A NOTE ON CONTEST DIVISIONS: Please pay attention to entry requirements. For most categories, entries can be submitted in two divisions — print/online and audio/video (includes podcasts, radio and TV). However, some categories allow entries to be submitted in the following subdivisions: newspapers, magazines, online publications, TV/video, and audio/radio.
DIAMOND HONORS – ALL MEDIA
GARRICK FELDMAN COMMUNITY JOURNALISM AWARD — For focused coverage of a community or neighborhood, awarded in honor of the late Garrick Feldman, publisher of The Leader newspapers, Jacksonville, Ark., and proponent of strong local journalism. COVER LETTER REQUIRED.Submit no more than six stories and related multimedia content. Audio and video entries should not be longer than 60 minutes total.
01. ALL MEDIA
CHARLOTTE TILLAR SCHEXNAYDER PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD — For journalism that seeks to benefit society through extensive coverage of an issue facing a community, state or region. Named in honor of the late Charlotte Schexnayder, journalist, small-town newspaper publisher and Arkansas legislator. Entry MUST INCLUDE A NOMINATING LETTER providing background and context and results, if any. Judges will consider significance of the issue, journalistic initiative, presentation, and results. Submit no more than 10 items – stories and opinion pieces. Audio and video entries should not be longer than 60 minutes total.
02. ALL MEDIA
THE ROBERT S. MCCORD FOI AWARD — For coverage that focuses on the public’s right to know and that carries on the legacy of the late Robert McCord, a former national SPJ president who is considered the father of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. COVER LETTER REQUIRED in support of the nomination. Submit stories, opinion pieces, letters or other material (including audio or video) that demonstrate how the nominee contributed to the protection or enhancement of the public’s right to know.
03. ALL MEDIA
OUTSTANDING NEW JOURNALIST AWARD — For journalistic excellence demonstrated by an individual who has worked five years or fewer in their market. The winner will be chosen based on a NOMINATING LETTER and supporting documents. Submit a portfolio by the nominee of five pieces representative of their work over the year.
04. ALL MEDIA
OUTSTANDING STUDENT JOURNALIST AWARD — For journalistic excellence demonstrated by an individual student journalist. The winner will be chosen based on a NOMINATING LETTER and supporting documents. Submit a portfolio by the nominee of five pieces representative of their work over the year.
05. ALL MEDIA
DIAMOND JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR — For journalistic excellence by a journalist in any medium over the preceding 12 months. Submit a portfolio by the nominee of five to seven pieces and a NOMINATING LETTER from a ranking editor or producer.
06. ALL MEDIA
PROFESSIONAL MEDIA
BREAKING NEWS —For clear, accurate and engaging coverage of a single, unexpected news event by individuals, teams or news. Judges will consider deadline pressure and complexity of the subject.
07. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to three articles, any sidebars and related multimedia content.
08. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video from up to three stories not longer than 30 minutes total and any related multimedia content.
GENERAL NEWS — For coverage of a news-related topic. May include planned coverage of a single event or in-depth or enterprise reporting.
09. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to three articles and any related multimedia content.
10. AUDIO/VIDEO –Submit audio or video from up to three stories not longer than 30 minutes total and any related multimedia content.
ONGOING COVERAGE —Forcontinuing coverage over time of a topic or major event demonstrating solid reporting and presentation with complexity and perspective.
11. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to five stories along with any related multimedia content. Entries may include a mix of story types, e.g. breaking news, features and explanatory.
12. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video from up to five stories not longer than 60 minutes total along with any related multimedia content. Entries may include a mix of story types, e.g. breaking news, features and explanatory.
ENTERPRISE/IN-DEPTH REPORTING — For coverage that reflects a reporter’s or team’s initiative, ingenuity, use of sources and/or special research to dig deeper or capture more complexity than a typical news story.
13. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit a single story or a series of up to three stories and any related multimedia content.
14. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video from a single report or a series of reports not longer than 30 minutes total and any related multimedia content.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING — For reporting that demonstrates initiative, persistence and resourcefulness in pursuing information that is restricted or not easily available and is of public interest and significance. COVER LETTER REQUIRED, explaining reporting process and impact or results.
15. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit one story or a series of no more than six stories and any related multimedia content.
16. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit a single piece or a series on the same topic with a maximum combined run time of 60 minutes and any related multimedia content.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING — For reporting and writing that elucidate significant stories and complex situations, that deepen understanding of a subject or that focus on subjects covered minimally or not at all by most media.
17. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit one story or a series and any related multimedia content. If entering a series, please submit no more than six stories.
18. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit one audio clip of up to 30 minutes.
EDITORIALS — For opinion writing that represents a news organization’s position on a topic or issue. Judges will consider importance to the community, writing style, reasoning, originality and reader interest.
19. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit three editorials as one entry.
20. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit three editorials as one entry.
COMMENTARY — For commentary or analysis by an individual. News-related blogs also are eligible. Judges will consider quality of expression, clarity and originality.
21. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit three samples as one entry.
22. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit three samples as one entry.
FEATURES — For individual storytelling excellence. Judges will consider the use of narrative, use of humor or drama, style, creativity, clarity and suitability of the writing to the subject.
23. NEWSPAPERS – Submit one story.
24. MAGAZINES – Submit one story.
25. ONLINE ONLY (For stories, audio or video published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one story or audio/video of not more than 15 minutes.
26. TV/VIDEO – Submit one story of not more than 15 minutes.
27. RADIO/AUDIO – Submit one story of not more than 15 minutes.
PROFILES — For reporting that depicts the character and personality of a story subject.
28. NEWSPAPERS – Submit one story.
29. MAGAZINES – Submit one story.
30. ONLINE ONLY (For written, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one written story or audio/video story of not more than 15 minutes.
31. TV/VIDEO – Submit one story of no more than 15 minutes.
32. RADIO/AUDIO – Submit one story of no more than 15 minutes.
SPORTS — For coverage of any sport or athletic endeavor. Judges will consider clarity and style.
33. NEWSPAPERS – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic.
34. MAGAZINES – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic.
35. ONLINE ONLY (For written, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit a single story or no more than three stories covering a single topic. Audio/video entries should not be longer than 15 minutes total.
36. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video of no more than three reports covering a single topic with a run time not longer than 15 minutes.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COVERAGE — For reporting on the arts, entertainment, restaurant and other cultural news. Entry may include columns, profiles and features. Judges will consider the quality of the writing and presentation and, where appropriate, analysis.
37. NEWSPAPERS – Submit up to three stories or a series of up to three stories.
38. MAGAZINES – Submit up to three stories or a series of up to three stories.
39. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video of no longer than 15 minutes.
40. ONLINE ONLY (For written stories, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one written story or audio/video story of not more than 15 minutes.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CRITICISM/REVIEWS — For writing that demonstrates a journalist’s competence in evaluating performance, restaurants, books, recorded music or other cultural events or entities.
41. NEWSPAPERS – Submit three samples of the author’s work.
42. MAGAZINES – Submit three samples of the author’s work.
43. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video of no longer than 5 minutes.
44. ONLINE ONLY (For written stories, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one written story or audio/video story of not more than 15 minutes.
BUSINESS — For coverage of business or finance by an individual or team. Submit up to five samples and any related multimedia content. Run times for audio and video should not exceed 5 minutes.
45. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
EDUCATION — For coverage of education (news, features, analysis and investigative).
46. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to five samples and any related multimedia content as one entry.
47. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
HEALTH — For reporting clearly on health, including medicine, community health and health policy, and the health effects of COVID-19.
48. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
SCIENCE — For reporting clearly on science, including technology, and its impact on individuals and society.
49. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
ENVIRONMENT — For coverage of environmental issues, including climate change.
50. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
POLITICS — For coverage of public issues, political campaigns, candidates or campaign finance.
51. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content as one entry.
52. AUDIO/VIDEO – Run times for audio or video should not exceed 15 minutes total.
SPECIAL SECTION/NICHE PUBLICATION — For a niche publication or special section devoted to a single topic. Judges will consider depth of coverage, presentation, and quality of writing.
53. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit one section or niche publication.
PODCASTS — For public interest podcasting that stands alone or is part of a series.
54. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three episodes as one entry. Podcast entries may have also aired as radio or TV broadcasts.
VISUAL JOURNALISM & DESIGN
BREAKING NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY — For photojournalism produced on deadline. Judges will consider deadline pressure, complexity of subject and visual presentation.
55. ALL MEDIA – Submit photos with cutlines from up to three stories as one entry, but no more than six images in all. Be sure to include the accompanying story or link to the story.
GENERAL NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY — For photojournalism by an individual for any non-deadline news event.
56. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single photo with cutline/caption. Link to or include accompanying story – if any.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY — For feature photography by an individual..
57. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single photo with cutline/caption. Link to or include the accompanying story, if any, or contextual information.
PHOTO SPREAD/ESSAY — For a group of photographs on a single theme published as part of a single story or as a stand-alone layout.
58. ALL MEDIA – Submit no more than 10 images with cutlines. Link to or include the accompanying story or contextual information.
PHOTO PORTFOLIO — For photography that shows the work of a single photographer.
59. ALL MEDIA – Submit or link to no more than five photos with cutlines.
DATA VISUALIZATION — For presentation of complex information using graphics, maps and other interactive tools to report on data.
60. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples, including the associated stories or links to them online.
GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS — For infographics or illustrations.
61. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Include or link to any accompanying story or text.
VIDEOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO — For video journalism by an individual.
62. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples with a maximum combined length of 15 minutes.
VIDEO PROGRAM — For regular news-oriented programming over the air or online that focuses on a theme or subject, including but not limited to topics such as crime, politics or health.
63. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples with a combined length 15 minutes maximum.
FRONT PAGE/COVER DESIGN — For presentation that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement. Submit up to three samples as one entry.
64. NEWSPAPERS – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
65. MAGAZINES – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
PAGE DESIGN — For presentation on a page or pages other than a magazine cover or front page that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement.
66. NEWSPAPERS – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
67. MAGAZINES – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
ONLINE DESIGN — For presentation that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement.
68. WEB/MOBILE – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
STUDENT MEDIA
STUDENT – SPECIAL PROJECTS — For special projects that show exemplary reporting, writing, photography or videography. These should be student-generated and not part of an ongoing university-sponsored project. COVER LETTER REQUIRED.
69. ALL MEDIA –Submit an entire issue of a publication, series of stories or single piece, or a broadcast of up to 60 minutes in length.
STUDENT – BREAKING NEWS — For clear and accurate reporting and engaging writing on deadline by individuals or teams regardless of platform. Judges will consider deadline pressure, style and complexity of the subject.
70. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three articles and any related multimedia content. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – GENERAL NEWS — For clear and accurate reporting and engaging writing by individuals or teams regardless of platform. Judges will consider style and complexity of the subject.
71. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three articles and any related multimedia content. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – FEATURES — For individual storytelling excellence regardless of platform. Judges will consider use of narrative, humor or drama, style, creativity, clarity and suitability of the writing or video/audio presentation to the subject.
72. ALL MEDIA – Submit one story and any related multimedia content. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – SPORTS — For coverage of any sport or athletic endeavor regardless of platform. Judges will consider clarity and style.
73. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – EDITORIALS — For opinion writing that represents a student news outlet’s position on a topic or issue. Judges will consider importance to the community, writing style, reasoning, originality, and reader interest.
74. ALL MEDIA – Submit three editorials as one entry.
STUDENT – COMMENTARY — For commentary, reviews or analysis by an individual on any platform. Blogs also are eligible. Judges will consider quality of expression, clarity, and originality.
75. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING — For coverage of arts, entertainment, restaurant and other cultural news. Entry may include columns, profiles and features. Judges will consider the quality of the writing and presentation and, where appropriate, analysis.
76. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CRITICISM/REVIEWS — For writing that demonstrates a journalist’s competence in evaluating performance, restaurants, books, recorded music or other cultural events or entities.
77. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – BUSINESS — For coverage of business or finance, including the business of college athletics and of institutions of higher learning. Judges will consider clarity.
78. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – EDUCATION — For coverage on any platform of education, including institutions of higher education, teacher training and educational research. Judges will consider clarity and thoroughness.
ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – NEWS PHOTO —For photojournalism by an individual for breaking or general news. Judges will consider deadline pressure, complexity of subject and visual presentation.
80. ALL MEDIA – Submit one photo with cutline. Please include the accompanying story or link the story.
STUDENT – FEATURE PHOTO —For feature photography by an individual. Judges will consider the complexity of the subject and visual presentation.
81. ALL MEDIA – Submit one photo with cutline. Please include the accompanying story or link the story, if any.
STUDENT – PHOTO SPREAD/ESSAY — For a group of photographs on a single theme published as part of a single story or as a stand-alone layout.
82. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to 10 images with cutlines and an explanation of the context or the accompanying story or text. Links are acceptable.
STUDENT – PHOTO PORTFOLIO — For photography that shows the work of a single photographer.
