained coverage Davis is able to give readers a glimpse into the people managing the crisis, and the politics that drive decision-making among the watershed’s leaders. The stories are well-sourced and together the pieces give a depth and breadth of Colorado River coverage unlike many other media outlets out there. Kudos to the news leaders at the Arizona Daily Star for giving Davis the room to do what he does best.

3rd place: Debbie Weingarten and Tony Davis
“Wells run dry since mega-dairy’s arrival in rural southeast Arizona”
Arizona Daily Star

Judges: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity; Luke Runyon, president, Society of Environmental Journalists, KUNC (Colo.); Rob Chappell, Madison 365

B10. Community Science Reporting

1st place: Jeff Gardner
“Sonoran Plants Adapting to Increased Heat and Drought”
Tucson Weekly

Judge’s comments: Compelling angle on climate change that people can understand. Good work!

2nd place: Sam McManis
“No Easy Task Moving Prehistoric Reptile Tracks to Museum of Northern Arizona”
AZ Daily Sun

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus & the Los Angeles Press Club

C10. Statewide science reporting

1st place: Rob O’Dell
“NIH Investigate Mesa Monkey Farm”
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comments: Excellent work taking a complicated national issue and making it understandable and local.

2nd place: Stephanie Innes and Melina Walling
“Arizona scientist finds ‘strong evidence’ on how pandemic began, reviving debate on virus origins”
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Nicholas Gerbis
“Beyond Coronavirus Vaccines, mRNA Could Transform Treatments”
KJZZ

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus & the Los Angeles Press Club

B11. Community Social Issues Reporting

1st place: Maria Polletta
Child care system
Arizona CIR

2nd place: Bennito L. Kelty
Eviction moratorium
Tucson Sentinel

3rd place: Emily Dieckman
Finding their voices
Tucson Weekly

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

C11. Statewide Social Issues Reporting

1st place: Jessica Boehm
Homelessness in Phoenix
Arizona Republic

2nd place: Daniel Gonzalez
Communities at risk
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Daniel Gonzalez
Vaccination disparities
Arizona Republic

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

B12. Community Education Reporting

1st place: Lorraine Longhi
Thousands of Arizona Students Left Public Schools This Year. Without Promised Funding, Arizona Teachers Are Paying The Price
Copper Courier

Judge’s comments: This was a very good overview of what was happening at the local and the state levels.

2nd place: Donovan Quintero
Youth struggle in isolation as COVID-19 drags on
Navajo Times

3rd place: Hank Stephenson
School boards enter the forefront of partisan culture wars. It’s just the beginning.
Arizona Agenda

Judge: Trip Jennings, New Mexico In Depth

C12. Statewide Education Reporting

1st place: Rachel Leingang, Lily Altavena, Lorraine Longhi
A year like no other could have long-lasting effects for Arizona students in critical grades
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comments: An ambitious, compelling project that captured the clash of students’ hopes and dreams with the reality of a terrible once-in-a-century pandemic. Very well done.

2nd place: Taylor Seely
Culture war breaks out as Arizona school district confronts race, equity issues
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Daniel Gonzalez
The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools online. It impacted Latino students’ learning the most
Arizona Republic

Judge: Trip Jennings, New Mexico In Depth

B13. Community immigration reporting

1st place: Laura Gómez
“DPS: State trooper wrong to say he ‘smelled’ undocumented migrants”
AZ Mirror

Judge’s comments: This story brings to light, through investigative detail and public records, the egregious infringement on the rights of migrants.

2nd place: Araceli Cruz
“Why This DACA Recipient Was Forced to Choose Harvard Over One of Arizona’s Universities”
The Copper Courier

Judge’s comments: The irony in this story of a bright young student unable to go to college in the state where he lives brings home just how difficult it can be for undocumented students to follow their dreams wherever they choose.

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus & the Los Angeles Press Club

C13. Statewide immigration reporting

1st place: Curt Prendergast and Alex Devoid
“Migrant deaths: A crisis deepens in the desert: Migrants perishing in greater numbers”
Arizona Daily Star

Judge’s comments: The compelling narrative of the audio recording combined with great investigative detail on the deaths of migrants make this story a compelling and important read.

2nd place: Rafael Carranza
Asylum coverage
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Miguel Torres
“He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in ICE custody. A decade later, he’s stuck in the legal system”
Arizona Republic

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus & the Los Angeles Press Club

B14. Community Business Reporting

1st place: Genesis Lara
Shops in Sonora benefit
Nogales International

2nd place: Jessica Swarner
Concert venues adapt
Copper Courier

3rd place: Laura Gomez
Light rail construction closes coffee shop
Arizona Mirror

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

C14. Statewide Business Reporting

1st place: Craig Harris
Tax refunds
Arizona Republic

2nd place: Russ Wiles
Electric car manufacturing
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Catherine Reagor, Jessica Boehm, Ralph Chapoco
Constables and landlords
Arizona Republic

Judge: Matt DeRienzo, Center for Public Integrity

B18. Community column/opinion writing

1st place. Blake Morlock
Tucson Sentinel

2nd place. Jim Small
Arizona Mirror

3rd place. Brian Smith
Tucson Weekly

Judge’s comment: “Morlock writes with outstanding style, and his perspective seems to be strongly rooted in his long experience with the subjects at hand.”

Judge: Bryan Clark, Idaho Statesman

C18. Statewide column/opinion writing

1st place. 1. Brian Smith
Tucson Weekly

2nd place. Greg Moore
Arizona Republic

3rd place. Tim Steller
Arizona Daily Star

Judge’s comment: “Smith’s writing is beautiful, and he masterfully captures the texture of his subjects’ lives.”

Judge: Bryan Clark, Idaho Statesman

B20. Community Personality Profile

1st place: Hank Stephenson
She spread conspiracy theories. It ruined her life
Arizona Agenda

Judge’s comments: Top notch writing about a person unsuccessfully trying to escape a maelstrom of lies and delusions and discovering that she has few friends.

2nd place: Brian Smith
Tucson Salvage: Portrait of the old moccasin seller
Tucson Weekly

3rd place: Sam McManis
Flagstaff indigenous activist, educator wins JFK Profile in Courage Award
Arizona Daily Sun

Judge: Trip Jennings, New Mexico In Depth

C20. Statewide Personality Profile 

1st place: Jen Fifield, Zac Anderson
From rural Florida to Trump allies’ inner circle: Who is the Cyber Ninja leading Arizona’s audit?
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comments: A meticulously researched, well told story. I walked away with a keen sense of Doug Logan.

2nd place: Ellice Leuders
Matilde Santa Cruz makes flour tortillas over a mesquite fire at home — and at Tucson Meet Yourself
This is Tucson

3rd place: Shanti Lerner
Desert Bar will never be done and that’s just how the owner likes it
Arizona Republic

Judge: Trip Jennings, New Mexico In Depth

Sports Feature — Community

1st place: Sam McManis
“For former Flagstaff High School star, 5 seconds and a punch that still resonates”
Arizona Daily Sun

2nd place: David Smith
“Golfer Tysho Tano secures scholarship for college”
Navajo Times

3rd place: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
“Top (Under) Dog: Conor Garland quietly becomes the Coyotes’ secret weapon”
North Valley

Judge: Rob Chappell, Madison 365

B15. Community sports beat reporting

1st place: Eric Newman
“NAU Graduate Arnson Example of Success”
AZ Daily Sun
Judge’s comments: A great blend of information and inspiration. The winner takes a well-deserved and detailed look at achievement.

2nd place: Quentin Jody
Navajo Times

Judge: LA Press Club

C15. Statewide sports beat reporting

1st place: Michelle Gardner
“Rewind: ASU can’t overcome physical Wisconsin in Las Vegas Bowl loss”
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comments: Superb writing and insights dissecting the plays that made the game. Great work!

2nd place: Jeff Metcalfe
“Olympian Kayla Miracle breaking barriers in wrestling and as LGBTQ+ pioneer”
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Nick Piecoro
“Diamondbacks’ prospect Kristian Robinson’s career in limbo after sentencing”
Arizona Republic

Judge: LA Press Club

Sports Feature – Statewide

1st place: Sam McManis
“For former Flagstaff High School star, 5 seconds and a punch that still resonates”
Arizona Daily Sun

2nd place: Greg Moore
“The Phoenix Suns’ rise is the best turnaround story in sports; here’s how it happened”
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Jeff Metcalfe
“Their Arizona State volleyball dream crashed in 2015, replaced today by joy of motherhood”
Arizona Republic

Judge: Rob Chappell, Madison 365

Sports investigative – Community

1st place: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
“Coyotes’ Christian Fischer is a calming force”
Glendale Star

Judge: Rob Chappell, Madison 365

Sports investigative – Statewide

1st place: Craig Harris
“ASU athletics gave $641K in discretionary bonuses after reporting losses during COVID-19”
Arizona Republic

Judge: Rob Chappell, Madison 365

B21. Community feature/narrative writing

1st. Brian Smith
“Tucson Salvage: Song of David: Anything That’s Rock ’n’ Roll”
Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comments: Excellent profile. The devil is in the details and the details are richly described throughout this story. Consistently compelling and interesting.

2nd place: Emily Dieckman
“Are You There, Dog? It’s Me, Margaret”
Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comments: A quirky subject that is treated with respect and the story is all the better for it.

3rd place: Janie Magruder
“A Thanksgiving Story: Tempe employee made most of opportunities that gave him new life of dignity”
Wrangler News

Judge’s comments: Just a good human interest story.

Judge: Andy Coughlan, president, Press Club of Southeast Texas

C21. Statewide feature/narrative writing

1st place: Brian Smith
“Tucson Salvage: Song of David: Anything That’s Rock ’n’ Roll”
Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comments: Excellent profile. The devil is in the details and the details are richly described throughout this story. Consistently compelling and interesting.

