2020 EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM CONTEST
WINNERS AND FINALISTS
The Greater Cincinnati Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the winners and finalists in the 2020 Excellence In Journalism Contest. We thank the members of the Keystone SPJ Chapter in Pennsylvania for their work in judging the entries.
ALL MEDIA
GERALD WHITE MEMORIAL AWARD
WINNER: “Sex Trafficking In Portsmouth”
ENTRANTS: Liz Dufour, Bob Strickley, Kate Murphy and James Pilcher
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: The story of two well-connected sex-trafficking rings in tiny Portsmouth needed to be told. But, doing so required winning the trust of the women who were trafficked, as well as a thorough understanding of the law to tell the tale, despite the fact that most of the suspects had never been indicted. The investigation by Liz Dufour, Bob Strickley, Kate Murphy and James Pilcher finally sparked authorities to take action against men who had gotten away with exploiting women for years. Kudos to the Enquirer for taking a stand for justice.
CAMILLA WARRICK AWARD
WINNER: “Amelia Robinson Entry”
ENTRANT: Amelia Robinson
MEDIA OUTLET: Dayton Daily News
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Amelia Robinson was everywhere – at the scene of the biggest stories in her coverage area, then all over the newspaper, television, podcasts and internet. She brought first-hand accounts of the news when people were most hungry for it, but more than that, she later helped them comes to terms with a hellish year. This was journalism at its finest.
FINALIST: “The Long Hard Road”
ENTRANT: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: The Enquirer invested months of reporters’ time to tell the all-too-human stories of those trapped in poverty with moving interviews, but also gave the hard facts and statistics behind those stories with clear, snappy graphics. The interviews embedded in the stories were icing on the cake. Panel discussions and town meetings spearheaded by the Enquirer helped readers take the first steps toward turning their new knowledge to action.
This series empowered readers to make their world better. This shows why freedom of the press is important.
FINALIST: “Hope After Hate”
ENTRANTS: Hagit Limor, Michael Benedic and Lindsay Raleigh
MEDIA OUTLET: WCPO-TV
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Hagit Limor’s moving story tracing her father’s path through the concentration camps brings the horror of the Holocaust to a new generation in danger of forgetting. Kudos also for her work with students further document the unspeakable tragedy and the events that led up to it.
FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD
WINNER: “Making Officials’ Text Messages Public Record In Ohio”
ENTRANT: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: The Cincinnati Enquirer did all of Ohio a service when it filed a lawsuit that resulted in a court ruling that messages about official business sent by text are public records. Before this ruling, public officials had a giant loophole allowing them to get around both open records and public meetings laws. Most citizens don't have the resources to pursue such litigation. For that matter, few newspapers will do so these days. The Enquirer's decision to take up the banner of the citizens' right to know what government is doing in their name was done in the finest tradition of our industry, and beautifully shows why a free press is so important. The fact that the decision came during Sunshine Week makes this example of justice downright poetic.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
BEST NEWS STORY
WINNER: “Construction Site Collapse Coverage”
ENTRANT: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer - cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Outstanding coverage of tragedy on the worksite. Done with respect as well as professionalism.
FINALIST: “Neil Armstrong Death Settlement”
ENTRANT: Anne Saker
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Excellent backstory on Armstrong, material most of us were unaware of. Nicely done.
FINALIST: “Coverage of Timothy Pitzen”
ENTRANT: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Two very well-done stories. The imposter story is very strange, but well done.
BEST FEATURE STORY
WINNER: “Ten Years After Fort Hood: The Forgotten Soldier and the Father Who Is Still Fighting His War”
ENTRANT: Keith BieryGolick
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: With detailed descriptions of a seemingly nondescript topic, this piece is everything a feature should be. Solid information about how the library staff is working to be more accessible to the community balances fascinating depictions of the library and its contents.
