College
Best Overall Design
2nd Place
Horizon Staff
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: March 7, 2016 issue
1st Place
Olivia Krauth and Sarah Rohleder
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: The Louisville Cardinal
Judge’s comments: Clean, balanced, good rhythm and unity to the design. Strong use of typography to create contrast and shape to a page. Clear dominant elements. Attractive covers. Consistent use of elements throughout to develop unity and rhythm.
Best Use Of Video
2nd Place
Sam Draut and Dalton Ray
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: U of L, city to remove Confederate monument
1st Place
Jordan Williams
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Giving Pumpkin Spice a Try
Judge’s comments: Creative and clever approach to a seasonal-flavor story. Good selection of participants, who offered a variety of responses. Sound bites were well edited.
Commentary/General Interest
3rd Place
John Boyle
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Let Us Hate Again
2nd Place
Olivia Ross
Bellarmine University
Entry title: BU Should Rein in its Acceptance Rates
1st Place
Jordan Williams
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: A dead man’s tale
Judge’s comments: This is a witty telling of an excellent tale, one that vividly illustrates the all-too-common absurdities of bureaucracy. The humor is effective because your keep the narrative restrained and understated.
Editorial
3rd Place
Staff
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: SGA Senate fails constituency in lead-up to vote of no confidence
2nd Place
Nick Amon
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Ramsey should be held accountable for stream of scandals
1st Place
Kentucky Kernel Staff
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: UK’s fight for secrecy leaves truth behind
Judge’s comments: Student newspaper taking on an important fight for public transparency and against university controls on student media. Timely and important case. Very contentious. Good for this publication for engaging in the fight and not wilting from the pressure.
Editorial Cartoon
1st Place
Ben Wade
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: Rand Paul left out in the cold; exposing Trump’s fears; Carson’s campaign flatlines
Judge’s comments: Sharp humor and excellent technical skills with the illustrations.
Feature Page Layout
3rd Place
Olivia Cook
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: A Night of Spells
2nd Place
Sarah Rohleder, Brooke Moody and Olivia Krauth
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: The Cardinal 3.22
1st Place
Olivia Cook and Daniel Vance
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Learning May Cause Discomfort
Judge’s comments: Eye-catching use of “caution tape” and sad-student graphics; good use of white space; clear presentation of information
Feature Photo
2nd Place
Sarah Rohleder
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Speed Museum awes
1st Place
Hank Kerns
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Rae Sremmurd light up the Palace
Judge’s comments: Nice framing, lighting and color.
Feature Story
3rd Place
Lexington Souers
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: From seeing blue, to crying blue
2nd Place
John Boyle
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Activism in the Arts
1st Place
Marjorie Kirk
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: Local Congolese community welcomes refugee
Judge’s comments: This story takes what could be a pretty ordinary piece about an immigrant / refugee student and really brings the narrative to life with rich details and interesting insights about the process behind the person being in the U.S.
Front Page Layout
3rd Place
Marisa Gartland and Olivia Cook
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Jan. 11, 2016 issue
2nd Place
Rebecca Waskevich
Bellarmine University
Entry title: Admissions Front Page Layout
1st Place
Sarah Rohleder and Olivia Krauth
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: The Louisville Cardinal
Judge’s comments: Layouts use typography well; the 2-2-16 issue, in particular, has eye-catching graphical treatments and colorization of both photo and text. Good headlines add to the impetus to read this paper now.
Graphic Illustration
2nd Place
Mitchell Howes
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Mitchell Howes
1st Place
Daniel Vance
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: August 22 cover
Judge’s comments: Subtle color changes and social commentary (on student use of phones) help to make this illustration attractive.
In-Depth Reporting
3rd Place
Patrick Brennan
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: Observing UK’s gender pay gap
2nd Place
Will Wright
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: The woman behind the mask
1st Place
Marjorie Kirk
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: Kernel obtains withheld records; victims say UK trying to protect professor in sexual assault case
Judge’s comments: Excellent effort to put important public information in the hands of the public; this professor was given an opportunity to respond, but the really interesting aspect of this was the response of the university, putting into question who the institution ultimately serves. Well done, Kernel staff!
Informational Graphic
3rd Place
Mitchell Howes
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Program aims to arrest campus drinking
2nd Place
Mallory Siegenthaler, Olivia Krauth and Sarah Rohleder
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: 4.12 cover
1st Place
Horizon Staff
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Students, not customers
Judge’s comments: The shredding of the dollar as a way to remove burdens on the students is done in a subtle, yet effective way, which inspires the reader to look carefully at the rest of the design.
