College
Best Overall Design
1st Place
Olivia Krauth and Sarah Rohleder
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: The Louisville Cardinal
Judge’s Comments: Clean, interesting layouts with bursts of excitement.
2nd Place
Horizon Staff
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Nov 16 issue
Feature Page Layout
1st Place
Bekah White
Indiana University Southeast
Title: A new vision of vinyl
Judge’s Comments: Clean, interesting presentation. Intriguing dominant photo.
2nd Place
Bekah White
Indiana University Southeast
Title: A rock and a hard place
3rd Place
Bekah White
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Dodging dates
Front Page Layout
1st Place
Olivia Krauth, Sarah Rohleder, Megg Ward and Jacob Abrahamson
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: The Louisville Cardinal
Judge’s Comments: Fine work. Excellent blending of strong photos with smart typography.
2nd Place
Marisa Gartland and Bekah White
Indiana University Southeast
Title: April 13, 2015 issue
3rd Place
Daniel Vance
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Nov. 2, 2015
Graphic Illustration
1st Place
Bekah White
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Digital age of love
Judge’s Comments: Smart graphic that serves the story.
2nd Place
Daniel Vance
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Mixed martial arts kick
3rd Place
Jared Wagner
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Montrezl graphic
Informational Graphic
1st Place
Jacob Abrahamson
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: If I had a nickel for every dunk… (pg 11)
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Tassy Payne and Olivia Cook
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Reproductive resources
3rd Place
Megg Ward
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: SGA spending breakdown
Sports Page Layout
1st Place
Noah Allison
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Sports page layout – pages 10 & 11
Judge’s Comments: Sharp two-page layout. Good composition. Nice contrast of color and B&W photos.
2nd Place
Horizon Staff
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Practice like a pro
3rd Place
Noah Allison
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: March 3 sports layout (pages 10 & 11)
Feature Story
1st Place
Zak Kerr and Aprile Rickert
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Inclusive ministry
Judge’s Comments: Great investigative reporting and writing on a unique, interesting issue that goes far beyond the college campus.
2nd Place
Katie Casper
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Clocking out
3rd Place (tied)
Maggie Little
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: On-campus dining: A battle worth fighting?
3rd Place (tied)
Kirstin Kennedy and Tassy Payne
Indiana University Southeast
Title: From cadet to officer
3rd Place (tied)
Jordan Williams
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Reading, writing and zombie survival
Review
1st Place
Sarah Rohleder
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: “At the Vanishing Point” brings Louisvillians even closer together, if that’s possible
Judge’s Comments: A thoughtful, well-written review.
2nd Place
Jonathan Goatley
Kentucky State University
Title: The Underachievers cover both sides of the spectrum in new album
3rd Place
Duncan Cooper
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Review: Avengers Age of Ultron
In-Depth Reporting
1st Place
Aprile Rickert
Indiana University Southeast
Title: The other side of homelessness
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Paige Thompson
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Sexual assault: Bystander prevention, education, and changing the social narrative
3rd Place
Haley Warwick
Indiana University Southeast
Title: The struggle of the adjunct
News Story
1st Place
Corbin McGuire
Bellarmine University
Title: BU Hosts First Televised Gubernatorial Debate
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place (tied)
Kyeland Jackson, Sarah Rohleder and Ben Spicer
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Protestors inflamed by President Ramsey’s ‘racist’ photo
2nd Place (tied)
Kaetln Harrison and Elijah Lossner
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Snow days no longer off days
3rd Place (tied)
Robyn Thompson
Kentucky State University
Title: Tenure still on hold…but not for all?
3rd Place (tied)
Paige Thompson
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Food for thought
Commentary/General Interest Column
1st Place
Corbin McGuire
Bellarmine University
Title: Black Student Union Deserves More than Solidarity
Judge’s Comments: Corbin McGuire’s analysis of the local reaction to the powerful racial events happening in the U.S. lend an important voice to the university environment. It was reasoned and not histrionic and gives more emphasis to the message.
2nd Place
Olivia Krauth
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: What, what, what are you wearing?: Ramsey goes racist
3rd Place
Joel Stinnett
Indiana University Southeast
Title: This column is to be read by straights only
Editorial
1st Place
The Concord Staff
Bellarmine University
Title: Emergency Poles Remain Out of Service
Judge’s Comments: Well-written opinion on a topic related to campus safety. The point is supported by solid fact-building.
2nd Place
Nick Amon
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Freedom of speech should be free of fear
Editorial Cartoon
1st Place
Madeline Weiner
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: TLC cartoons (pg. 14, 18, 16)
Judge’s Comments: The editorial cartoons added a great splash of creativity and the required dose of irony to drive across important points about the big issues happening at the University of Louisville.
Sports Column
1st Place
Sam Draut
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Harsh reality sets in for U of L football
Judge’s Comments: Sam Draut’s look at the fading prospects for the University of Louisville’s football team showed a nice touch in illustrating how hope for better meets the reality that perhaps fans always knew existed for their favorite team.
