Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Monroe Times Entry Title: No home for returning to Entry Credit: Adam Krebs Judge Comment: This story shows that the horrors of war are not so far away. I'm not sure about the headline, but the story is great!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Valders Journal Entry Title: Lawyers Sense Payday on Lejeune Entry Credit: Todd Bergmann Judge Comment: Interviewing a local veteran was a great way to make this national story localized. It is tragic that they had to fight so hard to get compensation and further tragic that attorneys take advantage.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Valders Journal Entry Title: School loan forgiveness divides U.S. Entry Credit: Todd Bergmann Judge Comment: Good story showing the arguments made by either side in the student loan forgiveness debate. I would have preferred everyday people interviewed from either side.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Superior Telegram Entry Title: Omnibus bill offers funding for Douglas County bridge projects Entry Credit: Shelley Nelson Judge Comment: Great news writing. The crumbling infrastructure is a national issue.