Multimedia Storytelling
2nd Place
Parker Henes
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Art made from a spatula
1st Place
Mary Kate Hailer, Joseph Kauffman and Kim Rice
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: A sweet business
Judge’s comments: Great subject and execution! The written article is polished, vivid and well-structured, but the slideshow is truly superb. The photos are rich and vibrant, but most importantly, we get to know and like these characters. That makes for great storytelling.
News Photo
3rd Place
Sarah Rohleder
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Students lead die-in
2nd Place
Morgan Wooden
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Not my POTUS
1st Place
Sarah Rohleder
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Students lead die-in
Judge’s comments: Good composition and use of perspective. Captured an important civic protest.
News Story
2nd Place
Katherine Manouchehri
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: Students march to protest sexual assault at UK
1st Place
Cheyene Miller
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: Smoke fills Southern sky
Judge’s comments: The reporter reached many sources and was able to provide a complete picture of the event. The story is well organized, with a strong lead.
Overall Web Site
1st Place
Staff
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: The Louisville Cardinal
Judge’s comments: Clean design, with strong dominant elements, from the banner down. Easy to read, and easy to navigate. Multiple entry points on the page. Good selection of photos, and good photos overall. Well balanced. Well done!
Photo Story
1st Place
Wade Morgen
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: U of L baseball beats Virginia
Judge’s comments: Good variety of shots, including a stop-action, an interaction and a focus on faces.
Review
2nd Place
Aaron Hartley
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: The Weeknd’s “Starboy” faintly shines
1st Place
Kyeland Jackson
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: “Don’t Breathe” – A cinematic breath of fresh air
Judge’s comments: The review is informative and provides clear explanation for what’s strong about the movie. The context that you offer, in describing the weaknesses of other recent horror films, is also helpful to readers.
Sports Column
1st Place
Parker Henes
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: For the Love of the Game
Judge’s comments: Reveals the behind-the-scenes, first-person thoughts of a recently graduated college athlete; some novel insights were included.
Sports Feature Story
3rd Place
Mary Ringwald
Bellarmine University
Entry title: BU Tennis Player Expands Horizons By Work- ing With Special Needs Children in Morocco
2nd Place
Anthony Crawford
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: From Chicago’s blacktop courts to Rupp Arena, Ulis has always exceeded expectations
1st Place
Enrique Bryan
Indiana University Southeast
Entry title: Mental Side of Athlete Fatigue
Judge’s comments: We don’t think about it, but mental fatigue is something athletes have to contend with. This is a good rundown on how it affects some college athletes.
Sports Game Story
1st Place
Sam Draut
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Golfer Olivia Cason works her way to NCAA Championship
Judge’s comments: Story shows a transformation of the golfer as she reached for her goals; also, it shared the context of how significant of an achievement this was.
Sports News Story
3rd Place
Quin Welch
Bellarmine University
Entry title: BUMBB Ranked Preseason No. 1
2nd Place
Anthony Crawford
The Kentucky Kernel
Entry title: UK Football honors SEC trailblazers in unveiling of new statue
1st Place
Dalton Ray
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Louisville avoids severe penalties in NCAA findings
Judge’s comments: Well-done piece about the lack of severe penalties against the Louisville men’s basketball team for various “services” of a female escort.
Sports Photo
3rd Place
Nancy Hanner
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Louisville beats FSU
2nd Place
Nancy Hanner
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Men’s basketball kicks off season
1st Place
Wade Morgen
The Louisville Cardinal
Entry title: Don’t buy the hype on Louisville football this year
Judge’s comments: I can’t resist. I am heads over heels about this great football of Louisville’s team.
Magazines
Cover Design
3rd Place
Brooke Timmons
Business First
Entry title: Fast 50, Book of Lists, CFO of the Year
2nd Place
Today’s Transitions Design Team
Zion Publications, LLC
Entry title: Today’s Transitions
1st Place
Today’s Woman Design Team
Zion Publications, LLC
Entry title: Today’s Woman
Judge’s comments: Love the energy this designer brings to the cover! The careful selection on type and size, color, as well as composition and layout bring Today’ss Woman to life. Adding details like the paint brush to the flag, organic textures, and the dramatic photo with the girl with fire is what sets these covers above the rest. Great job!
