Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Loudoun Times-Mirror Entry Title: House explosion Entry Credit: Evan Goodenow, Jess Kirby, Coy Farrell, Karen Graham Judge Comment: Excellent series detailing the breaking news of the explosion, as well as the aftermath and legal fallout. Great example of reporting a public safety story all the way through, and bringing the human element into it.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Prince William Times Entry Title: Fallout from Jan. 6, an officer-involved shooting and the fentanyl crisis Entry Credit: Cher Muzyk Judge Comment: Good use of court documents for a local story with national significance.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Prince William Times Entry Title: Digging for answers: Why an elections chief faced criminal charges, why a woman was fatally shot in her car and why a police union was mad at the commonwealth attorney Entry Credit: Cher Muzyk Judge Comment: Fascinating story about errors in the immensely complex voting tabulation process.
