Division 3, Combined winners of SFJ 2025 Excellence-in-Features journalism awards
Contest graphics by Jim Haag
We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Society for Features Journalism’s Excellence-in-Features contest!
Our judges fielded nearly 1,000 entries this year, so winners: Your work truly stood out. A huge congratulations to everyone who won!
This was the first year of our new division descriptions to be more inclusive of newsroom sizes and web-only publications. It was wonderful to see new entrants who may have inspired to enter because of the change.
We also introduced some new categories, including social media portfolios and the entries did not disappoint.
The SFJ Board of Directors would like to thank the many judges who volunteered their time to help us celebrate the craft of storytelling.
Here are the winners in Division 3 and the Combined division, along with judges’ comments about what made this year’s entries so special. First-place winners (except in Sweepstakes Awards) will receive a $300 prize.
Click here for the Division 1 winners and Division 2 winners.
Once again, congratulations to all. We also send deep gratitude to everyone who entered the contest so that we may continue to host this celebration of excellent storytelling in journalism.
Read on to be inspired and amazed by your hardworking features colleagues!
DIVISION 3: Newspapers with 201 or more full-time editorial employees or magazines and web-only publications with a national focus.
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
These awards recognize the publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 21 categories. Points are awarded in this way: 20 for first, 15 for second, 10 for third and five for honorable mention.
First place: The Washington Post
Eighteen awards, including six firsts (Food Feature, Narrative Storytelling, Sports Feature, Feature Beat Writing Portfolio, Arts & Culture Criticism Portfolio and Utility Feature Portfolio), seven seconds (General Feature – 1,000 to 2,499 Words, First-Person Narrative Essay, Feature Writing Portfolio, Feature Beat Writing Portfolio, Food Writing Portfolio, Arts & Culture Criticism Portfolio and Podcast – Narrative), four thirds (General Feature – 2,500-Plus Words, Feature Series or Project, Utility Feature Portfolio and Narrative Video) and one honorable mention (Arts & Culture Criticism Portfolio)
Second place: Boston Globe
Five awards, including three firsts (General Feature – 2,500-Plus Words, General Commentary Portfolio and Podcast – Narrative), one second (Special Product – Digital or Print), and one honorable mention (Feature Writing Portfolio)
Third place: NJ.com
Six awards, including one first (Narrative Video), one second (Social Media Portfolio), two thirds (Sports Feature and Special Product – Digital or Print) and two honorable mentions (General Feature – 2,500-Plus Words and General Feature – 1,000 to 2,499 Words)
Fourth place: Los Angeles Times
Six awards, including one first (General Feature – 1,000 to 2,499 Words), three thirds (Arts & Entertainment Feature, First-Person Narrative Essayand Feature Beat Writing Portfolio) and two honorable mentions (General Feature – 1,000 to 2,499 Words and General Commentary Portfolio)
GENERAL FEATURE – 2,500-PLUS WORDS
Excellent longform feature storytelling on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
FIRST: Laura Crimaldi and Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe, “Sandra Birchmore Put Her Trust in the Police. They Broke It.”
Judge’s comments: A heartbreaking story that took two-plus years of dogged reporting and source-building. This deep dive into the murder of a 23-year-old woman is a sobering look at small-town police corruption. Its chapter-style approach keeps the narrative manageable – and moving.
SECOND: Jesse Barron, The New York Times Magazine, “How Four Posts on Instagram Destroyed Her Life”
Judge’s comments: “The police are looking for you.” So opens Jesse Barron’s tension-filled account of how a 21-year-old Israeli college student came to realize the life-changing ramifications of posting on Instagram. The sense of urgency is palpable and is amplified in the writing, the reporting and the relationships.
THIRD: Andrea Sachs, The Washington Post, “A Beloved Alley Cat Now Lives in the Watergate. Was She Kidnapped, Or Rescued?”
