Arkansas SPJ announces 2025 Diamond Awards winners at annual banquet
Jessica Ranck, KARK/Fox16 receives first place A-Mark Prize; Rex Nelson, Heather Baker share message of inspiration for journalists
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists recognized the best of journalism Saturday evening during the 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards presented by AY Media Group. In addition to recognizing finalists and winners in nearly 80 categories with more than 125 in attendance, the inaugural A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting was awarded to three Central Arkansas journalists.
The A-Mark Prize, sponsored by the A-Mark Foundation, was added this year to recognize exceptional investigative reporting in Arkansas. The A-Mark Foundation and Arkansas SPJ presented $15,000 to three winners, recognizing both the reporters and their newsrooms.
Jessica Ranck of KARK and FOX16 received first place for her “Corruption in Van Buren County” investigation. She received $5,000 and her newsroom received $2,500.
Matt Campbell of the Arkansas Times, was awarded second place for his reporting titled “Politics, not inmates, the primary concern in Arkansas’s prison system.” He received $3,000 and the Arkansas Times received $1,500.
Chris Fulton of the Mountain Home Observer received third place for his investigative reporting series titled “‘Evil but Smart’: Branson contractor’s victims speak out” and was awarded $2,000. The Observer received $1,000.
Additional special awards included Arkansas SPJ’s top honor of Diamond Journalist of the Year, which was presented to Bobby Ross Jr. of the Christian Chronicle based in Oklahoma City. The event’s Future of Journalism sponsor, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, awarded the Student Journalist of the Year award to Caleb Jarreau of The Daily Beacon of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The keynote conversation between Heather Baker, president and publisher of AY Media Group, and Rex Nelson, senior editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, delivered a message of encouragement for a new generation of journalists and offered insights from their extensive and impressive careers in the industry.
“I was honored to appear as co-keynote for the Arkansas SPJ Diamond Journalism Awards with my good friend Rex Nelson,” Baker said. “Journalism and publishing thrive in Arkansas as it does nowhere else in the country. It was a pleasure to address the crowd about matters facing the industry. Rex and I share an optimism for the future of media and it was wonderful to be able to share that with the outstanding professionals in the audience.”
This year’s contest drew 704 entries and was judged by the SPJ members from Connecticut. Divisions spanned professional journalism, student journalism, and communications. Emmy-winning FOX 16 Good Day Morning Anchor, Ashlei King was this year’s emcee.
“Arkansas SPJ is thrilled to not only recognize the best journalism from across the region, but to partner with the A-Mark Foundation for this amazing award is invaluable,” said Wendy Jordan, Diamond Awards co-chair and president of Arkansas SPJ. “The evening’s keynote conversation was exactly what we needed — a reminder of why we do what we do from Heather and Rex, who are two of the best in the industry. We are very proud of all of the winners and finalists and their exceptional work.”
Other awards presented by Arkansas SPJ included recognizing David Keith as the 2025 Diamond Educator of the Year. After a lengthy career in reporting and then teaching at the University of Central Arkansas, Keith recently retired, but leaves behind a legacy of excellence in mentorship.
University of Central Arkansas journalism students were also recognized for their work in conjunction with Arkansas SPJ on the Faulkner County FOIA audit, which included testing FOIA compliance of 16 Faulkner County agencies. These students were honored with the Friends of FOIA award for their work gaining experience with “the people’s right” to access public records.
In addition to presenting sponsor AY Media Group, the 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards event was sponsored by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Mountain Home Observer, the University of Arkansas, Crafton Tull and the States Newsroom (Arkansas Advocate and Tennessee Lookout). The annual contest will begin accepting entries for the 2026 competition in January.
A complete list of winners and finalists across all categories is below.