83. ALL MEDIA – Submit no more than five photos with cutlines.
STUDENT – DATA VISUALIZATION — For presenting complex information using graphics, maps or other interactive tools to report on data..
84. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples, including the associated stories or links to them online.
STUDENT – GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS — For infographics or illustrations on any platform.
85. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples. Include any accompanying story or text.
STUDENT – DESIGN — For presentation that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement. Design encompasses visual and sound elements as well as print and online display.
86. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
STUDENT – PODCASTS — For reporting and journalistic storytelling that stands alone or is part of a series.
87. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three episodes as one entry with maximum run time of 60 minutes. Podcast entries may have also aired as radio or TV broadcasts.
All professional and student journalists, and freelancers, residing in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas can submit entries or have entries submitted on their behalf by news organizations that published or broadcast their work. Authors who reside in the contest states may submit work published or broadcast outside those states.
ALL ENTRIES MUST HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST IN CALENDAR YEAR 2022.
You DON’T have to be a member of the Society of Professional Journalists to enter, but members get a discount on entry fees. SPJ members must provide their membership number in order to qualify for the discount. You can join SPJ by submitting an application here. We suggest submitting entries after your SPJ membership has been confirmed.
Entries may be submitted in more than one category, but a separate entry fee is required for each category.
Any significant challenges or corrections to an entry must be noted with the entry. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the entry.
Non-English entries should also provide an English translation if possible.
Cover letters and supporting material are required only in conjunction with nominations for the following awards: Student Special Project, Student Journalist of the Year, Public Service, Community Journalism, FOI, Outstanding New Journalist and Diamond Journalist of the Year. Entrants in other categories may submit cover letters or supporting material at their discretion but should keep them brief.
Please ensure entry URLs remain valid through June 30, 2023, to accommodate judging and awards presentation.
Contest administrators reserve the right to combine entries in the same category from different platforms or circulation groups if an insufficient number of entries make the category non-competitive.
ENTRY FEES
SPJ members: $10 per entry.
To claim the member fee, you must supply your SPJ member number (in the entry platform’s comments box). A team entry may claim the fee if at least one team member is an SPJ member. That person’s name and SPJ member number must be listed in the comments box.
Nonmembers: $20 per entry.
Student SPJ members: $5 per entry. Provide your member number.
Student nonmembers: $10 per entry.
No fees will be refunded.
HOW TO ENTER
The Diamond Journalism Awards uses the Better BNC contest management platform for entries and judging.
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.
Pine Bluff Commercial Editor Byron Tate with his 2022 Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award – Photo by Jennifer Ellis
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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
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.
The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2022 Diamond Journalism Awards, a regional competition that recognizes journalism excellence among professionals and students from Arkansas and six bordering states.
Arkansas SPJ will present the winners at an awards ceremony on June 30 at Diamond Bear Brewing, 600 N Broadway, North Little Rock. A reception starts at 5:30 p.m. with the awards presentations starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for professionals and $10 for students, including heavy hors d’oeuvres and libations. Purchase tickets by PayPal or cash/check at the door.
This year’s competition for work published or broadcast in 2021 drew 379 entries in more than 80 categories, including Diamond Journalist of the Year and Outstanding New Journalist, the Robert S. McCord FOI Award, the Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award, and the Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award.
Judges were members of the SPJ chapters in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.
The list of finalists follows, along with the publications or broadcast outlets where their work appeared:
The Arkadelphian, Arkadelphia, Ark.
Joel Phelps
Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock
Dwain Hebda
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Lara Farrar, Stephen Simpson, Joseph Flaherty, Thomas Metthe, Stephen Swofford, Maggie McNeary, Carrie Hill, Ginny Monk, Philip Martin, Karen Martin, Byron Tate, Tess Vrbin, Staci Vandagriff, Teresa Moss, Ashton Eley, Celia Storey, Tom Murphy, Nathan Owen, John Magsam, Noel Oman, Jaime Adame, Frank Lockwood, Nick Popovich. Jen Para
Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Mark Carter, Kelley Bass, Katie Zakrzewski
Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, Little Rock
Rebekah Scott, Benjamin Hardy, Debra Hale-Shelton
The Associated Press, Little Rock
Andrew DeMillo, Adrian Sainz, Jill Bleed
AY Magazine, Little Rock
Dustin Jayroe, Jamison Mosley, Lora Puls, Ian Lyle, Dwain Hebda, Heather Baker, Mike Bedgood, Emily Beirne
Baxter Regional Pulse, Mountain Home, Ark.
