Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Herald Times Reporter Entry Title: A changing climate could cost Great Lakes communities billions. Here’s what's being done about it. Entry Credit: Alisa Schafer Judge Comment: Solid research coupled with good organization made this story the best. Good use of documents and experts. Wish the impact was more summarized at the beginning.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Stevens Point Journal Entry Title: Portage County dairy farm could be forced to monitor wastewater quality; Who should pay for monitoring at Gordondale Farms; 'All (we) want is clean drinking water'; 2 counties ‘new’ approach to address nitrate-polluted water; DNR orders monitoring plan Entry Credit: Renee Hickman, Alan Hovorka, Jamie Rokus Judge Comment: Good job covering events and meetings and getting the people affected into the stories. I though some of the information needed attribution, and the "harm" of nitrates could have used some balancing by experts.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Sheboygan Press Entry Title: 'A normal river again.' Once notoriously polluted, the Sheboygan river is again drawing paddlers, fishing and outdoors enthusiasts Entry Credit: Maya Hilty Judge Comment: The lead drew me in and carried through the story of a people-inspired movement. Good details on the financial impact as well.
