NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Reporters for Mississippi Free Press and KNWA-TV and the editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial took top honors at the 2022 Diamond Journalism Awards ceremony held June 30 at Diamond Bear Brewing Co.
Guest speakers Ellen Kreth, publisher, and Shannon Hahn, general manager, of the Madison County Record told the audience of journalists and guests about their newspaper’s reporting on the Huntsville school board’s attempts to cover up allegations of sexual assault by junior high school basketball players. The Record was awarded the 2021 Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Journalism by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University for its reporting on the scandal.
The Diamond Journalism Awards, sponsored by the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, honor journalism excellence among professionals and students from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
This year’s competition, for work published or broadcast in 2021, drew 379 entries in more than 80 categories. Judges were members of the SPJ chapters in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Byron Tate, editor of Arkansas’ Pine Bluff Commercial, received the Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award for his reporting and editorials on and about Pine Bluff and Jefferson County.
Mississippi Free Press staff took three of the competition’s top honors:
- Kayode Crown was named Diamond Journalist of the Year for his work for the Jackson- based online news outlet.
- Nick Judin won the Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award for “What the Jackson Water Crisis Revealed.”
- Christian Middleton and Grace Marion won the Robert S. McCord FOI Award for “Drug Unit Travails Hidden from Public View.”
Chad Mira of Fayetteville’s KNWA-TV was named Outstanding New Journalist, an award that recognizes journalists who have worked in their market five years or fewer. A complete list of winners, with judges’ comments, and finalists follows:
2022 DIAMOND JOURNALISM AWARDS WINNERS AND FINALISTS
Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award
WINNER
Byron Tate, Pine Bluff Commercial/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: Byron stepped up to the challenge when called to run the Pine Bluff Commercial, and lucky for the community he did. He shows a clear nose for news, not just covering but digging into topics that matter to the people of Jefferson County. He displays a knack for switching gears, writing on the resurrection of a well-loved basketball tournament to the complexities of the interim police chief holding a liquor license to a drama-filled feature on Arkansas’ own Patient Zero. He clearly knows and loves the community well, as evidenced in his thoughtful and well-researched editorials. His work honors his community and Garrick Feldman’s legacy.
FINALISTS
Entry Title: Black Women, Covid-19 and Education in Noxubee County
Entry Credit: Torsheta Jackson, Donna Ladd, Kristin Brenemen, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: The strength of Torsheta and Donna’s BWC Project is in its approach. They returned to the roots of community journalism – listening to the people and honoring their experience. The stories dug into the community’s past, unapologetically unearthing and naming the systemic racism that still plagues Black women in Noxubee County today. But possibly the best contribution of this work – they know there’s more reporting to do, and they aim to continue to do it.
Entry Title: Focused coverage on City of Beebe, Arkansas
Entry Credit: Greg Geary, The Daily Citizen, Searcy
Judge Comment: As the only reporter for this outlet, Greg carries the heavy load of keeping his community informed with both vital and vibrant coverage. The range of his work reflects the range of news a community cares about – from the grind of municipal work to annual events like “Shop with a Cop” to a heartwarming story of a student overcoming a stutter to win a speaking contest – and a history I’m sure they appreciate having documented with such care. Competition Comment: This was a particularly difficult category to judge, as each entry highlighted a different reason why local journalism is so vital to our communities. The one- reporter newspaper, the paper resurrected to serve as the only local news source, the team digging and digging into the deep roots of inequities in a Mississippi county – all serve as a testament to the role dedicated journalists play in documenting, sharing and challenging our history.
Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award
WINNER
Entry Title: What the Jackson Water Crisis Revealed
Entry Credit: Nick Judin, Mississippi Free Press, Jackson
Judge Comment: Nick Judin stands out for his relentless coverage, which not only included hard news and legislative reporting, but also beautifully researched and written human-centered stories. While many factors led to action for the citizens of the City of Jackson, I can’t help but believe Nick’s dogged commitment to the issue and to a community that has long felt forgotten contributed to that progress.
FINALIST
Entry Title: The Great Delta Divide
Entry Credit: Stephen Simpson, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Judge Comment: Stephen Simpson is clearly a talented and dedicated journalist who produced strong coverage that highlighted an area of the country that has long experienced inequities.
The conditions under which this project was produced – as a new staff member, reporting during a pandemic – make the package of stories even more remarkable.
Robert S. McCord FOI Award
WINNER
Entry Title: Drug Unit Travails Hidden from Public View
Entry Credit: Christian Middleton, Grace Marion, Mississippi Free Press, Jackson
Judge Comment: Excellent use of both public records and old-fashioned watchdog reporting to uncover a disturbing issue that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. This is a perfect example of why access to public records is important to a democracy, and a perfect example of why journalists need to report from public records. Fantastic work!
FINALIST
Entry Title: Chad Mira – Robert S. McCord FOI Award Entry Credit: Chad Mira, KNWA News, Fayetteville, AR Judge Comment: None
FINALIST
Entry Title: ADG Flaherty McCord nomination
Entry Credit: Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Judge Comment: None
Diamond Journalist of the Year
WINNER
Kayode Crown, Mississippi Free Press, Jackson
Judge Comment: Kayode produces meticulously researched and reported work with a narrative flow that keeps the reader hooked. He gravitates to meaty and meaningful stories – a broken jail and a broken justice system, lead poisoning, people detained for months without
representation. He appears dedicated to shining the light in places that may otherwise not receive any.