2nd Place
Quin Welch
Bellarmine University
Title: BU Football Should Finally Lose
Feature Photo
1st Place
Charlyn Corum
Indiana University Southeast
Title: GSA Drag Show
Judge’s Comments: Nicely lit. Good color. Interesting subject.
2nd Place
Marisa Gartland
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Faces of IUS Nov 30
3rd Place
Marisa Gartland
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Clocking out
News Photo
1st Place
Wade Morgen
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Students protest (cover, bottom left – story begins on p. 3)
Judge’s Comments: The student’s arched body adds to the tension.
2nd Place
Wade Morgen
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Students gather in protest (top photo on cover, story begins p. 3)
3rd Place
Marisa Gartland
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Campus-wide power outage
Photo Story
1st Place
Austin Lassell
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: U of L whites out UNC lead (photos pg. 14)
Judge’s Comments: The individual photos in this layout were the strongest in the category. You offered a nice variety of subjects and types of shots. One suggestion: Make your best photo about twice as large as the others. This will draw reader attention to your finest work.
2nd Place
Rachel Essa
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Students bundle up – page 10
3rd Place
Chelsey Carr
Indiana University Southeast
Title: International Festival
Sports Photo
1st Place
Austin Lassell
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Trez dunks in win over UNI
Judge’s Comments: You capture this moment with a sharp, interesting photo featuring fine composition. Nice work.
2nd Place
Austin Lassell
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Blackshear celebrates
3rd Place
Joel Stinnett
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Practice Like a Pro
Sports Feature Story
1st Place
Jordan Williams
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Students demonstrate skills in mixed martial arts
Judge’s Comments: Interesting look into the world of mixed martial arts and the mindset of students involved in the sport.
2nd Place
Parker Henes
Indiana University Southeast
Title: One man, two sports
3rd Place
Sam Draut
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Top-rated recruit Asia Durr ready to go to work
Sports Game Story
1st Place
Sam Draut
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Freshman golfer Olivia Cason shines in Mason Rudolph Championship
Judge’s Comments: Sam Draut’s story on freshman golfer Olivia Cason showed gave good insight into a future star for the Louisville women’s team.
2nd Place
Sam Draut
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: Sixth-ranked Auburn defeats Louisville 31-24
3rd Place
Parker Henes
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Grenadiers lose home opener to St. Catharine
Sports News Story
1st Place
Sydney Windell
Bellarmine University
Title: Bellarmine Receives Award of Excellence
Judge’s Comments: Heartwarming story of a team supporting a teen with a life-threatening illness. Well-written piece.
2nd Place
Sydney Windell
Bellarmine University
Title: All-American Lacrosse Player Schmitt Injured for the Spring Season
3rd Place
Joel Stinnett
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Practice like a pro: IUS Athletics makes marketing, facility and safety upgrades
Best Use Of Video
1st Place
Marisa Gartland, Ethan Smith and Kendra Barnes
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Exploring the Falls of the Ohio
Judge’s Comments: This video on a well-known landmark mixed interesting visual elements with good interviews and a nice narrative from beginning to end to present a good story on something that many people had questions about.
2nd Place
Adam Taylor, Megan Salisbury and Paige Thompson
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Brewing with buddies: FOSSILS Brew Club
3rd Place
Jordan Williams
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Passion for music keeps friends close
Multimedia Storytelling
1st Place
Parker Henes, Rain Hopkins and Samuel Voyles
Indiana University Southeast
Title: The basics of Bill’s Barbecue
Judge’s Comments: The design of the story, with the large headline, is very appealing right upon arrival to the page. The scroll with limited text, leading to a video, continues the story’s appeal. It allows the reader to make the choice whether or not to read more, while at the same time getting to the more engaging video elements, makes the story much more accessible and allows for an easy flow. Well done.
2nd Place
Kristin Kennedy and John DiDomenico
Indiana University Southeast
Title: From a hospital to a home
3rd Place
Jordan Williams, Tony Pacheco and Ty Simpson
Indiana University Southeast
Title: Barbells for Boobs: Breast Cancer Awareness Comes to Crossfit Louisville
Overall Web Site
1st Place
Horizon Staff
Indiana University Southeast
Title: iushorizon.com
Judge’s Comments: The blocks on the page literally jump up at you as you scroll. Even the ads! Very cool. It’s subtle, eye-catching, and easy to navigate. The sub-navigation is a vertical stack of stories in reverse chronological order, which is a very simple and easy to navigate. Too many times news media sites overthink their navigation and over-curate their site to display the best stories. This site is in-depth, easy to navigate, deep with content – both photo and text and the latest from Twitter in the right rail. Well done!