A-MARK PRIZE FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING IN ARKANSAS
First Place: Jessica Ranck, KARK and FOX16, Corruption in Van Buren County
Second Place: Matt Campbell, Arkansas Times, Politics, not inmates, the primary concern in Arkansas’s prison system
Third Place: Chris Fulton, Mountain Home Observer, ‘Evil but Smart’: Branson contractor’s victims speak out
SPECIAL AWARDS
Robert S. McCord FOI Award
WINNER: Ellen Kreth, Shannon Hahn, Ellen Kreth, Ellen Kreth, Ellen Kreth, Ellen Kreth, The Madison County Record, Sheriff says homicide investigation underway
FINALIST: Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Netflix’s “Unlocked: Jail Experiment” series
STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Caleb Jarreau, The Daily Beacon
EMERGING JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle
FINALIST: Chris Fulton, Mountain Home Observer
CHARLOTTE TILLAR SCHEXNAYDER PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
WINNER: Jacob Steimer, Mikhaila Markham, Andrea Morales, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Memphis’ lead crisis
FINALISTS: Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Helena-West Helena water woes
WVLT Staff, WVLT News, After Helene
Diamond Journalist of the Year
WINNER: Bobby Ross Jr., The Christian Chronicle
FINALISTS: Shaunicy Muhammad, Mississippi Free Press
Dwain Hebda, Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths
CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT
Outstanding Meteorologist
WINNER: Skot Covert, KTHV & KFSM, Chief Meteorologist Skot Covert
Outstanding News Anchor
WINNER: Casey Wheeless, WVLT
FINALIST: Caitrin Assaf, KARK 4 News
Outstanding Sports Anchor
WINNER: Katie Parker, UATV, Sports Reel- Katie Parker
Outstanding Tv News Writer
WINNER: Kevin Kelly, KLRT, Kevin Kelly
Outstanding TV Editor
WINNER: Lauren Motley, KNWA/FOX24 Fayetteville
FINALISTS: Aimee Fowler, WVLT News
Stephen Goodale, KARK/KLRT
Outstanding Photographer – All Media
WINNER: Colin Murphey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FINALISTS: Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Stephen Goodale, KARK/KLRT
OUTSTANDING PRINT/ONLINE EDITOR
WINNER: Nick Popowitch, Sarah Campbell-Miller, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FINALIST: Stephanie Maxwell Newton, At Home in Arkansas, Editing for At Home in Arkansas
PRINT/ONLINE
Investigative Reporting
WINNER: Frank Lockwood, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Continuing story of abuse coverup in a church
FINALISTS: Nick Judin, Mississippi Free Press, Decrepit water pipes put Jackson, Miss., on the edge of catastrophe. State regulators didn’t act.
Ellen Kreth, Shannon Hahn, Madison County Record, Sheriff says homicide investigation underway
Politics
WINNER: Katherine Burgess, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Government accountability
FINALISTS: Mike Wickline, Josh Snyder, Neal Earley, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sanders’ $723K protection detail; DHS ending dental program; Education Department removes social studies resources; Parole board chair resigns; More notice, input on marijuana dispensaries proposed
Benjamin Hardy, Matt Campbell, David Ramsey, Austin Gelder, Griffin Coop, Arkansas Times, Ballot measures reporting by the Arkansas Times
Special Section/Niche Publication
WINNER: Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Wheelhouse Publications, The Messenger
FINALIST: Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Wheelhouse Publications, Pulse
Education
WINNER: David Ramsey, Jeannie Roberts, Austin Gelder, Benjamin Hardy, Arkansas Times, Education coverage by the Arkansas Times
FINALISTS: Edward Brown, Jason Brimmer, Fort Worth Weekly, School-to-prison pipeline
Antoinette Grajeda, Tess Vrbin, Mary Hennigan, Arkansas Advocate, Challenges faced by Arkansas schools
Features
WINNER: Zandria F. Robinson, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Tyre Nichols Had a Beautiful Life
FINALISTS: Stephanie Maxwell Newton, PLATED: The Arkansas Dining Guide, Right on ‘cue
Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for AY Magazine, Brothers in arms
Sports
WINNER: Matt Campbell, Arkansas Times, Arkansas Travelers 2024 season by Matt Campbell
FINALIST: Richard Davenport, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Calipari’s move deals blow to Kentucky
Arts & Entertainment Coverage
WINNER: Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Arkansas Money & Politics, Master of beats
FINALISTS: Olivia Deffes, 225 Magazine, 225 Magazine Arts & Entertainment portfolio
Chad Hunter, Cherokee Phoenix, Lawman Isaac “Ike” Roger’s legacy lives on