Sarah Knight, Jason Masters, Ashlee Nobel, Dwain Hebda
The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Ark.
Greg Geary
Fort Worth Weekly, Texas
Edward Brown
FOX16 News, KLRT-TV, Little Rock
Kevin Kelly, Stephen Goodale, Jessica Guy
KOLR-TV, Springfield, Mo.
Brian Calfano, Sarah Scarlett
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, Ark.
Chad Mira, Chelsea Helms, Brad Horn, Jacob Cotner
KPEJ-TV, Midland-Odessa, Texas
Monica Quintero
KTHV-11, Little Rock
Amanda Jaeger, Skot Covert, Kelly Tibbit, Zach Keast
KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Michael Hibblen, Daniel Breen, Sarah Kellogg, Alexandria Brown
The Leader Newspaper, Jacksonville, Ark.
Rick Kron
Mississippi Free Press, Jackson
Ashton Pittman, Christian Middleton, Donna Ladd, Aliyah Veal, Torsheta Jackson, Nick Judin, Kayode Crown, Grace Marion, Stacey Cato, Leo Carney, Roger Amos, DeAnna Tisdale Johnson, Azia Wiggins, Kimberly Griffin
MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Memphis, Tenn.
Jacob Steimer
Richmond News, Missouri
Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia
Riverfront Times, St. Louis
Danny Wicentowski
St. Louis Public Radio
Jason Rosenbaum, Shahla Farzan, Chad Davis, Marissanne Lewis-Thompson, Andrea Henterson, Jonathan Ahl, Brian Munoz, Jeremy Goodwin, Sarah Fentem
World Christian Broadcasting, Franklin, Tenn.
Paul Ladd
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, Tenn.
Ashley Bohle, Casey Wheeless, Harry Sullivan
STUDENT MEDIA
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
Reveille/LSUReveille.com
Nick Ombrellaro, Gabby Jimenez, Piper Hutchinson, Maddie Scott, Domenic Purdy, Peter Rauterkus, Claire Sullivan, Charlie Stephens
Tiger TV
Ally Kadlubar, Aria Pons, Erin Rogers, Maria Pham, Kendall Duncan, Haylee Kennedy, Brooke Smith
Manship News Service
Rachel Mipro, Liz Ryan, Lara Nicholson, Kathleen Peppo, Brittney Forbes, Margaret Delaney, Olivia Varden, Chris Langley, Masie O’Toole, Kirby Koch, Donald Fountain
All professional journalists, including freelancers, and student journalists who reside in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas can submit entries or have entries submitted on their behalf by news organizations that published or broadcast their work. Authors who live in the contest region may also submit work published or broadcast outside those states.
You DON’T have to be a member of the Society of Professional Journalists to enter, but members get a discount on entry fees. SPJ members must provide their membership number to qualify for the discount. You can join SPJ here.
ELIGIBLE WORK MUST HAVE BEEN PUBLISHEDOR BROADCAST BETWEEN JAN. 1 AND DEC. 31, 2021.
Entries may be submitted in more than one category, but a separate entry fee is required for each category.
Non-English entries should also provide an English translation if possible.
Any significant challenges or corrections to an entry must be provided with the entry. If not noted, an entry will be disqualified.
Cover letters and supporting material are required only with nominations for the Student Special Project Award, Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award, Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award, Robert S. McCord FOI Award, Outstanding New Journalist Award and Diamond Journalist of the Year Award. Entrants in other categories may submit cover letters or supporting material at their discretion but should keep them brief.
Please ensure entry URLs remain valid through June 30, 2022, to accommodate judging and awards presentation.
Contest administrators reserve the right to combine entries in the same category from different platforms or circulation groups to make a category more competitive.
ENTRY FEES
SPJ members: $10 per entry.
To claim the member fee, you must supply your SPJ member number (in the entry platform’s comments box). A team entry may claim the fee if at least one team member is an SPJ member. That person’s name and SPJ member number must be listed in the comments box.
Nonmembers: $20 per entry.
Student SPJ members: $5 per entry. Provide your member number.
Student nonmembers: $10 per entry.
No fees will be refunded.
HOW TO ENTER
The Diamond Journalism Awards uses the Better BNC contest management platform for entries and judging.
If you are new to the BNC platform, you can find instructions on how to enter on this page.