2nd Place
Olivia Krauth
The Louisville Cardinal
Title: The Louisville Cardinal
Magazines
Business Reporting
1st Place
Louisville Magazine
Louisville Magazine
Title: Beyond Coal, What Is Middle Class?, Made in Louisville
Judge’s Comments: Good reporting on interesting topics. The graphics with the coal package were especially well-done. Nicely chosen examples of people for all the stories.
Column Writing
1st Place
Wesley Bacon
Louisville Magazine
Title: Dive Bar Diary: January, March, May
Judge’s Comments: Nice narrative style. The reader feels right there with you.
Cover Design
1st Place
Today’s Woman
Zion Publications
Title: Today’s Woman cover designs
Judge’s Comments: The December 2015 cover really popped. Great use of color. Modern and fresh design made you want to read the magazine.
2nd Place
Suki Anderson
Louisville Magazine
Title: January, September, November
3rd Place
Today’s Transitions
Zion Publications
Title: Today’s Transitions cover designs
Education Reporting
1st Place
Anne Marshall
Louisville Magazine
Title: Big Heart and a Little Danger
Judge’s Comments: Detailed look at a problem many of us don’t consider told through the viewpoint of a real dynamo who is making a difference. I really enjoyed this piece.
2nd Place
Mary Chellis Austin
Louisville Magazine
Title: Still Kickin’ It
Feature Photography
1st Place
William DeShazer
Louisville Magazine
Title: The Craving, Remaking Russell
Judge’s Comments: Photography in The Craving was very moving, capturing the theme of the story. The photo of mother and daughter was really striking.
2nd Place
Mickie Winters
Louisville Magazine
Title: In the Wake of the Dream, Jenni’s Got a Gun, Seven Sins
Feature Writing
1st Place
Arielle Christian
Louisville Magazine
Title: How We Came to Be Together, Out to See, In the Wake of the Dream
Judge’s Comments: This was a difficult category to judge, a lot of talent here, but Arielle’s voice was the most distinctive, her style the most compelling. I would look forward to reading anything she wrote.
2nd Place
Anne Marshall
Louisville Magazine
Title: The Craving, As You Can See Behind Me
3rd Place
Jenni Laidman
Louisville Magazine
Title: Jenni’s Got a Gun, Rescue Brigade, The People’s Court
Government/ Politics
1st Place
Phillip M. Bailey
Louisville Magazine
Title: The Bailey Bite: January, February, March
Judge’s Comments: Clear, easy-to-read voice on topics of importance.
Graphic Illustration in Support of a Story
1st Place
Carrie Neumayer
Louisville Magazine
Title: Dine In and Derby
Judge’s Comments:
Health Care Reporting
1st Place
Amy Talbott
Louisville Magazine
Title: Playing Hurt
Judge’s Comments: Very well-written and engaging story on a job few people have heard of. Both informative and entertaining.
2nd Place
Torie Temple and Carrie Vittitoe
Zion Publications
Title: Today’s Woman Breast Cancer Supplement
Minority/Women’S Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Louisville Magazine
Louisville Magazine
Title: The West End, Part II
Judge’s Comments: Mesmerizing story. Couldn’t stop reading.
Page Design
1st Place
Suki Anderson
Louisville Magazine
Title: Summer, food, Jenni’s Got a Gun
Judge’s Comments: Clean, crisp – inviting to read.
2nd Place
Brooke Timmons and Logan Rose
Business First of Louisville
Title: Forty Under 40
Personality/ Profile Reporting
1st Place
Dylon Jones
Louisville Magazine
Title: Silent Listen Les, A to B to VIP
Judge’s Comments: Loved the profile of Micah – awesome story about an amazing person.
2nd Place
RJ Smith and Beth Taylor
Super Lawyers Magazine
Title: ‘The Big Guy’
3rd Place
Yelena Sapin
Zion Publications
Title: Today’s Woman Most Admired Woman profiles
Photo Package
1st Place
Chris Witzke
Louisville Magazine
Title: Going Whole Hog, So Fine, A Twist on Tradition
Judge’s Comments:
Service Reporting
1st Place
Louisville Magazine
Louisville Magazine
Title: Bourbon Town, Sun Shrines, 13 Reasons We Love Our Food Scene
Judge’s Comments:
Non-metro/community newspapers
Continuing Coverage
1st Place
Marnie McAllister, Jessica Able and Ruby Thomas
The Record newspaper
Title: Papal visit
Judge’s Comments: Comprehensive, solid, interesting coverage related to the pope. Well done.
2nd Place
Ruby Thomas
The Record newspaper
Title: Hispanic ministry
Editorial Writing
1st Place
Marnie McAllister
The Record newspaper
Title: Mercy, women religious and climate change
Judge’s Comments: Three thoughtful editorials. I appreciated your subdued, contemplative voice.
Enterprise/ Investigative Reporting
1st Place
John Herndon
The Anderson News
Title: John Herndon entry — enterprise/investigative reporting
Judge’s Comments: Thorough, well-rounded coverage of an issue that impacts many parents and students.