Judge’s comments: The saga of the maybe-kidnapped, maybe-rescued alley cat comes alive through Andrea Sachs’ layering of neighborhood sources with nuanced details. And the writing is stellar: “The cat worked the not-so-mean streets of Foggy Bottom, earning her keep by playing bad cop with the rats.” That is a lede that sets a tone.
Honorable mention: Kevin Shea, NJ.com, “Who Killed the Grand Dame of Princeton? Join Our Investigation.”
GENERAL FEATURE – 1,000-2,499 WORDS
Top-notch feature storytelling on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
FIRST: Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, “A 150-Million-Year Journey From the Jurassic to Exposition Park”
Judge’s comments: This story features bright, colorful writing and imagery, and it is creatively organized. And what an ending.
SECOND: Dan Zak, The Washington Post, “Is Anybody Having a Better Time at the Olympics Than These Two? Meet Tiffany and Kalyn From Canada. If There’s an Event or Party in Paris, They’re Going. Buckle Up, We’re Doing the Olympics at 1,000 Percent.”
Judge’s comments: This fun, clever story could easily have taken the top prize. It’s a great idea executed perfectly.
THIRD: Maggie Gordon, Houston Landing, “They Were Strangers Both Living Inside the Loop. Until a Knitting Project Wove Them Together.”
Judge’s comments: This genuinely charming and well-presented feature screams that we can all do something. It’s a pleasure to read.
Honorable mention: Adam Clark, NJ.com, “The Death of Handwriting? So Your Kid Has Terrible Handwriting. Does It Really Matter?”
Honorable mention: Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, “Can Chess Games and Toilet Paper Change Prison Culture? Inside San Quentin’s Big Experiment”
GENERAL FEATURE – 999 WORDS OR FEWER
Stellar short feature writing on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
First place: Olivia Deffes, 225 Magazine, “Piano Man: In One Baton Rouge Neighborhood, a Father Is Remembered for His Secret Santa SideGig”
Judge’s comments: This story flows like the music that brings so much joy and memories to so many people. It’s not a difficult piece to report – you could do it in a day – but the crafting is masterful, raising this story to a first-place win.
Second place: Scott Yunker, Kaua’i (Hawaii) Now, “Roland Cazimero’s Iconic Double-Necked Guitar Draws Fans Far and Near to Kaua’i Museum”
Judge’s comments: A nicely done story that features many details and a masterful weaving of different voices.
Third place: Joe Werkmeister, Newsday, “Mount Sinai Mom Stasia Scocca and Daughter Sadie, 10, Lean on Each Other As They Adapt and Thrive With Limb Challenges”
Judge’s comments: This is an extremely straightforward and well-told story. My pet peeve is when reporters get maudlin writing about other people’s challenges, but this piece strays away from that, letting the mother and daughter be who they are and capturing their capabilities and joys.
Honorable mention: Richard Chin, The (Minneapolis) Minnesota Star Tribune, “I Stayed at the Fanciest Hotel in Minnesota – With My Dog”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
FIRST: Todd Inoue, San Francisco Chronicle, “How a UC Berkeley Student Went From Making Cringey TikToks to Playing Festival Sets”
Judge’s comments: This story has all the elements of a perfect A&E feature: It’s descriptive, revealing and fun. The piece captures a student-turned-DJ’s viral moment on TikTok and turns it into an interesting read for anyone.
SECOND: Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, “Kristen Stewart Uncensored: ‘I Want to Do the Gayest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life’”
Judge’s comments: This is a top-notch interview with an A-list celebrity who doesn’t love to do interviews. The well-written story captures the essence of actress Kristen Stewart.
THIRD: Meg James, Los Angeles Times, “A Small New York Town Played Host to Hollywood. Then Something Terrible Happened”
Judge’s comments: This amazing feature tells the story not only of Hollywood but also of a New York town. The story highlights how something that appears glamorous, like shooting a TV show, greatly affected the small town – and not in a good way. It’s extremely informative, well researched and needs to be read by more people.
Honorable mention: Dan Rys, Billboard Magazine, “Inside James Brown’s House: Can It Become the Next Graceland?”
