Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Boscobel Dial Entry Title: Area district improves behavior with non-violent methods Entry Credit: Joe Hart Judge Comment: Note: I considered these two stories by Joe Hart together as one entry of up to 3 stories on a topic:
Area district improves behavior with non-violent methods
Some area schools report high numbers of forcible methods
An important issue to localize, with good writing and structure. I really appreciated the reporting digging into specifics of restraint and seclusion at local schools and asking them to be accountable. This series is very impressive. Some editing errors, but the reporting is top quality and the issue is vitally important to the community.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Amery Free Press Entry Title: I don't know what's gonna happen - Independent pharmacists struggle with unfair reimbursements Entry Credit: Tom Stangl, Justin Runberg Judge Comment: This was thorough, informative reporting localizing and humanizing what could have been a very dry national issue of pharmacy benefits and putting it in context in the community. It's so rare to get a medical business to agree to discuss a problem like this, and this should serve as a model for other local reporters. The only critique I would offer is that there are a few places where quoting from the FTC report gets pretty dry itself; some judicious paraphrasing might have read more smoothly.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Chronotype Entry Title: Trapped in Haiti; 'There's no place like home'; Lessons learned Entry Credit: Ruth Erickson, Michelle Jensen Judge Comment: Good follow-through on this set of stories on a local pastor trapped in Haiti, with a really interesting account of his time there, and a great look into the Haiti conflict through local eyes. This kind of reporting does so much to explain and humanize what could otherwise be a faraway international news story.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Superior Telegram Entry Title: Biden visits Superior Entry Credit: Shelley Nelson Judge Comment: The set of stories — preview, main story, and follow-up — on President Biden visiting Superior and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was well executed. The writing was good, and the retrospective of local people's experiences with his visit was a nice ending to the coverage. Some editing flaws and at times the structure seemed unfocused.