Feature Writing
1st Place
John Herndon
The Anderson News
Title: John Herndon entry — feature writing
Judge’s Comments: Thoughtful reporting, with even better writing and attention to details.
2nd Place
Ruby Thomas
The Record newspaper
Title: Meals for Burkina Faso and indie film
3rd Place
Jessica Able
The Record newspaper
Title: Sweet treats and Maltese sisters
Minority/Women’S Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Ruby Thomas
The Record newspaper
Title: Refugee cookbook & Presentation classmates
Judge’s Comments: These entries provide an engaging look at the experiences of recipes and experiences of the refugees who provided them and the life paths of two pioneering high school classmates who are now in their 90s.
Sports Writing
1st Place
John Herndon
The Anderson News
Title: John Herndon entry — sports writing
Judge’s Comments: An interesting collection of pieces. Particularly enjoyed the one about the recruiter.
Print/Online Metro Louisville
Best Video (Non-Broadcast)
1st Place
Pat McDonogh
The Courier-Journal
Title: This is Our Bridge
Judge’s Comments: An historical testament to the bridge’s construction. Enjoyed the time lapsed photography, too.
Best Website
1st Place
Business First staff
Business First
Title: LouisvilleBusinessFirst.com
Judge’s Comments: The use of reverse chronological headlines straight down the page is a simple, yet highly effective design. The headlines are clear and socially-centric. The SEO could be stronger, but overall the experience is very strong. More sites should strive for this level of user-friendly simplicity.
2nd Place
Aaron Yarmuth
LEO Weekly
Title: LEO Weekly website
Business Reporting
1st Place
James McNair
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Pharmerica coverage
Judge’s Comments: There were many strong entries in this category. This one combines an important and compelling topic with clear explanation and strong graphics that pull together a story that mostly had been reported in a breaking-news fashion.
2nd Place
Insider Louisville Staff
Insider Louisville
Title: Insider Louisville Business Briefings
3rd Place
Marty Finley
Business First
Title: What will it take to redevelop South Fourth Street?
Continuing Coverage
1st Place
Joe Sonka
Insider Louisville
Title: Inside the troubled Economy Inn
Judge’s Comments: Strong original reporting and good story-telling vault this series of stories about a questionable local hotel to the top of this category.
2nd Place
Toni Konz
WDRB
Title: JCPS Safety Issues
3rd Place
Marcus Green
WDRB
Title: Pipeline Coverage
Crime/Courts/Criminal Justice Reporting
1st Place
R.G. Dunlop
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Kentucky Justice? Kicked Out Of The Commonwealth
Judge’s Comments: This is journalism at its finest. It’s a public service to the masses that holds public officials accountable for extremely questionable decisions. This series sets a standard that all journalists should strive to achieve.
2nd Place (tied)
R.G. Dunlop
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Dying For Dollars
2nd Place (tied)
Kristina Goetz
The Courier-Journal
Title: Flakka in Kentucky
3rd Place
Jason Riley
WDRB
Title: Death in Restraints
Editorial Writing
1st Place
Aaron Yarmuth
LEO Weekly
Title: LEO Weekly Editor’s Note
Judge’s Comments: Strongly worded editorials about relevant topics. The tone ranges from a strong call to action to correcting the record to pointing out what the author believes to be an absurdity – concert promoters deciding who gets to decide about the presence of firearms at an individual concert – that is also an important public policy issue.
2nd Place
Steve Coomes
Insider Louisville
Title: Commentary on the Restaurant Scene
3rd Place
Erica Codey-Rucker
LEO Weekly
Title: Dolezal’s dangerous deception and why it matters
Education Reporting
1st Place
Erica Rucker
Louisville Distilled
Title: Samuel Plato Academy gives new life to restoration trades
Judge’s Comments: Great storytelling, and reporting.
Enterprise/ Investigative Reporting
1st Place
R.G. Dunlop and Jacob Ryan
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Only In Kentucky: Jailers Without Jails
Judge’s Comments: This is top-notch reporting and storytelling, and most worthy of this award. The writers cited a problem that would seem innocuous at the least on a local level, but when examined on the state level as KyCIR did, it becomes a compelling story. This story combines the best of new media with good ol’ shoe leather to expose a costly problem of bad management, nepotism and missing oversight to illustrate a problem. This package should hopefully compel reluctant state and local officials to take actions to correct this issue. Congratulations on a job well-done.
2nd Place
Kristina Goetz
The Courier-Journal
Title: KY Public Defenders: Thin ranks, high risks
3rd Place (tied)
Chris Kenning
The Courier-Journal
Title: In HIV-riddled town, addiction ‘the lifestyle’
3rd Place (tied)
Joe Sonka
Insider Louisville
Title: Suspected fraud at MSD
Environmental Reporting
1st Place
Jim Bruggers
The Courier-Journal
Title: Jim Bruggers – Environmental Reporting
Judge’s Comments:
Feature Commentary
1st Place
Amanda Beam
News and Tribune
Title: Tales from the Hoosier Heartland
Judge’s Comments: Heartfelt, beautiful writing that makes the reader really connect with the author and subjects.