FINALIST
Monica Quintero, KPEJ, Odessa
Entry Title: Monica Quintero – Passionate about People
Judge Comment: Monica is clearly a motivated journalist who is well versed in her storytelling. From inspiration pieces in the Be the Change series to emotional and compelling stories, like one of a mother grieving her lost child, she seems to know how to get to the heart of a story – and how to keep people at the center of it.
FINALIST
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS, Little Rock
Judge Comment: Dwain is a talented narrative journalist, blending relevant detail, research and data into beautiful stories that are compelling no matter the topic.
Outstanding New Journalist
WINNER
Chad Mira, KNWA News, Fayetteville
Judge Comment: Chad clearly brings a lot to his market. He’s skilled in navigating public records, appears undeterred by roadblocks and challenges, and seasoned in weaving in the human element into a complex investigation. What an asset to the community.
FINALIST
Tess Vrbin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Judge Comment: Tess displays experience beyond her years, from digging through public documents to breaking down data to disaster coverage to breaking news and spurring change. Bright future ahead for this young journalist.
FINALIST
joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Judge Comment: Joseph demonstrates a strong dedication to open government, and seems to thrive while fighting for government transparency. Keep fighting the good fight!
BREAKING NEWS – PRINT/ONLINE & TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Tornado coverage
Entry Credit: Tess Vrbin, Staci Vandagriff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Judge Comment: In a category filled with entries that all deserve recognition, I chose this piece because of the people it brought to life and the information it conveyed in the aftermath of a tragedy that affected so many. It takes a lot to balance our journalistic responsibilities with being empathetic and I think this piece delivered.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Interstate 40 Bridge Crack
Entry Credit: Andrew DeMillo, Adrian Sainz, Jill Bleed, The Associated Press, Little Rock
Judge Comment: The threads that were pulled to get to the heart of the bridge closure, and that the structural deficiency had been spotted before, shows the kind of tenacity and dogged reporting required in breaking news situations.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Covid Strikes Mississippi Children
Entry Credit: Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press, Jackson
Judge Comment: I found these entries to be compelling and told with a point of view that tried to answer the question of why. And in an uncertain time, I found that act compelling.
ONGOING COVERAGE – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: The fight over Medicaid expansion in Missouri
Entry Credit: Jason Rosenbaum, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: Really solid reporting with solutions provided to problems and terrific cause and effect analysis. Also, a great understanding of dense legal documents was shown.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Teen Driver killing
Entry Credit: Teresa Moss, Ashton Eley, Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Judge Comment: Very well written and thorough articles discussing every element of the case, with well-timed and poised FOIA requests.
FINALIST
Entry Title: One Jail’s Tale of Abuse and Decay
Entry Credit: Kayode Crown, Mississippi Free Press, Jackson
Judge Comment: Good reporting on an astonishingly bad situation. Good background from start to finish.
ONGOING COVERAGE – RADIO/AUDIO & TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Missouri’s Medicaid expansion fight
Entry Credit: Jason Rosenbaum, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: Essential reporting on state Medicaid law that had to go to the high court to overcome political opposition.
Entry Title: Drunk VA Doctor’s Fatal Mistakes
Entry Credit: Chad Mira, KNWA News, Fayetteville
FINALIST
Entry Title: The Great Mask Debate
Entry Credit: Ashley Bohle, WVLT, Knoxville
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Missouri Repealed its Harshest Drug Law. Hundreds Were Left Behind
Entry Credit: Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times, St. Louis
Judge Comment: All of these entries did a great job using exhaustive investigative reporting to uncover serious, often tragic issues. This entry stood out for its depth of information, but also its storytelling, following multiple people remaining in prison despite a new law contradicting their terms. Along with explaining the issues well and at length, the reporting injected a humanity that often goes forgotten in detail-heavy journalism.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Betting on the Good Old Boys
Entry Credit: Edward Brown, Fort Worth Weekly
Judge Comment: Journalism is meant to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, and this story did the latter very well. Local politicians wielding influence unethically is likely the result of their perception they are not being watched in small communities, and I’m glad this reporter was.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Children in Peril finale
Entry Credit: Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: The amount of research that went into this project was incredible. The result was a report as shocking as it was in-depth and was the kind of journalism known to result in policy reforms at the highest level.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING – RADIO/AUDIO & TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Filthy and Abusive Conditions at Treatment Center for Kids
Entry Credit: Chad Mira, KNWA News
Judge Comment: Excellent pursuit of documents, data and interviews to expose negligence in a youth treatment center.
FINALIST
Entry Title: St. Louis homeless services falls perilously short
Entry Credit: Shahla Farzan, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: Excellent accountability coverage targeting St Louis policies and practices intended to help homeless people.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: ‘Kids feel like they’re being erased’: Inside the clinic targeted by Arkansas’s new anti-trans law
Entry Credit: Rebekah Scott, Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, Little Rock
Judge Comment: Outstanding explanatory reporting that tells readers exactly how the new piece of controversial legislation will affect transgender people like Andrew. Well done!