FOOD FEATURE
A story focusing on food, excluding reviews or commentary.
FIRST: Tim Carman, The Washington Post, “How a Grocery Store Fight Fractured a Maryland Town Along Racial Lines”
Judge’s comments: This incredible piece deftly weaves together issues of race, food insecurity, social media behavior and inequality while allowing all sides to fairly represent themselves.
SECOND: Emma Glassman-Hughes, Civil Eats, “On Cape Cod, the Wampanoag Assert Their Legal Right to Harvest the Waters”
Judge’s comments: This is evocative and compelling storytelling that combines history, law and policy issues while never forgetting the human effect.
THIRD: Hanna Raskin, The Food Section, “Fayetteville’s Invisible Spaghetti Web: World’s Largest Spaghetti Dinner’s Reach Is Long”
Judge’s comments: This is a model for how a deep dive into a single dish can reveal culture and history.
Honorable mention: Sharyn Jackson, The (Minneapolis) Minnesota Star Tribune, “Minnesotans Are Taking Their Beloved Recipes to the Grave: As Headstones Get More Personal, Family Members Are Honoring Their Loved Ones by Having Their Signature Dishes Engraved on Them.”
FOOD CRITICISM
A story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
FIRST: Joseph Lamour, Today.com, “Costco’s $100, 14-Pound Serrano Ham Leg Is Both a Blessing and a Burden”
Judge’s comments: This clever subject matter is told with humor and a nice narrative arc that progresses from love to hate.
SECOND: Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, “Atoma is Seattle’s Hottest Restaurant – and That’s a Problem”
Judge’s comments: This well-handled and deftly done review stands up to popular opinion.
THIRD: MacKenzie Chung Fegan, San Francisco Chronicle, “The Problem With San Francisco’s Oldest Restaurant”
Judge’s comments: It’s hard to go up against sacred cows, but this review shows why it’s important to do so. The piece advocates for the customer.
Honorable mention: Andi Berlin, Erica Marcus and Marie Elena Martinez, Newsday, “Long Island Dining Nightmares: Tales From Newsday Food Critics”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
FIRST: Dan Zak, The Washington Post, “The Hero: Rich Fierro Fought in America’s War on Terror. Then Terror Found Him at Home.”
Judge’s comments: “He drifted from the crowds to vape away his hangover, but strangers kept coming to him, wanting to touch him.” So begins Dan Zak’s portrayal of Rich Fiero, a combat veteran who struggled after coming home; his wife Jessica, a firebrand who became a pillar; and their family. Zak takes us through the couple’s early years, Rich’s four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, his difficult adjustment after his return, and his wife’s decisionto begin brewing beer. We also get glimpses of Anderson Lee Aldrich, a troubled man who will change the trajectory of the Fieros’ lives. The story climaxes with a horrific scene at Club Q, an LGBTQ bar in Colorado Springs where the Fieros are gathered for a friend’s birthday when Aldrich goes on a shooting rampage. Jessica and the couple’s daughter are shot, and the daughter’s boyfriend is killed. Zak succinctly describes the scene: “It was a war zone.” Rich subdues the shooter and is lauded for his actions. But he insists that he did nothing extraordinary and that Jessica and his family were the true warriors. It’s a tale of exquisite details and scene-building that makes you re-examine who “The Hero” in the headline truly is. Zak, one of our best narrative writers, has done it again.
SECOND: Sam Kestenbaum, Harper’s Magazine, “The Demon Slayers: The New Age of American Exorcisms”
Judge’s comments: Sam Kestenbaum masterfully takes us into the world of the Demon Slayers, a fervent group of exorcists who oust a myriad of modern-day ills from those afflicted. These Demon Slayers are ministering to the growing number of Americans who want – or, more accurately, demand – a spiritual awakening in this country. “Who would deny that this cursed land is in need of a deep cleanse with a power washer?” Kestenbaum writes. He centers the story around an all-day exorcism event outside of Nashville, and he tells the story from the inside. Kestenbaum is working for the Demon Slayers, and what he finds is a far cry from the pea soup-drenched scenes of “The Exorcist.” The event is thoroughly modern, with movie cameras and a mosh pit. Attendees who are moved by the spirit writhe in ecstasy and deliverance. The organizers plot their moves with storyboard precision. The piece is eye-opening, and the writing is razor-sharp, at times bitingly humorous but never condescending. One word: Hallelujah!
