Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Freeman Entry Title: Heartbreaking: coverage of Waukesha parade tragedy Entry Credit: Nikki Brahm, Jake Ekdahl, Derek Johnson, Staff Judge Comment: It would be tough to have better coverage than this series of stories. Terrible event, but clearly a story with strong news value, and it was presented to the readers with clarity of writing and style with ample coverage. Several stories, several sources, quotes, and much information for the reader. Would not have liked having this story but I would have been pleased if my staff covered as your did here. Good work.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Daily Citizen Entry Title: Baby Theresa case gets an update Entry Credit: Terri Pederson Judge Comment: Second story immediately follows the initial story, and both contain solid news value, writing clarity and style, and depth of reporting and immediacy. In addition, a related story deals with the same topic. The depth of reporting includes information about DNA testing, following up on the data, and contacts included. Reporter did well with the story. Has reader interest.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Sheboygan Press Entry Title: Sheboygan Falls police say they're investigating mother's assault of her 8-year-old child, who they found unresponsive Entry Credit: Maya Hilty, Brandon Reid, Kelli Arseneau, Gary Klein Judge Comment: A news story that continued over several days. It began as a story about a mother beating her 8-year-old son and then he died and she was charged in his death. Many elements in the story, which has local news value, has clarity and clear writing, and competent reporting and immediacy. Included are areas such as mental condition of the mother. Good sources and quotes. Good coverage of the fire. It notes that the start of the fire is clear but no reason is known for why the fire started. Interesting that one quote notes that the wind situation helped keep the fire becoming larger. No doubt, this is a story of local news value. It is with clarity and style and has ample reporting. Good reporting and ample information.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: EagleHerald Entry Title: Huge fire takes team effort Entry Credit: Dan Kitkowski Judge Comment: Good coverage of the fire. It notes that the start of the fire is clear but no reason is known for why the fire started. Interesting that one quote notes that the wind situation helped keep the fire becoming larger. No doubt, this is a story of local news value. It is with clarity and style and has ample reporting. Good reporting and ample information.In this cate
Competition Comment: In this category I would expect some interesting or unusual stories. And, indeed, I found some good stories. Of note would be finding the type of coverage provided, the sources used, some quality quotes, and ample evidence of seeding and providing information. With breaking news it is important to give the readers information and attempt to answer questions they may have. The best stories did this. I acknowledge that I read some of the stories more than once in deciding on the winners. The category had a good set of entries.