Feature Writing
1st Place
Lucy M. Pritchett
Zion Publications, LLC
Entry title: Connecting With History
Judge’s comments: This piece chronicles how the art collection interests of a now-retired attorney took him on a decades-long detective story that culminated in an art exhibit that might be unique in bringing together Depression-era art with then-everyday objects of that time. This was an off-the-beaten-track story well-told with details that make readers feel we are tagging along on the journey, tracking down the tools, quilts and musical instruments of another time still tied to the community. Also notable was the down-to-earth way the writer unfolded the story as it could have come across elitist rather than so approachable with a well-heeled collector at the center of it. (My only quibble? After reading the detailed description of the versatile iron trivet, I was yearning for a photo of the object.)
Health Care Reporting
1st Place
Christa Melnyk Hines
Zion Publications, LLC
Entry title: How to Bust Out of a Hyperactive Lifestyle
Minority/Women’S Affairs Reporting
2nd Place
Barbara Myerson Katz and Chris Witzke
Barbara Myerson Katz
Entry title: Hair Trigger
1st Place
Today’s Woman staff
Zion Publications, LLC
Entry title: Guide Book to Breast Cancer Survival
Judge’s comments: A well-rounded look at a serious topic. The information on new developments in diagnosis and treatments are well-balanced with the personal stories and advice from survivors. An interesting read.
Page Design
2nd Place
Brooke Timmons
Business First
Entry title: At Home fall, At Home Spring, Business Women First
1st Place
Today’s Woman Design Team
Zion Publications, LLC
Entry title: Today’s Woman á Best Bodies
Judge’s comments: This feature is a great example of how you can do more with less. The conscious decision to keep the photography black and white amongst the two color palette was a genius move. As a reader, you know where you are, even amongst a very heavy ad adjacency. I love how the designer kept you engagedá making sure the photo direction was varied and interesting. The typography is clean and plays a secondary supporting role to the photos.
Personality/ Profile Reporting
1st Place
RJ Smith and Beth Taylor
Super Lawyers Magazine
Entry title: Family Ties
Judge’s comments: An interesting profile that gives us a very human look at a legal figure. The writer does a nice job of capturing the story of this attorney through his family history and his love of his neighborhood.
Non-metro/community newspapers
Best News Story
2nd Place
Ruby Thomas
The Record Newspaper
Entry title: Fire devastates church in Horse Cave, Ky.
1st Place
Marnie McAllister
The Record
Entry title: Sisters risked their lives to serve the poor
Continuing Coverage
2nd Place
Marnie McAllister, Jessica Able and Ruby Thomas
The Record newspaper
Entry title: Year of Mercy
1st Place
Marnie McAllister and Jessica Able
The Record newspaper
Entry title: Mother Teresa
Judge’s comments: The stories tell of the canonisation of Mother Teresa of Calcutta to Saint Teresa through interviews with local people who had met or were inspired by her and provide color and context for the reader. Well done!
Editorial Writing
1st Place
Marnie McAllister
The Record newspaper
Entry title: Let yourself be changed
Judge’s comments: This was the only entrant in this category, so it’s an open question as to how it would stack up against others. Still, the writing is solid, and the columnist has a clear point of view. Extolling her readers to self-examine actions and decisions in the service of the greater good is a positive message that runs through her columns.
Enterprise/ Investigative Reporting
1st Place
Jessica Able
The Record newspaper
Entry title: Local priest numbers called ‘tight,’ not dire
Feature Writing
3rd Place
Ruby Thomas
The Record Newspaper
Entry title: School, burial, marriage
2nd Place
Jessica Able
The Record newspaper
Entry title: ‘The Greatest’; backside ministry; aid to Syria
1st Place
John Herndon
The Anderson News
Entry title: John Herndon Feature Writing
Judge’s comments: A nice collection of profiles. The writer does a nice job of drawing the reader in and weaving little moments throughout the story and exposition. An easy-to-read group of stories.
Minority/Women’S Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Jessica Able
The Record newspaper
Entry title: Hildegard House and aid for Haiti
Personality/ Profile Reporting
1st Place
Ruby Thomas
The Record Newspaper
Entry title: On laity and religious
Sports Writing
1st Place
John Herndon
The Anderson News
Entry title: John Herndon Sports Writing
Judge’s comments: Good mix of various sports stories: An athlete of Samoan ancestry coming to grips with his heritage, the funeral of a former pro football coach from Kentucky and a winning high school basketball coach.
Print/Online Metro Louisville
Best Video (Non-Broadcast)
1st Place
Matt Stone
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Video from Matt Stone
Judge’s comments: Very moving and heart-felt piece on a jewel of Harlan County. Excellent use of natural sound in the edit and really cool wide shots.