FINALIST
Entry Title: Rising rents
Entry Credit: Jacob Steimer, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Memphis
Judge Comment: An important topic, well-presented to readers.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Child abuse investigation
Entry Credit: Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: Good job digging into the data. Storytelling could have been a bit stronger, but very solid analysis.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING – RADIO/AUDIO
WINNER
Entry Title: Ending the racial wealth gap through reparations: Local policies or federal payments?
Entry Credit: Chad Davis, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: The reason I picked the reparations piece is I think it qualifies the most in “explanatory reporting.” Reparations is something I enjoy reading about, but I often don’t think about what it would actually take to implement, and how it would impact national movements. This reporter broadened my understanding of race while letting its characters remain in the spotlight.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Sculptor Discusses Inspiration in Making Johnny Cash Statue for U.S. Capitol
Entry Credit: Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM 89.1, Little Rock
Judge Comment: The interviewer in Arkansas is clearly well-researched, passionate about the subject, and ready to extract great soundbites (and live no less) from his subject.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Black St. Louisans Turn to Therapy, Nature and Family to Heal from Police Violence
Entry Credit: Marissanne Lewis-Thompson, Andrea Henderson, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: The reporter on the mental health feature gets great tape and dives into a significant and complex situation, and her voice and scripting shine through and very much deepen my understanding of an issue I often only read about in national publications.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING – TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Face to Face with a Killer
Entry Credit: Kevin Kelly, Stephen Goodale, Jessica Guy, KLRT-FOX 16 News, Little Rock
Judge Comment: I’ve never seen any situations like that on television, and it’s clear the reporter treated every single person in this situation with incredible respect. Each character is given their chance to speak, the three segments of the piece fit together as a story while standing alone by themselves, and, as a piece of explanatory journalism, there wasn’t much else from the case I felt I needed to know. I hope the reporter and station are proud of this achievement, and I can only hope to produce something half as good as this in my career. Looking on social media, it was clear that the victim’s family was incredibly grateful for the coverage in “Face to Face,” and that might be the most important part of this entire story. Thanks for reporting it.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Show Me Missouri: Celebrating 200 Years
Entry Credit: Brian Calfano, Sarah Scarlett, KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO
Judge Comment: “Show Me Missouri” as a full project gives me so many great nuggets of information about the Ozarks. I particularly enjoyed the historical interviews about the state during the Civil War and its complicated founding. It’s a great retrospective that I’m sure will be referenced for years to come in the Springfield area.
FINALIST
Entry Title: 100-year-old Unsolved Murder Mystery Haunts Maryville
Entry Credit: Ashley Bohle, WVLT, Knoxville
Judge Comment: It’s challenging to rank this with these longer documentaries, but it’s great explanatory journalism nonetheless on a topic that’s clearly well-known in the region. In some ways, small pieces like that can be more challenging, so I want to choose it as an alternate winner.
FEATURES – NEWSPAPERS
WINNER
Entry Title: Tom Slaughter series
Entry Credit: Celia Storey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: This is an incredible work of journalism to gather and present so much information, original sources, and then to also have a nice, if long, main story.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Black Women Firefighters on Gulf Coast
Entry Credit: Stacey Cato, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: This was a great look into pioneers in firefighting. The reporter asked great questions and was able to reveal a great deal.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Pearl Harbor
Entry Credit: Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, The Richmond News, Richmond, MO
Judge Comment: Good story that presents history in a historical format.
FEATURES – MAGAZINES
WINNER
Entry Title: Within Their Hearts, She Lives Forever
Entry Credit: Dustin Jayroe, AY’s Mental Health Guide, Little Rock
Judge Comment: One of the best, and most heartbreaking, features I have ever read. Amazing job telling this story.
FINALIST
Entry Title: TOMMY SMITH
Entry Credit: Kelley Bass, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Judge Comment: I was fascinated by this story, and it made me want to know even more about this man. This story was very well done. Fantastic job.
FINALIST
Entry Title: All Dogs Go to Gary
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, AY Magazine, Little Rock
Judge Comment: The ending quote of this story was perfect. I was hooked throughout. Great job.
FEATURES – ONLINE ONLY
WINNER
Entry Title: At 96, Charlie Payne brings the hurt on the golf course
Entry Credit: Joel Phelps, The Arkadelphian, Arkadelphia, AR
Judge Comment: Nice job of intertwining Charlie Payne’s golf game with his history.
FINALISTS
Entry Title: Missouri Inmates Sew Custom Quilts for Foster Children: ‘It Kind Of Breaks Your Heart’
Entry Credit: Shahla Farzan, St. Louis Public Radio
Entry Title: The mess in Room 304: ‘Breaking Bad’ at Henderson State
Entry Credit: Debra Hale-Shelton, Benjamin Hardy, Arkansas Nonprofit News Network
FEATURES – RADIO/AUDIO
WINNER
Entry Title: Missouri’s Oldest One-Room African American Schoolhouse Gets a New Chance At Life
Entry Credit: Marissanne Lewis-Thompson, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: I love the research the journalist put into finding out more about the building, and, especially, her ability to find characters (especially Doris) I’m likely to remember for a while. She also brings the story forward by explaining efforts to preserve the building and capture its history, and overall, I find this to be a snapshot of something the St. Louis community clearly finds important. It’s the definition of a great radio feature.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Rolla Becomes a Hub For Vacuum Cleaner Enthusiasts
Entry Credit: Jonathan Ahl, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: NPR stations were built on stories like the postcard from Rolla. It’s a quirky event with amazing characters, excellent sound, and facts about something I had never thought about before. It is clearly a worthy winner with humor, creativity, and clarity.
