Best News Story
3rd Place: Roger Alford, The Associated Press
Dangerous Dam
2nd Place: Jeffrey McMurray, The Associated Press
Police Chief Killed
1st Place: Brett Barrouquere, The Associated Press
Bardstown House Fire
Judges said: Although a routine story, the circumstance is tragic. This story uses strong quotes and good transtions to help readers feel the tragedy.
Continuing Coverage
Honorable Mention: Cary Stemle & Rick Redding, LEO Weekly
Library Tax Coverage
3rd Place: Jeffrey McMurray, The Associated Press
Comair Crash Coverage
2nd Place: Jennifer Oladipo, Louisville Eccentric Observer
Environmental beat: water coverage
1st Place: Joe Biesk, The Associated Press
Governor’s Race Coverage
Judges said: Three comprehensive stories showed that the reporter took the time to do shoe-leather work. Full background was included in each story, and the pieces followed the race and the results of the election, indicating following the issue through from start to finish with an eye on all the details.
Enterprise Reporting
Honorable Mention Cary Stemle, LEO Weekly
All you need is Love: Abbey Road Protester
3rd Place: Brett Barrouquere, The Associated Press
Lethal Injection
2nd Place: Katya Cengel, Louisville Courier-Journal
Cleansing Stream; Time of Confusion; Five of a kind makes a full house
1st Place: Laura Ungar, Louisville Courier-Journal
Cervical Cancer—India’s Scourge
Judges said: Excellent, in-depth package exposed international problem with local implications. Make you aware of the situation, empathize with the victims and cheer on the researchers. This is journalism that transcends platform.
Business Reporting
3rd Place Ed Green, Business First
Deutsche, Making Hay, Regulations
2nd Place: Bruce Schreiner, The Associated Press
Whiskey Barrels, Fathers & Sons, Houchens
1st Place: Brent Adams, Business First
GE, Dam Lucky, Driving Force
Judges said: Good to see beat reporting done well. Nuts and bolts approach, a bit too feature-oriented, but still lets community know what's going on and important employers. Well packaged and planned.
Health Care Reporting
3rd Place: Ed Green, Business First
“Commitment to Cancer care,” “Breaking down a barrier,” and “Cutting the fat”
2nd Place: Darla Carter, Louisville Courier-Journal
“The Overlooked Thyroid,” “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” and “Check Mate”
1st Place: Laura Ungar, Louisville Courier-Journal
For a series of stories following a Louisville woman through cancer treatment
Judges said: This is an exceptional entry. Ungar knows a story when she sees one and, best of all, tells it well. Good reporting yields good anecdotes which are expertly written together.
Minority and Women's Affairs Reporting
3rd Place: John R. Karman III, Business First
“She's Game” and “Belle of the Boat”
2nd Place: Lucinda Marshall, LEO Weekly
Columns
1st Place: Scott Wade, LEO Weekly
Stolen Moments
Judges said: This teetered on the edge of being overwritten. Still, it told a good story about a group of otherwise invisible people. A good read.
Service Reporting
1st Place: Lisa Hornung, Velocity
"Chill Out," "Put it Away," and "Making the Grade"
Judges said: "Helpful consumer reporting, especially 'Making the Grade's look at Health Department restaurant ratings."
Feature Writing
Honorable Mention: Joanna Richards, Velocity Weekly
3rd Place: Stephen George, LEO Weekly
“The Speed of Slow,” “Mr. Yarmuth Goes to Washington” and “Share the Road”
2nd Place: Terry Boyd, Business First
“Under its influence,” “So, you want to fall in love?” and “Unreality of his reality”
1st Place: Katya Cengel, Louisville Courier-Journal
“A New Life,” “Where is Levi?” and “Ministry”
Judges said: An observant reporter who knows how to pick the right subjects. These stories are good reads because Cengel uses her eye to guide her pen. Tight, interesting and enlightening. The story on the couple with Downs Syndrome was outstanding.
