Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Charlottesville Tomorrow Entry Title: COVID-19 coverage was consistent, useful and highly local Entry Credit: Jessie Higgins Judge Comment: Writing style exceptionally clear; makes complicated topic understandable. Tackles COVID-related angles that many others didn't, like scientists looking for universal COVID vaccine, UVA Health dismissing employees for nonvaccination, state laws that ban adult mask wearing.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Henrico Citizen Entry Title: COVID-19 Entry Credit: Tom Lappas Judge Comment: Very thorough reporting. Excellent use of data. The specific focus on diversity is not found in a lot of COVID coverage.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Virginia Mercury Entry Title: Ned Oliver general news portfolio Entry Credit: Ned Oliver Judge Comment: Coverage of the Virginia Republican governor candidates is engagingly written and shows good command of the subject.