Competition Comment: This was an extremely close call because both of these are spectacular stories that are made so much better by the medium of radio.
FEATURES – TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Remembering 9/11: Arkansas woman remembers flight attendant sister killed in terrorist attack
Entry Credit: Chelsea Helms, Brad Horn, KNWA News
Judge Comment: Great use of natural sound, archive video, visuals weaving in with interviews. Felt connected to the story.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Teen with terminal cancer digitally documents battle to leave behind a legacy
Entry Credit: Chelsea Helms, Brad Horn, KNWA News
Judge Comment: Emotional story told compassionately.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Remembering 9/11: Fort Smith woman captured some of the most notable photos of act of terror
Entry Credit: Chelsea Helms, Brad Horn, KNWA News
Judge Comment: Every interesting story. Great use of archive video/sound while weaving in present day interview as the photographer described what she saw.
EDITORIALS – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Pit, read
Entry Credit: Rick Kron, The Leader Newspaper, Jacksonville, AR
Judge Comment: Nice editorials with a resounding message of problem and injustice.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Mark Carter Editor’s Letters
Entry Credit: Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics
Judge Comment: Nice, heartfelt pieces with great meaning and lessons.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Conservative Cronyism
Entry Credit: Edward Brown, Fort Worth Weekly
Judge Comment: Nice submission with great detail provided and connecting of dots. The only thing I’d like to have seen is one more submission at a conclusion point.
COMMENTARY – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Racism and Police Violence in Today’s Mississippi
Entry Credit: Leo Carney, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: These columns are moral without being sentimental, packed with reporting and history to back up pointed commentary speaking truth to power and to fellow citizens.
FINALIST
Entry Title: School districts correct to mandate masks
Entry Credit: Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, The Richmond News
Judge Comment: Despite the pushback it likely received in its time, this strong editorial speaks bravely on behalf of people and the common good and calls out harmful messaging on public health.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Karen Martin columns
Entry Credit: Karen Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SPORTS – NEWSPAPERS
WINNER
Entry Title: Stickball World Series Back After COVID Halt
Entry Credit: Roger Amos, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: Excellent piece on cultural heritage, exposing the rich pride and traditions carried out by Native Americans in Mississippi. Also enjoyed the use of multimedia video.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Worst to First
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic Newspaper Judge Comment: Really nice underdog tale with great details from the early days of the program.
FINALIST
Entry Title: SEC win
Entry Credit: Tom Murphy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: Very nice gamer story. Only thing I would’ve liked to see was maybe a little info on the significance of the achievement for the Razorbacks program.
SPORTS – MAGAZINES
WINNER
Entry Title: No Greater Love Than This
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Money & Politics
Judge Comment: This was an outstanding story that appeals to all kinds of different readers, which makes it even better. Football fans and those who know nothing about the sport could each find enjoyment in here. I was hooked from the very beginning. Outstanding!
FINALIST
Entry Title: COLLEGE SPORTS AND NIL: A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, Arkansas Money & Politics
Judge Comment: This story dove deep on a topic that many people don’t know very much about. It was easy to understand and explained everything well. Very well done.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Higher Power
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, AY Magazine
Judge Comment: This was a highly emotional story that a lot of people would be able to relate to. It made me want to learn more about the entire family, which is a sign of a job well done. Great job!
SPORTS – RADIO/AUDIO & TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: In a New Year’s Day battle of soccer and sausage, St. Louis takes on the Metro East in Chorizo Bowl
Entry Credit: Brian Munoz, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: Using sports as an avenue to highlight a community’s culture, food, and history, was brilliant in the Saint Louis Public Radio story. Though there’s very little tape of an actual sport being played, the spirit of competition, playing to make family and friends proud, and true love for athletics, is present throughout.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Cowboys Legend talks Hall of Fame
Entry Credit: Monica Quintero, KPEJ, Odessa
ARTS & CULTURE – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Ride of a Lifetime
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for 501 Life Magazine
Judge Comment: Dwain Hebda has a way with words. His writing paints pictures and takes readers on a journey.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Hidden No More
Entry Credit: Dustin Jayroe, AY Magazine
FINALIST
Entry Title: Martin arts coverage
Entry Credit: Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
ARTS & CULTURE – RADIO/AUDIO
WINNER
Entry Title: St. Louis Arts Coverage
Entry Credit: Jeremy Goodwin, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: Excellent soundscape and diversity of voices in the Shakespeare piece.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Evensong Story
Entry Credit: Paul Ladd, World Christian Broadcasting
ARTS & CULTURE – TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Eat It Up
Entry Credit: Amanda Jaeger , Skot Covert, Kelly Tibbit, Zach Keast, THV-11, Little Rock Judge Comment: Eat it up shines, and this is the reason I chose it as the winner, because it presents the perfect balance between host personality and newsiness. The Cajun food truck piece especially highlighted a really inspiring business owner who deserves to have his story told, and it certainly made me want to visit the region and try some gumbo.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Arts & Culture in the Basin
Entry Credit: Monica Quintero, KPEJ
Judge Comment: The Texas culture pieces are a bit more straightforward and newsy, with solid tracking shots, nice lines and an eye for great historical context.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Mornings On The Move
Entry Credit: Casey Wheeless, Harry Sullivan, WVLT
Judge Comment: The mornings on the move segment is all about the personalities of the anchors, and as a viewer in the area I imagine I’d love to be able to know a little bit more about the people that present the news to me every day.
