Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The News & Advance Entry Title: Falwell Jr. resigns from Liberty University Entry Credit: Richard Chumney Judge Comment: 'Falwell confirms resignation' landed like an atomic bomb. The 10 stories by Richard Chumney was a page-turning rollercoaster. Well done.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Daily News-Record Entry Title: Accordius COVID Outbreak Entry Credit: Pete DeLea Judge Comment: Reminder that this time a year ago, covid-19 initially spread like wildfire at nursing homes in Washington State, Maryland, and yes, Virginia. Eight moving stories by Pete DeLea.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Free Lance-Star Entry Title: Coverage of Black Lives Matter protests Entry Credit: James Scott Baron, Adele Uphaus-Conner, Keith Epps Judge Comment: James Scott et al, provided nuanced, contextual accounts of the protests in response to the George Floyd death in Minnesota. The words were complemented by outstanding photojournalism.