Best Website
1st Place
WDRB Staff
WDRB
Entry title: WDRB.com
Judge’s comments: Great mobile-first design layout and engaging live stream.
Breaking News (Including Use Of Social Media)
1st Place
Staff
Business First
Entry title: U of L board replacment
Judge’s comments: Great reporting and it’s obvious that this journalist is familiar with the inner-workings of his beat.
Business Reporting
3rd Place
Insider Louisville Staff
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Insider Louisville Business Briefings
2nd Place
Grace Schneider
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Business reporting from Grace Schneider
1st Place
Boris Ladwig
Insider Louisville
Entry title: An inside look at GE’s takeover, plus a Ford Escape test drive
Judge’s comments: In strong field of nominees, this entry displayed an especially good grasp of the complicated details of back-to-back mergers impacting a company of 6,000. It embraced perspectives from the c-suite to labor, and delved into such intricacies as product pricing and the company’s competitive environment. Clear, efficient writing throughout.
Continuing Coverage
3rd Place
Jason Riley
WDRB
Entry title: Teen Dies in Custody
2nd Place
Kate Howard
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: University of Louisville
1st Place
Laura Ungar and Beth Warren
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Heroin project
Judge’s comments: The Louisville Courier-Journal provides a big public service in following up on the problems with heroin in the community. The impacts are clearly defined and widespread from growing child welfare cases stemming from heroin to parents winding up dead. Then there is the hepC problem and the shame parents and others feel when loved ones become addicted to heroin. Used to be that this stuff was a problem among the poor but it has become mainstream. A job well done.
Crime/Courts/Criminal Justice Reporting
3rd Place
R.G. Dunlop and Kate Howard
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: Gynnya McMillen
2nd Place
Boris Ladwig
Insider Louisville
Entry title: A look inside LouisvilleÉs overcrowded jails
1st Place
Kate Howard
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: Staff Misconduct In Kentucky’s Juvenile Justice System
Judge’s comments: It shouldn’t have taken the death of 16-year-old Gynnya McMillen to tell Kentucky juvenile detention officials that they have a problem with guard supervision of young offenders in custody. What are those administrators doing? An excellent job by Kate Howard and the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting sure showed them. Although they assert that the lack of bed checks didn’t contribute to Gynnya’s death, I wonder how a jury in a civil trial would assess that.
Editorial Cartoons
2nd Place
Keith Stone
LEO Weekly
Entry title: Uncovered Commentary
1st Place
Marc Murphy
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Marc Murphy Courier-Journal Editorial Cartoons
Judge’s comments: The artist cartoonist style is clean and easy to read. The topics are current and to the point.
Editorial Writing
3rd Place
Erica Codey-Rucker
Quill and Ink Freelance
Entry title: The Role of a Safe Negro
2nd Place
Kim Kolarik
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: More action needed to stem killings
1st Place
Kim Kolarik
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Ky. shouldn’t ease coal ash rules
Judge’s comments: The editorial makes a strong, persuasive case for its POV, raising solid skepticism of why easing the rules could increase risks to the environment and public health. Clearly written and focused.
Education Reporting
3rd Place
Toni Konz
WDRB
Entry title: JCPS needs $886 million fix
2nd Place
Joe Sonka
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Higher education reporting on the University of Louisville
1st Place
Toni Konz
WDRB
Entry title: JCPS bus driver shortage “critical”
Judge’s comments: It’s clear that the reporting for this story took a lot of legwork and source development, and although it included a lot of data and numbers, the issue was clearly presented with proper context and detail.
Enterprise/ Investigative Reporting
3rd Place
Chris Otts
WDRB
Entry title: U of L Foundation Investigation
2nd Place
R.G. Dunlop and John Boel
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: Kentucky Constables: Untrained and Unaccountable
1st Place
Toni Konz
WDRB
Entry title: Every 1 Reads goes to fund nurses
Judge’s comments: This is investigative reporting at its best — Follow the money, find the flaw, effect change. This series is tops in a crowded field of very good work — there are a number of entries that could have been first–because it most clearly articulated a problem, broke the news, drew in personal narratives from stakeholders and followed up.
Environmental Reporting
2nd Place
Tim Sullivan
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Rubber softens school fields, but are kids safe?
1st Place
James Bruggers
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Enviornmental reporting from Jim Bruggers
Judge’s comments: The series on water pollution was an excellent exposition of a complicated issue. Well done.