Editorial Cartoon
1st Place: Brian Orms, LEO Weekly
Liberal Dose
Judges said: "Although wordy and a little crowded, 'Liberal Dose' has a distinct Mad Magazine feel to it. Well drawn with a sharp point of view, the 'toon delivers every time."
Column Writing
2nd Place: Sarah Havens, LEO Weekly
From the column, “Bar Belle”: “Lick-slam-dunk,” “Holidays can be” and “My christmas list”
1st Place: Jim Welp, LEO Weekly
“Baby Need a New Governor,” “Becoming an American?” and “Bonds 101”
Judges said: A touch of cynicism, an inquisitve nature, a feel for the place and a nice turn of phrase (or six) makes this a clear winner. Welp aced every one of these and left me wanting more.
Sports Writing
3rd Place: Bill Doolittle, LEO Weekly
“Meet the new boss,” “Drawing Straws” and “Who says it's a house”
2nd Place: Will Grave, The Associated Press
“Gray Grit,” “Orange Bowl” and “Gillipse Hired
1st Place: Ross Nethery, Business First
Cards' Can Do Man
Judges said: "This is a first class personality profile about one of the city's leading figures. Free of cliches but full of sports action and figures. This story gets to the heart of the matter and leaves readers smarter then when they started."
Feature Photo
2nd Place: John Rott, Velocity Weekly
What I'm Into Portraits
1st Place: Ron Bath, Business First
“Aim to have fun,” “The sky's the limit” and “Backstage pass”
Judges said: Technically stout, well-composed and imaginatively framed. These photos are a pleasure to view. Great play on nice stock, these pop like a dart in mid-air.
Review/Criticism
3rd Place: T.E. Lyons, LEO Weekly
Arcade Fire; Detroit Cobra; Steve Earle
2nd Place: Alan Abbott, LEO Weekly
Sweet Land; 28 weeks later; No end in sight
1st Place: Sherry Deatrick, LEO Weekly
Humana; Batch; Don Juan
Judges said: All three reviews stood above all others in this category. A good mix of plot and criticism topped by excellent observations. I felt like I was sitting next to Deatrick during the performances. Well done!
Headline Writing
2nd Place: Sarah Havens, Louisville Eccentric Observer
"Skater dye: 'Decked Out' exhibit features more than 100 decorated boards"
Judges said: Enjoyed the conversational nature of the 2nd sample. "Skater dye" works well for the intended audience.
1st Place: Thomas Nord, Velocity
"Dance, Dance, Evolution: How do you grow as artists while keeping your hard-core fans happy? That's the question for VHS or Beta as it struggles to be more than a dance-punk fad."
Judges said: This entry was a clear standout. The headline incorporates a play on words that actually works, and works for the audience as well as those who would listen to this band. Rather than go for kitsch and puns, the headline writer sought to get the meat of the story across after grabbing the reader, using varied language and conversational tone.
Graphic Illustration
Honorable Mention Gina Gentile-Moeller, LEO Weekly
“Share the Road” and “Through the Mess Darkly”
3rd Place: Britany Baker, LEO Weekly
“What me worry,” “Election Issue,” “Don't Tread on Me”
2nd Place: Joe Welsh, LEO Weekly
“Not Good for Nothing”
1st Place: Kathleen Lolley, Velocity Weekly
“Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved”
Judges said: While not exactly "Gonzo," this illustration works with the theme and the story. Original, interesting and very well done.
Page Design
Honorable Mention: Ben Schneider, LEO Weekly
3rd Place: Britany Baker, LEO Weekly
2nd Place: Tracy Oksendahl, Velocity Weekly
1st Place: Brian Gray, Velocity Weekly
Cover Packages
Judges said: Wonderful ability to create a theme and carry it through. That's especially tough in tab format, but Gray mixes color, type and photos expertly to create a unique and pleasing look.