Alaska Press Club Awards 2002
awarded 2003
1-Breaking News Story
Small:
Judge: Lisa Davis
Investigative reporter, SFWeekly
1st: Moraine on the Move: West Creek Floods Dyea Homes
Entrants: Hollie Joy Brown & Jeff Brady
Org: The Skagway News
Comments: Good hustle! Monthly paper with virtually no staff did just what a major daily would do when confronted by a local disaster. You served your readers well.
2nd: Unocal Strikes Pay Dirt, Pipeline Will Happen
Entrant: John Crowder
Org: Homer Tribune
It’s not often you get to yell, “Stop the presses!” these days, and virtually never at a weekly. But this effort brought important, timely news to people in Homer.
3rd: ASUAF Senator-elect May Face Prison Time for Counterfeiting $100 Bills
Entrant: Tom DeLanne
Org: Sun-Star (U of Alaska Fairbanks)
Large:
Judge: Michael Arrieta-Walden, The Oregonian
Day coordinating editor who edited a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter’s work when he was city editor at the Albuquerque Tribune
1st: Woman shoots ex-top cop, shoots wife, police say
Entrants: Zaz Hollander and Sheila Toomey
Org: Anchorage Daily News
2nd: Swimmers flee gas cloud
Entrants: Peter Porco, Tataboline Brant, Sean Cockerham
Org: Anchorage Daily News
2nd: Fire razes Aspen Hotel
Entrant: Lucas Wall
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Honorable mention: Great Whiteout
Org: Anchorage Daily News
2-General News Story
Small:
Judge: Bill Leuders
News Editor, Isthmus
1st: Woman dies in Kayak accident, man stranded
Entrant: John Crowder
Org: Homer Tribune
Comments: Like several of the stories entered, Crowder’s piece is based on a weather-related tragedy, written soon afterwards. But what makes it remarkable is the depth of detail that Crowder brings to the telling, and the manner in which he recreates the entire event from the perspective of a single source: Gabriel Kehn. Obviously, it helps that Kehn was apparently willing to talk and that his tale was so compelling — I was reminded in several places of Jack London’s “How to Build a Fire” — but the writer deserves credit for conveying the story’s simple, terrible power.
2nd: Ancient house unearthed at Cliff Pt.
Entrant: Megan Holland
Org: Kodiak Daily Mirror
Comments: This was, in my opinion, the single best piece of writing among the various submissions, very clear, informative, and well-organized. I confess to feeling a bit disappointed to turn to the jump page and see that there was only a few inches left. I think this story could and probably should have been longer and more in-depth. But I wish to acknowledge the writer’s skill.
3rd(TIE): Customers come to defense of veteran ‘papergirl’
Entrant: Carey James
Org: Homer News
AND
Man’s best friend finds ally in council
Entrant: Carey James, R.A. Dillon
Org: The Tundra Drums
Comments: I know the organizers discourage ties but I felt that was fairer than flipping a coin. Both of these stories put a human face on an issue of community concern. I think it’s important that the Homer News was there to help Mary Clare Foecke voice her grievance about unfair pay, but the thing that makes the story work is that the writer also showed what it her job is like — a real slice of life. The story about the failed effort to outlaw barking dogs was lively and informative. I appreciated the details about the historic use of dog teams to deliver mail, and it gave a real sense of the personalities of the people involved in local government.
Large:
Judge: James M. Naughton
President of the Poynter Institute and former editor of the The Philadelphia Inquirer
1st: Ex-Guardsman on FBI Watch List
Entrant: Julia O’Malley
Org: Juneau Empire
Comments: This story was impressively reported – on the record – and written in a clear-cut and powerfully understated way that just nailed the government bureaucrats whose contribution to the war on terrorism was to act like the Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight, a comedy of ignorance.
2nd: Snowmobilers Recount Harrowing Fall
Entrant: Peter Porco
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Okay, sure, it’s a staple of life in Alaska that there are stories of people being rescued off glaciers and pulled out of rivers and stitched back together when bears maul them, but I loved this story not once but twice. As it happens, I read it last April on a trip to Anchorage and couldn’t put it down. When I saw it again in this competition, I still couldn’t put it down. Nicely done.
