Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Wisconsin State Journal Entry Title: Transgender treatments Entry Credit: David Wahlberg Judge Comment: Courageous reporting, compelling storytelling and a powerful examination of a deeply personal transgender journey. This is one of the best localizations of a national story I've read in years. Bravo!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Cap Times Entry Title: Transgender rights Entry Credit: Allison Garfield Judge Comment: Comprehensive and sophisticated coverage of local politics and the intersection of personal lives and public votes. This was outstanding work.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Green Bay Press-Gazette Entry Title: Political polarization. Culture wars. Road rage. We're an angrier society. What can be done? Entry Credit: Natalie Eilbert Judge Comment: A thoughtful and in-depth look at what we all have encountered: Why is everyone so mad? In an era of so little civility, this reporter peeled back the angry surface to explain what's at the core of it all. Sophisticated writing!
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: The Gazette Entry Title: Reflections on Jan. 6 Entry Credit: Kylie Balk-Yaatenen Judge Comment: Jan. 6 is a divisive topic in so many communities...including this one. An excellent deep dive into that traumatic day and the palpable consequences we still feel today.
Competition Comment: This was an excellent category, defined by thoughtful, courageous, compelling, powerful and revelatory reporting. GREAT to see such stirring work at some smaller/medium-sized newsrooms. It was hard to choose between the two transgender-focused entries. Thanks for the opportunity to judge this one!