FINALIST: “Whitney Austin Wants To End Gun Violence”
ENTRANT: Katie Coburn
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
FINALIST: “Archdeacon Feature”
ENTRANT: Tom Archdeacon
MEDIA OUTLET: Dayton Daily News
BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
WINNER: “Sex Trafficking In Portsmouth”
ENTRANTS: Liz Dufour, Bob Strickley, Kate Murphy and James Pilcher
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Amazing investigation. Obviously took much time, much careful reporting. Very well done.
BEST CONTINUING COVERAGE OR SERIES
WINNER: “The Long Hard Road”
ENTRANT: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Incredible project. Beautifully written and told. Gripping writing and the concept of using the highway to tell the story of continued economic despair was brilliant.
FINALIST: “Heroin Addiction Coverage By Terry DeMio”
ENTRANT: Terry DeMio
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: This is not an honorable mention. This story was equally as beautifully told and comprehensive as the first-place winner. They BOTH deserve first place. The only edge the other had was the project concept was unique.
FINALIST: “Three Articles About the Sentencing and Incarceration of Judge Tracie Hunter in Cincinnati”
ENTRANT: Dan Yount
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Herald
JUDGE’S COMMENT: This series of stories was picked mainly because it had such rich detail from the subject after scoring an interview with the convicted judge.
BEST BUSINESS REPORTING
WINNER: “Dream Home Nightmares”
ENTRANTS: Liz Dufour, James Pilcher, Matthew Prensky and Sarah Taddeo
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: A story revealing problems at a national home builder, that is well-told through the suffering of a local family. Great job.
FINALIST: “What Would Cincinnati Be Without P&G?”
ENTRANTS: David Holthaus
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: You made boardroom politics interesting to your average reader.
BEST BUSINESS FEATURE, ANALYSIS OR COLUMN
WINNER: “The Rise and Fall of EBTH”
ENTRANT: Alexander Coolidge
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: The reporting put into this story made for an engrossing tale of business failure and redemption.
FINALIST: “Is This Company Cris Collinsworth’s Best Catch Ever?”
ENTRANT: Steve Watkins
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Business Courier
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Great explanation of what Pro Football Focus does that even a non-football fan could understand.
FINALIST: “States Make Big Play On Betting”
ENTRANT: Steve Watkins
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Business Courier.
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Interesting overview of trends in sports betting.
BEST GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY ISSUES REPORTING
WINNER: “How Much Are You Overpaying In Property Tax?”
ENTRANTS: Lucia Walinchus, Lukas Udstuen, Samantha Raudins and Chen Chang
MEDIA OUTLET: EyeOnOhio.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: An important topic and a great investigative piece. A fine example of how the media can affect change.
FINALIST: “Landslides Are Bad In Cincinnati. They’re Likely To Get Worse”
ENTRANTS: Hannah Sparling and Terry DeMio
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Wow! I never knew about the landslide problems and it is sad insurance doesn’t protect homeowners.
FINALIST: “Building Community: Black Leaders Are Looking To Bring Change In New Ways To Cincinnati”
ENTRANT: Liz Engel
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincy Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Really enjoyed reading all of these submissions. Great leads and interesting writing style.
BEST EDUCATION REPORTING
WINNER: “Max Londberg Stories ”
ENTRANTS: Max Londberg
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
FINALIST: “Northern Kentucky Schools Scored In New State System”
ENTRANTS: Michael Monks and Patricia Scheyer
MEDIA OUTLET: The River City News
BEST HEALTH/MEDICAL REPORTING
WINNER: “A Surgeon’s Victims Wait For Justice”
ENTRANT: Jim DeBrosse
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
FINALIST: “Portfolio of Anne Saker”
ENTRANT: Anne Saker
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
FINALIST: “How Kids’ Personalities Affect Behavior”
ENTRANT: Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
MEDIA OUTLET: Northeast Ohio Parent
BEST ENVIRONMENTAL/SCIENCE REPORTING
WINNER: “Ohio River Stories Series”
ENTRANTS: Bonnie Jean Feldkamp, Lucia Walinchus (and others)
MEDIA OUTLET: EyeOnOhio.com – OhioWatershed.org
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Excellent series on history, environmental issues. Well-researched and well-written.
