Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Virginia Mercury Entry Title: Graham Moomaw Government Writing portfolio Entry Credit: Graham Moomaw Judge Comment: Three excellent political stories that give readers real insight that cuts through rumor and rhetoric. One is a great piece explaining why Black legislators and citizens don't trust the new redistricting proposal, one does a great bit of watchdog reporting by looking at where fact ends and rumor begins over gun control legislation and the third is a really clear-eyed look at why many want the former governor to pipe down now. These are the kind of state legislature stories we need as an industry, stories that tell readers the truth and why things are happening, not just offering blow-by-blow reports of action inside the Legislature.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Charlottesville Tomorrow Entry Title: Charlotte Rene Woods Entry Credit: Charlotte Rene Woods Judge Comment: Good enterprise offerings in this entry including a fascinating look at how Charlottesville happened and a clear, helpful explainer about why Democrats are going to vote against gerrymandering measure. Well done.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Charlottesville Tomorrow Entry Title: Government Writing Entry Credit: Charlotte Rene Woods, Jessie Higgins Judge Comment: A solid entry that holds government accountable for promises made about police reform.