Winners of the 2021 Diamond Journalism Awards will be announced in an online ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. June 18. Watch this space and social media for more details as the day gets closer.
Sponsored by the Arkansas Pro Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, the Diamond Journalism Awards is a regional competition that recognizes outstanding journalism by professionals and students from Arkansas and bordering states.
Winners in more than 75 categories as well as the Diamond Journalist of the Year, the Outstanding New Journalist, and the Robert S. McCord FOI Award will be announced at the upcoming a virtual awards ceremony. Winners of the Public Service Award, Journalist of the Year, Outstanding New Journalist, and the Robert S. McCord FOI Award receive an acrylic diamond-shaped paperweight.
This year’s contest honors work published or broadcast in 2020, drew a record 393 entries and was judged by members of the Cincinnati Pro Chapter of SPJ.
Here are the finalists listed by the publication or other outlet where their entries appeared:
ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, Ark.
Johnny Carrol Sain, Hannah Butler, Kenzie Sain
Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock
Dwain Hebda
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Stephen Simpson, Williams Sanders, Jeannie Roberts, Joseph Flaherty, Thomas Metthe, Stephen Swofford, Staton Breidenthal, Yutao Chen, Maggie McNeary, Carrie Hill, Justin Cunningham, Stan Denman, Brian Smith, Joe Luciano, Tony Holt, Ginny Monk, Kat Stromquist, Bill Bowden, Terry Austin, David Barham, Walter Hussman, Philip Martin, Morgan Acuff, Sarah DeClerk, Dwain Hebda, Democrat-Gazette staff
ADG River Valley and Ozark Edition, Little Rock
Tammy Keith
Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Tyler Hale, Mark Carter, Evin Demirel, Rebecca Robertson
Mollie Bryant, Nathan Poppe, Miguel Rios, George Lang, Nazarene Harris, Jacquelyn Walsh, Sydni Nasada, Ryan Magnani, Joshua Boydston, Jayna Hadwiger, Ben Felder, Kassie McClung, Nate Ward, Katrina Ward
The Daily Citizen, Searcy, AR
Greg Geary
The Daily Record, Little Rock
Dwain Hebda
Do South Magazine
Dwain Hebda
FOX16 News, Little Rock
Kevin Kelly
Houston Business Journal, Texas
Jeff Jeffrey, Chris Mathews, Margaret Barrientos, Sara Samora, Laura Gillespie, Shafaq Patel, Giselle Greenwood
Jackson Free Press, Mississippi
Nick Judin, Kayode Crown, Donna Ladd
KATC-TV, Lafayette, La.
Andrew Clay, Staff
KOLR-TV, Springfield, Mo.
Brian Calfano, Lissa Hamblen
KPEJ-TV, Midland-Odessa, Texas
Monica Quintero
KUAR-FM
Anna Stitt, Daniel Breen, Sarah Kellogg, Alexandria Brown
KWTX-TV, Waco
Rosemond Crown, Gordon Collier, Clint Webb, Megan Vanselow, Drake Lawson, Bill Gowdy
KXAN-TV, Austin, Texas
Alex Caprariello
Leader Newspaper, Jacksonville, Ark.
Rick Kron
Louisiana College, Pineville
Elizabeth Christian
Mississippi Free Press, Jackson
Ashton Pittman, William Pittman, Christian Middleton, Donna Ladd, Aliyah Veal, Mauricio J. Quijano
Politico, Arlington, Va.
Bret Schulte
Richmond News, Missouri
Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia
Riverfront Times, St. Louis
Danny Wicentowski
Texas Observer, Austin
Amal Ahmed, Chris O’Connell, Savannah Maher
The Trucker, Little Rock
Wendy Miller, Linda Garner-Bunch, Lyndon Finney, Sam Pierce, The Trucker Editorial Staff
WVLT-TV, Knoxville
Ashley Bohle, Brittany Tarwater, Keith Smith, WVLT Staff
STUDENT MEDIA
Louisiana State University (Reveille, LSU Tiger TV, LSU Manship News Service, KLSU-FM) Baton Rouge
Katherine Manuel, Anna Jones, Bailey Williams, Alyssa Berry, Matthew Clark, Sydney McGovern, Karli Carpenter, Kendall Duncan, Ally Kadlubar, Caleb Greene, Bailey Chauvin, Reed Darcey, Jared Brodtmann, Luke Chevalier, Marie Plunkett, Evan Leonhard, Cecile Girard, Sofia McKentry
Louisiana College, Wildcats Media, Pineville
Alena Noakes, Joel Thompson, Aaron Quartemont
Arkansas State University, Delta Digital News Service, Jonesboro
Judges have chosen the finalists for the 2020 Diamond Journalism Awards, a regional competition sponsored by the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The awards recognize outstanding journalism by professionals and students from Arkansas and bordering states.