3rd: All Shook Up
Entrant: Doug O’Harra
News Organization: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: On imagery alone, this is a prizeworthy story. You’ve got to love any tale that includes the description of an earthquake that makes tall spruce trees slap the ground “like windshield blades.” It puts you right there, dodging the spruce needles, a very effective re-creation of the way people in Mentasta Lake were struck by a quake registering 7.9.
3-Use of Story and Photos by a Reporter
Small:
Judge: John Sale
Director of Photography
The Spokesman Review, Spokane Washington
1st: A parish where everyone knows each other
Entrant: Kelly DuFort
Org: Catholic Anchor
Comments: Nice story. The photography has style – a common theme that helps build a consistent point of view echoed in the text.
2nd: From the Brink of Oblivion
Entrant(s): Ted Horner
Org: The Delta Discovery
Comments: A thorough take on a cultural event that clearly spans generations. Photos have a good mix of people, and inside and outside shots. Judges loved the photo of the snowmobile dragging the reindeer.
3rd: Medic! Medic! Medic!
Entrant(s): Robyn Baer
Org: Alaska Post
Comments: Nice job. This journalist got right down in the dirt with her subjects.
4-Short Feature
Small:
Judge: Kate Zernike
New York Times reporter and part of the Pulitzer-winning team for 9/11 coverage at the Times
1st: A Story Unfolds
Entrant: David Abrams
Org: Alaska Post
Comments: A beautifully, intimately written story about the small miracles that came from a huge environmental disaster, and then the effort to tell the rest of the world about those miracles. In a spare but vivid way the writer tells us all about the artist, the birds, and how the book came to life—all in
a remarkably short space. It is written with such poignancy that you can “see” the pictures in the book even without seeing them.
2nd: Port Lions Landmark Flies Again
Entrant: Megan Holland
Org: Kodiak Daily Mirror
Comments: A charming story about a plane, the village that adopted it, and one determined man. The tale itself is rich, but the writer gets all the right details to bring it alive — the owner sleeping in the belly of the plane, the residents waiting under its wing, and then coming out with smoked salmon at the end to watch it take off. All the detail leaves the reader rooting for the plane in the end.
3rd: Remote Site Mission: Never a Typical Day
Entrant: Neil Zawicki
Org: Alaska Star/Military Weekly
Comments: The writer strikes the perfect tone for a first person account, employing a wonderful self-deprecating wit, and the right balance of thorough explanation and short punch lines. The writer’s queasiness and the
squadron’s steely confidence come across vividly. The reader both learns something and gets a good laugh.
Large:
Judge: Andrea Behr
Features Copy Chief, San Francisco Chronicle
1st: Mementos — cemetery
Entrant: Sandi Gerjevic
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: A creative story idea carried out well, without maudlin sentimentality or overwrought language. I actually got a little chill up my spine at the end. A story that causes a physical response has something going for it.
2nd: The things you need
Entrant: Toby Sullivan
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: The writer found an unusual way of conveying color and information – he took a risk that worked to make the reader care.
3rd: Running on empty
Entrant: Amanda Coyne
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: Funny, moving caring and informative.
5-Long Feature
Judge: Paula Span
Washington Post Magazine staff writer and professor of journalism at Columbia University
1st: I Want to Ride in the Bus Chris Died In
Entrant: Sherry Simpson
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: An expedition — powerfully and unsparingly rendered — to the bus where a sojourner starved prompts a meditation on the meaning of his death, of wilderness, of Alaska itself. Provocative and memorable.
2nd: Out Ronda’s Way
Entrant: Debra McKinney
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: In the hands of an astute reporter and skillful stylist, a deceptively simple story about a local cafe becomes a case study of family, community and values in the Butte.
3rd: A New Threat
Entrant: Wesley Loy
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Loy tackles a complex and significant subject — a threat to Alaska’s halibut fishery — and produces a highly readable feature, thanks to thorough reporting, a keen eye and lively descriptions.
Honorable Mention: Amanda Coyne
Org: Anchorage Press
For: How to Visit Your Mother in Prison
Information Please
Set the Twilight Reeling
6-Business Reporting
Small:
Judge: Bob Drews
Business Copy Chief, San Jose Mercury News
1st: Homer Sees Resurgence of Business on Pioneer Avenue
Entrant: John Crowder
Org: Homer Tribune
Comments: This article interested me from the first paragraph to the last. John stated very clearly what the story was about right from the start. Then he followed up with legwork telling us about the varied merchants doing business and added excellent quotes from them as well as from the city council.