2nd place: Henry Brean
“From saved to savior”
Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comments: Excellent read that tells a fascinating human story.

3rd place: Katya Mendoza
“Tucson artists design fedoras”
Arizona Daily Star

Judge’s comments: Good story about creative community

Judge: Andy Coughlan, president, Press Club of Southeast Texas

B23. Community arts reporting

1st place: Emily Dieckman
“‘Jingle All The Way’ Director Speaks at 25th Anniversary Screening”
Tucson Weekly

Judge’s comments: A fun look back at a ‘failed’ movie and how time can change perceptions. At first it seems like an odd choice to focus on something that seemingly didn’t work, but the writing encourages the reader to continue to find the twist. A good ending.

Judge: Andy Coughlan, president, Press Club of Southeast Texas

C23: Statewide arts reporting

1st place: Ed Masley
“Chapel of Love”, “Funky Broadway”, “Alice Cooper”
Arizona Republic

Judge’s comments: Any of these three stories would be a worthy winner. Excellent writing and consistently interesting. Each was a deep dive into the music industry. A great example of “don’t tell me what I know, tell me what I don’t know.” Absorbing stuff.

2nd place: Emily Dieckman
“‘Jingle All The Way’ Director Speaks at 25th Anniversary Screening”
Tucson Weekly

3rd place: Raphael Romero Ruiz
“Resilience through art: Yaqui artists build community by honoring their ancestors’ narrative”
Arizona Republic

Judge: Andy Coughlan, president, Press Club of Southeast Texas

B24. Community Food and Beverage

1st place: Lorraine Longhi
7 Local Valley Restaurants That Opened During the Pandemic You Need to Check Out
Copper Courier

Judges’ comments: “Inspiring and informative and creates a desire to go visit these great places.”

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus, LA Press Club

B25. Community Headline Writing 

1st place: Lee Shappell
You Idiots! There is a way to cure stupidity, W. Chandler experts counsel
Wrangler News

Judges’ comments: “Hilarious headline considering the unique business to which it refers. Great job!”

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus, LA Press Club

B26. Community Photojournalism – Picture Story

1st place: Donovan Quintero and Sharon Chischlly
Red Rock Balloon Rally
Navajo Times

2nd place: Donovan Quintero
“Wood Warriors”
Navajo Times

3rd place: Arianna Grainey
“Fit Families Mud Run”
Independent Newsmedia

Judges’ comments: “We chose the Balloon fest because of the variety of images. All beautiful and the event was worked with all focal lengths, light and angles.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman
.

C26. Statewide Photojournalism – Picture Story

1st place: Antranik Tavitian
Arizona Republic
“Turning Point USA Convention”

2nd place: Kelly Presnell
Arizona Daily Star
“First year volleyball team”

3rd place: Megan Mendoza
“Country Thunder”
Arizona Republic

Judges’ comments: “The photos from the Trump rally impressed us with the variety of images. Great moments, emotion, composition made this group of images a standout.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

B27. Community Photojournalism – News

1st place : Cyrus Norcross
“Missing Woman March”
Navajo Times

2nd place: Sharon Chischilly
“Police Recruits”
Navajo Times

Judges’ comments: “The judges appreciated the look of determination in the woman’s face front and center for the march for the missing woman.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

C27. Statewide Photojournalism – News

1st place: Rick Wiley
“Water Rescue”
Arizona Daily Star

2nd place: Kelly Presnell
“Anti-mask protest”
Arizona Daily Star.

3rd place: Mamta Popat
“Veteran funeral”
Arizona Daily Star

Judges’ comments: “The water rescue was hands down our favorite because we have flash flooding in Texas and know how hard it is to actually get to a water rescue before it is over. Tense moment capture well.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

B28. Community Photojournalism – Feature 

1st place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy
“Memorial Prayer”
Arizona Mirror

2nd place: Billy Hardiman
“Valentine’s Day”
Wrangler News

3rd place: Sharon Chischilly
“Jill Biden”
Navajo Times

Judges’ comments: “The photo that caught our eye was the American flag with the woman seemingly in prayer behind it. The light was lovely, but we thought a stronger crop from the right would have helped zero in on the beautiful light and nuance of the image.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.
 

C28. Statewide Photojournalism – Feature

1st place: Antranik Tavitian
“COVID-19 vaccination”
Arizona Republic

2nd place: Kelly Presnell
“Terror Trail”
Arizona Daily Star

3rd place: Kelly Presnell
Graduation Leap”
Arizona Daily Star

Judges’ comments: “The team was particularly attracted to the image of the little girl hiding her eyes behind her mask. We didn’t know if it was to hide her tears or trying to make herself disappear but we felt for her. The tightness of the image meant you could not ignore it.”

B29. Community Photojournalism – Pictorial

1st place: Sharon Chischilly
“Diné of Dinétah”
Navajo Times

2nd place: Arianna Grainey
“Aldi Grocery Store”
Independent Newsmedia

3rd place: Sharon Chischilly
“Flying High”
Navajo Times

Judge’s comments: “Unanimously, we loved the photo of the skateboarder on the red hills. There was so much information in that photo and we wanted to study it as we enjoyed the scene.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

C29. Statewide Photojournalism – Pictorial

1st place: Kelly Presnell
“Monsoon storm”
Arizona Daily Star

2nd place: Patrick Breen
“Saguaro lightning”
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Kelly Presnell
“Heron sunset”
Arizona Daily Star

Judges’ comments: “The monsoon photo wowed us. So much to look at and appreciate.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

B30. Community Photojournalism

1st place: Arianna Grainey”
“Diving Catch”
Independent Newsmedia
 

2nd place: Sharon Chischilly
“Loose Ball”
Navajo Times

3rd place: Billy Hardiman
“Street Hoops”
Wrangler News

Judges’ comments: “The diving catch baseball shot was appreciated by all the sports shooters in our group. That is a tough shot to get and should be celebrated. Tighter crop would have been good.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

C30. Statewide Photojournalism – Sports Action

1st place: Rob Schumacher
“Olympic Dive”
Arizona Republic

2nd place: Rob Schumacher
“Diamondbacks desperation leap”
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Patrick Breen
“Goalie save”
Arizona Republic.

Judges’ comments: “The diving photo at the swim meet was so beautiful. The color, the body language the levitation of the swimmers made it a stunner.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

B31. Community Photojournalism – Sports Feature

1st place: Joshua Pearson
“Soccer jubilation”
Tucson Sentinel

2nd place: Joshua Pearson
“FC Tucson soccer”
Tucson Sentinel

3rd place: Krista Allen
“Football Conditioning”
Navajo Times

Judges’ comments: “Top two places in this category for the jubilation. Both got right in on the emotion.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

C31. Statewide Photojournalism – Sports Feature

1st place: Patrick Breen
“Aari McDonald”
Arizona Republic

2nd place: Kelly Presnell
“Homerun silhouette”
Arizona Daily Star

3rd place: Antranik Tavitian
Arizona Republic
“Hamilton celebration”

Judges’ comments: “The images of the dejected basketball player with her head under the chair made us feel for her. That is an image that could easily be lost as photographers focus on the winning team. To see the depths of despair in this player was good journalism.”

Judges: Nell Carroll, visuals editor, and photographers Jay Janner, Ricardo Brazziell, Aaron Martinez of the Austin American-Statesman.

D1. Community Page Design

Olson Patterson
‘Something Good, Something Positive’
Navajo Times

Judges’ comments: “The page design takes classic format and makes it modern, with a clean look and easy-to-read layout.”

Judges: Diana Ljungaeus, LA Press Club

B24. Statewide Food and Beverage

1st place: Ellice Leuders
“One More Meal in Deutsches Eck, The Last Best German Deli in Southern Arizona”
Arizona Daily Star

Judge’s comments: “A remarkable walk down memory lane and the writer gives interesting insights into a cherished establishment.”

2nd place: Priscilla Totiyapungprasert
“Clam Digging Arizona Rivers a Cambodian Tradition”
Arizona Republic

3rd place: Tirion Morris
“Female bartenders defy expectations”
Arizona Republic

Judges: Los Angeles Press Club members

E1. Student investigative reporting

1st place: Morgan Fischer, Anna Campbell and Kirsten Dorman
“Viral confrontation in multicultural center”
The State Press

Judge: Michael Mercer, senior instructor for the Department of Communication Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and former reporter and editor at The Jackson Sun.

E2. Student news reporting

1st place: Nancy Lam and Jasmine Kabiri
“Talks for permanent food pantry stall”
The State Press

Judge: Michael Mercer, senior instructor for the Department of Communication Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and former reporter and editor at The Jackson Sun.

E3. Student features reporting

1st place: Kiera Riley
“The Devil in the Details”
The State Press

2nd place: Chris Scragg and Jessica Myers
“In the Business of Poking Holes”
The State Press

3rd place: Alexis Moulton
“ASU’s other Michael Crow”
The State Press

Judge: Julie Reed

E5. Student sports reporting

1st place: David Rodish
“The Forgotten Ones”

The State PressJudge’s comments: “This is a great subject. Stories of past heroes who did not receive the attention they might have gotten in today’s world of saturated sports coverage usually hit the mark. Mr. Rodish chose an excellent story that needed to be told.”

Judge: Geron Scates, Western Texas College

E6. Student photojournalism: News

1st place: Alex Gould
“Kyle Rittenhouse Protesters”

2nd place: Jason White
“ASU police officer at Rittenhouse protest”

3rd place: Alex Gould
“Shady Park lawsuit”

Judge: Los Angeles Press Club members

E7. Student photojournalism: Sports

1st place tie: Kevin Hurley
“ASU wins Territorial Cup

“Jason White
“ASU triathlon”

Judge’s comments: “Both images convey the excitement and emotion in their respective sports. Excellent work.”