2nd Place
Sara Havens
Insider Louisville
Title: The Bar Belle
Feature Photography
1st Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Title: Steam
Judge’s Comments: This category included a pair of entries of gorgeous black and white images with strong contrasts that contribute to a moody feeling. The image that takes first-place stands out because the steam rising off the backs of the horses on a cool day is backlit. The photographer showed strong technical skill in exposing and toning the image.
2nd Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Title: X Marks the Spot
Feature Writing
1st Place
Kristina Goetz
The Courier-Journal
Title: Hugged by a Nazi
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Chris Kenning
The Courier-Journal
Title: Chris Kenning – Feature Writing
3rd Place (tied)
Tim Sullivan
The Courier-Journal
Title: Tim Sullivan – Feature Writing
3rd Place (tied)
Kevin Gibson
Insider Louisville
Title: Features on Santa, Two Sisters, and a CEO
Government/ Politics
1st Place
James McNair
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Kentucky Nepotism
Judge’s Comments: Great watchdog reporting that holds government officials accountable on the important issue of nepotism in hiring practices.
2nd Place
James McNair
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Stacked Boards
3rd Place
Joe Sonka
Insider Louisville
Title: Kentucky Government and Politics
Graphic Illustration
1st Place
Kyle Slagle
The Courier-Journal
Title: A Holy Endeavor
Judge’s Comments: The wonderfully illustrated stained glass motif captures the readers’ attention while utilizing detail images to convey the topic of the story. The rendering technique is believable as true stained glass and makes for a marvelous display package. Well done.
2nd Place
Brooke Timmons
Business First of Louisville
Title: Pouring it on, Airports
3rd Place
Clay Sisk
The Courier-Journal
Title: The Ties That Bind
Health Reporting
1st Place
David Mann and Caitlin Bowling
Business First
Title: Heroin in the workplace
Judge’s Comments: Important piece about the tragic heroin epidemic and its impact on the community and workforce.
2nd Place
Jere Downs
The Courier-Journal
Title: Plant based diets and health
3rd Place
Joe Sonka
Insider Louisville
Title: Battling the Heroin Epidemic
Minority/Women’s Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Toni Konz and Chris Otts
WDRB
Title: JCPS Schools Slipping Back Into Segregation
Judge’s Comments: Excellent presentation that includes an interactive map and video on the difficulties in keeping schools truly integrated.
2nd Place
Michael Jones, Ethan Smith and Amanda Beam
LEO Weekly
Title: LEO Weekly Minority & Women’s Affairs
3rd Place
Al Cross
The Courier-Journal
Title: Jefferson Davis debate shows Ky. immature on race
News Photography
1st Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Title: General Electric Building 6 Burns
Judge’s Comments: The aerial photo of the burning General Electric warehouse burning captures the enormity and scope of the fire, something that would be difficult to do as effectively from ground-level. It is a very dramatic image of a no-doubt major local spot-news story and makes for an impressive image for a newspaper front page.
2nd Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Title: President Obama acknowledges crowd
News/Political Commentary
1st Place
Al Cross
The Courier-Journal
Title: Kentucky political commentaries
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Joe Dunman
Insider Louisville
Title: Commentary on Police, Politics and Development
Page Design
1st Place
Brooke Timmons
Business First of Louisville
Title: GE/Electrolux, Wild Eggs, Heroin Epidemic
Judge’s Comments: This entry elevates to the top with its depth of visual storytelling. The cover concepts are creative and well-executed. The elegant and well-paced use of statistics and other breakout information keeps the reader turning from page to page. And the informational graphics are sophisticated, clean and effective.
2nd Place
Catherine Pomiecko and Kyle Slagle
The Courier-Journal
Title: Stranded
3rd Place
LEO Weekly
LEO Weekly
Title: LEO Weekly Covers
Personality/ Profile Reporting
1st Place
Chris Kenning
The Courier-Journal
Title: Kentucky professor a real-life Indiana Jones
Judge’s Comments: Readers were vividly introduced to the subject in this profile, what makes him tick and why he does what he do. We learn the how he got here and why his work is so important to himself and others. The author does a wonderful of giving us the excitement and the dangers that are in the life of archeologist Chris Begley.
2nd Place
Christopher Daniels, Tabnie Dozier and Nathan Davis
WHAS-TV
Title: Love and basketball: Longtime Dirt Bowl announcer shares joy, pain
3rd Place (tied)
David Serchuk
Business First
Title: The Fed’s Nikki Jackson Would Like To Meet You
3rd Place (tied)
Steve Kaufman
Business First
Title: Micheal White succeeds in life and business by helping others
Review/Criticism
1st Place
Steve Coomes
Insider Louisville
Title: Restaurant Reviews
Judge’s Comments: Thoughtful, fun, smart reviews that really express the flavor of the local food scene.