Feature Commentary
2nd Place
Frank Messina, Keith Stone and Aaron Yarmuth
LEO Weekly
Entry title: Derby Feature
1st Place
Sara Havens
Insider Louisville
Entry title: The Bar Belle
Judge’s comments: Well, Sara Havens, there is one thing you won’t have worry about after turning 40 or one resolution you won’t have to make. That is: winning a journalism contest. Your articles are a fine blend of writing, wit and a bit of skepticism about everyday life in America. Nicely done.
Feature Photography
3rd Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Spaghetti Junction 2.0
2nd Place
Patrick McDonogh
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: A House Filled with Love
1st Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Muddy Jockey
Judge’s comments: The lighting, contrast and textures beautifully capture the humanness and experience this jockey endured moments (it seems) after his race ended.
Feature Writing
3rd Place
Pam Platt, Aaron Yarmuth and Keith Stone
LEO Weekly
Entry title: Welcome NRA visitors ?- Three things to know about guns in Louisville
2nd Place
Bailey Loosemore
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Feature writing from Bailey Loosemore
1st Place
Chris Kenning
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Feature writing from Chris Kenning
Judge’s comments: Kenning obviously invested a lot of time observing and moving among his subjects and it shows in these three stories about three distinct groups of residents. He takes the time — both in the reporting process and in the writing — to tell their stories, without judgment, providing readers with ample context, observation and insight into these diverse communities. This judge came away with a strong sense of who these people are and the challenges they are facing.
Government/ Politics
1st Place
Erica Peterson
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: Despite TrumpÉs Promises, Coal Industry Rebound In Appalachia Remains Unlikely
Judge’s comments: Good localization of national news for an important regional issue. Solid use of statistics, incorporates a variety of voices.
Graphic Illustration
2nd Place
Brooke Timmons
Business First
Entry title: End of the Road, UK vs UofL, Political donors
1st Place
Catherine Meany
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Heisman graphic
Judge’s comments: A beautiful designed informational graphic. The use of colors and typography is used very efficiently. Overall a very well balance design.
Health Reporting
3rd Place
Baylee Pulliam
Business First
Entry title: Apellis drawing workers to Louisville
2nd Place
Boris Ladwig
Insider Louisville
Entry title: The ACA in Kentucky on life support
1st Place
Joe Sonka
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Treating Opioid Addiction in Kentucky
Judge’s comments: Thorough, informative, nuanced and balanced coverage of a locally and nationally important health issue. Well done.
Minority/Women’S Affairs Reporting
3rd Place
Joe Sonka
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Young immigrants brace for uncertainty, local commissions lack diversity, Planned Parenthood takes on Gov. Bevin
2nd Place
Kirby Adams
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Feature writing from Kirby Adams
1st Place
Christa Rounsavall
Louisville Distilled
Entry title: Louisville Leads the Way in Refugee Resettlement
Judge’s comments: Great descriptive opener that pulled me into the important and timely story about the refugee experience in Kentucky, with illuminating facts and interviews. Well done!
News Photography
3rd Place
Sam Upshaw
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: “Distraught Woman”
2nd Place
Scott Utterback
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: The Road Back
1st Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Muhammad Ali Motorcade
Judge’s comments: So immersive. Beautiful compositions and wonderfully captures the adoration of Ali’s fans and loved ones.
News/Political Commentary
2nd Place
Eric Crawford
WDRB
Entry title: Crawford Commentary
1st Place
Joe Dunman
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Commentary on discrimination and abuse of power
Judge’s comments: Good political commentary is a reasoned approach in which context and history are given. Joe Dunman does this well.
Page Design
3rd Place
Andrea Brunty
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Features page design from Andrea Brunty (1)
2nd Place
Brian Gray
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Page design by Brian Gray
1st Place
Kyle Slagle
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Ali special section
Judge’s comments: This special section made great use of the photographs and presented a beautifully concise look at Mohammad Ali’s storied life and career.
Personality/ Profile Reporting
3rd Place
Melanie Wolkoff Wachsman
Louisville Distilled
Entry title: Jennifer Lawrence isn’t Louisville’s Only Oscar nominee: Meet Henry Hughes
2nd Place
Rick Bozich
WDRB
Entry title: Marques Maybin’s inspiring story
1st Place
Marty Finley
Business First
Entry title: Greg Bush profile
Judge’s comments: Compelling series of stories about the guy behind the Kentucky Derby, someone you’d never see or read about. I learned a lot, not just about Greg Bush but about a sport I’m unfamiliar with. Nicely done!
