Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Richmonder Entry Title: Graham Moomaw Entry Credit: Graham Moomaw Judge Comment: Graham Moomaw’s range of writing and subject choices showcased with a detailed investigative report on police body camera controversy, a short & sweet report on courthouse phone policy, & the benefit of attending the public meeting where police chief explains his own speeding ticket. Well done!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Richmonder Entry Title: Sarah Vogelsong Entry Credit: Sarah Vogelsong Judge Comment: G) Sarah Voeglsong’s detailed story on City of Richmond paying excessive overtime is more than enough to make the winner’s circle. This judge counts the pie chart & searchable “top OT earners by month” interactive piece as “sidebar” stories. Stories on a crime scene reconstruction & vape shops are both worthy. Your readers should be pleased.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Cardinal News Entry Title: Cardinal News: Susan Cameron public safety Entry Credit: Susan Cameron Judge Comment: Susan Cameron’s lede on the flood aftermath story is competition’s best. Her writing style and pace make stories easy to consume. Public Safety angle is 3 stories on different flood-related subjects, which is better for this judge than 3 stories about the same subject.
Competition Comment: Strong competition in this category. Wonderful to see newspapers filing for public record access and making it known when public officials are asked and do not respond. Ask the hard questions. Follow the money. A lot of money is spent on public safety and taxpayers deserve to know where it goes. This judge favored writers who covered multiple subjects in 3 entries rather than the same subject covered 3 times.
Well done, Virigina!
