Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Harrisonburg Citizen Entry Title: Harrisonburg criminal justice issues coverage Entry Credit: Randi B. Hagi Judge Comment: Loved the way the writer looked at a broad range of not-so-typical topics, including mental health for inmates and the K2 drug. The indepth look at the landlord issues is a valuable for stories for readers to hear and understand a process.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Virginia Mercury Entry Title: Graham Moomaw public safety portfolio Entry Credit: Graham Moomaw Judge Comment: The reporter broke down a process to address gun violence and then followed up on it with state lawmakers, using data and questioning to hold the lawmakers accountable.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Virginia Mercury Entry Title: Ned Oliver public safety portfolio Entry Credit: Ned Oliver Judge Comment: Great use of data to tackle key public safety issues.