“Among a strong group of Editor of the Year entries, Paul Pronovost stands out for leading a diverse group of first-rate publications including the Cape Cod Times, and new added responsibility for Cape Cod’s weeklies, too. The mantra to produce top-notch work always leads the charge, whether it’s heady investigative journalism or even the creation of a stellar annual calendar showing off the beauty of the Cape.”
“The Cape Cod Times delivers first-rate journalism on highly diverse topics. Its strong reporting and editing included enterprise projects on climate change, endangered turtles, heroin addiction, and a nuclear power station’s safety violations. Spot news coverage was also spot-on. Commitment to digital and mobile storytelling is growing, too.”
“First place was an easy choice. A seven-part series on domestic violence in Knox County opened with a stunning ‘In Our Hands’ Register-Mail page one presentation assessing local arrest and prosecution data. Other strengths included solid tornado coverage and open records initiatives.”
“The Hannibal Courier-Post is to be congratulated for heart, hustle, and a dizzying array of meaningful reporting. The productivity for the size of its staff is truly commendable. The Courier-Post exhibits strong editing and writing with compelling story ideas that go far beyond everyday reporting.”
“A serious investigative reporter, but not without an interest in softer subjects.”
“Obviously a dogged reporter who is making a difference through his work. Excellent job.”
“This reporter is a triple threat, obviously dogged reporter, insightful observer and engaging story teller. She has a balanced yet powerful voice and a gift for getting the humanity into a news story. Really first rate.”
“Carrie Seidman’s portrait of schizophrenia is breathtaking on its own. But packaged with excellent page design and a multimedia component, it is a fantastic example of how multi-platform storytelling can be used to engage an audience.”
“Excellent use by the Herald News to interact with their audience, using new technologies, to help build community.”
“The Columbus Parent smartly used their role as an important voice in the community to engage readers with school-aged children. Their Teacher of the Year project provided a perfect blend of reporting, community input and revenue, which should be seen as a model for other local news organizations.”
“Photo galleries, videos and an interactive family tree provide multiple entry points to a fascinating tale of the making and disintegration of a showbiz dynasty. The editors’ choice of digital elements help orient readers to a complex multigenerational tale, without overwhelming the story.”
“Video, links, social media, polls and a ScribbleLive blog helped the Bulletin staff execute its most important obligation — election coverage — with liveliness, currency and aplomb, in advance and in the moment. Well done.”
“With this entry spanning multiple stories, the Waxahachie Daily Light shows how voice, moving images and still photos can make reporting more immediate and visceral.”
“Race in Rhode Island is an important project about the indelible mark of racism in Providence — a serious topic made visual and visceral through videos and interactive maps.”
“These stories tied to Charlotte’s craft-beer boom are enjoyable on their own, but make an especially fun,discoverable and visually appealing package together. Readers might begin by browsing, but then links, maps and galleries will draw them further and further in.”
“Embedded Tweets keep this destination live and engaging. Nicely shot, simply edited videos bring the excitement of high school football to life on desktop. Searchable school scores and schedules invite readers to return frequently for one-stop updates on high school sports. Suggested future improvements: Update and minimize the number of typefaces for a more contemporary look; optimize pages for mobile.”
“This project took me down a wonderful path that taught me so much about a topic that journalism traditionally runs from. I was educated, outraged and driven to wanting to take action from this impressive effort to help your community wrestle with a problem that seemed to be silently devastating so many families there.”
“What an amazing effort to inspire a community. This was well-thought out. You looked for ways to not just identify but also got to the heart of why these problems exist.”
“Magill’s columns provide a fine example of how race in America should be discussed, in a calm, thoughtful and reasoned manner that is more likely to provoke readers to examine their views on this most important subject. That he does this within the context a highly charged hometown atmosphere is even more impressive.”
“A classic take-no-prisoners editorial column that tackles big issues and calls out those in power by name.”