Judge: Los Angeles Press Club members

E8. Student photojournalism: Features

1st place: Drake Presto
“Jack Harlow at Infernofest”

Judge’s comments: “This exciting image captures the energy of being in the crowd up close with the performer. Superb!”

2nd place: Alex Gould
“Michael Little Crow portrait”

Judge: Los Angeles Press Club members

The deadline to enter was extended until July 12, 2022, at midnight Arizona time. The contest is now closed.

PART 1

THE RULES FOR WRITING, DESIGN AND PHOTOJOURNALISM

ELIGIBILITY

Journalists are considered members of the Arizona Press Club if they work in the production of news for any Arizona newspaper, online news site, periodical or news service whose primary purpose is to inform the public rather than to sell products or promote a business, government, nonprofit organization or ideology. Journalists for radio and TV news outlets are eligible to enter written reporting published online. Those working for stations in major markets (Phoenix and Tucson) should enter the Statewide division, except for stations with express advance guidance from the Arizona Press Club. Broadcast audio/visual reports are not eligible.

All photographers (staff, part-time, freelance, contract and college student) are eligible if they are Arizona residents who had their work published in print or online by a news organization during 2021. Wire service and agency photographers based in Arizona are eligible.

Entries must have been originally published in 2021.

All entries must have been produced for the editorial department of an Arizona publication, news website or wire service. Work produced for advertising, marketing or other departments is not eligible. Eligible publications must have editorial independence and exist primarily to produce reporting. Advocacy groups that publish news stories are not eligible.

Stories reported or written by or for publications or websites based outside Arizona are not eligible.

DEADLINE

Entries must be submitted by July 12, 2022, unless entrants make special arrangements in advance with Press Club President Dylan Smith, tucsonsentinel@gmail.com.

All entries must be submitted online at azpressclub.org.

CATEGORIES

In each writing category there are two divisions: Community and Statewide.

Awards in the Community Division, intended to honor the work of publications with fewer resources, include any daily newspaper with a circulation of less than 20,000, any non-daily publication with a circulation of less than 50,000, and online-only publications.

Awards in the Statewide Division are intended to honor the best journalism in Arizona produced by a journalist working for any size of publication.

The Community and Statewide divisions should not be interpreted to indicate the reach or topic of reporting, but rather the size and resources of a news organization. The placement of an entry in a division is subject to the determination and discretion of the Arizona Press Club Contest Committee and Board of Directors.

Judges first will choose the Community winner(s), then will mix the first-place Community winner and all Statewide entries together to choose the Statewide winner for the category. In other words, the first-place Community division winner in each category is eligible to win a Statewide award as well.

Spanish-language publications may enter any of the English-language categories, provided that all stories, headlines and captions are translated into English.

Journalists for student/school-run publications, including college/university newspapers and wire services, should enter the Student Division.

MEMBERSHIP AND ENTRY FEES

Eligible journalists who wish to be club members without entering the contest should go to the contest page and select a club membership and proceed to payment without submitting contest entries. Thank you for your support!

$5 per entry for Community, Student, and Spanish-language categories

$10 per entry for Statewide categories

The Big 4

Community Journalist of the Year: $20 to enter

Virg Hill Journalist of the Year: $25 to enter

Community Photojournalist of the Year: $20 to enter

Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year: $25 to enter

PAYMENT

Unpaid entries will not be considered. Improperly submitted entries will be disqualified and entry fees will not be refunded.

Any entrants not paying online at the time of submission should contact Press Club President Dylan Smith to arrange an alternative method of payment.

STAFF ENTRIES

Entries with five or more contributors should be submitted as a Staff Entry. Award notices will list “Staff,” not individual names.

JUDGING

Entries will be judged by out-of-state journalists selected by the Arizona Press Club Board of Directors. Judges’ decisions are final, unless winning entries do not conform to APC rules.

If there is a tie for first place, no second-place award is given. If there is a tie for second, no third-place award is given.

If there are fewer than three entries in a particular category in a division

AWARDS

Winners will be announced by the beginning of August 2022.

Cash awards are given for certain categories, as indicated in the category descriptions below. Other winners receive certificates.

ETHICS AND DISQUALIFICATION

The Arizona Press Club promotes ethical journalism and recognizes that contest rules cannot envision every potential breach of professional standards. The club reserves the right to disqualify any entry or withdraw any award based on ethical violations or violations of the rules, as deemed by the board. Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. If an entry is disqualified, the prize will be awarded to the next-place winner. Disqualified entrants will forfeit their entry fees.

GRIEVANCE POLICY

For problems, concerns and complaints about the contest, the contest chairperson shall notify the Grievance Committee (president and executive officers). The committee will rule on the matter or forward it to the full Press Club board for final approval.

DISCLAIMER

The Arizona Press Club is not responsible for lost entries but will take reasonable care processing the entries.

ENTRY PROCEDURES:

• All entries require an electronic signature, which is included at the end of the electronic submission page. On entries with multiple contributors, only one contributor needs to sign.
• List headlines or images completely to help identify entries.
• Entries must be submitted exactly as they were published. URLs to online versions can be submitted; for content not available online, content can be uploaded elsewhere as PDFs, doc or docx files and a link provided.
• Enter as many times and in as many categories as desired. However, no story may be submitted more than once, except that stories entered in other categories may also be used to enter Journalist of the Year-level categories and other exceptions only as noted.
• Entries that do not conform to the rules will be disqualified. If an entry is disqualified, the prize will be awarded to the next winner. Disqualified entrants will forfeit their entry fees.

PART II

THE CATEGORIES

SPANISH-LANGUAGE PUBLICATIONS

Multiple story entries for these categories should reflect sustained coverage of a single issue or topic, not overall beat reporting. (Example: A collection of stories about the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or about drunken driving enforcement would be eligible; a collection of stories about different police agencies or unrelated topics would not be eligible.)

Unless otherwise noted, entries are strictly limited to a maximum of five stories or pieces of work. Sidebars count toward the total. (Example: Four stories plus a sidebar is a valid entry. Four stories plus two sidebars is not.) Column categories have a different story count; see specific rules for each.

A1. Spanish-language news reporting: A single story or up to five stories about one news event or issue.

A2. Spanish-language feature reporting: A single story or up to five stories that reflect how people live their daily lives.

A3. Spanish-language commentary/analysis: A single or up to three examples of columns, commentary, analysis or editorials.

COMMUNITY JOURNALISM

The Community Division awards are intended to honor the work of any daily newspaper with a circulation of less than 20,000, any non-daily publications with a circulation of less than 50,000, and online-only publications.

Community category entries will be judged, with the winners then judged along with Statewide category entries to choose a winner in that division.

Multiple story entries for these categories should reflect sustained coverage of a single issue or topic, not overall beat reporting. (Example: A collection of stories about the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or about drunken driving enforcement would be eligible; a collection of stories about different police agencies or unrelated topics would not be eligible.)

All entries, except if specifically noted otherwise, are strictly limited to a maximum of five stories or pieces of work. Sidebars count toward the total. (Example: Four stories plus a sidebar is a valid entry. Four stories plus two sidebars is not.) Many categories have a different story count; see specific rules for each.

B1. Community Investigative Reporting: One or more pieces on a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that are the result of extensive research and original investigation. The winning entry will uncover corruption, incompetence or systemic problems in an area of high public interest and importance. A one-page letter, explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories, is optional.

B2. Community public service journalism: One or more pieces on a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that serve the public good. May include sidebars. A one-page letter explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories is optional.

B3. Community breaking news: A single day’s reporting of one or more pieces of unscheduled news on a single subject. May include sidebars. Entries should be reported and written in a single shift. A one-page letter explaining deadline circumstances is optional.

B4. Community public safety reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of law enforcement, courts, corrections, fire and rescue, or related areas.

B5. Community political reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of local, state or federal political issue or election-related coverage.

B6. Community local government reporting: A single story or up to five stories related to regular actions performed by local government agencies/elected bodies. Election-related coverage should be entered in B5.

B7. Community state/federal government reporting: A single story or up to five stories related to regular actions performed by either state or federal agencies/elected bodies. Election-related coverage should be entered in B5.

B8. Community health reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of the healthcare industry, including treatment, research and consumer affairs.

B9. Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award (Community division): A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic or trend related to natural resources, ecology, environmental policy or human interaction with nature.

B10. Community science reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic or trend related to academic scientific research, scientific discoveries, scientific policies at the local or state level of government.

B11. Community social issues reporting: A single story or up to five stories on a topic concerning a specific aspect of human-to-human interactions, values and beliefs. Issues that fall into this category include faith and religion, social services and the poor, families and children, aging and substance abuse.

B12. Community education reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic related to education.

B13. Community immigration reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific event or topic about immigration and related issues.

B14. Community business reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns on a specific aspect of business, finance or consumer issues.

B15. Community sports beat reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, about a specific sport, team, issue, athlete or sporting event.

B16. Community sports feature reporting: A single story, or up to five stories, about a specific feature related to sports, team, issue, athlete or sporting event.

B17. Community sports investigative reporting: A single story or column, or up to five stories and columns, about a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that are the result of extensive research and original investigation.

B18. Community column/opinion writing: Three pieces identified as columns written with a focus on reporting news, explaining recent events or telling a human-interest story, including sports.

B19. Community editorial writing: Three opinion pieces expressing views of a publication as an institution — including those signed by an editor or staff member — not those of an individual writer, and advocating a position or course of action.

B20. Community personality profile: A single story or up to five stories that give an in-depth look at an individual or a specific group of people.