THIRD: Staff, Bloomberg Businessweek, “The Egg: A Story of Extraction, Exploitation and Opportunity”
Judge’s comments: This look at the business of selling human eggs is truly global. The story follows a teenager in India, a woman in Argentina, amother in Greece and two girls from Taiwan. The women do it for money – which varies greatly from place to place, and the detail-filled tale exposes theexploitation that takes place.
Honorable mention: Robert Fieseler, River Teeth, “Firebrand”
FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE ESSAY
An essay or first-person story that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
FIRST: Lynzy Billing, New Lines Magazine, “Retracing a Childhood in Jerusalem”
Judge’s comments: Lynzy Billing’s powerful reflection on her adolescent years in Jerusalem offers a poignant exploration of memory, identity and the lasting imprint of geopolitical conflict – an approach that played a significant role in earning her the top award.
SECOND: Michael Andor Brodeur, The Washington Post, “He-Man and Me”
Judge’s comments: Michael Andor Brodeur’s take on the He-Man phenomenon during his upbringing is nothing short of masterful. He flexes his storytelling muscles to breathe new life into the buffed-up icon, bridging generations with power and grace.
THIRD: Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, “Scammers Used AI To Tell the World I Was Dead. Why? I Had To Find Out”
Judge’s comments: Scam stories are always compelling. But learning you’ve “died” through an AI hoax? That’s next level. Deborah Vankin’s story isn’t just wild; it’s a wake-up call in a world where digital deception could come for any of us.
Honorable mention: Beth Harpaz, Business Insider, “My Father Was Old Enough To Be My Grandfather, but His Age Is What Made Him a Great Dad”
INCLUSION & REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES
Revelatory storytelling on any lifestyle or culture topic that centers on historically marginalized or under-covered communities.
FIRST: Elly Fishman, Rolling Stone, “They Came Here for a New Life. Now They’re Trapped in O’Hare”
Judge’s comments: This story is a master class in immersive journalism, capturing with extraordinary precision an immigrant family’s extraordinary journey. Through immigrant Angi’s eyes, writer Elly presents vivid details that make readers feel the weight of displacement alongside moments of dignity and hope. This urgent, compassionate reporting reminds us how storytelling helps us see the people society too often renders invisible.
SECOND: Staff, KFF Health News, “Systemic Sickness”
Judge’s comments: The journalists behind this series craft a devastating examination of structural inequities while maintaining crisp, accessible prose that pulls readers through complex material without losing momentum.
THIRD: Reia Li, The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic, “Food and Dining Coverage”
Judge’s comments: Reia Li’s reporting weaves vibrant narratives that illuminate Phoenix’s Asian-American experience with remarkable sensitivity and journalistic insight. From a 90-year-old noodle maker to recent workers coming from Taiwan to toil in a new semiconductor factory, Litrans forms micro-stories into powerful cultural documentation that honors both historical resilience and contemporary community- building.
Honorable mention: Celeste Hamilton Dennis and Florence Middleton, KQED, “The Enduring Reign of El Daña, Drag King of the Central Valley”
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
FIRST: Sally Jenkins, The Washington Post, “Riding the Baddest Bulls Made Him a Legend. Then One Broke His Neck.”
Judge’s comments: A pleasurable 50-minute read, with not a single lazy sentence. The similes and turns of phrase make for rewarding reading, and the thorough reporting ensures immersion in the subject. Plus, the lede quote is tough to beat.
