Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Herald Times Reporter Entry Title: Elijah Vue, missing 3-year-old Entry Credit: Alisa Schafer, Brandon Reid Judge Comment: This series of pieces followed a story of a missing 3-year-old boy, through to the latest coverage during the Better Newspapers Contest period.
First, we should salute the reporter's ongoing coverage of what must have been a challenging and taxing reality as a human tasked with reporting on the events that took place. The reporter presented information clearly to readers while showing context and nuance.
This coverage gave basic details at first on the search with info on how people can help look for the missing child. Later, readers get follow-up coverage that includes the picture of residents coming together to search and hold vigils.
All of the coverage is presented in an easy to read/organized way, including the "what we learned" from court documents section.
It is also transparent with readers, guiding them and defining why the articles do/don't have certain information like when court documents are sealed, but criminal complaints were available and obtained. Readers are also privy to basic explanations that easily translate what could have been complex court jargon/legalese that most people aren't familiar with.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Reporter Entry Title: Iro Entry Credit: Daphne Lemke Judge Comment: None
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: EagleHerald Entry Title: Little Angel Entry Credit: Dan Kitkowski Judge Comment: None