Review/Criticism
3rd Place
Eli Keel
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Theater Reviews
2nd Place (tied)
Kevin Gibson
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Food reviews á from soul food to supermarket sushi
Jo Anne Triplett, Aaron Yarmuth and Keith Stone
LEO Weekly
Entry title: Art criticism
Michael C. Powell, Robin Garr, Aaron Yarmuth and Keith Stone
LEO Weekly
Entry title: Food criticism: Two takes on Guy Fieri and one on Foodiesm
1st Place (tied)
Melissa Chipman
Insider Louisville
Entry title: Theater Reviews of Three Shakespeare Productions
Steve Coomes
Eat Drink Talk
Entry title: Louisville Restaurateurs’ Shortcomings Lead to Closings
Sports Commentary
3rd Place
Fletcher Page
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Sports Commentary from Fletcher Page
2nd Place
Rick Bozich
WDRB
Entry title: McGee gives Pitino his greatest assist- NCAA silence
1st Place
Tim Sullivan
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Sports Commentary from Tim Sullivan
Judge’s comments: From the cheating scandal at U of L, insight into the coach at UK, to his thoughtful piece on hometown hero Muhammed Ali, Tim Sullivan’s entries soar with a clear, compelling narrative, authoritative yet approachable voice and thorough reporting. He takes time to remind readers why these topics matter. He provides context and what us newspaper geeks call “nut grafs.” And that ensures his stories are relevant both to folks who those who devour sports daily and those who rarely read it; to lifelong residents of Kentucky and those who’ve never visited. I’ll be looking for his byline in the future.
Sports Photography
3rd Place
Sam Upshaw
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Boxing Gym
2nd Place
Michael Clevenger
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Kentucky Derby 142
1st Place
Scott Utterback
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: RodeOHH
Judge’s comments: This has a lot of action and that’s what good sports photography should capture. Whether it’s a windmill slam dunk, a running back slashing through the line or a cowboy being slammed into the ground, we all want to see action. And this picture has it. And technically, it’s well executed.
Sports Reporting
3rd Place
Fletcher Page
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Sports writing from Fletcher Page
2nd Place
Danielle Lerner
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Sports writing from Danielle Lerner
1st Place
Jason Frakes
The Courier-Journal
Entry title: Sports writing from Jason Frakes
Judge’s comments: Jason Frakes topped a very competitive field with the depth of his reporting and the consistency in the quality of his writing, no matter the size of the story. His ambitious and exhaustive piece on the challenges high school athletic directors face was the centerpiece of a first-rate entry, but his balanced take on student activism and his feature on the Smith twins were also good reads filled with nice details, written with great care and consideration.
Radio/Podcasting
Business Reporting
1st Place
Roxanne Scott
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: As Craft Beer Thrives In Kentucky, Local Hops Producers Feel Growing Pains
Judge’s comments: Great job capturing the business potential of locally grown hops. The story had a good mixture of relevant statistics and audio from the field.
Feature Reporting
2nd Place
Rick Howlett
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: Muhammad Ali’s Louisville Roots
1st Place
Laura Ellis and Ravon Churchill
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: I Said Bang!: A History of the Dirt Bowl
Judge’s comments: This is a fascinating story of a very special location, using the voices of people who were there–nicely intercut to highlight the story telling. This is not just a story of sports, this is a story of place–and of people. And more than anything else, it’s a story of heart.
General News
1st Place
Erica Peterson
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: MSDÉs Plans For Smoketown Basin Called Unequal
Judge’s comments: Story makes good use of multiple interviews to capture voices that went unheard by the Metropolitan Sewer District.
Health Care Reporting
1st Place
Lisa Gillespie
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: In Ultra-Red Jackson County, Health Care DidnÉt Move Voters
Judge’s comments: This story puts human voices into the story of health care policy and insurance–and allows the people involved to tell their own stories. It’s also a god example of the power of following up a story.
Investigative Reporting
2nd Place
R.G. Dunlop and John Boel
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: Kentucky Constables: Untrained and Unaccountable
1st Place
Kate Howard
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: The University of Louisville Foundation Bought An Empty Factory In OklahomaáBecause A Donor Asked
Judge’s comments: Kate Howard’s investigation into a mysterious pledge to the University of Louisville Foundation is the clear winner in this category. The reporter stumbled on a fishy deal and followed the money through traditional investigative reporting methods — records requests, interviews and some good old-fashioned snooping around. Howard combined good initiative and creative audio storytelling to produce an interesting and important piece on a complicated financial situation.
