Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Fauquier Times Entry Title: General news -- ginkgo tree Entry Credit: Robin Earl Judge Comment: What a sad story! An unusual topi:, A neighborhood and the local government unite in an attempt to save a giant, ancient ginkgo tree from a developer, only to see the tree suddenly cut down. Story told with subtle drama and never loses the reader's attention.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The News & Record Entry Title: 'Fortnite' billionaire buys Falkland Farms Entry Credit: Liza Fulton Judge Comment: The unfolding story of Falkland Farms in Halifax County is great feel-good read: A tech billionaire buys a 7,000 acre wooded tract then works with the state to turn it over to become Virginia's largest state park. The story is episodic but well told.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Cavalier Daily Entry Title: Virginia Athletics modifies logos following criticism over depiction of serpentine walls Entry Credit: Nik Popli, Ali Sullivan Judge Comment: Brief, punchy story about change to logos for Virginia Athletics, to eliminate the representation of the University's "serpentine" walls, which were built by enslaved people and intended to shield their work from students in the 19th century. The story is notable for its unusual topic. It is both timely and historic.