Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Danville Register and Bee Entry Title: Charles Wilborn -- Breaking news Entry Credit: Charles Wilborn Judge Comment: Clearly, and I mean really far and away, the best breaking news coverage/article submitted in this category. This coverage/article meets the contest criteria the best and had great information, on-site photographs and coverage of this helicopter crash. Great job.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Daily Progress Entry Title: Lawmakers, UVa faculty blame Trump admin's 'gross overreach' for Ryan resignation Entry Credit: Emily Hemphill Judge Comment: This is by default second place honoree, mainly because this is not true to the contest rules re: breaking news story criteria. This resignation was percolating for weeks & was anticipated as happening. The article is less about the resignation, but very deep in background, which was not developed in one news cycle around an "unplanned" event which could not be prepared for. Thank you.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Daily Progress Entry Title: Scott Beardsley named UVa's 10th president Entry Credit: David Velazquez Judge Comment: This is by default third place honoree, mainly because this is not true to the contest rules on a breaking news story criteria. This appointment of a new president was percolating for weeks & was due to rules on public meeting notifications (days in advance) an anticipated outcome. The article is less about the new hire, but very deep in background, which was not developed in one news cycle around an "unplanned" event which could not be prepared for. Thank you.
Competition Comment: In any news contest, it is critical that entry editors/supervisors read fully and understand clearly the contest rules re: categories of entries. This is a breaking news category: only one entry was truly "breaking news" coverage per the category criteria and simple news common sense. Two entries were not even stories, and were simply retyped press releases. The 1st place winner was the only true "breaking news" article entered, and was done with great skill and effort by the reporter. Thank you.