Editorials
WINNER: Jonathan Feldman, Leader newspaper, Slumming, Mayor, Israel
FINALISTS: Tommy Foltz, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Portfolio of editorials by Tommy Foltz
David Barham, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Editorials: Words Matter by David Barham
Commentary
WINNER: Donna Ladd, Mississippi Free Press, As Fascism Looms, the free press must stand and Report in the breach
FINALISTS: Holly McCall, Tennessee Lookout, Commentary by Holly McCall
Philip Martin, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Portfolio of Philip Martin columns from 2024
Sports Feature
WINNER: Erik Tryggestad, The Christian Chronicle, Team finds the good in a tough, tough season
FINALISTS: Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics, The architect
Stephanie Smittle, Arkansas Times, Rock Town Roller Derby’s game-time alter egos, and the real athletes behind them
General News
WINNER: Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate, Grassroots tornado recovery efforts take hold in rural community where Arkansans feel forgotten
FINALISTS: Nick Judin, Stacey Spiehler, Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press, As students protest for Palestine, the ghosts of UM’s past rise again
Alex Golden, Axios Northwest Arkansas, Costs, teacher absences prevent schools from using LEARNS-established paid maternity leave
Profiles
WINNER: Erik Tryggestad, The Christian Chronicle, Living a green dream
FINALISTS: Jeffrey Roedel, Hoa Vu, Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, inRegister Magazine, Lines of sight
Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for AY Magazine, Yakkety-yak
Enterprise/In-Depth Reporting
WINNER: Jacob Steimer, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Memphis’ Lead Crisis
FINALISTS: Arkansas Times, The import business: How Arkansas residential psych facilities make money on out-of-state kids
Anita Wadhwani, Adam Friedman, Tennessee Lookout, Tennessee legislature looks to strip wetlands protections
Continuing Coverage
WINNER: Bobby Ross Jr., Cheryl Mann Bacon, Calvin Cockrell, The Christian Chronicle, Reading, ‘riting … religion
FINALISTS: Worth Sparkman, Axios Northwest Arkansas, Cooks Venture postmortem
Sam Stockard, Tennessee Lookout, Ongoing coverage of private prison company CoreCivic
Explanatory Reporting
WINNER: Rebecca Cadenhead, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Blended sentencing
FINALISTS: Adam Friedman, Tennessee Lookout, Explanatory series of how Tennessee government leaders wire tax breaks for big businesses
Milo Strain, Arkansas Times, TIF tiff: Downtown Little Rock Master Plan calls for controversial funding tool
Breaking News
WINNER: Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press, Mass shooting shutters Arkansas town’s only grocery store – for now
FINALISTS: Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate, Arkansas Supreme Court refers one of its own for disciplinary investigation
Matt Campbell, David Ramsey, Austin Gelder, Benjamin Hardy, Mary Hennigan, Phillip Powell, Arkansas Times, Breaking news by the Arkansas Times
Criticism/Reviews
WINNER: Daniel Grear, Arkansas Times, Culture criticism by Daniel Grear
FINALISTS: Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth Weekly, Criticism/Reviews
Benjamin Leger, 225 Magazine, 225 Magazine Restaurant Reviews
RADIO/AUDIO
Investigative Reporting
WINNER: Danny Wicentowski, St. Louis Public Radio, Veiled Prophet Investigation
Enterprise/Explanatory Reporting
WINNER: Laura Kebede-Twumasi, Christopher Blank, Marc Perrusquia, Institute for Public Service Reporting, Nothin’ for our labor
FINALISTS: Danny Wicentowski, St. Louis Public Radio, Instead of complaints, Bailey’s trans tip line flooded with pro-trans support
Nathan Treece, Little Rock Public Radio, ‘World’s largest carbon removal plant’ sets its roots in Pine Bluff
News
WINNER: Josie Lenora, Little Rock Public Radio, Lawsuit challenges Arkansas ban on gender-neutral IDs
FINALISTS: Maggie Ryan, National Public Radio, Arkansas and Tennessee challenge federal rule adding abortion to pregnancy protections
Josie Lenora, National Public Radio, An Arkansas court blocks abortion vote
Politics
WINNER: Josie Lenora, National Public Radio, Finding a tasteful design for Arkansas’ ‘monument to the unborn’ has been fraught
FINALISTS: Alex Thomas, Nick Popowitch, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkies in the Beltway
Josie Lenora, Little Rock Public Radio, A recap of the 2024 Arkansas special session
Features
WINNER: Daniel Breen, Josie Lenora, Little Rock Public Radio, Can a grocery store on wheels help Little Rock’s food desert problem?