BUSINESS – PRINT/ONLINE & TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: ADG Business Coverage
Entry Credit: Nathan Owen, John Magsam, Noel Oman, Staci Vandagriff, Arkansas Democrat- Gazette
Judge Comment: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s business desk had a great selection of stories to choose from. The quotes in “Businesses lament lack of staffers” by Nathan Owens made the story engaging. The “Lumber prices rocket on demand surge” article used great data points that pushed the story forward.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Business Boondoggles in Rural Mississippi
Entry Credit: Christian Middleton, Mississippi Free Press
FINALIST
Entry Title: Basin Businesses – People Behind them
Entry Credit: Monica Quintero, KPEJ
Judge Comment: None
EDUCATION – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: ADG Education Coverage
Entry Credit: Jaime Adame, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: Neutral, comprehensive, clear coverage that shows evidence of dogged reporting to sniff out the facts for the public.
FINALIST
Entry Title: BWC Project: Education Disparities and Solutions in Noxubee County
Entry Credit: Torsheta Jackson, Donna Ladd, Kristin Brenemen, Mississippi Free Press
FINALIST
Entry Title: Bucking the Odds
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, Arkansas Money & Politics
EDUCATION – TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Education Compilation
Entry Credit: Ashley Bohle, WVLT
Judge Comment: I really enjoyed the versatility in the compilation. The butter piece is of course delightful, and it really works perfectly for the visual medium. I also enjoyed the day 2 coverage after the capitol riot from an interesting education perspective (wish it was longer!) and the bus drivers one gets a whole lot of information to the viewer in a short amount of time. Excellent reporting overall.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Molding a middle schooler’s mind with movement
Entry Credit: Chelsea Helms, Brad Horn, Jacob Cotner, KNWA News
Judge Comment: The middle school piece is also well-done with nice video shots and a nice array of voices highlighting the program.
HEALTH – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Child abuse investigation
Entry Credit: Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: Outstanding reporting and writing, analyzing several years’ worth of public information from numerous agencies and a fight for records that were denied, to uncover surprising and informative patterns within a serious social and public health problem.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Solutions for Health Equity in Mississippi
Entry Credit: Nick Judin, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: A solid solutions story about COVID-19 vaccine outreach efforts aiming for communities where trust, for many, has been lost.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Free at Last
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SCIENCE – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Dark Skies, Strange Clouds
Entry Credit: Dustin Jayroe, AY Magazine
Judge Comment: A creative writing style made this entry stand out, along with the unique and important topic covered in detail. The first-hand journal entries included by the writer also brought the reader into the moment and truly provided a unique experience.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Using Tech to Reverse Inequities
Entry Credit: Aliyah Veal, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: Each story told the story of a different social issue and how technology was being used to address it. Good job on a solid series of articles that displays the intersection between science and humanity.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Finding Normal: Vaccines Ready, Incoming
Entry Credit: Dustin Jayroe, AY Magazine
Judge Comment: This was a very detailed account of the state’s battle to provide adequate vaccinations for COVID-19 as it plagued the rest of the country. Good job providing your readers essential information and explaining it well.
ENVIRONMENT – PRINT/ONLINE & TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Lead Contamination of Black Jackson Children
Entry Credit: Kayode Crown, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: A lot going on in this story. The news hook of an outside attorney suing on behalf of hundreds of local kids leads the story, but then there is this killer quote buried down low: “And so, in Flint, even if everybody drank as much water as they could, they were only drinking bad water for 14 or 15 months,” the attorney added. “In Jackson, they’ve been drinking bad water, in some instances, for their whole lives.” Good reporting trying to put all the pieces of this tragedy together under one headline.
PANDEMIC – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Delta Dangers to Mississippi, and U.S., Children
Entry Credit: Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: Comprehensive look at the pandemic and children. Well researched and reported.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Arkansas pandemic coverage
Entry Credit: Andrew DeMillo, The Associate Press
FINALIST
Entry Title: Pandemic Coverage
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PANDEMIC – RADIO/AUDIO & TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: St. Louis Public Radio pandemic coverage
Entry Credit: Sarah Fentem, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: Excellent in-depth series presented on radio and web covering pandemic from multiple angles over several months.
FINALIST
Entry Title: COVID-19 Infections Become the New Frontier of Work Comp Claims
Entry Credit: Brian Calfano, KOLR-TV
FINALIST
Entry Title: Mom Leaves Workforce to Homeschool Kids
Entry Credit: Ashley Bohle, WVLT
POLITICS – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Digs of the Deal Series
Entry Credit: Katie Zakrzewski, Arkansas Money & Politics
Judge Comment: This was a great idea! The series stood out from other entries, which were largely traditional political news stories, and delved deeply into local landmarks, their place in history and was still able to convey the important political issues at play. Well done!