2nd Place
Melissa Chipman
Insider Louisville
Title: Theater Reviews
3rd Place
Elizabeth Kramer
The Courier-Journal
Title: Elizabeth Kramer – Review/Criticism
Sports Commentary
1st Place
Rick Bozich
WDRB
Title: A Mess Pitino Can’t Fix
Judge’s Comments: Rich with outrageous details supporting the column’s headline. It is fair to Pitino, listing the positives of his time at Louisville. It is easy to understand the outrage behind the coach’s claimed ignorance of the stripper/prostitute scandal thanks to the columnist’s anecdotes and details to his usual attention to even the most minute of details. The opinion is powerful, contextually detailed, yet brief and easy to read. Well done.
2nd Place
Tim Sullivan
The Courier-Journal
Title: Tim Sullivan – Sports Commentary
3rd Place
Eric Crawford
WDRB
Title: Response to a Bitter Loss
Sports Photography
1st Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Title: American Pharoah wins The Triple Crown
Judge’s Comments: Absolutely beautiful shot of a historic moment. The bunting, the dust, the angle, the lighting are strong. The jockey peering back at his competition while the horse strains for more speed while floating above the ground. Suitable for framing. Well done!
2nd Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Title: American Pharoah wins The Kentucky Derby
Sports Reporting
1st Place
Tim Sullivan
The Courier-Journal
Title: Tim Sullivan – Sports Writing
Judge’s Comments: Solid local reporting, including the story of Al Hmiel and his confession about his lies while recruiting basketball players for the University of Cincinnati.
2nd Place
Eric Crawford
WDRB
Title: American Pharoah
3rd Place
Rick Bozich
WDRB
Title: All Access: Inside WKU’s March Into Death Valley
Radio/Podcasting
Business Reporting
1st Place
James McNair
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Kentucky & Gambling
Judge’s Comments: Great job of compacting interviews and information into a short news broadcast.
2nd Place
Rick Howlett
WFPL
Title: Ford Truck Expansion
Crime/Courts/Criminal Justice
1st Place
R.G. Dunlop and Laura Ellis
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Kentucky Justice? Kicked Out Of The Commonwealth
Judge’s Comments: Amazing use of news interviews and events combined with narration on a very serious issue. It seamlessly combines important facts and figures from an in-depth news story into a very elegant audio report.
Editorial/Commentary
1st Place
Keith Runyon, Luis de Leon and Ravon Churchill
WFPL
Title: WFPL’s Friday Commentaries
Judge’s Comments: Good use of audio along with print news. Not to mention, a balanced approach to opinions/commentaries.
Environmental Reporting
1st Place
Erica Peterson
WFPL
Title: From Bundestag to Bluegrass: What Kentucky Can Learn From Germany’s Energy Transition
Judge’s Comments: Excellent use of interviews with news narration as well as relating a very complex issue from across the world to a local issue.
Feature Reporting
1st Place
Rick Howlett
WFPL
Title: Getting Ready for the Royals
Judge’s Comments: Diverse reporting and interviews combined with excellence use of background noise, music and sound makes this an report enjoyable for local and international listeners/readers.
2nd Place
Tara Anderson
WFPL
Title: Healing Through Art In Louisville VA’s Psychiatric Unit
General News
1st Place
Jacob Ryan
WFPL
Title: Metro and Urban Affairs Reporting
Judge’s Comments: these broadcasts spoke to ongoing challenges in urban communities that solutions to will have a long-term effect on residents and the community (i.e. safe clean neighborhoods, removal of blight, saving homes to provide husing for famielies). the piece on libraries highlight another threat to access to opportunites – library access and closing – in a time when it is easy to cut these services this piece gives a much needed perspective
2nd Place
Jacob Ryan
WFPL
Title: On Homelessness
Government/ Politics
1st Place
Ryland Barton
WFPL
Title: State Political Coverage
Judge’s Comments:
Health Care Reporting
1st Place
Ja’Nel Johnson
WFPL
Title: Sick and Tired
Judge’s Comments: Unique use of interviews and sounds. The features compel the listeners/readers to continue listening and reading about the complex issues being covered.
Investigative Reporting
1st Place
R.G. Dunlop and Jacob Ryan
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Only In Kentucky: Jailers Without Jails
Judge’s Comments: Excellent work in investigative journalism that plainly outlines the issues, combining voluntary interviews with uncooperative public officials.
2nd Place
R.G. Dunlop and Laura Ellis
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Dying For Dollars
Minority/Women’s Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Tara Anderson
WFPL
Title: Louisville Poetry Class Uses Writing for Addiction Recovery
Judge’s Comments: Great piece showing the restorative, healing and educational impact the arts, in this case specifically poetry, can have on an individual and ultimately thecommunity.