FINALISTS: Nathan Treece, Little Rock Public Radio, Eloping during an eclipse
Emma Rasmussen, UATV, Grape to Glass Ep 2: Behind the Bottle
Arts & Entertainment Coverage
WINNER: Daniel Breen, National Public Radio, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is about to open its new state-of-the-art facility
FINALISTS: Maggie Ryan, National Public Radio, Netflix reality show raises questions about the ethics of filming incarcerated people
Paul Ladd, World Christian Broadcasting’s New Life station & worldchristian.org, Behold Magda!
Education
WINNER: Maggie Ryan, Little Rock Public Radio, Changes to Hendrix Office of Diversity and Inclusion spark confusion
FINALISTS: Josie Lenora, Little Rock Public Radio, Arkansas schools implementing new ‘Science of Reading’ curriculum
Josie Lenora, National Public Radio, High school students sue Arkansas over restricted African American studies
Ongoing Coverage
WINNER: Josie Lenora, Little Rock Public Radio, Groups push for hand counting ballots across Arkansas
FINALIST: Daniel Breen, Little Rock Public Radio, What do Arkansas’ newest voters think about the 2024 elections?
TELEVISION
Investigative Reporting
WINNER: Anna Darling, Brad Horn, KNWA/FOX24, Facilities workers concerned for jobs as UA considers outsourcing
FINALIST: Chad Mira, Lauren Motley, KNWA/FOX24 Fayetteville, Springdale nonprofit 2nd Milk investigated for defrauding donors
Breaking News
WINNER: WVLT Staff, WVLT News, Hurricane Helene floods the mountains
FINALISTS: Staff, KARK 4 News, Fordyce mass shooting
40/29 News Staff, 40/29 News, Hunt for quadruple murder suspect
Continuing Coverage
WINNER: WVLT Staff, WVLT News, Hurricane Helene continuing coverage
FINALISTS: Tylisa Hampton, Stephen Goodale, KARK4 News, Fordyce shooting: Silas Compton
40/29 News Staff, 40/29 News, Rogers tornado: “I could hear the hail above my head”
Explanatory Reporting
WINNER: Kevin Kelly, Julian Jones, KLRT Fox 16 News, The one percent
FINALIST: Laura Monteverdi, Alexis Burch, KARK 4 News/www.kark.com, Carry to term
News Feature
WINNER: Donna Terrell, KLRT Fox16 News, Last Text Goodbye
FINALISTS: Kayla Davis, KFSM 5News, Garfield man stranded by storms rescued by community members
Caitrin Assaf, KARK 4 News, “Little Rock’s Own Haunted Mansion”
Profiles
WINNER: Whitney Thomas, Stephen Goodale, KARK TV, Maumelle Charter student beats odds
FINALISTS: Laura Monteverdi, John Matthews, KARK 4 News/www.kark.com, Arkansas family finds healing 10 years after tornado
Caroline Derby, Kwasi Harshaw, FOX 16 News, A New Wave of Activism
Weather
WINNER: Skot Covert, KFSM, May 26 tornadoes
FINALIST: Darby Bybee, 40/29 News Staff, KHBS/KHOG, Get to your safe spot now!
