Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Record Searchlight Entry Title: Dying Inside Entry Credit: Matt Brannon Judge Comment: First class accountability reporting with impressive statewide sweep. The findings are shocking, and the stories of families who lost loved ones in places that have a legal and moral obligation to keep them safe were heartbreaking. I found myself wondering if some of the questions about staffing and training should have been raised in the first story rather than the second, but that’s a minor quibble. Congratulations on journalism that should prompt some much needed changes.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Santa Cruz Sentinel Entry Title: AMAH MUTSUN TRIBAL BAND REIGNITES CULTURAL BURNING Entry Credit: Hannah Hagemann Judge Comment: A gem of a story. A smart angle elevates what could have been a vivid feature into a timely news feature that marries history and a current dilemma. The writing was evocative and graceful. Would have loved to see more photos!
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Tribune Entry Title: SLO County child care is hard to find and even harder to afford. Here’s how to fix it Entry Credit: Kaytlyn Leslie Judge Comment: An important, often overlooked issue that got worse in the pandemic. I liked that the story didn’t just highlight the problem; it showed possible solutions. Good complement of graphics, photo and video.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: San Gabriel Valley Tribune Entry Title: City of Industry solar project Entry Credit: Jason Henry Judge Comment: It’s clear that this reporter has been digging and breaking news on this pie-in-the-sky project for several years, and that the raids and charges are the outgrowth of reporting by him and colleagues. A timeline or story form might have helped readers who were coming cold to this story, but those same readers are lucky to have this kind of watchdog reporting in their community.
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: Napa Valley Register Entry Title: Napa County's Burning Problem Entry Credit: Barry Eberling, Sarah Klearman Judge Comment: An admirable commitment of time and resources to an issue that affects the lifestyle and livelihoods of the region.