SECOND: Jason Wolf, The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic, “ ‘Kind of Like Uber’: Arizona Christian University Football Players Caught in Migrant Smuggling Scheme”
Judge’s comments: An unusual angle on one of the nation’s most wrenching issues. Tremendous reporting reflects much diligent work, and this well-constructed story opens with an excellent lede.
THIRD: Steve Politi, NJ.com, “A Transgender Swimmer Broke Records. Then Came the Firestorm.”
Judge’s comments: This nicely structured piece is balanced but has a point of view. The tone is perfect, and the writer deserves bonus points for timeliness.
Honorable mention: David Gambacorta, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “The Final Penalty: Eagles 1980 Super Bowl Icons, Damaged by the Game They Loved, Struggle To Get Compensated Through the NFL’s Controversial Concussion Deal.”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
FIRST: Bram Sable-Smith and Peggy Lowe, KFF Health News and KCUR, “The Injured”
Judge’s comments: Too often, news coverage about a mass shooting focuses on those who died in the attack with only a passing reference to the number of injured. This seven-part series tells in detail what many of the 24 people injured in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade went through after the newstrucks pulled away. The stories are told mainly through the voices of the victims, with sharp writing and close-up photos that bring the tales to life. The victims describe how their lives have been rocked physically, emotionally and financially by the shooting. Writers Bram Sable-Smith and Peggy Lowe reported the story for nine months, offering each installment on their websites and as audio on an NPR station. The reporters invited readers and listeners to share their stories and included a link to sign up for a newsletter from the Trace, a news site that focuses on gun violence. Overall, this is a polished and impactful series that documents the travails of gunshot survivors who often are forgotten in the melee.
SECOND: Staff, Bloomberg Businessweek, “The Nurse Will See You Now”
Judge’s comments: This is a polished, well-written and deeply reported series on problems with the training model for Nurse Practitioners, or NPs. This issue affects anyone who spends time in an American hospital or has family who does. Across the four stories and a related podcast, the reporters show us in detail how NP clinical training is inadequate in hospitals and MedSpas, telling relatable stories of substandard care or care that resulted in the death of patients. The reporting reveals that the NPs are not to blame. Instead, it’s a system that fast-tracks them and sends them into hospital settings unprepared, largely because of the financial goals of the hospitals that employ them. The series reveals a shocking lack of training many NPs receive, only a fraction of what a medical doctor receives. The series includes beautiful illustrations, context- providing infographics and a detailed methodology at the bottom of each story.
THIRD: John Williams, Nora Krug and Sophia Nguyen, The Washington Post, “Book Tour”
Judge’s comments: Gorgeous photos and interactive scrolling transport readers into the home libraries of some famous authors, including Jennifer Egan, Karl Ove Knausgård, Jason Reynolds and Amor Towles. In each case, reporters John Williams, Nora Krug and Sophia Nguyen use a private book collection as an occasion to get to know more about the authors, where they get their inspiration and the often-quirky ways they store and display their books. Plus, it’s fun to see the writers’ houses, cats and art as though we’ve been invited in for coffee.
FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer from any combination of feature beats.
FIRST: Brendan Kiley, The Seattle Times
Judge’s comments: Brendan Kiley’s portfolio whisked me into worlds that I might not have visited otherwise, then made me throw a fit about leaving them at the end. From a “human composting” funeral home to Seattle’s gayborhood, Kiley turns sharp observations into writing that made me giggle, tear up and think new thoughts. The imagery is potent: chairs arranged next to the decomposing body of a loved one, a graduation walk decorated with razor wire and a door that’s “like an IKEA cupboard for giants.” Crucially, Kiley’s writing does not sacrifice informative details at the altar of personality – though these stories have plenty of that, too.