2nd: Camera in a Capsule Opens New Frontier
Entrant: McKibben Jackinsky
Org: Homer Tribune
Comments: McKibben took a complicated subject and made it understandable and interesting. Instead of getting bogged down in technical language, this article explained how this technology works, where it came from and how it could help me. And the lead was excellent.
3rd: Financial Advisor Returns Home for Business
Entrant: Robert Dillon
Org: Tundra Drums
Comments: This is an excellent profile of both a businessman and the company where he works. The quotes from him made the story very readable and also did a good job explaining his ambition and his work. Plus, Robert rounded out the article by talking to others who had worked with the businessman and shared their impressions of him.
Large:
Judge: Becky Bisbee
Business Editor, Seattle Times
1st: On the rocks: Bristol Bay bus
Entrant: Wesley Loy
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Complete package. Well written. Well reported. Well organized. Story on a compelling issue. Great sense of place. Great use of photos and graphics to provide context, historical info.
2nd: Usibelli’s last shipment to S. Korea
Entrant: Paula Dobbyn
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Nice storytelling. What could have been a run-of-the-mill business story turned out to be quite interesting. Well reported. Well written. Needed photos.
3rd: How oil pipeline officials handled the big one
Entrant: Diana Campbell
Org: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Comments: Great idea and great reporting. Great use of quotes. Nice build up of drama, human reactions.
7-Government or Political
Small:
Judge: Frank Lewis
Managing Editor, Philadelphia City Paper
1st: Taxes, taxes and more taxes
Entrant: John Crowder
Org: Homer Tribune
Comments: Thorough and balanced. Outlines key issues without getting bogged down in all the numbers.
2nd: Casino on Kuskokwim
Entrant: Ted Horner
Org: Delta Discovery
Comments: A good job presenting a complex issue.
3rd: Aid for displaced residents urged
Entrant: John Roscoe
Org: Catholic Anchor
Comments: Clear and concise, but could have benefited from a voice or two from the displaced residents themselves.
Large:
Judge: Greg Nokes, just retired after a career as an AP diplomatic correspondent and jack-of-all-trades at The Oregonian, including covering politics and business
1st: Sen. Rick Halford Profile
Entrant: Tom Kizzia
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: A well written and well rounded profile that provides readers with valuable insight into an unpredictable legislator in a position to make or break a legislative session.
2nd: Have we got a deal for you?
Entrant: Lynne Snifka
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: A well-researched, balanced and easy-to-understand look into a the pros and cons of a new convention center.
3rd: Lisa Murkowski Chosen as Senator
Entrants: Tom Moran, Sam Bishop, Amanda Bohman
Org: Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Comments: The “DNA” lede was a delight. It sent this judge smiling through this comprehensive and balanced package on the appointment of the governor’s daughter.
8-Education
Small:
Judge: Chris Broderick, leader of Family & Education team at The Oregonian
1st: Enough is Enough
Entrant: Craig Dirkes
Org: Bristol Bay Times
Comments: This is an important story for the community—the flurry of misbehavior and truancy and tardiness and disrespect to staff at Dillingham Middle/High School. Though it was story based on an assembly, the article went deep into the range of emotions from students, teachers, the principal and others. Good lede, use of quotes and some follow-up reporting to provide more details.
No 2nd or 3rd place awards.
Large:
Judge: Kate Zernike
New York Times reporter, formerly on the education beat, and part of the Pulitzer-winning team for 9/11 coverage at the paper
1st: Junior’s Gift
Entrant: Ann Potempa
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: This story about a student with “special needs” — and a special gift — is written with compassion and honesty, a rare balance in stories about special education. Of all the education stories submitted, this one stood out. The writer celebrates Junior’s accomplishments without glorifying or romanticizing them, and does not try to gloss over his disabilities. She deftly moves between the narrative of Junior’s life and information about his disabilities and savants, and from scenes at school to family life and back. The scenes come alive with vivid detail, quotes, and even a sense of suspense in places, allowing what might be considered a long story to never feel too long.