B21. Community feature/narrative writing: A single story or up to five stories that demonstrate excellence in feature writing or use of narrative voice in journalism.

B23. Community arts reporting and criticism: Three stories that explore events, personalities or trends about food, theater, visual arts, music, movies, fashion or similar subjects. Entries may be written from the author’s point of view.

B24. Community food and beverage reporting and criticism: Up to five stories that explore events, personalities or trends about dining, cooking or beverages. Entries may be written from the author’s point of view.

B25. Community headline writing: Any three to five headlines composed by the same person for news stories. Entries must include the stories that the headlines accompanied.

B26. Community Photojournalism – Picture Story: (10 images max.)

B27. Community Photojournalism – News: A single photograph from a news event.

B28. Community Photojournalism – Feature: A single photograph of a “found” situation that features strong human interest, or a fresh view of an everyday scene.

B29. Community Photojournalism – Pictorial: A single picture that explores a graphic or aesthetic moment with emphasis on composition.

B30. Community Photojournalism – Sports Action: A single picture that captures peak sports action.

B31. Community Photojournalism – Sports Feature: A single picture that captures emotion, celebration, jubilation, dejection, and reaction among athletes and fans.

STATEWIDE JOURNALISM

Statewide categories are intended to honor the work of any Arizona journalist from any size of publication. Journalists from smaller publications should enter Community categories; after a Community category is chosen, Community and Statewide entries will be combined and an overall winner will be chosen.

Multiple story entries for these categories should reflect sustained coverage of a single issue or topic, not overall beat reporting. (Example: A collection of stories about the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or about drunken driving enforcement would be eligible; a collection of stories about different police agencies or unrelated topics would not be eligible.)

All entries, except if specifically noted otherwise, are strictly limited to a maximum of five stories or pieces of work. Sidebars count toward the total. (Example: Four stories plus a sidebar is a valid entry. Four stories plus two sidebars is not.) Many categories have a different story count; see specific rules for each.

C1. The Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting: One or more pieces on a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that are the result of extensive research and original investigation. The winning entry will uncover corruption, incompetence or systemic problems in an area of high public interest and importance. A one-page letter, explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories, is optional.

C2. Statewide public service journalism: One or more pieces on a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that serve the public good. May include sidebars. A one-page letter explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories is optional.

C3. Statewide breaking news: A single day’s reporting of one or more pieces of unscheduled news on a single subject. May include sidebars. Entries should be reported and written in a single shift. A one-page letter explaining deadline circumstances is optional.

C4. Statewide public safety reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of law enforcement, courts, corrections, fire and rescue, or related areas.

C5. Statewide John Kolbe Politics Reporting Award: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of local, state or federal political issue or election-related coverage.

C6. Community local government reporting: A single story or up to five stories related to regular actions performed by local government agencies/elected bodies. Election related coverage should be entered in C5.

C7. Community state/federal government reporting: A single story or up to five stories related to regular actions performed by either state/federal agencies/elected bodies. Election related coverage should be entered in C5.

C8. Statewide health reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific aspect of the healthcare industry, including treatment, research and consumer affairs.

C9. Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award (statewide category): A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic or trend related to natural resources, ecology, environmental policy or human interaction with nature.

C10. Statewide science reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic or trend related to academic scientific research, scientific discoveries, scientific policies at the local or state level of government.

C11. Statewide social issues reporting: A single story or up to five stories on a topic concerning a specific aspect of human-to-human interactions, values and beliefs. Issues that fall into this category include faith and religion, social services and the poor, families and children, aging and substance abuse.

C12. Statewide education reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific topic related to education.

C13. Statewide immigration reporting: A single story or up to five stories concerning a specific event or topic about immigration and related issues.

C14. Statewide business reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns on a specific aspect of business, finance or consumer issues.

C15. Statewide sports beat reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, about a specific sport, team, issue, athlete or sporting event.

C16. Statewide sports feature reporting: A single story, or up to five stories and columns, about a specific feature related to sports, team, issue, athlete or sporting event.

C17. Statewide sports investigative reporting: A single story or column, or up to five stories and columns, about a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that are the result of extensive research and original investigation.

C18. Statewide column/opinion writing: Three pieces identified as columns written with a focus on reporting news, explaining recent events or telling a human-interest story, including sports.

C19. Statewide editorial writing: Three opinion pieces expressing views of a publication as an institution — including those signed by an editor or staff member — not those of an individual writer, and advocating a position or course of action.

C20. Statewide personality profile: A single story or up to five stories that give an in-depth look at an individual or a specific group of people.

C21. Statewide human interest writing: A single story or up to five stories that demonstrate excellence in feature writing or use of narrative voice in journalism.

C23. Statewide arts reporting and criticism: Three stories that explore events, personalities or trends about food, theater, visual arts, music, movies, fashion or similar subjects. Entries may be written from the author’s point of view.

C24. Statewide food and beverage reporting and criticism: Up to five stories that explore events, personalities or trends about dining, cooking or beverages. Entries may be written from the author’s point of view.

C25. Statewide headline writing: Any three to five headlines composed by the same person for news stories. Entries must include the stories that the headlines accompanied.

C26. Statewide Photojournalism – Picture Story: (10 images max.)

C27. Statewide Photojournalism – News: A single photograph from a news event.

C28. Statewide Photojournalism – Feature: A single photograph of a “found” situation that features strong human interest, or a fresh view of an everyday scene.

C29. Statewide Photojournalism – Pictorial: A single picture that explores a graphic or aesthetic moment with emphasis on composition.

C30. Statewide Photojournalism – Sports Action: A single picture that captures peak sports action.

C31. Statewide Photojournalism – Sports Feature: A single picture that captures emotion, celebration, jubilation, dejection, and reaction among athletes and fans.

STATEWIDE/COMMUNITY DESIGN CATEGORIES

D1. Community print page design portfolio: Up to three pages of a Community publication 

D2. Statewide print page design portfolio: Up to three pages of a Statewide publication 

D3. Community digital project design portfolio: Up to three pages of a Community website or newsletter

D4. Statewide digital project design portfolio: Up to three pages of a Statewide website or newsletter

STUDENT JOURNALISM

Work in these categories must have been published in a student news outlet. Students who wish to enter work published elsewhere should enter the Community or Statewide categories.

Multiple story entries for these categories should reflect sustained coverage of a single issue or topic, not overall beat reporting. (Example: A collection of stories about the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or about drunken driving enforcement would be eligible; a collection of stories about different police agencies or unrelated topics would not be eligible.)

E1. Student investigative reporting: One or more pieces on a single subject — published on a single day, or over the course of the year — that are the result of extensive research and original investigation. The winning entry will uncover corruption, incompetence or systemic problems in an area of high public interest and importance. A one-page letter, explaining what motivated the project and any impact that might not be apparent in the actual stories, is optional.

E2. Student news reporting: A single story or up to five stories about one news event or issue.

E3. Student features reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, that reflect how people live their daily lives.

E4. Student arts, culture and food: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, about one event, trend or issue, including criticism.

E5. Student sports reporting: A single story or column, or a combination of up to five stories and columns, about a specific sport, team, issue, athlete or sporting event.

E6. Student photojournalism – News: A single photograph from a news event.

E7: Student photojournalism – Sports: A single photograph from a sports event.

E8. Student photojournalism – Features: A single photograph of a “found” situation that features strong human interest, or a fresh view of an everyday scene.

VIRG HILL ARIZONA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

Virg Hill was a popular and witty political columnist and reporter for The Phoenix Gazette. Hill died at the age of 62 of a heart attack while covering the Arizona House of Representatives. He passed away in January 1969, and in December of that year, the Arizona Press Club created the award in his honor.

The Virg Hill Award goes to the writer or editor who, in the opinion of the judges, did the best work during 2021. The winner will be selected by three out-of-state judges.

• Entries shall include at least five and no more than eight main stories (sidebars may also be included and do not count as part of the total).
• Up to two of those stories may have a double or multiple bylines. All others must have a single byline.
• Entries may include a one-page letter explaining the obstacles overcome in reporting one or all of the stories in the entry.
• The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, while the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive a certificate.

ARIZONA COMMUNITY JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $20

The Community Journalist of the Year Award is given to a journalist or editor of a weekly or Community publication who, in the opinion of the contest judges, did the best work in 2021 to enhance the goals of the journalism profession and the quality of life in the community.

• Entries should include no more than 12 samples of the entrant’s work, such as news and feature stories, photographs, page designs and editorials. Sidebars are not included in that total.
• Entries should include a one-page letter explaining the qualities of the individual’s work.
• The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, while the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive a certificate.

ARIZONA COMMUNITY PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $20

Community Photojournalist of the Year goes to the photojournalist who, in the opinion of the judges, did the best work during 2021.

Entries should include:

• At least one Picture Story but no more two. (up to 10 images)
• Up to 10 single photographs. No more than 30 images in a portfolio. You must have at least four categories represented from the following:
  • News (Single photo)
  • Feature (Single photo)
  • Pictorial (Single photo)
  • Sports Action (Single photo)
  • Sports Feature (Single photo)
  • Picture Story (Project)

Entries may include a one-page letter explaining the obstacles overcome in reporting one or all of the stories in the entry.

The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, while the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive a certificate.

NICK OZA ARIZONA PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

ENTRY FEE: $25

Nick Oza was an Arizona Republic photojournalist who died in a vehicle crash at age 57 in late 2021.

Oza was awarded the Arizona Press Club 2017 Arizona Photojournalist of the Year and shared in two Pulitzer Prizes in his career. He was an immigrant who spent much of his time at the Republic documenting immigrants traveling through Mexico in search of better lives in the United States.

The award was named for Oza beginning with the 2021 awards to honor his dedication to photojournalism and the respect he showed for the community he served.