Series Reporting
1st Place
R.G. Dunlop and Laura Ellis
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Title: Trouble Behind Bars
Judge’s Comments: Excellent use of audio relating to an intricate investigative series that informs the public and holds public officials accountable.
2nd Place
Erica Peterson
WFPL
Title: Two-Part Investigation Into Law Enforcement Of State Environmental Laws
Sports Reporting
1st Place
Rick Howlett
WFPL
Title: U of L Escort Scandal
Judge’s Comments: Good mix of interviews combined with reporting of the issues.
2nd Place
Ja’Nel Johnson and Laura Ellis
WFPL
Title: How Black Jockeys Went From Common to Rare in the Kentucky Derby
Spot News Reporting
1st Place
Rick Howlett
WFPL
Title: Jean Ritchie Remembrance
Judge’s Comments: Good use of background music while stating the news.
Television
Business Reporting
1st Place
Chris Otts and Rachel Collier
WDRB
Title: GE Scuttles Sale of Appliance Park
Judge’s Comments: Nice team reporting. The writing in the package combined with the use of graphics helped make the story easily understandable. Good perspective.
Crime/Courts/Criminal Justice
1st Place
Gil Corsey, Jason Riley and Doug Smith
WDRB
Title: Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Danielle Lama and Jason Riley
WDRB
Title: Judge Takes a Stand on Jury Diversity
Editorial/Commentary
1st Place
Bill Lamb
WDRB
Title: Point of View
Judge’s Comments:
Education
1st Place (tied)
Toni Konz, Valerie Chinn and Adrianne Flores
WDRB
Title: School safety concerns
Judge’s Comments:
1st Place (tied)
Valerie Chinn and Toni Konz
WDRB
Title: Teachers in Fear
Judge’s Comments:
Environmental Reporting
1st Place
Gil Corsey and Neil Johnson
WDRB
Title: Trouble in the Water
Judge’s Comments:
Feature Photography
1st Place
Scott Eckhardt
WLKY TV
Title: The Legacy of the Crow
Judge’s Comments: Visually beautiful. The variety of shots and solid framing made this piece a delight to watch.
2nd Place
Derrick Rose
WHAS 11
Title: Volunteer with Vision
3rd Place
Dominik Fuhrmann
WDRB
Title: Dominik Fuhrmann- WDRB
Feature Reporting
1st Place
Eric Flack, Laurel Mallory and Jeff Knight
WAVE 3 NEWS
Title: 1200 Profile
Judge’s Comments: Great storytelling. There were a lot of solid entries in this category, but this piece stood out. While it was a longer package, the writing hooked me in the beginning and held me throughout. An informative and captivating profile on Jecorey Arthur.
2nd Place
Derrick Rose
WHAS 11
Title: Volunteer with Vision
3rd Place
Kate Springer and Dominik Fuhrmann
WDRB
Title: From the Catwalk to the Farm
General News
1st Place (tied)
Maira Ansari
WAVE 3
Title: Parents share story of accidentally backing over, killing son
Judge’s Comments: The story took me there and made me care. The raw emotion was so key.. especially allowing soundbites breathe. Our industry doesn’t take advantage of that enough.
1st Place (tied)
Kayla Moody and Drew Hill
WHAS-TV
Title: Thousands Attend Funeral Service Honoring Ofc. Daniel Ellis
Judge’s Comments: The story gave a very well-rounded glimpse into who Officer Daniel Ellis was…not just as law enforcement but a human being and public figure of sorts.
2nd Place (tied)
Chris Sutter and Josh Kidd
WDRB
Title: Indiana Sniper
2nd Place (tied)
Kayla Moody
WHAS-TV
Title: Six-year-old Logan Tipton Laid To Rest
3rd Place (tied)
Emily Maher and Lee Dejarlais
WLKY TV
Title: Honoring Officer Ellis
3rd Place (tied)
Gil Corsey and Matt English
WDRB
Title: Super Soap
General News Photography
1st Place
Steven Richard
WAVE 3 NEWS
Title: Steven Richard
Judge’s Comments: A collection of powerful visual storytelling. Each shot is carefully crafted and has a purpose. Your photojournalism draws viewers in and intimately connects them with your subjects.
2nd Place
Josh Kidd
WDRB
Title: Josh Kidd- WDRB
3rd Place
Kyle Lizenby
WDRB
Title: Veterans Day Parade
Government/ Politics
1st Place
Jennifer Keeney and Cara Catlett
WDRB
Title: WDRB Election Night Coverage
Judge’s Comments: Election coverage can easily become boring and mundane.. but adding reporter lives and pieces in between full screens and what not really made me want to watch and I think viewers would appreciate the creativity.
