Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Chesterfield Observer Entry Title: Public safety: Jim McConnell Entry Credit: Jim Bass Judge Comment: Great use of personal stories to help draw readers into each topic. Loved the range in topics as well as the writing.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Inside NoVa/Prince William Entry Title: Child abuse, Overdoses, Police Force Entry Credit: Jared Foretek Judge Comment: Great use of data to help readers see impact of various topics.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Richmond Free Press Entry Title: W17 Public safety writing Entry 2-JL Entry Credit: Jeremy M. Lazarus Judge Comment: Personalized stories like the "high cost of defense" story help readers connect with topics.