Minority/Women’S Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Ashlie Stevens
Louisville Public Media
Entry title: #MuseumsSoWhite
Judge’s comments: A stimulus conversation about an issue that still persists in the visual arts industry (and many others, including the media). Kudos to KFPL for devoting a year to examining Louisville’s diversity.
Television
Crime/Courts/Criminal Justice
3rd Place
Rachel Collier and Emily Evans
WDRB
Entry title: Family Fraud
2nd Place
William Joy and Daniel Paxton
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: Louisville’s Plauge
1st Place
Valerie Chinn and Doug Smith
WDRB
Entry title: Drug Cartel
Judge’s comments: Glad to see the reporter (and station) took the initiative to go to California. It helped tie the piece together and explain to viewers how the drug trade in Mexico affects their daily lives.
Editorial/Commentary
1st Place
Bill Lamb
WDRB
Entry title: Point of View
Judge’s comments: Bill Lamb gives a down-to-earth point of view on losing Walmart, revolving door for violent criminals and a loser-take-all presidential election.
Education
3rd Place (tied)
Valerie Chinn and Dominik Fuhrmann
WDRB
Entry title: Guns and Drugs in School
Kayla Moody and Carter Schumacher
WHAS-TV
Entry title: Greater Clark County ready for the new school year
2nd Place
Kayla Moody
WHAS-TV
Entry title: Learning the Art of Mindfulness
1st Place
Toni Konz, Stephan Johnson and Jacob Davis
WDRB
Entry title: “We Are Afraid”
Judge’s comments: This story had great web extras, lots of depth, and was solution driven. Good job.
Feature Photography
2nd Place
Sharon Yoo
WAVE 3 News
Entry title: A Mother’s Song
1st Place
Steven Richard
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: Tony Leonard
Judge’s comments: Beautiful story telling, pictures and editing. Masterful!
Feature Reporting
3rd Place (tied)
Sharon Yoo
WAVE 3 News
Entry title: Haircuts for the Homeless
Chris Sutter and Josh Kidd
WDRB
Entry title: Talk About a Knockout
Derrick Rose
WHAS 11
Entry title: Unmasking the Boy in the Batman Shirt
Derrick Rose
WHAS 11
Entry title: Gameday Fans are the Life of Death Valley
2nd Place
Natalia Martinez and Daniel Paxton
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: C’MERE MAX
1st Place
Chris Sutter and Dominik Fuhrmann
WDRB
Entry title: Crazy Bill
Judge’s comments: This is a GREAT feature story!!! Great nats. Great shots. Great writing. Memorable.
General News
3rd Place (tied)
WDRB News
WDRB
Entry title: Saying Goodbye to Muhammad Ali
Kayla Moody and Carter Schumacher
WHAS-TV
Entry title: I Am Ali Festival Inspires Kids to be ‘The Greatest’
2nd Place
Sharon Yoo
WAVE 3 News
Entry title: Crosses on the Lawn
1st Place
Adrianne Flores and Jeff Gordon
WDRB
Entry title: Bullied to the Breaking Point
Judge’s comments: Very touching piece, well written. Definitely pulled on my heart strings!
Government/ Politics
3rd Place
Kayla Moody
WHAS-TV
Entry title: Battles in the Bluegrass: 2016 Political Coverage
2nd Place
Valerie Chinn and Doug Smith
WDRB
Entry title: DNC Coverage
1st Place
WDRB News
WDRB
Entry title: WDRB Election Night
Judge’s comments: Great coverage of local races. Clean graphics. Race by race there’s a sense of immediacy. Knowledgeable anchors and reporters adding background information about the races and the candidates.
Health Care Reporting
2nd Place
Kyle Mitchell, Vince Vermeulen and Rob Larimer
WDRB
Entry title: Gray Market for Diabetic Strips
1st Place
Gilbert Corsey and Dominik Fuhrmann
WDRB
Entry title: Remember Me
Judge’s comments: This is an inspiring story! It is wonderful the way the tale opens and returns to the comedy club showcasing laughter is the best medicine. The contrast and comparison of the death rate of the disease that no one has heard of and that has little resources to breast cancer is startling. That comparison brings this disease down to a more familiar conversation. This journey makes you feel the same highs that Mike Olsen may have had when he was possibly going to get a lung transplant. It was a very powerful scene to show him be scared and chipper before the possible lung transplant. It was also just as endearing to see his emotional disappointment when he learns lung transplant is not going through. Weaving in the surprise reunion with his family members shows how this affects more than just Mike Olsen. The layers of the piece including the documentary are masterfully done. It is especially dramatic when the reporter shares the statistic of how many breaths one takes combined with the fact that no one knows when their last one will be. This hits the heart of the story, the heart of life-everyone’s life.