The Nick Oza Arizona Photojournalist of the Year goes to the photojournalist who, in the opinion of the judges, did the best work during 2021.

Entries should include:

• At least one Picture Story but no more two. (up to 10 images)
• Up to 10 single photographs. No more than 30 images in a portfolio. You must have at least four categories represented from the following:
  • News (Single photo)
  • Feature (Single photo)
  • Pictorial (Single photo)
  • Sports Action (Single photo)
  • Sports Feature (Single photo)
  • Picture Story (Project)

Entries may include a one-page letter explaining the obstacles overcome in reporting one or all of the stories in the entry.

The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, while the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive a certificate.

Words like “upheaval” don’t seem to cut it when we think back on 2020. We applaud all the great work Arizona journalists did in the face of personal and professional challenges. Congratulations to all, for keeping local journalism strong in 2020 and always!

We thank all of the judges and board members who volunteered their time to make our contest possible.

– Arizona Press Club Board

Virg Hill Arizona Journalist of the Year — Amy Silverman, Arizona Daily Star/ProPublica Local Reporting Network

Virg Hill was a popular and witty political columnist and reporter for The Phoenix Gazette. Hill died at the age of 62 of a heart attack while covering the Arizona House of Representatives. He passed away in January 1969, and in December of that year, the Arizona Press Club created the award in his honor. The Virg Hill Award goes to the writer or editor who, in the opinion of the judges, has done the best portfolio of work during 2020.

Arizonans with developmental disabilities were promised help. Instead, they face delays and denials.

Judge’s comment: Fantastic work highlighting issues within the state for those with disabilities. Very well done and something to be proud of.

Second Place: Craig Harris, The Arizona Republic

Judge’s comment: Craig Harris’ portfolio offers a master class in watchdog reporting, exposing the kind of insider dealing and abuses of power that shake the public’s faith in government. Throughout, he held the powerful to account, showed how their actions undermined ethics laws and other rules, and revealed the real harm caused to people left in their wake. Harris clearly is an intrepid investigator and a tenacious watchdog always looking out for the public’s interests.

Third place: Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic

Judges: Glenn Smith is the Watchdog & Public Service Editor at The Post and Courier. Laura Dennis is the executive editor of the Odessa American. Kyle Hopkins is a special projects reporter for the Anchorage Daily News and winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service Reporting.

Arizona Community Journalist of the Year — Krista Allen, Navajo Times

The Community Journalist of the Year Award is given to the writer or editor of a community publication who, in the opinion of the contest judges, has done the best portfolio of work in 2020 to enhance the goals of the journalism profession and the quality of life in the community.

Virus strikes at rally: Chilchinbeto church gathering may be source of outbreak

Judge’s comment: Krista Allen’s coverage of coronavirus in Navajo Nation embodies the essence of community journalism. She used old-fashioned shoe-leather reporting to bring to light a devastating church rally outbreak, vividly portrayed the desperation of those who couldn’t get medical care for their loved ones, gave families a platform to share their experiences for the benefit of the community, and ensured every story included useful, actionable information. Any reader can see this is a journalist who cares deeply about her community, works hard to tell its most important stories, and doesn’t depend on the official narrative. 

Second place: Nick Phillips, Nogales International

Judge’s comment: An incredible body of work. Nick did it all in 2020, and on both sides of the border. Nick brought the border to life in all of its complexity during an incredible and challenging year. He was a watchdog and storyteller, with a keen eye for trends, whose reporting is filled with depth and humanity.

Third place: Dylan Smith, Tucson Sentinel

Judges: Erica Meltzer is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Colorado. Josh Brodesky is the editorial page editor at the San Antonio Express-News. Dennis Joyce is breaking news editor for the Tampa Bay Times.

Arizona Photojournalist of the Year — Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic

Photojournalist of the Year goes to the photojournalist who, in the opinion of the judges, has done the best work during 2020.

Portfolio

Judge’s comment: Rob’s portfolio entry was balanced and had a lot of nicely executed images in it. The George Floyd protests and the Oregon wildfire photos were a good representation of what those respective communities went through during those trying times and each story had many storytelling images in them. All of his single entries were captured at the right moment which made them an easy read — such as the action shot of the football player diving for a touchdown or the horse sculpture shot at dusk with a hint of the setting sun in the frame. There are several images in the portfolio that I will remember. Nice work!

Second place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Patrick Breen, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Gary Hairlson is the multimedia director for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Arizona Community Photojournalist of the Year — Arianna Grainey, Independent Newsmedia

Community Photojournalist of the Year goes to the photojournalist who, in the opinion of the judges, has done the best work during 2020.

Portfolio

Judge’s comment: Arianna’s portfolio was well balanced and showed a range of assignments with good use of lensing and a range of nice moments. Some great moments and memorable images.

Second place: Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel

Judge: Gary Hairlson is the multimedia director for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

A1. Spanish-language news reporting — Emily Bregel, La Estrella de Tucsón

La pandemia, otro obstáculo a vencer para latinos que aspiran a la universidad

Judge’s comment: This package on the effects of the pandemic on the state’s most vulnerable and high achieving students illustrated well the intersections of policy, income and health. They backed anecdotes with experts, data and the growing public health crisis.

Second place: Stephanie Casanova, Justin Sayers, and Alex Devoid, La Estrella de Tucsón

Con el COVID-19 pegando más duro en el sur de Tucsón, las clínicas comunitarias son un alivio

Third place: Liliana López Ruelas, La Estrella de Tucsón

Lanzan campaña para que el ICE libere a “dreamer” de Tucsón contagiado de COVID-19

Judge: Adriana Gallardo is a reporter at ProPublica and she teaches at the Newmark School at CUNY.

A2. Spanish-language feature reporting — Allison Barton, Cronkite Noticias

Piden equidad en tratamientos de problemas alimenticios en gente de color

Second place: Tina Giuliano, Cronkite Noticias

Falta de conocimiento de vital técnica hace más vulnerables a vecindarios hispanos

Judge: Adriana Gallardo is a reporter at ProPublica and she teaches at the Newmark School at CUNY.

A3. Spanish-language commentary/analysis — Liliana López Ruelas, La Estrella de Tucsón

Editorial: Comprometidos con nuestra comunidad

Judge: Adriana Gallardo is a reporter at ProPublica and she teaches at the Newmark School at CUNY.

B1. Community investigative reporting — Arlyssa Becenti, Navajo Times

Portfolio of stories about hemp crops

Judge’s comment: Well-informed series of stories, consistent follow up from start to finish. This is truly what reporting was meant to do.

Second place: Dylan Smith, Tucson Sentinel

Third place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror

Judge: Warren Woodberry Jr. has worked as a professional journalist and in government communications with 20 years of extensive media experience. He is the owner and publisher of Millenium Magazine.

B2. Community public service journalism — Phoenix Business Journal staff

One System, (Un)Equal Access: How the financial system fails Black-owned and other minority

businesses and how that might change

Judge’s comment: I love stories that focus on underrepresented communities. I love the in-depth “About the Data” sidebar that further explains, supports and details of the story. I learned a lot.

Second place: Navajo Times staff

Judge: Jatika Patterson is a 20-year journalist, who has worked as a writer, editor and proofreader. She’s worked for magazines, newspapers, non-profits, corporations, and her work has appeared in The Crisis Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Atlanta INtown, and more.

B3. Community breaking news — Wayne Schutsky, Scottsdale Progress

Rioting rips Fashion Square area

Riot wracked mall neighborhood for hours

Judge’s comment: This is truly impressive coverage of a complex and fast-moving breaking news story by a reporter and publication that don’t usually cover breaking news like this. The story covered a lot of ground, and the first-person observations are huge assets to the story.

Second place: Dillon Rosenblatt, Arizona Capitol Times

Third place: Jonathan Clark, Genesis Lara and Nick Phillips, Nogales International

Judge: Chris Tisch is senior editor for breaking news at the Tampa Bay Times.

B4. Community public safety reporting — Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror

National Guard flew surveillance aircraft over Black Lives Matter protests

Judge’s comment: Great, detailed reporting on the surveillance of protestors. This is an important story well told. I love the quote from the Major trying to rationalize it by describing a plane as a “moving building.”

Second place: Laura Gómez, Arizona Mirror

Third place: Dylan Smith, Tucson Sentinel

Judge: Gary Harki, an investigative reporter with the Virginian-Pilot, won the 2019 Al Nakkula Award for Public Safety Reporting.

B5. Community political reporting — Dillon Rosenblatt and Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Arizona Capitol Times

Dissension in AZGOP as Trump dumps Ducey

Judge’s comment: Well written, thoroughly reported story on a poignant Trump moment in battleground Arizona.

Second place: Julia Shumway, Arizona Capitol Times

Third place: Laura Gómez, Arizona Mirror

Judge: John Kerr retired in 2006 as editor of the Odessa American.

B6. Community local government reporting — Nick Phillips, Nogales International

As city began to formulate coronavirus response, memo laid bare mistrust between manager and mayor

Judge’s comment: This piece lays bare the political machinations of a dysfunctional city government in clear, concise prose, using top-notch sourcing and documents to get the story behind the story. Bravo.

Second place: Dillon Rosenblatt, Arizona Capitol Times

Third place: Rima Krisst, Navajo Times

Judge: Chance Swaim is a reporter from The Wichita Eagle. He won the George Polk Award for Political Reporting for his coverage of municipal misconduct.

B7. Community state/federal government reporting — Jonathan Clark, Nick Phillips and Genesis Lara, Nogales International

As restrictions take effect at port, U.S. travelers see more differences in traffic than operations

Judge’s comment: Several stories took in a wide sweep of residents, retailers and business people affected by Trump’s Covid-related travel restrictions. The stories put a warm, human face on what could have been a by-the-numbers bureaucratic story. The story about the changing tactics of drug cartels was a unique look at a business problem that’s usually not seen in those terms.