Sports Feature
WINNER: Tylisa Hampton, John Matthews, KARK 4 News, Arkansas 10-year-old gymnast dreams of competing at the Olympics
FINALISTS: Brittany Tarwater, WVLT News, Swim For Ben
Micah Fletcher, Cherokee Phoenix, Generations of dirt tracking: Muskrat continues family’s racing legacy
Crime/Justice
WINNER: Kevin Kelly, KLRT Fox 16 News, I-40: The drug pipeline
FINALISTS: WVLT Staff, WVLT News, Manhunt for McCowan’s killer
Kimberly Rusley, Steven Bui, KFDM 6, Buna murder suspect arrested
Newscast
WINNER: Kimberely Blackburn, KLRT Fox16, Vilonia: A look back
FINALISTS: Michael Aaron, Mike Nielsen, KFSM, After the storm: Resilience and recovery in Northwest Arkansas
WVLT Staff, WVLT News, WVLT News at 6
News Special
WINNER: Micah Fletcher, Cherokee Phoenix, Veterans, families reel’em in at CN fishing event
FINALISTS: Kimberely Blackburn, Bob Clausen, Donna Terrell, Laura Monteverdi, Ashlei King, Ronni Romero, KLRT Fox16 & KARK 4 News, Veterans Voices: Honoring Arkansas Veterans
UATV Staff, UATV, UATV election coverage
Education
WINNER: Lauren Motley, KNWA/FOX24 Fayetteville, West Fork Schools alumni return for band director’s final concert
FINALISTS: Seth Parenteau, NewsWatch Ole Miss, EDHE in classes
Mattison Gafner, Stephen Goodale, KARK 4 News, Bryant HS Senior wins prestigious award
Politics
WINNER: Samantha Boyd, Stephen Goodale, KARK 4 News, Secretary of State’s office prepares to count petition signatures
FINALISTS: Gabe Evans, NewsWatch Ole Miss, Election day
Hannah Baker, NewsWatch Ole Miss, Voting in Oxford
Arts & Entertainment
WINNER: Maddi Phipps, UATV, Ukulele Society
FINALISTS: Lauren Motley, KNWA/FOX24 Fayetteville, Alma students develop indie video game Rayadium
Stacie Boston, Cherokee Phoenix, Forging a passion: Terrapin’s journey into the art of knife making
SPECIAL TOPICS – ALL MEDIA
Health
WINNER: Katti Gray, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Health in Memphis
FINALISTS: Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Mental Health Guide, The mind as medicine
Remington Miller, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Mental health care professionals prioritize affirmative care; It’s the heat AND the humidity; Christmas not always merry; Outreach efforts aim to prevent suicides
Business
WINNER: Cristina LaRue, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, ‘Micro-agriculture’; Low Mississippi slows barge traffic; More farmers interested in pesticide drones; U.S. Army veteran opens market; Circuit judge grants facility testing
FINALISTS: Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Ay Magazine, The new speakeasy
Sarah DeClerk, Arkansas Money & Politics, A bigger boom
Religion
WINNER: Erik Tryggestad, Ted Parks, Bobby Ross Jr., The Christian Chronicle, Where is God in a war zone? The Christian Chronicle’s coverage of the conflict in Ukraine
FINALISTS: Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle, Religion Reporting by Audrey Jackson
Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Bishop Merrill High Profile
Environment/Science
WINNER: Phillip Powell, Illan Ireland, Cassie Stephenson, Arkansas Times, Tennessee Lookout, Mississippi Free Press, As climate threats to agriculture mount, could the Mississippi River Delta be the next California?