SECOND: Helena Andrews-Dyer, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: Helena Andrews-Dyer writes playfully and knowingly. Bits of her voice stud each story like little rhinestones; you get the sense that no one else could have written these features. The Cynthia Erivo piece smartly uses personal style as a window into the star’s personality – and I love the phrase “vocal defibrillator.” I also appreciated the variety in this portfolio: a profile tied to a big film release, a cultural trend analysis and a reflection on the legacy of an icon. In short: When I look for fun things to read about pop culture, these pieces are what I hope to find.
THIRD: Kristin Robinson, Billboard Magazine
Judge’s comments: Any music fan should slurp up Kristin Robinson’s work with a straw. While steeped in industry interest, these profiles stillcapture the living, breathing parts of the people responsible for our greatest hits. Robinson’s portfolio is – shall I say it? – very brat.
Honorable mention: Patricia Wen, Boston Globe
FEATURE BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one feature topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
FIRST: Natalie B. Compton, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: These surprising travel features make you forget that you’re reading travel writing. Natalie B. Compton has a gift for uncovering unexpected stories in the most everyday travel moments, turning the familiar into something fresh and memorable. Her reporting is guided by an uncanny sense of what readers care about, delivering accountability, humor and practical advice exactly when it is needed.
SECOND: Geoff Edgers, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: These profiles of music legends – and their kids – stand out because of the writer’s thorough research, deep subject knowledge and ability to find connections to broader cultural currents shaping the arts world. The accessible and insightful work reflects a dedication to elevating arts coverage within the national conversation.
THIRD: Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times
Judge’s comments: This package exemplifies what features journalism does best: It transcends the news cycle to reveal deeper truths about people and systems. These features remind us of the power of storytelling to connect, humanize and elevate voices too often left out of the conversation.
Honorable mention: Jon Bream, The (Minneapolis) Minnesota Star Tribune
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
FIRST: Elena Kadvany, San Francisco Chronicle
Judge’s comments: This portfolio speaks with the fluency of a writer born to report the complexities of a labor lawsuit against a local barbecue empire builder, the extremely personal struggles of a bakery owner watching their working life flash before their eyes in the blink of an MS diagnosis and the choose-your-own-adventure of the truly interactive story of securing a table at the House of Prime Rib. Will I bribe my way into a reservation, or will I follow the frustrating timeline of the rule follower? This writer has the answer, no matter the question.
SECOND: Emily Heil, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: Boston Market’s elegiac slide into the fast-casual twilight. The grip-and-grin chaos of political cosplay at restaurants during the campaign. Vegan cheese having its doomed David-and-Goliath moment against Big Cheese. Three different stories; one writer who rules them all. Emily Heil is a tireless reporter of facts and a soulful diarist of the truth who can make the reader feel something personal about something as impersonal as Boston Market: “This is what the end of an era looks like.”
THIRD: Hanna Raskin, The Food Section
Judge’s comments: For anyone who covers the food of one city, one county or one culture, it’s time to hold Hanna Raskin’s beer. Because Raskin’s beat isn’t just one place; it’s an entire direction: South. In that capacity, these three stories cover topics from all over that compass point. A kosher kitchen at a furniture expo held in a North Carolina city “with a population so small that it could hold a community meeting at the Cotton Bowl, but convention capacity to rival Las Vegas.” A self-guided investigation on the scale of an FDA probe into the underbelly of the squab industry, an industry for which the nation’s largest producer is based in South Carolina. And an almost hallucinatory Southern Gothic guide to the food of South Carolina in all its deep-fried, foam-plated honesty. Each story could be the chapter of a book. But for Raskin, these stories are just another day in the bootstrap newsletter called The Food Section.
Honorable mention: MacKenzie Chung Fegan, San Francisco Chronicle
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
Three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
FIRST: Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe
Judge’s comments: This portfolio features three examples of compelling, powerful and concise writing that center the human beings in the narratives while connecting the dots to the larger communities and issues at hand. Yvonne Abraham’s work is a master class in compassion and activism.
SECOND: Laura Yuen, The (Minneapolis) Minnesota Star Tribune
Judge’s comments: This package demonstrates amazing variety from one writer. In the entries, we get to know a beloved sportscaster who is finding love again, a family threatened by a paternity battle that could change their lives forever, and a parent and wordsmith who are grappling with generational communication and modern slang.
