Hoosier State Press Association - The Indiana Publisher - Better Newspaper Contest
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/96748
Story finalists Division 1 For the love of Andrea Amanda Matlock, The Times-Post (Pendleton) Category judge���s comments: Simply an awesome story. Great follow-up stories and information provided so the public knows what���s going on with Andrea and how they can and have assisted her family in her recovery. Don���t need to ask, ���Wonder what ever happened to that woman that was in the collapse?��� Division judge���s comments: Heartfelt, in-depth series about the recovery of a woman injured in the stage collapse. Amanda covered Andrea���s story every step of the way. See Page 13 for story Division 2 Tornado devastates Pekin Stephanie Taylor Ferriell, Kate Wehlann & Marcia Walker, The Salem Leader Category judge���s comments: This covered many issues surrounding a story of high magnitude. This format gave the reporter a good venue for telling the whole story. Division judge���s comments: A lot of strong coverage in a very short period of time. Great photographs help tell the story. Multiple side bars give readers much information. A great job in a very short period of time! Well-done! See Page 22 for story Division 3 One step at a time Craig Mauger, The Courier-Times (New Castle) Category judge���s comments: Does a good job telling a story. Division judge���s comments: This series addresses indirectly ��� and at moments directly ��� the epidemic of obesity in the United States. These pieces illustrate the other side of it by showing readers how exercise was incorporated into the lives of these residents. Kudos to a great concept for a series. The execution also deserves praise. The writing was informative and accessible and did an excellent job maintaining interest. See Page 35 for story Division 4 Homelessness in Johnson County Ryan Trares, Daily Journal (Franklin) Category judge���s comments: A comprehensive look at a difficult and often ignored issue ��� homelessness. Good charts with statistics and data to back up the story line. Good work keeping up with the four women and their effort to bring awareness by sleeping in a vehicle. Division judge���s comments: Great idea ��� great partnership between the Daily Journal and the Christian Help organization to address what���s been identified as a growing problem in Johnson County. Kudos to the newspaper to be willing to devote the time and resources to this project. The story set the stage for the series. I would have enjoyed reading the successive reports. Competition comments: This category contained many good stories and series of stories. It is reassuring for the future of journalism that so many good writers are bringing important issues and personal stories to the readers of their publications. Picking winners was not easy, nonwinners should not consider themselves losers in this category, there were many great entries. See Page 43 for story Division 5 Recession and the new reality Staff, The Herald-Times (Bloomington) Category judge���s comments: Great stories from small businesses, workers and expert input. Very strong writing ��� authoritative but approachable thanks in large part to well-crafted ledes that draw readers into the report. Effective graphics educate, not just decorate. Very well-done series. Wish it had been mine. Division judge���s comments: There was great writing throughout this category! The first-place winner stood out for multiple reasons, as it clearly got inside its coverage area and dug for stories that were well-written, informative and interesting (a very good use of graphics also helped). This was a very ambitious series that delivered to the newspaper���s readers. The second-place winner was also very strong, and I also enjoyed the third-place entry ��� though I guess I wish it could have been in a sports feature category of some kind. All in all, there was plenty to like here! See Page 49 for story Division 6 Competition comments: This division was particularly well-represented by the entries. One paper���s deadline reporting competed with its own lengthy follow-up on the same story. Either one a formidable entry. The embedding of a reporter for the chaotic last year of a troubled middle school, where three weeks into the year, the state gave up and announced that next year, management would be turned over to an out-of-state for-profit charter school company. And a sparkling, well-written high school football tab with a comprehensive look at concussion issues. A tough category to determine a single winner. Page 6