Winners of the Diamond Journalist of the Year, the Outstanding New Journalist , and the Robert McCord FOI Award will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on June 30. More details coming soon.
Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Gavin Lesnick and Amanda Claire Curcio
Editorials (daily newspapers)
David Barham, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Editorials (non-daily newspapers)
Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond (MO) News
Editorials (magazines)
Johnny Carrol Sain and Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Columns (daily newspapers)
Kelly Brant, Rex Nelson, John Brummett, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Columns (non-daily newspapers)
Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth (TX) Weekly, Rick Kron, The Leader, Jacksonville, AR; Donna Ladd, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Columns (magazines)
Johnny Carrol Sain and Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Dustin Jayroe, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
News (daily newspapers)
Linda Satter, Clara Turnage, Hammersly, Eric Besson, Michael R. Wickline, Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
News (non-daily newspapers)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
News (magazine)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for SAVVYKids Magazine, Little Rock; Kimsey Crocker, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Tyler Hale, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Feature (daily newspapers)
Bill Bowden, Sarah DeClerk, Celia Storey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Feature (non-daily newspapers)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for The Daily Record, Little Rock; Rick Kron, The Leader, Jacksonville, AR; Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times, St. Louis
Feature (magazine)
Bret Schulte, Wilson Quarterly, Washington, D.C.; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for AY Magazine, Little Rock
Investigative Reporting (daily newspapers)
Amanda Claire Curcio, Eric Besson, Lisa Hammersly, Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Investigative Reporting (non-daily newspapers)
Scott Loftis, Carroll County Newspapers, Berryville, AR; Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times, St. Louis; Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Sports (daily newspapers)
Trenton Daeschner, Bob Holt, Tom Murphy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sports (non-daily newspapers)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sports (magazines)
Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Do South Magazine, Fort Smith, AR; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for 501 Life Magazine, Conway, AR
Politics (daily newspapers)
Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press; Frank Lockwood, Hunter Field, John Moritz, Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Politics (non-daily newspapers)
Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Politics (magazines)
Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics; Staff, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle
Arts & Culture (daily lnewspapers)
Eric Harrison, Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arts & Culture (non-daily newspapers)
Aliyah Veal, Jackson (MS) Free Press; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arts & Culture (magazines)
Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Do South Magazine, Fort Smith, AR
Health (daily newspapers)
Sarah DeClerk, Cody Graves, Lisa Hammersly, Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Health (non-daily newspapers)
Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond (MO) News; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for The Daily Record, Little Rock; Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Health (magazines)
Dustin Jayroe, Lisa Fischer, AY Magazine, Little Rock; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for SAVVYKids Magazine, Little Rock
STEM (non-daily newspapers)
Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
STEM (magazines)
Tyler Hale, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Design (magazines)
Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Rebecca Robertson, AY Magazine, Little Rock
Thomas Metthe, Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Photography Portfolio
Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Thomas Metthe, Staton Briedenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Graphics/Illustrations
Jayne Hadwiger, Joshua Boydstun, William Muschinske, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
TV Documentary/Investigative Reporting
Monica Quintero, David Wagner, David Lowell, KPEJ/KMIKD/ KLST, Odessa, TX
News (radio/audio)
Daniel Breen, Sarah Kellogg, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Feature (radio/audio)
Kelly Connelly, David Monteith, Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Documentary/Investigative Reporting (radio/audio)
J. Bradley Minnick, Mary Ellen Kubit, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Politics (radio/audio)
Michael Hibblen, Daniel Breen, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Health (radio/audio)
Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Community Service (all platforms)
Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Staff, Jackson (MS) Free Press; Staff, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Special section (all print)
Downtown Little Rock Magazine, ADG Promotions Staff; Football Preview, Jennifer Ellis, Wendy Miller, Sarah DeClerk, Three Rivers Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hannah Butler, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Matthew Emery, Chase Gage, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State Univerity, Jonesboro
Sports
Denton Postlewait, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro; Kenzie Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine
Society of Professional Journalists | Arkansas Pro Chapter 