“Elegant, observant writing that informs and uplifts without pandering to readers.”
“[Ariana Torrey of] The Herald-Tribune team creates elegant, compelling and refined front page features. The headlines are never too loud here. The understated monochromatic treatment of some stories such the one dealing with mental illness, pull the reader right in.”
“The Front pages of the Ames Tribune are a breath of fresh air. Modern, bold and dynamic above the fold, traditional and hierarchical below. The promos will carry the Front even when the main art might be more understated.”
“Eric Dundon’s front pages show versatility in his work. From the peaceful journey on the Mississippi river to the synthetic drugs scene, he masterfully modulates the design to fit the content.”
“Michael Smith’s editorials cast clear moral purpose in strong language. His editorial about the Charleston church shooting was particularly notable.”
“These editorials clearly stood out for their moral clarity, strong use of evidence and persuasive language. They tackle difficult and sensitive subjects forthrightly in a way that serves readers well.”
“These are well written, well researched and well argued editorials on issues of real importance to readers. They are grounded in local experience but far from provincial.”
“Herald-Tribune reporter Maggie Clark used the community aspect of Facebook as the secret ingredient to her enterprise story on Medicaid. She sought out sources on Facebook and set up a Facebook group for her story and invited the public to share their stories. In doing so, the Herald-Tribune received help from the community and a deeper involvement in an important story.”
“The Pocono Record uses Facebook as much more than a place to drive traffic to the website. It smartly uses Facebook to engage its readers through callouts and reader photos of the day. The editors are picking great stories to share and are writing great captions as well.”
“The Crestview News Bulletin’s Facebook page would put a lot of large metro newspapers’ efforts to shame. The page is full of interesting stories with sharply written captions, and it’s clear that the staff has a strong strategy for success.”
“Really wonderful stories rich with details that show a lot of reporting behind the scenes.”
“This package of stories show a keen eye for details that help bring stories to life. Nick Dumont aims to show, not just tell – whether it’s about home brewing or roller derby. The people of each story have a passion, and Dumont strives to paint a picture of that passion.”
“Through detailed descriptions caught by keen observations, these stories place readers in a cave with bat doctors and on a river trip with three canoeists. The profile of the veteran whose family sent 6 sons to war was a great find and could’ve been longer.”
“UnRavel.Us, by definition, is an innovation built to drive new readers to important content. Engaging readers by providing them with an online community is not only smart, it keeps with the longstanding tradition of new organizations helping to mesh communities.”
“Let’s face it: writing about government bonds is dry work, albeit important. The staff of the Gaston Gazette should be commended for realizing a way to help understand their importance but finding an interactive way for readers to digest the information.”
“The staff of the Hannibal Courier-Post should be rewarded for their innovative use of both social and print media to connect with readers during a time of otherwise difficult news.”
“Vibrant and full of energy, Ticket magazine manages to pack a lot of event previews, stories and information into 24 pages. … The Ticket seems to be a wonderful entertainment guide for its community, from giving advice on what to eat to what to see.”
“The depth of arts coverage stood out in this entry, as did the cleanly designed front pages. It must be difficult to cover the Boston-area arts scene when your staff is a fraction of the size of the Boston Globe’s, so the range of stories – from theater to books to visual arts – is impressive.”
“This features section has clearly dedicated itself to reflecting the children who live in the community by devoting full pages to pictures of the students. The food feature is also nicely done, allowing pretty food photos to shine.”
“The opinion section about the vote on a proposed New Bedford casino represents true community commitment.”
“These opinion sections are a great mix of strong, well reported editorials, unique local voices, good reads from other papers, pointed cartoons and well informed letters.”
“These opinion sections are a great mix of strong, well reported editorials, unique local voices, good reads from other papers, pointed cartoons and well informed letters.”
“Ray Stewart’s photographs work on all levels. They work in the abstract, framing the events into beautiful compositions. They capture just the right moments. But most importantly, they tell their stories with clarity and emotional grace.”