Second place: Julia Shumway, Arizona Capitol Times

Third place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror

Judge: Steve Beatty is a communications consultant at Newspack, a former board member of LION Publishers, and was the editor of The Lens, an award-winning investigative news outlet in New Orleans, and watchdog editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

B8. Community health reporting — Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times

‘I miss my brain’: Frontline hero continues to struggle with COVID-19

Judge’s comment: What I was looking for was a human touch in these COVID-19 stories. This was the only entry that brought home that quality. This little newspaper somehow has a wealth of good writers from what I can tell.

Second place: Dillon Rosenblatt, Arizona Capitol Times

Third place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror

Judge: John Pacenti is a veteran investigative reporter for The Palm Beach Post, specializing in the justice system and health.

B9. Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award (Community division) — Arlyssa Becenti, Navajo Times

Uranium cleanup report falls on few ears

Judge’s comment: The story serves the critical role of revealing the indifference tribal leaders have toward uranium pollution on the Navajo Nation.

Second place: Krista Allen, Navajo Times

Judge: Tristan Baurick is an environment beat reporter at The Times-Picayune. Her series “Polluter’s Paradise” won the Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting from the Society of Environmental Journalists.

B10. Community science reporting — Sam McManis, Arizona Daily Sun

Helping the Mars rover gets its bearings

Judge: Matt DeRienzo is Editor in Chief at the Center for Public Integrity.

B11. Community social issues reporting — Julia Shumway and Andrew Nicla, Arizona Capitol Times

Lobbyists navigate lawmakers’ bad behavior, professional relationships

Judge’s comment: Great work going in deep on the bad behavior of those in power. A good read.

Second place: Nick Phillips, Nogales International

Third place: Krista Allen, Navajo Times

Judge: Laura Dennis is the executive editor of the Odessa American.

B12. Community education reporting — Nick Phillips, Nogales International

With summer vacation approaching, students say they miss school

Judge’s comment: Good job focusing on families’ experiences and interviewing kids, while also holding school districts accountable for transparency.

Second place: Tom Blodgett, Community Impact Newspaper of Gilbert

Third place: Wayne Schutsky, Scottsdale Progress

Judge: Sonali Kohli was named the nation’s best education beat writer in 2019 by the Education Writers Association.

B13. Community immigration reporting — Laura Gómez, Arizona Mirror

Phoenix police ‘wrongly arrested’ protesters, who could now be deported

Judge’s comment: An important series of five stories shining light on the wrongful arrests of four immigrants in Phoenix during a George Floyd protest. Prosecutors ended up dropping the charges and ICE closed two of the deportation cases. The series brought to light both the wrongful arrests that ultimately were dismissed and the collaboration the county jail has with ICE that lead to their deportation cases. Bringing public scrutiny to the faulty arrests and their immigration consequences were an important public service, as was explaining the agreement the county jail holds with ICE and its role in the sheriff’s election. 

Second place: Jude Joffe-Block and Valeria Fernández, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

Third place: Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel

Judge: Lomi Kriel is a reporter at ProPublica. Her immigration reporting at the Houston Chronicle won her a 2019 George Polk Award.

B14. Community business reporting — Sam McManis, Arizona Daily Sun

Flagstaff residents still at work, but struggling

Judge’s comment: This piece stands out for its artful writing that swings effortlessly between statistics and the business owners’ individual stories and very human struggles.

Second place: Jeremy Duda, Arizona Mirror

Third place: Brandon Brown, Phoenix Business Journal

Judge: Charlotte-Anne Lucas is the Executive Director of NOWCastSA in San Antonio.

B15. Community sports beat reporting — Quentin Jodie, Navajo Times

Rodeo beat portfolio

Judge’s comment: Writer was definitely on top of everything that was happening with the rodeo. Hit the subject from all angles.

Second place: Eric Newman and Zach Alvira, Arizona Varsity

Third place: Eric Newman, Arizona Varsity

Judge: Tony Maluso has been a sports journalist for 11 years. He was formerly the Sports editor for the Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre, PA and is now an editor with the paper.

B16. Community sports feature reporting — Sam McManis, Arizona Daily Sun

Lessons in trail etiquette: A look at sharing space in Flagstaff

Judge’s comment: Did a good job of looking at every angle of this, not singling out any one group of trail users and instead looking at each one individually. Smart.

Second place: Julia Shumway, Arizona Capitol Times

Judge: Jake Adams was a sports editor and reporter at The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) for more than seven years. He recently began working at the Wisconsin State Journal/Madison.com as a sports planning editor.

B17. Community sports investigative reporting — David Smith, Navajo Times

‘We never asked for this’: Student-athletes leaving rez to play sports in border towns

Judge’s comment: Looked at the situation and dilemma facing the athletes from all angles. A thorough exploration of the subject.

Second place: Quentin Jodie, Navajo Times

Judge: Tony Maluso has been a sports journalist for 11 years. He was formerly the Sports editor for the Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre, PA and is now an editor with the paper.

B18. Community column/opinion writing — Jim Kiser, Tucson Sentinel

Tucson’s opportunities series

Judge’s comment: The authors tackled this important problem with respect for readers’ intelligence and offered a range of thoughtful and proven solutions.

Second place: Blake Morlock, Tucson Sentinel

Third place: Jim Small, Arizona Mirror

Judge: Charlotte-Anne Lucas is the Executive Director of NOWCastSA in San Antonio.

B19. Community editorial writing — No award this year.

B20. Community personality profile — Brian Smith, Tucson Weekly

He’s having a baby!

Judge’s comment: Deeply reported, written with humanity while avoiding sentimentality.

Second place: Sam McManis, Arizona Daily Sun

Third place: Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Arizona Capitol Times

Judge: Stephanie McCrummen, a national enterprise reporter with the Washington Post, won the 2020 Scripps Howard Ernie Pyle Excellence in Human Interest Storytelling award.

B21. Community human interest writing — Emily Dieckman, Tucson Weekly

New Nipples, New Outlook

Judge’s comment: Well written and informative dive into an aspect of breast cancer recovery that many may not think about if they haven’t experienced it. Filled with charming quotes and story-telling, the reader really gets a sense of Bova’s journey.

Second place: Nick Phillips, Nogales International

Third place: Kristine Cannon, Scottsdale Progress

Judge: Samantha Swindler is a writer and editor at the Oregonian and past president of the state’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She won the 2010 Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism.

B22. Community short-form writing — Sam McManis, Arizona Daily Sun

Judge’s comment: Rich writing and detail really took me into this true community gathering. A lovely story told quickly.

Second place: Jim Small, Arizona Mirror

Third place: Tom Blodgett, Community Impact Newspaper of Gilbert

Judge: Elllen Clarke is Senior Deputy Editor for Life & Culture at the Tampa Bay Times.

B23. Community arts reporting and criticism — Sam McManis, Arizona Daily Sun

Words, words, words

Judge’s comment: In “Words, Words, Words,” McManis brings to life in brisk, lively detail the swirling backstage preparations for a youth theater production of “Hamlet,” starring an 18-year-old woman with her own independent take on Shakespeare’s melancholy prince. The writing captures the breathless exhilaration of collaborators learning on the job as they bravely tackle one of the most monumental challenges in world drama.

Second place: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times

Third place: Margaret Regan, Tucson Weekly

Judge: Charlles McNulty is theater critic for the LA Times.

B24. Community food and beverage reporting and criticism — Kristine Cannon, Scottsdale Progress

Sommeliers uncork their creativity to survive

Judge’s comment: I love the way this piece captures the spirit of the culinary world through the lens of an exclusive group. As this story unfolded, I felt a strong sense of the ways in which these sommeliers were affected. I was intrigued by the tactics they employed to fight for their survival, and, in some cases, emerging victorious. This story does more than document problems: It reveals the creativity of its subjects.

Second place: Kristine Cannon, Scottsdale Progress

Third place: Tom Blodgett, Community Impact Newspaper of Gilbert

Judge: David Dudley is a journalist, educator, and playwright, currently working as a staffer at the St. George News in Southern Utah.

B25. Community headline writing — Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times

Judge’s comment: The headlines in this entry paired whimsy with storytelling while still clearly getting across the points of the articles. I appreciated the dual meaning in “One for the books,” while “Minimal pomp, strange circumstance” perfectly captured the surrealness of a drive-through commencement.

Second place: Gary Grado, Arizona Capitol Times

Third place: Dylan Smith, Tucson Sentinel

Judge: Sara Ziegler, sports editor at FiveThirtyEight, is president of The Society for Editing.

B26. Community Photojournalism: Picture story — Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel

More than 100 protest over in-custody death of Carlos Ingram-Lopez

Second place: Arianna Grainey, Independent Newsmedia

Third place: Arianna Grainey, Independent Newsmedia

Judge: Michael Miller is a staff photographer for the Bryan/College Station Eagle in Texas.

B27. Community Photojournalism: News — Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel

Bighorn Fire

Judge’s comment: Smart use of long exposure.

Second place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times

Third place: Sharon Chischilly, Navajo Times

Judge: Michael Miller is a staff photographer for the Bryan/College Station Eagle in Texas.

B28. Community Photojournalism: Feature — Jonathan Clark, Nogales International

Hula hoop

Judge’s comment: Lovely moment that exemplifies one of the challenges of the pandemic — you can tell she’s smiling through the mask.

Second place: Jim Poulin, Phoenix Business Journal

Third place: Sharon Chischilly, Navajo Times

Judge: Michael Miller is a staff photographer for the Bryan/College Station Eagle in Texas.