THIRD: Jay Michaelson, The Forward
Judge’s comments: How do you write about issues that divide many people? And issues that don’t have a clear conclusion? Jay Michaelson, a rabbi who also is an accomplished writer, shows us the way with empathy and care.
Honorable mention: Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO
Three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
FIRST: Chris Richards, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: Chris Richards shows that he knows how to write about celebrities, particularly musicians, in these three amazing examples of his work. He perfectly captures what it feels like to attend an Olivia Rodrigo concert, highlights the masterful legacy of Quincy Jones and sheds a spotlighton the troubles of Kanye West.
SECOND: Philip Kennicott, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: These stories focus on the extreme power of an image and the stories behind each, whether political or moral.
THIRD: Gemma Wilson, The Seattle Times
Judge’s comments: Gemma Wilson’s writing about the Seattle theater scene is funny, strong and worth your time.
Honorable mention: Sebastian Smee, The Washington Post
UTILITY FEATURE PORTFOLIO
Three stories that focus on readers’ everyday lives – such as health, retail prices and product availability – presented in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented way.
FIRST: Andrea Sachs and Natalie B. Compton, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: These “By the Way” pieces are well done, covering a variety of topics from the top destinations of the year to what you can get in Las Vegas with little hotel money to spend.
SECOND: Caroline Kee, Today.com
Judge’s comments: This package covers an interesting variety of consumer topics.
THIRD: Richard Sima, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: These “Brain Matters” columns are the kind of pieces that you want to forward to friends and families. They’re well written and contain useful information, without going on for too long.
Honorable mention: Tiffany Acosta, The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic
SPECIAL PRODUCT – DIGITAL OR PRINT
The best example of anything outside of regular coverage. Could be a one-time publication or published more often, but not a recurring weekly product.
FIRST: “Feed Me Magazine, Fall Issue,” Staff, Newsday
Judge’s comments: This magazine features great information, images and design. Kudos to David Rosenberg and Dorothy Guadagno-Levin, the masterminds behind much of the work. My favorites are the Doughnuts map and the Doughnuts glossary from A to Z.
SECOND: “Best of the Best,” Staff, Boston Globe
Judge’s comments: Knowing how much work goes into coordinating a list like this, I wish there was a way to market this information to tourists.After reading the list, I know that I would gladly go on a caffeine crawl to hit all the listed coffee shops.
THIRD: “Are You Going to the Wrong Jersey Shore Town? Take This Quiz To Find Your Perfect Match,” Adam Clark and KatieKausch, NJ.com
Judge’s comments: A stellar piece of work, and I like that there’s an interactive feature within the print product.
Honorable mention: “Seattle Pride at 50: The People Who Have Shaped Washington and Beyond,” Staff, The Seattle Times
COMBINED DIVISIONS
PODCAST – NARRATIVE
An episodic audio story on any lifestyle or cultural topic using narrative techniques that include, but are not limited to, character development, narrative arc and a sense of place.
FIRST: “The Harvard Plan,” Staff, Boston Globe, and On The Media
Judge’s comments: This story cuts past the programmatic prestige and idol worship of one of our great educational institutions to remind us that glory is sometimes built on the shame of poor decisions. The tone and mood are spot on, while the reporting feels fresh, even as it recounts history. And the entire series feels supremely objective – a quality we shouldn’t be surprised about, but too often are. Of course, there’s a zeitgeist that this series taps into, but listening to it months later, it’s easy to understand how it also presaged some current issues, which could become the series’ future. Cliché to say, but if more people listened to this, they’d understand our current world much better.