FINALIST
Entry Title: Lockwood politics beat
Entry Credit: Frank Lockwood, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: This was a harrowing account of the Jan. 6 insurrection, which will become one of the most infamous days in history as time goes on. I enjoyed all the detail and the unique perspective of the reporter woven with coverage of the state’s congressional leaders’ reactions.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Political Coverage
Entry Credit: Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press
Judge Comment: None
POLITICS – RADIO/AUDIO &TV/VIDEO
WINNER
Entry Title: Ozarks Tonight: Gas Price Dynamics
Entry Credit: Brian Calfano, KOLR-TV
Judge Comment: Very intelligent use of data reporting to isolate the small role politics plays in pricing at the gas pump.
FINALIST
Entry Title: In Post-Trump GOP Split, Gov. Asa Hutchinson Often at Odds with His Party
Entry Credit: Daniel Breen, NPR/KUAR
FINALIST
Entry Title: Sarah Huckabee Sanders kicks off 15-stop tour in campaign for Arkansas governor
Entry Credit: Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM 89.1
SPECIAL SECTION – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: Black Women, Systemic Barriers and COVID-19 Project
Entry Credit: DeAnna Tisdale Johnson, Azia Wiggins, Torsheta Jackson, Aliyah Veal, Kimberly Griffin, Kristin Brenemen, Donna Ladd, Mississippi Free Press
Judge Comment: An outstanding project by a team of journalists using superior written and visual journalism to trace historic roots of a public health phenomenon, educate on the consequences of systemic inequities, and illuminate solutions, all in an engaging digital package. Exceptional work.
FINALIST
Entry Title: 2021 Arkansas Mental Health Guide
Entry Credit: Heather Baker, Dustin Jayroe, Jamison Mosley, Mike Bedgood, Lora Puls, Emily Beirne, AY Magazine
Judge Comment: Stories like those in this special section highlight healing and hope, involving different faces and ages, both lifting the stigma of talking about behavioral or mental health and presenting resources to help others take the next step.
FINALIST
Entry Title: HOBBIES IN THE 501
Entry Credit: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for 501 Life Magazine
PODCASTS – PRINT/ONLINE & STUDENT MEDIA
WINNER
Entry Title: Capitol & Scott
Entry Credit: Nick Popowitch, Lara Farrar, ArkansasOnline.com/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Judge Comment: Both entries are good podcasts, but Capitol and Scott is slightly more professional and well-produced. The sound quality could be a bit better, but otherwise, this is a very interesting podcast. Nicely done!
FINALIST
Entry Title: Reveille’s Tiger Talk Podcast
Entry Credit: Nick Ombrellaro, Gabby Jimenez, Piper Hutchinson, Reed Darcey, Dylan Sanders
Judge Comment: Very solid campus-based podcast with good sound quality. Well done!
PHOTOGRAPHY – BREAKING NEWS
WINNER
Entry Title: Stuttgart Flooding
Entry Credit: Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: This photo places the viewer there with the victims of what is clearly a devastating moment. The hurt is visible in those in the foreground, the helplessness of those in the background is palpable, and the scope of the flooding can be felt in the entire frame. Still, in all of the sadness, there’s a sense of hope with the person in the boat being removed from the situation. This photo tells so much of the story.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Warehouse Fire
Entry Credit: Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: The devastation of this fire is obvious, as is the hopelessness of being able to put it out.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Voting Bill Protest
Entry Credit: Stephen Swofford, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: This captures what is clearly a unique moment, and it does so from a unique perspective.
PHOTO SPREAD/ESSAY
WINNER
Entry Title: Thousands of high schoolers put music in motion this weekend at the Dome in St. Louis
Entry Credit: Brian Munoz, St. Louis Public Radio
Judge Comment: Good angles and composition, and a couple of nice moments.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Oaklawn Opening Day
Entry Credit: Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Competition Comment: A spread, or essay, should be more than many pictures of the same thing. The two noted here did that, and the winner even found a couple of light moments.
PHOTO PORTFOLIO
WINNER
Entry Title: Vandagriff Portfolio
Entry Credit: Staci Vandagriff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Competition Comment: The top three could have gone another way on another day. All had a couple of good images with a couple of weak ones. While the other two may have had more pretty pictures, the winner wins because she was looking for fleeting moments and found them.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Mosley Portfolio
Entry Credit: Jamison Mosley, AY Media Group
FINALIST
Entry Title: Metthe Portfolio
Entry Credit: Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
DATA VISUALIZATION
WINNER
Entry Title: Arkansas congressional district boundaries
Entry Credit: Jen Para, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: Impressive use of Datawrapper capabilities to link between several kinds of maps. That there are so many proposals, the time invested in acquiring, vetting and presenting this data is not trivial.
GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS
WINNER
Entry Title: Carrie Hill art and graphics
Entry Credit: Carrie Hill, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge Comment: The Covid timeline for the one-year mark of the pandemic provides insightful context about the subject that – in retrospect – is dizzying. The Covid illustration meanwhile mixes a playfulness with the seriousness of the effects that the pandemic had on food service. The third illustration in this entry is just plain fun. Nice work.
VIDEO JOURNALISM – PORTFOLIO
WINNER
Entry Title: Monica Quintero – Passionate about People
Entry Credit: Monica Quintero, KPEJ, Odessa
Judge Comment: Very nice video editing and production values. A pleasure to watch!