B29. Community Photojournalism: Pictorial — Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times

First snow

Judge’s comment: Nice recognition of the pattern in the snow.

Second place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times

Third place: Arianna Grainey, Independent Newsmedia

B30. Community Photojournalism: Sports action — Jonathan Clark, Nogales International

Back on the field

B30. Community Photojournalism: Sports feature — No award this year.

C1. The Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting — Carol Ann Alaimo, Arizona Daily Star

New pet store at Marana mall under investigation

Judge’s comment: Great lead, flowed well, very concise.

Second place: Staff of the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Cronkite School at Arizona State University

Third place: Richard Ruelas and Rob O’Dell, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Warren Woodberry Jr. has worked as a professional journalist and in government communications with 20 years of extensive media experience. He is the owner and publisher of Millenium Magazine.

C2. Statewide public service journalism — Amy Silverman, Arizona Daily Star

She needs a device to communicate. Arizona kept it from her for 18 months.

Judge’s comment: Fascinating story and I love the reporting on how the story impacted the change that the story subjects needed and they received the communication device.

Second place: Shondiin Silversmith, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Patty Machelor, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Jatika Patterson is a 20-year journalist, who has worked as a writer, editor and proofreader. She’s worked for magazines, newspapers, non-profits, corporations, and her work has appeared in The Crisis Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Atlanta INtown, and more.

C3. Statewide breaking news — Helen Wieffering, The Arizona Republic

‘Instant chaos’: Police shot into crowd minutes after beginning to clear road for Trump

Judge’s comment: This was impressive work to sort through such a chaotic and fast-moving scene. The report delivers a lot of voices in a cohesive telling of a difficult situation.

Second place: Lorraine Longhi, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Tony Davis, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Chris Tisch is senior editor for breaking news at the Tampa Bay Times.

C4. Statewide public safety reporting — Dianna M. Náñez and Justin Price, The Arizona Republic

Phoenix police records prove officers disproportionately use force against people of color

Judge’s comment: This package stood out because it tells its horrific story so well. It combines data with powerful storytelling and visuals, giving readers three distinct ways to look at how Phoenix police use more force on people of color. The reporters managed to take a story that, sadly, at this point could be routine and make it shocking all over again. Each piece was important. I hope readers were as outraged as I was.

Second place: Uriel J. Garcia, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror

Judge: Gary Harki, an investigative reporter with the Virginian-Pilot, won the 2019 Al Nakkula Award for Public Safety Reporting.

C5. The John Kolbe Politics Reporting Award — Dianna M. Náñez, The Arizona Republic

In Phoenix, a Latino activist beat the odds to win a council seat. Nationally, Hispanic representation remains dismal

Judge’s comment: Compelling look at how Latinos and Native Americans figure in to Arizona’s evolving political fabric

Second place: Maria Polletta, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Rachel Leingang, The Arizona Republic

Judge: John Kerr retired in 2006 as editor of the Odessa American.

C6. Statewide local government reporting — Shondiin Silversmith, The Arizona Republic

Navajo Nation closes to visitors in response to coronavirus

Judge’s comment: This expertly handled series of stories gave the world access to a local story that became a national crisis. Well done.

Second place: Patty Machelor, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Jen Fifield and Paulina Pineda, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Chance Swaim is a reporter from The Wichita Eagle. He won the George Polk Award for Political Reporting for his coverage of municipal misconduct.

C7. Statewide state/federal government reporting — Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic

Tax credits send almost $100M to foster care charities. But program oversight is lacking

Judge’s comment: The first two stories are a terrific example of government accountability reporting that produced immediate results, bringing more transparency to a fast-moving public health emergency. Likewise, the third story casts a duly suspicious eye on a tax-credit program that looks mom-and-apple-pie on its face but has plenty of room for profit taking.

Second place: Anne Ryman, Caitlin McGlade, Justin Price, Maria Polletta, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Jen Fifield and Mackenzie Shuman, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Steve Beatty is a communications consultant at Newspack, a former board member of LION Publishers, and was the editor of The Lens, an award-winning investigative news outlet in New Orleans, and watchdog editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

C8. Statewide health reporting — Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic

‘We have seen so much death’: Treating the sickest COVID-19 patients

Judge’s comment: Reporting from inside a hospital during a pandemic seems like a no-brainer. But with hospitals run by large corporations and patient confidentiality at the forefront, it is not easy getting access. Innes gets access and doesn’t miss her chance. This is front-line reporting and not the recitation of stats that is the hallmark of so many COVID-19 stories. These are real people dying and Innes brings it home for the reader.

Second place: Rachel Leingang, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Jasmine Demers, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Judge: John Pacenti is a veteran investigative reporter for The Palm Beach Post, specializing in the justice system and health.

C9. Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award (Statewide division) — Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic

In Phoenix, rising temperatures day and night kill more people each year

Judge’s comment: This story combines compelling personal stories, analysis of public documents, and clearly-explained science to shed light on an increasingly deadly problem, especially for Arizona’s most vulnerable populations.

Second place: Ian James and David Wallace, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Tony Davis, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Tristan Baurick is an environment beat reporter at The Times-Picayune. Her series “Polluter’s Paradise” won the Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting from the Society of Environmental Journalists.

C10. Statewide science reporting — Ian James, The Arizona Republic

Rising temperatures are taking a worsening toll on the Colorado River, study finds

Second place: Henry Brean, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Matt DeRienzo is Editor in Chief at the Center for Public Integrity.

C11. Statewide social issues reporting — Josh Kelety, Phoenix New Times

Arizona Paid $900,000 After Social Workers Tore a Mesa Family Apart and Lied About It

Judge’s comment: Excellent work shedding light on a shameful event in Arizona. Story was well written and researched and shows how good reporting can make a difference in everyday people’s lives.

Second place: Stephanie Innes and Pamela Ren Larson, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Emily Wilder, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Laura Dennis is the executive editor of the Odessa American.

C12. Statewide education reporting — Daja E. Henry and Kimberly Rapanut, News21 at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

‘Hit twice as hard’: Children with disabilities face onslaught of challenges

Judge’s comment: Impressive and thorough storytelling that combines narrative storytelling, data collection and analysis, and a deep understanding of the research about an important issue, and the intersectionality in harms done to students

Second place: Lily Altavena, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Shondiin Silversmith, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Sonali Kohli was named the nation’s best education beat writer in 2019 by the Education Writers Association.

C13. Statewide immigration reporting — The Arizona Republic Podcast Team

Rediscovering: SB 1070

Judge’s comment: An ambitious and expansive story-telling project about how the last two decades of immigration policy culminated in and were impacted by the passage of one law: SB 1070. Even as someone who reported on and lived through much of this history, even reporting in Arizona on the impact of 1070 as it applies to Texas, I couldn’t tear myself away from this five-part podcast series that lays the bricks for how Arizona got to the passage of that law and tied it together to what it means today. A great team effort and public service in a year when everything was focused on Covid, but this explained why this law and everything that led up to it still reverberates in Arizona and beyond — a fact we are also seeing in Texas. Gripping re-telling and in-depth, expert interviews — this was a series I would recommend to anyone trying to understand how immigration and the border in particular has come to play such an outsize role in U.S. politics.

Second place: Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic

C14. Statewide business reporting — ASU students Katie Surma, Anne Mickey and Jamie Fields for The Arizona Republic

Nationwide Insurance bought one of the state’s most valuable parcels of land in Scottsdale. It also got a great deal

Judge’s comment: Terrifically well done. The team of journalists put the pieces together deftly, letting the dollars and the timeline tell the very clear story about this murky deal. 

Second place: John D’Anna, Arizona Republic

Third place: ASU students Molly Bohannon, Jamie Fields, Megan Lupo and Natalie Walters for The Boston Globe

Judge: Judge: Charlotte-Anne Lucas is the Executive Director of NOWCastSA in San Antonio.

C15. Statewide sports beat reporting — Bruce Pascoe, Arizona Daily Star

University of Arizona men’s basketball beat portfolio

Judge’s comment: Combined comprehensive coverage of the beat — enterprise, breaking news, gamers — with great writing.

Second place: Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Tony Maluso has been a sports journalist for 11 years. He was formerly the Sports editor for the Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre, PA and is now an editor with the paper.

C16. Statewide sports feature reporting — Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic

Fiesta Bowl coverage

Judge’s comment: Excellent packaging across all five stories. Covered a lot of ground without being long-winded.

Second place: Caitlin Schmidt, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Caitlin Schmidt, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Jake Adams was a sports editor and reporter at The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) for more than seven years. He recently began working at the Wisconsin State Journal/Madison.com as a sports planning editor.

C17. Statewide sports investigative reporting — John D’Anna, The Arizona Republic

Hamilton hazing scandal investigation

Judge’s comment: A very comprehensive report on a subject that I’m sure opened a lot of eyes in many communities.

Second place: Caitlin Schmidt, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Tony Maluso has been a sports journalist for 11 years. He was formerly the Sports editor for the Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre, PA and is now an editor with the paper.

C18. Statewide column/opinion writing — Amy Silverman, Phoenix magazine

Raising Arizona columns

Judge’s comment: Beautifully written reflections of our daily angst, quirks. fears and vulnerability during the COVID pandemic.

Second place: Lauren Saria, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Judge: Charlotte-Anne Lucas is the Executive Director of NOWCastSA in San Antonio.

C19. Statewide editorial writing — No award this year.

C20. Statewide personality profile — The Arizona Republic staff

From Mesa to Surprise, people are homeless. They have names. Here are their stories

Judge’s comment: Ambitious, comprehensive on-the-ground public service reporting with strong photographs that bear witness to an urgent problem on the rise across Arizona and the country.

