Keep us informed” - Nathaniel Shuda): This newspaper stayed on this story like a dog with a bone, and it paid off. Just the newspaper scrutiny alone, never mind the whistleblower, was a good example of fulfilling a journalist’s mission and keeping the public informed of what is happening with tax dollars.
Breaking News Coverage Division A First Award - Green Bay Press-Gazette: (“Pipeline break” - Scott Williams): Great reporting and following a tip that led to a major story. What breaking news is all about - a story that broke through the work or a reporter. Second Award - The Post-Crescent, Appleton: (“Appleton soldier killed in Afghanistan; Questions linger: Eppinger died at Afghanistan airbase, but worked desk job; Fallen soldier mourned; Family, friends honor Garrick Eppinger Jr.; Military confirms death inquiry” - Duke Behnke): It would have been easy to have reported the death and then covered the funeral. Following up on the investigation, and confirming that one was ongoing made this entry a winner. Third Award - The Journal Times, Racine: (“Man Rescued from Burning Balcony” Cara Spoto): Compelling photos, and a hold your breath story put this story ahead of some more complicated stories. This is the stuff that grabs readers. Division B First Award - The Reporter, Fond du Lac: (“Campbellsport copes after tragic crash” Sharon Roznik): I felt like I knew these girls after reading the series of stories. Seeing them in the third segment at the top of the page was heartbreaking. Hats off to the newspaper for spending the time and efforts to tell their stories.
Editorial: Daily Division
General Comments: Some excellent entries. Difficult to choose. If there is an honorable mention it would go to the Holy Family parish stories about the priest. Again, a very competitive category. Division C First Award - Portage Daily Register: (“Multiple days of coverage of downtown Portage fire” - Daily Register staff): An excellent example of the way to cover a breaking news story. The staff quickly put up news, features, timelines and referred to their web for additional photos. Big news covered in a big way. Thank you for interviewing the people of the community and telling me how they were affected.
Second Award - The Chippewa Herald, Chippewa Falls: (“A ‘Mega’ Loss For City: Competition, financial woes forced decision; Neighbors going to miss store” - Rod Stetzer): Here’s the story of the delicate balance of the economy told through the closing of a grocery store. The sidebar that included interviews with residents was best part of package. Third Award - Baraboo News Republic: (“Feathered fugitive captured” - Tim Damos): I’m not sure that this technically qualifies as breaking news, although The Reporter, Fond du Lac covered it as it happened. But, it’s the kind of news that readers like, and it often gets dismissed. Nice job. I read it right down to the last goose line.
General Comments: Many of these entries focused on the type of news that could go from “just the facts” to brilliant if reporters would seek sources outside of officialdom. That is why the three winners stood out from the rest.
Local Column Division A First Award - Green Bay Press-Gazette: (Thomas Rozwadowski). Second Award - The Post-Crescent, Appleton: (“Let’s write: Readers invited to finish our Christmas tale; A Christmas tale of lost and found; Pain and suffering on the road to a midlife crisis” - Ed Berthiaume). Third Award - The Post-Crescent, Appleton: (“Support system; Telling the story of their people; A career worth of memories” - Kathy Nufer). Division B First Award - The Reporter, Fond du Lac: (“Veterans share insights the rest of us don’t have; Deaths of young people defy our comprehension; A day and a story to celebrate second chances” - Michael Mentzer). Second Award - The Freeman, Waukesha: (Darryl Enriquez). Third Award - The Janesville Gazette: (“The
human toll of war: Parents honor fallen sons; Forever Valentines; Teacher spent life helping others” - Anna Marie Lux). Division C First Award - Baraboo News Republic: (“DMV job would be OHSOGR8” - Ben Bromley). Second Award - Portage Daily Register: (“Now I have a comment ...; No ducking this goose fun; Who’s in charge here?” - Jason Maddux). Third Award - Daily Tribune, Wisconsin Rapids: (“Columnist falls for community theater; What’s in a name?; Names” (jump) and “Lifelong learning -- you’re never too old; Out there (jump)” - Deb Cleworth).
Local Outdoor Column Division A First Award - Green Bay Press-Gazette: (Patrick Durkin): Great information presented in a conversational style that puts the reader right in the boat or tree stand with the writer. Second Award - Green Bay Press-Gazette: (Daniel Higgins).
Sports Page(s) Division A First Award - Green Bay Press-Gazette: (Staff): The breadth and depth of local content sets this section apart. Pages are loaded with meaningful local content, including some terrific wrestling photographs. Outstanding work. Second Award - The Journal Times, Racine: (Sports Department). Division B First Award - The Freeman, Waukesha: (Lee Fensin): What a great looking sports section... good use of color and graphics; great writing; nice combination of local, state and national sports. Layout is just super.
Second Award - The Janesville Gazette: (“Ryan answers call” - Staff): Obviously the paper was ready when this story broke. But, that is the key to breaking news. Being prepared to tell the story. Wonderful job. Third Award - Wausau Daily Herald: (“Mill to close” - Staff): Judges selected this piece over some that perhaps were more horrific crime stories only because of the complete picture of how the closing of this mill will impact so many lives.
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The Reporter, Fond du Lac, First Award, Division B, Breaking News Coverage.
Second Award - Wausau Daily Herald: (Staff): This is a good example of featuring local sports, which I feel is what the smaller newspapers are all about; great use of color and graphics and just a super layout all around. Wish I would have had the jumps to the stories so I could have finished them. The writing is great. Don’t have much negative to say about this entry.