2nd: Controversy over Freak Dancing
Entrant: Katie Pesznecker
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: The writer delivers great detail, bright quotes, a sense of scope, and historical perspective to a story about, as she says, an age-old battle between schools and teenagers. This is a national trend, as the writer notes, but she illuminates interesting local nuances, about a teacher trying to get students interested in other dances, for example, and other shades of the debate, including the one among students themselves, between those who want to freak and those who want to save the privilege of their dances.
3rd: Was Kivalina Misunderstood?
Entrant: Tony Hopfinger
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: This story smartly goes back to a big controversy to question the initial assumptions — something reporting too rarely does. It is a well-written, clear-eyed look at what happened in Kivalina with wonderful detail of this remote place — from its honey buckets to the average income level. The writer does not ignore the initial allegations or the fact that problems existed, but he illuminates the controversy by putting it in the context of local history and unusual and often difficult local circumstances.
9-Profile
Small:
Judge: Paula Span
Washington Post Magazine staff writer and professor of Journalism at Columbia University
1st: Saying goodbye to Jack
Entrant: Robert Dillon
Org: Tundra Drums
Comments: Can you profile a subject who only growls? Apparently so. R.A. Dillon uses spare, compelling prose and masterful pacing to portray the personality, life and death of a memorable husky.
2nd: Homeless man dies, his life remains a mystery
Entrant: John Crowder
Org: Homer Tribune
Comments: Crowder collects memories, clues and conjecture to illuminate the life of a homeless 78-year-old whom everyone saw and nobody knew.
3rd: Longtime resident keeps heritage alive at home
Entrant: Megan Holland,
Org: Kodiak Daily Mirror
Comments: Lively look at a Latina who keeps chilies from Mexico in her freezer, but feels most at home in Kodiak.
Large:
Judge: Gay Salisbury
Former editor at HarperCollins Publishers and co-author of the forthcoming book, The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic
1st: Not Fade Away
Entrant: Toby Sullivan
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: Toby Sullivan’s vivid profile of crab fisherman Captain Murray was beautifully rendered and the writing as strong and human as its subject. Sullivan’s portrait is drawn with a painter’s brush, applying light and shadows and with an attention to detail and a poet’s ear for language to achieve amidst the fury of the sea a true portrait of a sailor and a man one might find on the canvas of Winslow Homer or Lucian Freud. I won’t soon forget the feistiness of Toby Sullivan’s subject and hope to read more from this talented writer and brave seaman.
2nd: The Thing About Al
Entrant: Debra McKinney
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Given her subject is a homeless drifter who appears to constantly be on the move, Debra McKinney deftly captures her moving target and treats her subject with a dignity and respect goes a long way toward humanizing the homeless by her restoring Al’s identity for the reader. To meet his long last family, following his roaming thoughts and know the exact contents of his pockets, and other great details help us to see the man amidst the baggage. By casting a net as wide as Al’s travels along the Glenn Highway, McKinney effectively illuminates a man and his community that might otherwise remain invisible to the drivers who speed past Al on his heavily laden bicycle. Written with heart, McKinney introduces us to a remarkable man and helps us understand the weight of the load Al has to carry, and gratitude for those who help to alleviate some of his burden.
3rd: Bill Stiver
Entrant: George Bryson’s
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: The trust the Stiver family obviously placed in George Bryson and the access they granted him was well placed and the rewards much appreciated. We’re able to meet and admire a true Alaskan who lived on his own terms to the very end by reading Bryson’s expertly written profile, and appreciate the family who paid such a dignified man the honor he deserved. Bryson’s portrait has great heart and tempo, and his respect for his subject comes lovingly through.
10-Environmental
Small:
Judge: Bill Thomasson
Freelance science writer/member of National Association of Science Writers
1st: Don’t Feed the Sea Lions
Entrant: Megan Holland
Org: Kodiak Daily Mirror
Comments: Provides a clear view of the problem and why alternative approaches won’t work. Liberal use of quotes both provides info and keeps the piece interesting.
2nd: Moose Hunt to Open
Entrant: Craig Dirkes
Org: Bristol Bay Times
Comments: A good exposition of how the policies that allowed recovery of the moose population came to adopted and of their ultimate success. The key role of protecting cow moose comes through clearly.
3rd: Youth Work to not Throw Away Future
Entrant: R. A. Dillon
Org: Tundra Drums
Comments: Makes the event come alive while providing a good overview of its environmental and cultural background.