Second place: John D’Anna, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Stephanie McCrummen, a national enterprise reporter with the Washington Post, won the 2020 Scripps Howard Ernie Pyle Excellence in Human Interest Storytelling award.

C21. Statewide human interest writing — Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic

‘Let it not be Miami’: Pulling together as a pandemic rages beyond a small Arizona town

Judge’s comment: Just lovely, poignant snapshots of the pandemic. Wonderful job of weaving the writer’s voice with those of her subjects. I felt I was right there, hearing them speak through these pieces. The story of Alicia and Marivel was particularly moving and a testament to reporting for the long haul – not just setting up a few interviews over the phone, but going out and steeping yourself into a community.

Second place: Henry Brean, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Samantha Swindler is a writer and editor at the Oregonian and past president of the state’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She won the 2010 Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism.

C22. Statewide short-form writing — Maria Polletta, The Arizona Republic

‘Just keep running’: Family out for first-time post-shutdown ends up fleeing from Westgate shooter

Judge’s comment: Vivid writing and quotes really take you on the journey this family experienced.

Second place: Henry Brean, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Maria Polletta, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Elllen Clarke is Senior Deputy Editor for Life & Culture at the Tampa Bay Times.

C23. Statewide arts reporting and criticism — Chris Malloy, Phoenix New Times

Life and Death and Turkeys: A Thanksgiving Tale

Judge’s comment: As restaurants faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, food critic Chris Malloy used his column to amicably expand the social consciousness of readers on such subjects as the collective responsibility of diners in a public health emergency, the humane treatment of animals that end up on our dinner plates, and the regenerative communal possibilities in urban farming. In a neighborly style that never hectors, Malloy found unexpected and profound truth in the adage that we are what we eat.

Second place: Lorraine Longhi, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Charlles McNulty is theater critic for the LA Times.

C24. Statewide food and beverage reporting and criticism — Chris Malloy, Phoenix New Times

Ghost Kitchens: Notes from Phoenix’s Pandemic-Ravaged Restaurant Scene

Judge’s comment: I was blown away by the depth and scope of this piece. Not only is it timely, given what has happened in Arizona, the U.S., and the world, but it also captures an extremely important moment in history. We’ve been talking about the death of the “American Dream” for decades. We’ve seen various specters rise up to threaten this so-called dream, which has many meanings for many people. Who would have guessed that a pandemic could wreak so much havoc on a staple business in many communities? This story puts a human face to the statistics, while also calling out as many causes as possible. Though I’ve never eaten at any of these places, Malloy’s story made me mourn for their losses.

Second place: Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Veronica M. Cruz, #ThisIsTucson

Judge: David Dudley is a journalist, educator, and playwright, currently working as a staffer at the St. George News in Southern Utah.

C25. Statewide headline writing — No award this year.

C26. Statewide Photojournalism: Picture Story — Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic

Wildfires

Judge’s comment: We thought this was a good representation of an impact on a community after a fire.  While there were no actual firefighting images, you got the idea of how bad it was and why people are in the situation they are in.

Second place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Jill Karnacki is the Director of Photography at the Houston Chronicle.

C27. Statewide Photojournalism: News — Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star

Nasal swab

Judge’s comment: We could feel that swab going in! All of our noses twitched a little. Good subject, good reaction, good proximity.

Second place: Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Patrick J Breen, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Jill Karnacki is the Director of Photography at the Houston Chronicle.

C28. Statewide Photojournalism: Feature — Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star

Hug tunnel

Judge’s comment: The lines in the barrier both helped and hurt a little in this sweet moment.  We liked how the lines led you into the faces, but then also found the person behind the barrier hard to make out. Overall, though, it left us with a good feeling for the moment the two were experiencing during the pandemic.

Second place: Patrick J Breen, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

Judge: Jill Karnacki is the Director of Photography at the Houston Chronicle.

C29. Statewide Photojournalism: Pictorial — Patrick J Breen, The Arizona Republic

Dinosaur Car

Judge’s comment: The head in the sunroof made this photo. Without that, it’s just a pretty silhouette. Moment made us all smile.

Second place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

Third place: Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Jill Karnacki is the Director of Photography at the Houston Chronicle.

C30. Statewide Photojournalism: Sports Action — Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Pole Vault

Judge’s comment: In a strong category, the judges enjoyed how this photo was so clean, lined up really well with it’s background, and had peak action. The hair was a welcome bonus.

Second place: Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Judge: Jill Karnacki is the Director of Photography at the Houston Chronicle.

C31. Statewide Photojournalism: Sports Feature — Patrick J Breen, The Arizona Republic

Football Sunset

Judge’s comment: In a strong category, the judges thought the lighting and composition on this portrait was very solid.

Second place: Patrick J Breen, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Patrick J Breen, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Jill Karnacki is the Director of Photography at the Houston Chronicle.

D1. Community print page design portfolio — Olson Patterson, Navajo Times

D2. Statewide print page design portfolio — The Arizona Republic

D3. Community digital project design portfolio — No award this year.

D4. Statewide digital project design portfolio — No award this year.

E1. Student investigative reporting — Wyatt Myskow, Andrew Onodera and Piper Hansen, The State Press

ASU’s sexual assault investigation processes leave survivors traumatized, often without justice

Judge’s comment: A very thorough reporting piece want very good use of graphics and facts.

Second place: Staff of the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Cronkite School at Arizona State University

Third place: Wyatt Myskow and Piper Hansen, The State Press

Judge: Warren Woodberry Jr. has worked as a professional journalist and in government communications with 20 years of extensive media experience. He is the owner and publisher of Millenium Magazine.

E2. Student news reporting — Delia C. Johnson and Jill Ryan, News21

‘Super-predator’ legacy: How children end up in the adult justice system

Judge’s comment: A deeply reported, well-written article on a lingering criminal justice issue.

Second place: Emily Dean, Cronkite News

Third place: Garrett Stanley, State Press Magazine

Judge: Vern E. Smith formerly served as the Atlanta Bureau chief and as a national correspondent for Newsweek. His work has also appeared in Emerge, the London Sunday Times, Ebony, GEO, the Crisis magazine, Merian magazine, and the History Channel Magazine.

E3. Student features reporting — Jonmaesha Beltran, Cronkite News

‘I wanted to do more than hold a sign’: Street medic crew forms out of Black Lives Matter protests

Judge’s comment: I loved the angle of this feature story. The writer took the reader to the scenes of the protests and used descriptive details to weave sentences together. The article was informative, balanced and fact-based. Overall, the writer did a great job in capturing a pivotal moment in history.

Second place: Jill Ryan, News21

Third place: Lidia Terrazas, Cronkite Borderlands Project

Judge: LaShawn Hudson is a Producer/ Reporter at Public Broadcasting Atlanta.

E4. Student arts, culture and food — McKenzie Allen-Charmley, Cronkite News

Many Navajos face pandemic without running water, tribal members urged to ‘lift each other up’

Judge’s comment: This story provided an unflinching lens into the struggles on this reservation, while managing to remain compassionate. I felt acutely the time-crunch of implementing water infrastructure before CARES Act funds expired. Because it also catalogues a number of disparities between reservations and their neighboring cities, it manages to hold our leaders accountable. No small feat.

Second place: Katherine Sypher and Luke Simmons, Cronkite News

Third place: Katie Beauford, The Daily Wildcat

Judge: David Dudley is a journalist, educator, and playwright, currently working as a staffer at the St. George News in Southern Utah.

E5. Student sports reporting — Averi Roberts, Cronkite News

Lending a hand(print): Athletes raise awareness for missing, murdered Indigenous women

Judge’s comment: A well-written, well-told report on this growing movement that I’m sure helped further shine a light on it.

Second place: Michael Gutnick, Cronkite News

Third place: Amna Subhan, Cronkite News

Judge: Tony Maluso has been a sports journalist for 11 years. He was formerly the Sports editor for the Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre, PA and is now an editor with the paper.

E6. Student photojournalism: News — Valerie Moffat, The State Press

George Floyd BLM protests

Judge’s comment: Wonderful frame — you captured the moment here. Great work.

Second place: Diannie Chavez, The State Press

Third place: Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic

Judge: Michael Miller is a staff photographer for the Bryan/College Station Eagle in Texas.

E7: Student photojournalism: Sports — Samantha Chow, The State Press

Gymnast

Judge’s comment: The layers of the gymnast and her team’s reactions are nice. Good work keeping the silhouette and form of the gymnast distinct from the background. Getting clean gymnastics photos can be a real challenge, so keep at it.

Second place: Brady Klain, The Arizona Republic

Third place: Brady Klain, Cronkite News

Judge: Michael Miller is a staff photographer for the Bryan/College Station Eagle in Texas.

E8. Student photojournalism: Features — Samantha Chow, The State Press

Feeling blue

Judge’s comment: The mood and vibe this picture generates are impeccable — its aesthetic is unmistakable. A portrait won this category not only because of the image itself, but also because of its relevance to human interest. The feeling of isolation many felt during the pandemic is well represented in this image through both the wash of blue and the model’s posture. The clear distinction between the silhouette of their mouth and hair against the lighter background, as well as the triangle of space between the arm, torso and leg to create definition are parts of what make this photo — it is critical to be aware of small details, even more so in a minimalist image like this. Great image. Stay creative — and out of quarantine.

Second place: Diannie Chavez, The State Press

Demonstrator for indigenous rights

Judge’s comment: She just stares into the viewer’s soul — such a powerful moment of intensity in her eyes. The handprint completes it. Clean, shallow depth-of-field isolates her from the rest of the world and pushes her toward the reader. This photo shows that a picture doesn’t have to be complex to be impactful.

Third place: Meg Potter, The Arizona Republic

Zoppe Family Circus

Judge: Michael Miller is a staff photographer for the Bryan/College Station Eagle in Texas.