Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: West Now Entry Title: Former Horizon West condo owners in Waukesha struggle as their lawsuit drags on Entry Credit: Jim Riccioli Judge Comment: I could not find much wrong with this; even the headline nailed it. What is particularly great about this story as even as it communicates all of the specifics, it builds and builds and builds...just as the looming deadline for razing is building and buliding. The story feels important the moment you look at it and feels even more important after you've read the story because it has been proven. Proof that laying out the details does not have to be dry.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Wausau Pilot and Review Entry Title: Exclusive report: Marathon County supervisors violated First Amendment protections in library fight Entry Credit: Shereen Siewert Judge Comment: Such an important case as it relates to the First Amendment. What the story really puts across is that the Marathon County Supervisors were not subtle in their reasons for threatening funding. The reader has a clear perspective of why the Board of Trustees sought a legal report on this matter.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Oshkosh Herald Entry Title: Jail visits altered Entry Credit: Kaitlyn Scoville Judge Comment: People do not usually give enough attention to the issues of the incarcerated but not only does this detail an important one, it benefits from a strong hook. That being: how is an already isolated population impacted logistically by the technological changes of those who are not? It also captures not only the perspective of the imprisoned but the families, who are as affected by these ongoing developments in how visits are constructed.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Ladysmith News Entry Title: Labor Day twister offered little warning/Storm effects still endure for some Entry Credit: Luke Klink Judge Comment: While not as current, the level of depth of recollection is the story here. This is clearly a memorable event for the Ladysmith community as evidenced by the ease and readiness of several sources are able to recount the "what," the "when" and the "how" of that weekend.
Competition Comment: It is heartening to see the wide range of important issues that Wisconsin journalists tackle with proficiency. Local communities are still being well-served by these reporters.