FINALIST: “Campbell County Family Lives In Solar-Powered House They Built Themselves”
ENTRANT: Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
MEDIA OUTLET: River City News
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Great enterprise piece on people working to make the environment better.
FINALIST: “What Lies Beneath The Fernald Preserve”
ENTRANT: Jenny Wohlfarth
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Excellent writing. Shows writer’s passion for the issue.
BEST ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING
WINNER: “Portfolio of Polly Campbell”
ENTRANT: Polly Campbell
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: After reading Polly Campbell’s selection of entries, I could only think of one thing – where are the Tums? Campbell’s description of her food adventures are entertaining and while normally food and drink are not categories I would see the same way as arts and entertainment, Campbell proves me wrong.
FINALIST: “What Woodstock Was Really Like”
ENTRANT: John Stowell
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
FINALIST: “How One Kentucky Town Almost Became Vegas”
ENTRANT: Chez Chesak
MEDIA OUTLET: Los Angeles Times
BEST EDITORIAL
WINNER: “Body of Work: Bonnie Jean Feldkamp”
ENTRANT: Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Thoughtful presentation of opinion.
FINALIST: “Reflections On Leadership”
ENTRANT: Dan Hurley
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincy Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Nicely done.
BEST SPORTS REPORTING
WINNER: “Portfolio of Bobby Nightengale”
ENTRANTS: Bobby Nightengale
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: This entry provided the most comprehensive coverage of the Reds to the readers and also offered a variety of topics to keep fans in the know about the team.
FINALIST: “Archdeacon Sports Reporting”
ENTRANT: Tom Archdeacon
MEDIA OUTLET: Dayton Daily News
JUDGE’S COMMENT: I really enjoyed this well-written story about the former 49ers player. A fascinating story that grew out of a tragedy, this young man came back to bring hope to a wounded community he called home.
BEST SPORTS FEATURE
WINNER: “Cincinnati High School Football Coaches: It Gets To Your Soul, The Things You See”
ENTRANT: Melanie Loughman
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Such an important sports feature at a local, regional and national level. It was moving, sad, yet compassionately written.
FINALIST: “Can Cincinnati Become A Hockey Town? Cyclones Head Coach Matt Thomas Is Looking To Do Just That By Creating A Winning Team”
ENTRANT: David Lyman
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincy Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: I hope hockey takes off in Cincinnati. This coach and his players have the passion to show the city a team that has fire in their souls. Move over Reds!
FINALIST: “Archdeacon Sports Feature”
ENTRANT: Tom Archdeacon
MEDIA OUTLET: Dayton Daily News
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Very well written. A great sports feature.
BEST MAGAZINE REPORTING
WINNER: “How A Local Family Found Itself At The Center of the National Covington Catholic Controversy”
ENTRANT: Lisa Murtha
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Amazing, yet sad story for the young man and his family. It reflects how people are in this world and how taking the high road is difficult, but the correct thing to do.
FINALIST: “Light In The Darkness”
ENTRANT: Lisa Murtha
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Such a moving story. I was in tears.
FINALIST: “High Times At the Cupboard”
ENTRANT: Laurie Pike
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Magazine
JUDGE’S COMMENT: This one made me reminisce of my days as a hippie. How narrow-minded people were then and unfortunately, they are even now. Good for the owners for sticking it out.