FINALIST
Entry Title: Stephen Goodale Video Portfolio
Entry Credit: Stephen Goodale, KARK/KLRT, Little Rock
Judge Comment: Good content, but the videos were a bit hectic at times. Editing could be a bit tighter.
VIDEO JOURNALISM – THEMED PROGRAMMING
WINNER
Entry Title: Be Our Change – Positive, Inspirational Stories
Entry Credit: Monica Quintero, KPEJ
Judge Comment: Entertaining and fun profiles that have a point of view and a voice that resonates easily with the viewer.
DESIGN – PRINT/ONLINE
WINNER
Entry Title: AMP Layouts
Entry Credit: Jamison Mosley, Lora Puls, Arkansas Money & Politics
Judge Comment: I found these entries to be design appropriate for the stories and carried an understated – yet powerful – use of color, iconography and typography to allow the images and words to breathe and resonate with the reader.
FINALIST
Entry Title: AY Layouts
Entry Credit: Jamison Mosley, Lora Puls, AY Magazine
FINALIST
Entry Title: The Yellow Army
Entry Credit: Sarah Knight, Dwain Hebda, Jason Masters, Ashlee Nobel, Wheelhouse Publishing, Mountain Home, AR
WEB/MOBILE DESIGN
WINNER
Entry Title: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette / ArkansasOnline.com
Entry Credit: Maggie McNeary
Judge Comment: Article pages are clean with room for large images and inline embeds. Pages load fast and scale well across mobile devices and responsive breakpoints.
STUDENT – SPECIAL PROJECTS
WINNER
Entry Title: The day a white killed four Black men
Entry Credit: Rachel Mipro, Liz Ryan, Lara Nicholson, Louisiana State University, Manship News Service, Baton Rouge, published in The Shreveport Times, The Advertiser (Lafayette), The Town Talk (Alexandria), The Daily Comet (Thibodaux)
Judge Comment: I applaud these journalists and editors and all of the others who collaborated on this project to bring the past into greater context through the lens of a modern-day perspective.
FINALIST
Entry Title: COVID roundtable with Brimer sisters
Entry Credit: Alena Noakes, Wildcat Media, Louisiana Christian University (formerly Louisiana College), Pineville
Judge Comment: Incredibly informative and bringing three sisters together who have experienced the pandemic in different ways yet have so much in common is enlightening.
STUDENT – BREAKING NEWS
WINNER
Entry Title: English professor removed from classes for fall 2021
Entry Credit: Addison Freeman, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Judge Comment: Great coverage of an issue that can be difficult to cover but is quite important to those on campus. Great depth of coverage, including from the professor at the center of the controversy. This story embodies so much of what journalism is about.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Students protest LSU’s handling of former French student accused of rape: ‘Safe not silenced’
Entry Credit: Maddie Scott, Domenic Purdy, Reveille, LSUReveille.com
FINALIST
Entry Title: Ida and LSU
Entry Credit: Ally Kadlubar, Aria Pons, Erin Rogers, Tiger TV, LSU
STUDENT – FEATURES
WINNER
Entry Title: Segregated Cemeteries Still Haunt Louisiana
Entry Credit: Ally Kadlubar, Tiger TV, LSU
Judge Comment: Excellent use of digital storytelling to enhance the written story and increase credibility. Good variety of source support with solid video editing and shot selection. The story keeps a clear focus and moves along well. Newsworthy topic choice.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Lights, Camera, Drag
Entry Credit: Maria Pham, Tiger TV, LSU
Judge Comment: Newsworthy topic choice that fit the feature style well! Good variety of interviews with a clear focus. The story moves along well but could be edited tighter at times. Focus on maintaining good lighting as much as possible.
FINALIST
Entry Title: ‘It was a ride’: Clay Schexnayder went from racing cars to leading the Louisiana House
Entry Credit: Kathleen Peppo, Manship News Service, LSU, published in The Advertiser (Lafyette)
Judge Comment: Great quotes! The story moves along nicely with clear transitions and helpful section breaks. The focus of the piece is clear throughout. I suggest adding other viewpoints (interviews) to the story along with some digital storytelling to enhance the reader experience.
STUDENT – SPORTS
WINNER
Entry Title: Side by Side, Lane by Lane
Entry Credit: Kendall Duncan, Tiger TV, LSU
Judge Comment: Excellent storytelling! Solid interviews and footage to capture the relationship between the brothers and the overall family dynamic. Newsworthy story with a clear focus.
FINALIST
Entry Title: LSU Diver Makes a Splash
Entry Credit: Haylee Kennedy, Tiger TV, LSU
Judge Comment: Newsworthy story with a clear focus! I suggest adding one more interview here from a teammate or family member to include that personal touch.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Collis Temple Jr. helped integrate LSU athletics 50 years ago
Entry Credit: Peter Rauterkus, Reveille/LSUReveille.com
Judge Comment: Newsworthy story that reads well. Good use of photos to help tell the story throughout. I suggest conducting additional interviews to help round out the piece.
STUDENT – EDITORIALS
WINNER
Entry Title: Reveille Editorials
Entry Credit: Reveille Editorial Board, Reveille/LSUReveille.com
Judge Comment: The winning editorial not only presented a well thought out opinion but used extensive reporting to support the conclusions.
