Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Cardinal News Entry Title: Megan Schnabel hospital finance in-depth Entry Credit: Megan Schnabel Judge Comment: This entry illustrated a good use of quotes to offer a full-bodied story. A great deal of data and figures also help tell a nicely woven, in-depth story. Nicely done.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Roanoke Rambler Entry Title: Robert Jeffrey saga Entry Credit: Henri Gendreau Judge Comment: Great storytelling, particularly on the trial article. This entry included the strongest sense of storytelling that compels the reader. It also includes a nice use of records to paint the story. Excellent work.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Cardinal News Entry Title: Cardinal News small nuclear reactor coverage Entry Credit: Markus Schmidt, Susan Cameron, Dwayne Yancey Judge Comment: This entry includes information that overs a wide-spread look at what is likely coming to Southwest Virginia. It's a large topic that doesn't feel too big for this news organization. Good work.
Place Name: Alternate Winner Contestant Name: The Roanoke Rambler Entry Title: Investigative stories - Rambler Entry Credit: Henri Gendreau Judge Comment: These articles truly offered a strong sense of community. I appreciated the various quotes, records and takes from many different community members. I would imagine these stories were very interesting within The Roanoke Ramber's community. The range of records and footage also added to the depth in these articles. Nice work.
Competition Comment: This category posed a struggle. So many compelling, important and well-telegraphed stories were found in this category -- from a councilman embezzlement article to a story on nuclear reactors in Southwest Virginia. The in-depth research illustrated in this category is unreal. Very I'mpressive -- making it hard to pick the top entries.