Investigative Reporting
2nd Place (tied)
Natalia Martinez, Daniel Paxton and Steven Richard
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: Mandatory Reentry
Toni Konz, Chris Otts, Rachel Collier, Vince Vermeulen and Neil Johnson
WDRB
Entry title: JCPS Misuses $4 Million
1st Place (tied)
Eric Flack, Jeff Knight and Bill Shory
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: Ali Ticket Scalper
Judge’s comments: Good story on ticket scalping. Loved that the reporters confronting the scalper and chased him down.
Valerie Chinn, Doug Smith and Tom Round
WDRB
Entry title: Tracking Confiscated Guns
Judge’s comments: Reporter did a thorough job in presenting this issue.
Minority/Women’S Affairs Reporting
1st Place
Jason Riley, Valerie Chinn and Beth Peak
WDRB
Entry title: Officer’s Racist Remark
Judge’s comments: It is fantastic that the police talk on camera about this recording. Both the police, and the victim represented themselves well. It will be interesting to see the update on the outcome of the police investigation.
Newscast
3rd Place
Erin Austin and Cara Catlett
WDRB
Entry title: WDRB News @ 11:30
2nd Place
Molly Lundy, Carolyn Williams, Bill Shory, Kristi Schank, Gordon Boyd, Katie Bauer, Scott Reynolds and Aaron Ellis
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: WAVE 3 NEWS @ 5
1st Place
Shannon Cogan, Dawne Gee, Zak Owens, Sharon Yoo, Kasey Cunningham, William Joy, Becca Gibson and Aaron Ellis
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: WAVE 3 NEWS THANKSGIVING DAY SHOOTING
Judge’s comments: It’s rare that a story warrants an anchor in the field, but you folks pulled it off perfectly. Great use of resources and reporters to round out the story as it develops. Also, you did a fine job of keeping the breaking news coverage going throughout each show segment while still concorporating other news stories and without becoming too repetitive in the information you were sharing on the shooting.
Series Reporting
1st Place
Valerie Chinn, Doug Smith and Dave White
WDRB
Entry title: Mayor Investigation
Judge’s comments: Great follow up and digging into the documents to uncover the facts!
Sports Reporting
3rd Place
Kayla Moody and Carter Schumacher
WHAS-TV
Entry title: Louisville TKO Inspiring Young Boxers to be ‘The Greatest’
2nd Place
Rick Bozich and Beth Peak
WDRB
Entry title: Brohm Squad
1st Place
Rick Bozich and Matt English
WDRB
Entry title: What Happened to Marques Maybin?
Judge’s comments: From the very beginning of the story, I was hooked. The editing was intriguing and made Marques instantly interesting and I wanted to learn more. I was not familiar with the story, so when I saw him wheel out of the recording booth for the first time I was stunned and impressed with the production of the story. I was intrigued the entire time and when it ended instantly started doing my own research on Marques Maybin because I wanted to learn even more about him. To me there’s no greater compliment than that when producing a story. Well done!
Sports Special Program
1st Place
Bill Shory, Jennifer Nickels, Zak Owens, Molly Lundy, Curtis Tate, Richard Shepherd, Jennifer Britton and Chris Kyle
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: WAVE 3 Kentucky Derby Day 142
Judge’s comments: Outstanding multi-camera production by WAVE 3. The program was rich with information about the Kentucky Derby using their entire broadcast crew. It gave me a real flavor for what Derby day really is for the spectators in attendance.
Spot News Reporting
3rd Place (tied)
Scott Reynolds, Bill Shory, Aaron Ellis, William Joy, Eric Flack, Curtis Tate, Greg Schapker and Zac Owens
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: The death of Muhammad Ali
Kayla Moody and Carter Schumacher
WHAS-TV
Entry title: Fentanyl-laced heroin suspected in rash of Southern Indiana overdoses
2nd Place
Kayla Moody and Carter Schumacher
WHAS-TV
Entry title: Violent Crime Spree Blamed On Escaped Orange Co. Inmate
1st Place
Eric Flack, Maira Ansari, Bill Shory, Kayla Vanover, Aaron Ellis, Zac Owens, Kevin Harned and Dawne Gee
WAVE 3 NEWS
Entry title: KDF Pegasus Parade Shooting
Judge’s comments: Great job getting the team together, using all your resources to tell the story from different angles and vantage points.