Large:
Judge: Gretel H. Schueller
Freelance science writer, member NASW and teaches science and environmental reporting at SUNY Plattsburgh
1st: Tomorrow Never Knows
Entrant: Tataboline Brant
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: The policies and politics of recycling are murky and often tricky. Yet Brant managed to wade through facts and figures to present a compelling and well-rounded story with lively writing. It is also a particularly timely issue in light of recent suspensions in recycling programs across the country.
2nd: Taking Refuge: Swanson River Drilling Fuels Debate over ANWR
Entrant: Shana Loshbaugh
Org: Peninsula Clarion
Comments: Long before many other media organizations latched onto the parallels between ANWR and the Kenai refuge, Loshbaugh put together a timely and thoroughly-researched article. As heated as the issue to drill is, Loshbaugh managed to present balanced and effective arguments and to place the question of drilling for oil in ANWR in some broader context.
3rd: Yellow Boy’s Threat
Entrant: Paula Dobbyn
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Wonderful, vivid writing that is also well-researched. Dobbyn makes the threat of mines come alive off the pages. And she effectively investigates what Alaska mines are currently doing to curb the threat.
11-Crime or Courts
Small:
Judge: Scott Higham
Pulitzer-prize winning reporter for the Washington Post
1st: Homer Doctor Charged with Assault
Entrant: John Crowder
Org: Homer Tribune
Comments: Prolific and sharply focused reporting on courts and cops while writing nearly every other front page story for the paper. Give the man a raise!
2nd: Please try to save my life somehow
Entrant: Greg Dart
Org: Alaska Star;
Comments: Gripping, emotional coverage of a horrific murder.
3rd: New Suspect Charged
Entrant: Kim Perry
Org: The Northern Light
Comments: A student who shows promise.
Large:
Judge: Bruce Cadwallader
Crime Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch
1st: Scam of a Lifetime
Entrant: Tataboline Brant
Org: Anchorage Press
2nd: Point of No Return
Entrant: Amanda Coyne
Org: Anchorage Press
3rd: Small Town Trial Congenial
Entrant: Tom Moran
Org: Fairbanks Daily News Miner
12-Health or Science
Small:
Judge: Gretel H. Schueller
Freelance science writer, member NASW and teaches science and environmental reporting at SUNY Plattsburgh.
1st: Family Faces Challenge of FAS
Entrant: Carey James
Org: Homer News
Comments: James managed to bring a serious health problem to life with her vivid profile. In addition, she soundly supported the story with well-researched statistics and facts, thereby placing her example of Ovar in the big picture.
2nd: Combating Diabetes — one of the biggest health concerns on the delta
Entrant: Carle Grill
Org: The Delta Discovery
Comments: Grill was able to clearly explain the complicated connection between genes and diabetes, as well as the role of lifestyle factors on diabetes. It is a well-rounded article with straightforward information that readers can use.
3rd: Invasive Weeds Posing Threat to Local Soils
Entrant: John Crowder
Org: Homer Alaska Tribune
Comments: Crowder brought a current nation-wide problem home by graphically presenting local plant threats. (I would, however, have liked to have seen a little more on what specific actions people can take to avoid planting invasives in the first place.)
Large:
Judge: Bill Thomasson
Freelance science writer/member of National Association of Science Writers
1st: Land of the Little Sticks
Entrant: Sonya Senkowsky
Org: Freelance, Alaska Magazine
Comments: I was very much impressed with Senkowsky’s vividly descriptive style, perhaps slightly more literary than would be typical in a newspaper. At the same time, the scientific exposition was clear, complete and convincing.
2nd: Solid Knowledge from Shaky Ground
Entrant: Rindi White
Org: Frontiersman
Comments: Provides a very clear explanation of earthquakes and why they happen, placing the Denali quake in broader context and suggesting what sort of risks there may be in the future.
3rd: High-tech Gear Unveils Mysteries of Alaska Sharks
Entrant: Doug O’Hara
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Give a good feel both for the methods biologists use to study sharks and the mysteries and surprises these animals hold.
13-Editorial Writing
Small:
Judge: Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Nationally syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald
1st: Sportsmanship, Good Role Models Always in Season; Stakes Too High to Neglect Goal; Anniversary Brings Time For Reflection
Entrants: Mark Kelsey, Sepp Jannotta
Org: The Homer News
Comments: Evocative writing and incisive, well-constructed arguments.