FINALISTS: Illan Ireland, Mississippi Free Press, Protecting Mississippi’s Vital Waterways
Ashli Blow, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Environmental Injustice in Memphis
Election Coverage
WINNER: Heather Harrison, Illan Ireland, Torsheta Jackson, Ashton Pittman, William Pittman, Nick Judin, Mississippi Free Press, Mississippi Election 2024
FINALISTS: Antoinette Grajeda, Mary Hennigan, Tess Vrbin, Arkansas Advocate, Advocate 2024 election coverage
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2024 Election Coverage
COMMUNICATIONS
Feature Writing
WINNER: Aprille Spivey, Arkansas Children’s Health System, Family spends 193 days in Arkansas Children’s NICU saving son from NEC
FINALISTS: Maggie Butler, Crafton Tull Website, Sounds of Success: Walmart AMP reaches a decade of shows in Rogers
Aprille Spivey, Arkansas Children’s Health System, ‘I’m all in’: Nurse, Mayor Stephanie White driven to change the world
Campaign
WINNER: Angelita Faller, Carrie Phillips, Muriel Schrepfer, Meaghan Milliorn, Angela Parker, Benjamin Krain, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Eclipsing Expectations
Newsletter
WINNER: Angelita Faller, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, UA Little Rock Now
Photography
WINNER: Benjamin Krain, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, UA Little Rock Men’s Track and Field Photo of Cameron Jackson
FINALISTS: Trevor Hensley, Crafton Tull, Northwest Park
Brittany Goff, Crafton Tull Social, Majestic Park
Press Release Writing
WINNER: Angelita Faller, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, UA Little Rock Receives $5 Million to Combat Drug Use Among Arkansas Youth
FINALISTS: Staci Miller, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Community Journalism Project, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette launches philanthropy for community journalism
Trevor Hensley, Lindsay Young, Crafton Tull, Matt Crafton Receives ACEC Top Honor
Magazine Or Publication
WINNER: Donnie Sewell, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Public Information Office, ASMSA Tangents Summer 2024
FINALISTS: Jessica Ford, APR, Arkansas Community Foundation, Issuu , Engage Magazine: Early Literacy in Arkansas
Wendy Jordan, Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XL Team 2, Little Rock Regional Chamber, Leadership Greater Little Rock, College Station Conversations
VISUAL JOURNALISM
Breaking News Photography
WINNER: Colin Murphey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, House Fire
Cover Design – Magazine
WINNER: Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, Hoa Vu, Melinda Gonzales, Jackie Haxthausen, Stephania Campos, inRegister Magazine, inRegister Cover Collection
FINALISTS: Mandy Keener, Sara Reeves, Kasten Searles, Arkansas Times, Arkansas Times magazine covers
Donnie Sewell, Mike Kemp, Corey Alderdice, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Public Information Office, ASMSA Tangents Summer 2024 Cover
Web Design
WINNER: Alison Fulton, Chris Fulton, Mountain Home Observer, Single article layout
FINALIST: Sarah Campbell-Miller, Nick Popowitch, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Web Team, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, ArkansasOnline.com
Photo Spread/Essay
WINNER: Colin Murphey, Staci Vandagriff, Staton Breidenthal, Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Eclipse
FINALISTS: Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle, A medical mission to ‘the hub of Boko Haram’
Chad Hunter, Cherokee Phoenix, Powwow captivates youth in reservation, beyond
Feature Photography
WINNER: Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle, A medical mission to ‘the hub of Boko Haram’
FINALISTS: Adam Vogler, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, In the kaleidoscope
Collin Richie, 225 Magazine, Going for the gold
General News Photography
WINNER: Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Memorial Day
FINALISTS: Staci Vandagriff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Match day