“Steve Davis’s photos have a clarity of vision that made them stand out from the competition. Complex images are highly organized, often using the juxtaposition of contrasting foregrounds and backgrounds as a strong storytelling strategy.”
“David Sokol’s entry, the Marine Core Educators Program in particular, includes some nicely comprehensive storytelling. The work really hangs together while engaging the audience with smart moments cinematic pacing and variety.”
“What a comprehensive and eye-opening look into an immigration loophole. This series was well-executed, covering the pros and cons of the programs and the impact on so many communities and businesses. And man did it scream potential security breech. The work led to instant results.”
“This project, from start to finish, was a fantastic piece of public service journalism on something that so many families face but no one usually writes about. Your efforts, with the database, led to your community looking for ways to help these families in a more systematic way.”
“What a fantastic effort by your staff to not ignore a sensitive and sticky issue but to go at it hard with passion and strong voice. This effort showed that if a newspaper pushes for access, we are once again the only player in town who can educate and inform in a way that could just lead to acceptance.”
“Terrific ideas and outstanding photo illustration work make these covers so fun, so contemporary, and so inviting to readers.”
“An excellent collection of work that all reveals a great sense of typography, a clean approach to pages and a feel for bold design.”
“Even with some difficult space restraints, Eric uses inventive approaches to engage readers in the content. … His work shows good thought and the drive to push himself past first ideas.”
“Superb photography and use of infographics elevate this package of diverse and well-written stories that bring the Illinois River to life.”
“Probably the hardest part of any commemorative edition is trying to create an attractive package using black-and-white historical photos for the most part. Mission accomplished. And then some. This is a standout not only for fine feature stories and unique angles, but for its cohesive presentation that drives the reader through to the very last page.”
“Remarkable and comprehensive achievement for a small-town newspaper with limited resources; kudos for tackling such an important issue.”
“Complete, attractive, well-written and engaging, and at its best covering the biggest events, the Dispatch is a pleasure to read and spend time with. Pulling off a wrap-around cover on deadline from the CFP title game was impressive.”
“Packs quite a wallop in just 4 pages. … Lots of little touches – connection with social media, local sponsorship of key content – you don’t always see even in larger papers.”
“Terrific commemorative section for state champion hockey team. With special touches such as notable quotes from the season, tournament recap, Q&A with senior captains, this section had it all.”
“In terms of range, original reporting and eye for detail, this entry was clearly the leader among a group of competitive entries.”
“Impressive array of subjects and story styles, well-reported and written – exactly what you want from a Sports Writer of the Year.”
“The reporter shows an eye for finding a good story and a some nice writing style, such as the lead on the Tyler Elledge story. The feature on the teens who are baseball mascots captured their voices and enthusiasm.”
“Andy Kravetz uses Twitter to its fullest potential as a conversational platform. He’s constantly talking with people in his community about things on his beat, is helping answer questions his readers have and throws in stories he finds interesting from a variety of sources.”
“There were several outstanding entries in this category, but James Haynes stands out for the way he enthusiastically embraces all that Twitter can and should be for a journalist.”
“Shelly Conlon does a great job of pulling from a variety of sources to make a strong Twitter timeline. As a managing editor, she sees all the news in her area, and she tweets about it all. Her account has to be the most useful in Waxahachie.”
“This entry was visually exceptional, well shot and edited. Well executed for such an emotional topic. Overall there was a fantastic diversity (range) of topics in this portfolio. All her videos had impeccable sound production which added to the value and placement as the 1st place winner.”
“Portfolio showed a clear passion, dedication and sense of humor, combined with clean editing, solid visual reporting, clear winner of the bunch.”
“Clean and straightforward storytelling — not an easy thing to pull-off in this visually saturated world of over-produced visual narratives. Exceptionally strong narration, with ample broll. Pieces were concise and used a perfect mix of video and still photography.”