SECOND: “America’s Toxic Tap Water Problem,” Silvia Foster-Frau, Emma Talkoff and Monica Campbell, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: This is an investigative topic that’s been well tread since the Flint, Mich., revelation. But the podcast feels fresh and essential with reporting from locales that often are overlooked and never considered. Beyond that, the framing of the story brings in a human element that mines compassion, empathy and engagement, as well as the all-too-common lesson that the things that poison us aren’t always from federal mismanagement, butlocal decisions made years ago by hasty or underinformed people in our own backyard. As with other entries in this category, the message and lesson of this series rings true months after it was published. Maybe louder.
THIRD: “Bad Watchdog,” Maren Machles, Padmini Raghunath and Nick Schwellenbach, Project On Government Oversight
Judge’s comments: Good watchdog reporting like this never goes out of style. That it’s continually needed is a different type of statement, but the series feels essential given the current news about immigration and deportation. The only bad thing about this podcast: You want a sequel with the same dogged reporting and diligence about our world right now, well, right now.
Honorable mention: “Silence in Sikeston,” Cara Anthony, Zach Dyer and Taylor Cook, KFF Health News, Retro Report and WORLD
NARRATIVE VIDEO
A single video no longer than 5 minutes on any lifestyle or cultural topic that embodies the narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use ofdialogue, sense of place and narrative arc.
FIRST: Lauren Raposa and Nyah Marshall, NJ.com, “N.J.’s Black Roller Skating Scene Is Thriving”
Judge’s comments: This video feels like a mini-documentary about the history and life of New Jersey’s Black skating culture. Great use of B-roll footage, quick cuts and music. The piece is edited with much energy, which matches the topic itself, and makes good use of different voices. And it made me want to skate!
SECOND: Vickie Connor, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian, “Portland Tattoo Artists Recreate Areolas and Help People Feel Comfortable After Cancer Surgery”
Judge’s comments: This is a lovely and intimate story, like the procedure itself. Viewers get a sense of the emotions and meaning of the work for both the cancer survivor and the tattoo artist. The music choice is fitting.
THIRD: Hadley Green, The Washington Post, “Construction Workers Memorialized Near Collapsed Key Bridge”
Judge’s comments: Though this story is told through only one person’s narration, the sense of communal loss and mourning is felt throughout. There’s a good choice of background music, and I like the decision to keep the story in Spanish with subtitles.
Honorable mention: Patricia Nabong, Stefano Esposito and Zubaer Khan, Chicago Sun-Times, “More Than Puppy Love: TikTok Famous Dog and Postman Make Unlikely Pair in Chicago Suburbs”
SOCIAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO
Great storytelling published on news organizations’ social media platforms – such as TikTok, X, Instagram and YouTube – using elements such as video,audio, graphics and photography.
FIRST: “The Baltimore Banner Instagram,” Staff, The Baltimore Banner
Judge’s comments: These videos are fun and creative. I love how the narrator even dressed for the part in the story about the old love letters. The graffiti piece is a wonderful example of becoming part of the locally viral conversation – as the 25K likes proves. And the crankie story provides enough footage and context that I could appreciate the post itself, but also there’s enough curiosity left for me to want to read what happened to the cats.
SECOND: “NJ.com’s Instagram and TikTok,” Staff, NJ.com
Judge’s comments: These videos are great examples of blending investigative reporting with entertaining elements and voices to teach a lot in a short time. I appreciate the framing of each story and getting to know the creators behind the stories.
THIRD: “Chicago Sun-Times’ YouTube Channel, X and Instagram,” Staff, Chicago Sun-Times
Judge’s comments: This entry features a great variety of ideas and platforms. The X thread about the 48-hour Amtrak ride feels the most engaging because it seems as though you are watching a live reality show. Stats show it has 20K likes and over 3M views – impressive! The video entries are excellent ways to showcase the life of a competitive hobby-horse rider and the viral relationship between a dog and a mail carrier.
Honorable mention: “The Oregonian’s YouTube Channel, TikTok and Instagram,” Samantha Swindler, Teresa Mahoney and Vickie Connor, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian
Honorable mention: “Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Instagram and TikTok,” Kristin Brey and Bill Schulz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
