Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Virginian-Pilot Entry Title: Government reporting portfolio Entry Credit: Katie King Judge Comment: Good in-depth stories about issues in Virginia's election finance system, shortcomings in laws intended to help human trafficking victims and the enigma that is Gov. Youngkin.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Roanoke Times Entry Title: Government writing - Molly Hunter Entry Credit: Molly Hunter Judge Comment: Three really good stories about the workings of city government. Easy to read and understand, the articles highlight bad-faith dealing, racial anxiety and tricky budget issues of maintaining a satisfied workforce.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Richmond Times-Dispatch Entry Title: Em Holter stories Entry Credit: Em Holter Judge Comment: Two really good stories on the impact of a casino vote, one on the unmet needs taxes from the failed project would have provided, the other on whether casinos deliver on their economic promises. The final story on the dilapidated mobile homes and the delays in actually providing promised help is a classic story of bureaucracy - more than 1,000 mobile homes, money to repair 18.
Competition Comment: The entries here were excellent and show how a strong commitment to covering local government issues serves communities.