BEST NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE/WEB SITE DESIGN
WINNER: “Cincinnati Business Courier Website”
ENTRANT: Cincinnati Business Courier Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Business Courier
FINALIST: “Designs By Jason Bredhoeft
ENTRANT: Jason Bredhoeft
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
FINALIST: “EyeOnOhio.com”
ENTRANTS: Ben Keith, Adam Schweiger and Lucia Walinchus
MEDIA OUTLET: EyeOnOhio.com
BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
WINNER: “Tornadoes Across Western Ohio”
ENTRANT: The Cincinnati Enquirer Photo Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
BEST SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
WINNER: “Brawl At Reds-Pirates Game”
ENTRANT: Sam Greene
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
BEST NEWS STORY
WINNER: “Exclusive: Ned Peppers Manager Recounts Dayton Shooting”
ENTRANTS: Evan Millward and Michael Benedic
MEDIA OUTLET: WCPO-TV/wcpo.com
BEST FEATURE STORY
WINNER: “The Truth About Tourette’s”
ENTRANTS: John Bedell and Michael Burianek
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
FINALIST: “Hope After Hate”
ENTRANTS: Hagit Limor, Michael Benedic and Lindsay Raleigh
MEDIA OUTLET: WCPO-TV/wcpo.com
BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
WINNER: “Parents of PE Teacher’s Misconduct Victims Share Fears/Frustrations”
ENTRANTS: Molly Koweek Matthew Simon and Michael Burianek
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
FINALIST: “Failure To Protect Avery”
ENTRANTS: Duane Pohlman and Eric Frisbee
MEDIA OUTLET: WKRC-TV/wkrc.com
FINALIST: “The Veterans’ ER Loophole”
ENTRANTS: Matthew Simon and Michael Burianek
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
BEST BUSINESS/CONSUMER REPORTING
WINNER: “Local Indoor Robotics Farm Expands and Sells Its Technology Worldwide”
ENTRANT: Ann Thompson
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Public Radio – 91.7WVXU/wvxu.org
JUDGE’S COMMENT: What a brilliant idea and use of technology. With all of the issues produced in the past this idea has the least amount of human contact and grows an abundance of produce in a safe environment.
FINALIST: “GE Signs Five-Year Agreement With DOE To Improve 3D Printing”
ENTRANT: Ann Thompson
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Public Radio – 91.7WVXU/wvxu.org
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Important reporting on an important topic
FINALIST: “Strangers Next Door”
ENTRANTS: Walter Smith-Randolph and Eric Frisbee
MEDIA OUTLET: WKRC-TV/wkrc.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: This was definitely an important topic and it was a tough choice between this and the bad gas story.
BEST GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY ISSUES REPORTING
WINNER: “It’s A Very Scary Thing For Me: Stand Your Ground Worries Some Black Gun Owners”
ENTRANT: Ambriehl Crutchfield
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Public Radio – 91.7WVXU/wvxu.org
JUDGE’S COMMENT: More community courses like this should be presented. These women care about their lives, the lives of their children and the lives of the community. Such a great story of empowerment and safety.
FINALIST: “Hidden Past”
ENTRANTS: Duane Pohlman and Eric Frisbee
MEDIA OUTLET: WKRC-TV/wkrc.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Duane Pohlman does exactly what every journalist should do and that is investigate. Too many issues slip through the cracks when others do not look into the people they deal with.
FINALIST: “Keep Fighting To Close This Horrible Loophole”
ENTRANTS: Evan Millward, Lot Tan and Paul Weeden
MEDIA OUTLET: WCPO-TV/wcpo.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Keep fighting to close this horrible loophole.
BEST EDUCATION REPORTING
WINNER: “Can There Be Racial Equality In Our History Lessons? One Class Is Trying”
ENTRANT: Ambriehl Crutchfield
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Public Radio – 91.7WVXU/wvxu.org
JUDGE’S COMMENT: I have always complained that education was too white and too male. America is a melting pot with a lot of history contributing to its formation. This was an excellent piece of journalism highlighting the gaps in education and especially with minorities, ethnicity and gender.
BEST HEALTH/MEDICAL REPORTING
WINNER: “Miami University Discovers New Way To Make Psychedelic Drugs”
ENTRANT: Ann Thompson
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Public Radio – 91.7WVXU/wvxu.org
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Very interesting topic. Well-produced and content is expressed succinctly. It is an important story that should be followed.
