Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Desert Sun Entry Title: Desert Sun: Will California finally fix the Salton Sea? Entry Credit: Mark Olalde Judge Comment: This series of stories over the course of a year demonstrates deep reporting on the longstanding issue of how to mitigate the environmental hazards of the Salton Sea.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Fresno Bee Entry Title: This Madera County community is running out of water — and the only well might fail Entry Credit: Monica Vaughan Judge Comment: This reporting on a town dealing with wells drying up raises and explores important land use questions.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Desert Sun Entry Title: Desert Sun: A tribe considers building a prison Entry Credit: Rebecca Plevin, Amanda Ulrich Judge Comment: A fascinating exploration of a tribe's idea to build a prison and add water to the Salton Sea. Thoroughly researched.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: The Press Democrat Entry Title: Fountaingrove won’t be whole for years (Jan. 26, 2020) Entry Credit: Will Schmitt Judge Comment: None
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: The Fresno Bee Entry Title: Industrial farms leave water wells ‘high and dry’ despite regulations, Madera residents say Entry Credit: Monica Vaughan Judge Comment: None