Colin Murphey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fighting fire hazard with fire
Aerial Photography
WINNER: Colin Murphey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Superb Superbloom
FINALISTS: Wendy Jordan, Diamond Roundup, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Conway softball
Colin Murphey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Keep your balance
Front Page Design – Newspapers
WINNER: Heather Kersten, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1A Pages for 3/6/24; 11/6/24; and 5/8/24
FINALISTS: Mark Dreadfulwater, Cherokee Phoenix, Cherokee Phoenix
Michael Hoge, Liz Atkinson, Heather Kersten, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1A Pages for 7/22/24; 5/9/24; and 5/31/24
Graphics/Illustrations
WINNER: Wendy Jordan, Where We Live, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas’ Central Skyline
FINALISTS: Melinda Gonzalez Galjour, 225 Magazine, A Parade of pasta
Mandy Keener, Kasten Searles, Annika Shunn, Arkansas Times, Arkansas Times graphics/illustrations
STUDENT JOURNALISM
Student- Photography
WINNER: Ibuki Hinohara, The Herald, Pinion, Marshall, and Julien zip the Red Wolves to OT victory
FINALISTS: Ethan Doan, The Arkansas Traveler, Football Kneeling
Ryan Beatty, University of Tennessee for USA TODAY, Paralympic track and field highlights: USA’s Jaydin Blackwell sets world record in 100m
Student – Special Projects
WINNER: TVC Staff , The Daily Beacon Staff , WUOT Staff , WUTK Staff , The Volunteer Channel, The Daily Beacon, WUOT, WUTK, The election project
Student – Arts & Entertainment Reporting
WINNER: Torie Bovie, Cate Emma Warren, LSU Reveille, Black culture
FINALISTS: Addie Jones, The Arkansas Traveler, Behind the scenes of Pop Princess Nite
Drew Brent, Mary Stratton, Madison Estep, Ava Brock, Izzy Ohnmacht, Noah Carter, Cyclone Broadcasting, 2024 Christmas Parade
Student – Features
WINNER: Caleb Jarreau, The Daily Beacon, How childhood friends went from Campbell County to getting paid to ‘blow stuff up’ on top of Neyland Stadium
FINALISTS: Pierce Gentry, WUOT, ‘Plein Air’ painters persist through the rain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Morgan Carter, LSU Reveille, The mystery of Memorial Tower’s long-missing original chimes
Student – Editorials
WINNER: Chequoia Adderley, Daily Mississippian, Chequoia Adderley
FINALISTS: MJ Ferguson, The Arkansas Traveler, MJ Ferguson’s column
Editorial Board, LSU Reveille, House editorials from the Reveille at LSU
Student – Photo Spread/Essay
WINNER: Gabriella Guillory, Payton Prichard, Kaitlyn Hoang, LSU Reveille, LSU football game
FINALISTS: Gabriella Guillory, Jayden Slaughter, LSU Reveille, Campus critters
Kyla Clark, The Poke Press, Men’s basketball falls to Gonzaga in Round 1 of NCAA tournament
Student – Sports
WINNER: Caleb Jarreau, The Daily Beacon, How childhood friends went from Campbell County to getting paid to ‘blow stuff up’ on top of Neyland Stadium
FINALISTS: Patricia Caputo, LSU Tiger TV, The Price for Passion
Marty Sullivan, LSU Reveille, The stories behind 100 years of Tiger Stadium told by the LSU community
Student – News
WINNER: Pierce Gentry, WUOT, Hurricane Helene hits East Tennessee
FINALISTS: Nicole Marino, LSU Tiger TV, LSU Freeze update
Amelia Bridges, KLSU 91.1 FM, Gov. Landry free speech bill
Student-Campus Affairs Reporting
WINNER: Nicole Marino, LSU Tiger TV, Drug Data Denial
FINALISTS: John Buzbee, LSU Reveille, LA Attorney General Liz Murrill questions LSU President Tate’s employment contract, salary
Cade Savoy, LSU Reveille, LSU Faculty Senate to issue report on student Grammarly usage, worrying some students
Student – Page Design
WINNER: Ablaze Staff , Ablaze, Ablaze Magazine
FINALIST: Ashlynn Payne, Erin Foley, Daily Mississippian, The Daily Mississippian
Student – Commentary
WINNER: Taylor Hamilton, LSU Reveille, Taylor Hamilton columns
FINALIST: Mohammad Tantawi, LSU Reveille, Mohammad Tantawi Columns
Society of Professional Journalists | Arkansas Pro Chapter 