Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Wisconsin State Journal Entry Title: Election coverage Entry Credit: Staff Judge Comment: Refreshing, thorough, thought-provoking and reader-centered reporting that included additional context and deep insights into the community. This extended coverage defines how newspapers should handle election reporting since journalists play a key role in democracy. From the substance of the reporting, the breadth of topics discussed, the skill of the writing to the presentation, I was very impressed.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Leader-Telegram Entry Title: Six Months On Entry Credit: Regev Nystrom, Matt Milner Judge Comment: Well-rounded sourcing, high quality writing and a great approach to extend coverage of an impactful event in the community. Exceptional skill in getting key leaders to open up about a monumental decision while centering the impacts to the community in the reporting made this stand out. Additional assets, like graphs and photos, would have improved this submission. Even more of a focus on citizens' experiences with the fall-out or providers experiences navigating the aftermath could have made this a top-prize submission.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Green Bay Press-Gazette Entry Title: Green Bay Press-Gazette news coverage ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft Entry Credit: Jeff Bollier, Richard Ryman, Keindra Meinert, Vivian Barrett Judge Comment: A very creative concept that was hit from every angle imaginable that included well-rounded sourcing in each article. An exceptional display that people will surely review in archives decades from now. This submission was just barely edged out by the second and first place submissions due to considerations about the reporting's direct impact on the community.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Green Bay Press-Gazette Entry Title: Brown County, C. Reiss strike deal to move coal piles after extensive negotiations Entry Credit: Benita Mathew, Jeff Bollier, Jesse Lin Judge Comment: Solid meeting coverage that used historical context to help readers understand the gravity of the situation. More focus on residents in coverage would have improved the entry. I also wish the reporters had added additional reporting beyond the meetings, historical context and interviews with key players to add depth.