Entry Title: Being a student does not make less of a journalist or reporter Entry Credit: Madison Ogle, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas Judge Comment: This was a thoughtful, personal editorial.
FINALIST
Entry Title: UCA moving toward more inclusivity in women’s sports Entry Credit: Sarah Smythe, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas Judge Comment: Good reporting to support the argument made.
STUDENT – COMMENTARY
WINNER
Entry Title: LSU’s responses to sexual assaults
Entry Credit: Claire Sullivan, Reveille/LSU Reveille.com
Judge Comment: Excellent use of facts to justify commentary. Strong voice! Newsworthy topic.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Social media doesn’t need your sonogram photos
Entry Credit: Olyvia Gonzalez, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas
Judge Comment: Strong column voice!
FINALIST
Entry Title: On renaming campus buildings
Entry Credit: Charlie Stephens, Reveille/LSUReveille.com
STUDENT – BUSINESS
WINNER
Entry Title: Transgender Bills Could Hurt Tourism
Entry Credit: Brooke Smith, Tiger TV, LSU
Judge Comment: The broadcast clip carries a professional tone and has a narrative structure that propels the viewer through a number of different scenarios and the potential effects on the state.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Flower Shortage
Entry Credit: Ally Kadlubar, Tiger TV, LSU
Judge Comment: Framing takes a national issue – the supply chain shortage – and brings a local lens to how it affects a particular local business segment. This is what we do in journalism, and I think it’s executed very well.
Entry Title: ‘Another blow’: 7,500 Louisiana oil and gas jobs lost in pandemic, furthering industry’s decline
Entry Credit: Brittney Forbes, Manship News Service, LSU, published in Houma Today
STUDENT – EDUCATION
WINNER
Entry Title: Faculty Senate enters unlawful executive session during meeting, kicks out non- Senate members
Entry Credit: Piper Hutchinson, Reveille/LSUReveille.com
Judge Comment: Great job by the reporter and others to investigate this matter, talk to people who were actually in the executive session, and hold the board’s feet to the fire on this.
FINALIST
Entry Title: ‘It’s very discouraging’: Louisiana teachers grapple with challenges of ongoing pandemic
Entry Credit: Margaret DeLaney, Olivia Varden, Chris Langley, Manship News Service, LSU, published in The News-Star (Monroe)
Judge Comment: Good reporting added to trend data make it a good story.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Pros and cons: How Louisiana college students were impacted by online learning Entry Credit: Masie O’Toole, Kirby Koch, Donald Fountain, Manship News Service, LSU, published in The Town Talk (Alexandria)
Judge Comment: It was nice to hear from a variety of students on their experiences.
STUDENT – NEWS PHOTO
WINNER
Entry Title: Gas leak
Entry Credit: Mia Waddell, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas
Judge Comment: Nice framing of the key aspects, nice focus on the action, too, but with the mailbox in view for perspective. The trees provide a perfect backdrop as well that direct attention to the central aspects of the photo.
FINALIST
Entry Title: AUTO COLLISION
Entry Credit: Rangsiya Faihin, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro
FINALIST
Entry Title: Collage
Entry Credit: Ian Lyle, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas
STUDENT – FEATURE PHOTO
WINNER
Entry Title: SEARCHING FOR BLACKBERRIES
Entry Credit: Rangsiya Faihin, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro
Judge Comment: Nice framing, great color and well framed. Great capture of a nice moment.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Drag Show
Entry Credit: Madison Ogle, Addison Freeman, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas
FINALIST
Entry Title: Homecoming
Entry Credit: Madison Ogle, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas
STUDENT – PHOTO SPREAD/ESSAY
WINNER
Entry Title: LINEMEN AT WORK
Entry Credit: Rangsiya Faihin, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University
Judge Comment: What the judges liked about this entry is the photographer took something that is somewhat mundane and turned it into art and a story at the same time. Great use of tight and wide shots to convey the work.
FINALIST
Entry Title: ARKANSAS ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Entry Credit: Rangsiya Faihin, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University
FINALIST
Entry Title: ROAD SIGN WORK
Entry Credit: Rangsiya Faihin, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University
STUDENT – PHOTO PORTFOLIO
WINNER
Entry Title: LC v. ETBU, 23-17; LC v. LeTourneau, 90-65
Entry Credit: Alena Noakes, Wildcat Media, Louisiana Christian University
Judge Comment: Fantastic collection of photos with a variety of subjects, lighting and techniques.
STUDENT – GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS
WINNER
Entry Title: Oct. 6, 2021 cartoon
Entry Credit: Madison Ogle, The Echo, University of Central Arkansas
Judge Comment: The five-panels build an engaging, newsy story and the illustrations provide contextual detail to deliver the hammer in the final frame. Great concept.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Look at those sheep; Scary costume ideas
Entry Credit: Sam Miller, Wildcat Media, Louisiana Christian University
Judge Comment: “Look at those sheep” provides the right balance between disbelief and side- eye snark at a newsy topic that all can relate to.
FINALIST
Entry Title: Sept. 15, 2021, cartoon
Entry Credit: Madison Ogle, The Echo, University of Central ArkansasJudge Comment: Straightforward and poignant and tone-appropriate for the anniversary.
Society of Professional Journalists | Arkansas Pro Chapter 