2nd Place
Steve Burgin and Paul Ahmann
WLKY TV
Title: Kentucky Lear Jet
3rd Place
Lawrence Smith and Kyle Lizenby
WDRB
Title: Blackii Effing Whyte
Health Care Reporting
1st Place
Kayla Moody
WHAS-TV
Title: Louisville Twins Make Medical History
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Nathan Davis
WHAS 11 News
Title: 3-D Printer Restores Normalcy for Four Year Old
3rd Place
Christina Mora and Lee Dejarlais
WLKY TV
Title: Glitter Hair Tie Dangers
Investigative Reporting
1st Place
Rachel Collier and Beth Peak
WDRB
Title: Easy Escapes at Kentucky Prison
Judge’s Comments: Congratulations to WDRB for revealing a ridiculous flaw in Kentucky’s corrections system that allows prisoners to escape by hopping a horse fence. Impressively, the station dug up records for all prisons in the past 10 years or so, showing dozens of inmates jumped that fence. The investigation showed how other nearby states have Security Fences that are difficult to scale. The skilled investigative team went even further, providing criminal records for some prisoners who escaped minimum security, to show how dangerous they can be. But the icing on the cake is the admission from an official on camera, that fixing the problem is not even on the table. The story is well told from the opening images comparing horses running free in the pastures, to the inmates doing so as well with the help of the same fence that keeps the horses contained. Good TV investigations should teach, illuminate, inspire and when they can — force change. WDRB’S investigation is so compelling, I can only imagine Kentucky lawmakers will someday answer a call to eliminate a shocking problem in their corrections system in order to protect the public and keep prisoners locked up where they belong. Bravo to WDRB.
2nd Place
Jennifer Baileys and Scott Eckhardt
WLKY TV
Title: Unserved EPO’s
3rd Place
Toni Konz, Tamara Evans, Beth Peak, Vince Vermeulen and Jeff Gordon
WDRB
Title: Liquid Spice Investigation
Minority/Women’s Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Toni Konz and Valerie Chinn
WDRB
Title: JCPS Struggles With Minority Hiring
Judge’s Comments: This is a big problem everywhere and this story gave an urgency to make it change. I would have liked to see more non-minorities in power interviewed and asked the tough question of why?
2nd Place
Jennifer Baileys and Scott Eckhardt
WLKY TV
Title: Where are the Nuns?
Newscast
1st Place
Aaron Ellis, Zak Owens, Jen Nickels, Bill Shory, Theo Keith, Shannon Cogan, Scott Reynolds and Natalia Martinez
WAVE 3 NEWS
Title: WAVE 3 NEWS @6
Judge’s Comments: Great pics right off the top of the show… pacing of the breaking news was very good. Great continuing live coverage throughout newscast. Didn’t feel like too much or too little.
2nd Place (tied)
Zak Owens, Jennifer Nickels and Aaron Ellis
WAVE 3 NEWS
Title: WAVE 3 NEWS @ 11
2nd Place (tied)
Erin Gritton – Producer, Vicki Dortch – Anchor and Jay Cardosi – Meteorologist
WLKY TV
Title: 5PM WLKY News – Severe Weather & GE Fire
3rd Place
Erin Austin
WDRB
Title: WDRB News @ 11:30
Series Reporting
1st Place
Gil Corsey
WDRB
Title: Trouble in the Water
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Valerie Chinn, Beth Peak, Dave White and Dominik Fuhrmann
WDRB
Title: Southeast Bullitt Fire
3rd Place
Scott Eckhardt and Jennifer Baileys
WLKY TV
Title: The Invisible Injury
Sports Photography
1st Place
Mike Lacett
WDRB
Title: Behind the Scenes with WKU
Judge’s Comments:
Sports Reporting
1st Place
John Lewis
WDRB
Title: AAU team plays in honor of late brother and son
Judge’s Comments:
2nd Place
Lexy Scheen and Scott Eckhardt
WLKY TV
Title: Softball Star
3rd Place
Bill Shory, Kent Taylor, John Boel, Shannon Cogan and Scott Reynolds
WAVE 3 NEWS
Title: American Pharoah
Spot News Reporting
1st Place (tied)
Aaron Ellis, Zak Owens, Jen Nickels, Bill Shory, Theo Keith, Shannon Cogan, Scott Reynolds and Natalia Martinez
WAVE 3 NEWS
Title: Whiskey Row Fire
Judge’s Comments: I’m glad this story focused only on the fire. And the video used was very good– it wasn’t just the easy aerials and wide shots– you guys were right there in the middle of it all!
1st Place (tied)
Kayla Moody
WHAS-TV
Title: Historic Whiskey Row Goes Up In Flames
Judge’s Comments: Thank you for focusing on one continual story. Being on the ground in front of the action is what really gets me in this story. You can almost smell and hear the chaos around you! Great job.
2nd Place
Kayla Moody and Nathan Davis
WHAS-TV
Title: Exclusive: Surveillance Video Shows Officer Shooting, Killing Man