BEST VIDEOGRAPHY
WINNER: “Mike Burianek Composite”
ENTRANT: Mike Burianek
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
FINALIST: “Chuck Hamlin Composite”
ENTRANT: Chuck Hamlin
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
BEST DOCUMENTARY
WINNER: “The Memorial Day Tornadoes: A Community Rises”
ENTRANTS: Matthew Simon, Michael Burianek and Emily Gay
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
BEST SPECIAL REPORT OR PROGRAM
WINNER: “Hope After Hate”
ENTRANTS: Hagit Limor, Michael Benedic and Lindsey Raleigh
MEDIA OUTLET: WCPO-TV/wcpo.com
FINALIST: “Walking The Path of the Storm”
ENTRANT: McCall Vrydaghs, Matthew Simon and Michael Burianek
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
BEST PODCAST
WINNER: “Amelia Robinson ‘What Had Happened Was’ Podcast”
ENTRANT: Amelia Robinson
MEDIA OUTLET: Dayton Daily News
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Outstanding podcast. Amelia Robinson takes her brilliance in journalism and brings human elements to listeners.
FINALIST: “Accused Season 3”
ENTRANTS: Amanda Rossmann and Amber Hunt
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Also an excellent production and a close second to the first place choice.
FINALIST: “Cloudy With A Chance of Podcast”
ENTRANT: McCall Vrydaghs and Kirstie Zontini
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
BEST OF SHOW
BEST OF SHOW – BEST OVERALLWRITTEN REPORTER
WINNER: “Tom Archdeacon Articles”
ENTRANT: Tom Archdeacon
MEDIA OUTLET: Dayton Daily News
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Outstanding work to put people’s stories in front of us.
FINALIST: “Mark Curnutte – Portfolio of Work”
ENTRANT: Mark Curnutte
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Portraits in courage – nicely done.
FINALIST: “Dan Sewell – AP Best Overall”
ENTRANT: Dan Sewell
MEDIA OUTLET: Associated Press
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Excellent Writing On A Variety of Topics
BEST OF SHOW – BEST OVERALL BROADCAST REPORTER
WINNER: “Best Reporter – Kristen Swilley”
ENTRANTS: Kristen Swilley
MEDIA OUTLET: WCPO-TV/wcpo.com
FINALIST: “Jatara McGee – Best of Show”
ENTRANT: Jatara McGee
MEDIA OUTLET: WLWT-TV/wlwt.com
FINALIST: “Sean Cudahy: WHIO-TV”
ENTRANT: Sean Cuhady
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
BEST OF SHOW -- BEST NEWSPAPER
WINNER: “The Cincinnati Enquirer”
ENTRANT: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com
FINALIST: “Cincinnati Business Courier”
ENTRANT: Cincinnati Business Courier Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Business Courier
BEST OF SHOW -- BEST MAGAZINE
WINNER: “Cincy Magazine”
ENTRANT: Cincy Magazine Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincy Magazine
BEST OF SHOW -- BEST WEB SITE
WINNER: “Cincinnati Public Radio – 91.7WVXU/wvxu.org”
ENTRANT: WVXU News Team
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Public Radio – 91.76WVXU/wvxu.org
FINALIST: “Cincinnati Business Courier Web Site”
ENTRANT: Cincinnati Business Courier Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Business Courier
BEST OF SHOW -- BEST TELEVISION NEWSCAST
WINNER: “NewsCenter 7 At 11:00: The Memorial Day Tornadoes”
ENTRANT: WHIO-TV Staff
MEDIA OUTLET: WHIO-TV/whio.com
BEST OF SHOW – BEST RADIO NEWSCAST
WINNER: “WVXU Newscast: October 11, 2019”
ENTRANT: WVXU News Team
MEDIA OUTLET: Cincinnati Public Radio - 91.7WVXU/wvxu.org
JUDGE’S COMMENT: Solid reporting and to the point with information important to the listeners.
