Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Desert Sun Entry Title: Desert Sun: A bird oasis burned in Niland. Its owner vows to rebuild Entry Credit: Mark Olalde Judge Comment: Very descriptive language that puts the reader at the scene. Lengthy story that doesn't feel long thanks to its colorful vocabulary and details that keep the interest level high.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Modesto Bee Entry Title: Grim news comes home with Stanislaus County’s first coronavirus death Entry Credit: Garth Stapley Judge Comment: Takes the “zero” theme and runs with it. The ending may be abrupt, but it is very powerful.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Desert Sun Entry Title: Desert Sun: Jurors acquit man, help him get his life back Entry Credit: Christopher Damien Judge Comment: Story expertly weaves the past and present to give an interesting narrative that is easy to read.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: Press-Telegram Entry Title: Love in the time of coronavirus: Long Beach couple weds in a changed world Entry Credit: Hayley Munguia Judge Comment: None
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: The Bakersfield Californian Entry Title: Resident who shared his Superman alter ego dies Entry Credit: Steven Mayer Judge Comment: None