2nd: Tony Bickert
Org: Alaska Star
3rd: Skagway News Opinion
Entrants: Dimitra Lavrakas, Jeff Brady
Org: The Skagway News
Large:
Judge: Eleanor Clift
Newsweek Columnist
1st: No reason to hide public’s business; Rep. Young’s record; Kenai peninsula – No place to fish
Entrant: Lori Evans
Org: Peninsula Clarion
Comments: These are hard-hitting editorials that are unafraid to challenge government authority, and include nice tie-ins to Washington and what’s happening on the national scene.
2nd: Exxon’s Chutzpah; Entrance Exam; Roadside Memorials
Entrant: Matthew Zencey
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: These are solid editorials that explain fairly and with clarity issues of importance to the community.
3rd: It’s not the end…
Entrant: Frontiersman
Org: Frontiersman
14-Columnist
Small:
Judge: Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Nationally syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald
1st: Being Human
Entrant: Tony Bickert
Org: The Alaska Star
Comments: A good columnist is distinguished by his or her ability to connect — emotionally, intellectually — with readers. Through his sense of humor, his colorful writing and his ability to ‘find the lesson’ in life’s everyday encounters, Tony Bickert connects.
2nd: The View from Teddy’s Kitchen
Entrant: Teddy Wintersteen
Org: The Delta Discovery
3rd: Personal Perspective
Entrant: Dennis Thompson
Org: The Senior Voice
Large:
Judge: Lori Robertson
Managing Editor, American Journalism Review
1st: Heather Lende
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Among the entries in this category, Heather Lende’s columns stood out. She gets to her points quickly and carries the reader through her columns with clear, rhythmical writing. She shares moments from her life and the community’s and turns them into discussions of broader issues. Yet when she becomes philosophical, she’s not preachy. Lende doesn’t overdo it — her writing is simply a conversation with her readers.
2nd: Quoth the Senate: Nevermore; Civil rights from Montgomery to Copper River; What to expect-the fiscal gap years
Entrant: Bill McAllister
Org: Juneau Empire
Comments: Bill McAllister takes what to many readers would be a snooze — state government news — and makes it interesting. He employs wit, reason, self-deprecation and even poetry to get his points across. But what really shines through in the columns is his passion for the subject.
3rd: Mike Doogan
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Mike Doogan offers readers a glimpse into the lives of others. Whether poignant, sad or nostalgic, his columns put people in the community, not necessarily his opinions, into the spotlight.
Honorable Mention: Marcus K. Garner
Org: The Peninsula Clarion
Comments: His writing has a strong voice, and he’s an entertaining columnist. Garner shows a lot of potential. One word of advice: He (along with many other columnists) needs to strike the phrase “don’t get me wrong” from his vocabulary.
15-Sports Columnist
Judge: Bill Plaschke
LA Times Sports Columnist
1st: Jeff Helminiak
Org: Peninsula Clarion
Comments: Jeff Helminiak proves you don’t have to work for the major newspaper to make a major impact. His three columns included a defiant embrace of nature in the wake of man-made obstacles, an appreciation of an old mushing enemy, and a simple tribute to a beautiful day. Varied topics, varied writing styles, and a depth of perspective made this entry a compelling read that far outreaches its circulation.
2nd: Oakley Cochran
Org: Anchorage Chronicle.
Comments: Three wonderfully scripted outdoors pieces help the reader share her fear on a sailboat, on a hike, and while stuck in the middle of nowhere with a bad man. It’s difficult to write such personal stories without sounding presumptuous or maudlin, but Oakley Cochran handles it such that we feel only inspiration.
3rd: Doyle Woody
Org: Anchorage Daily News.
Comments: Using description that does not burden, Woody tackles everything from a hockey brawl to a mountain race with both grace and wit.
16-Sports News
Small:
Judge: Frank Lewis
Managing Editor, Philadelphia City Paper
No award given.
Large:
Judge: Glenn Crevier, sports editor
Minneapolis Star Tribune
1st: Stuck in a Financial Quagmire
Entrant: Matt Nevala
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Cleverly-written but filled with facts about financial struggles of team. Nice reporting tracking down people who were owed money. Strong use of quotes.
2nd: 39 Runners Disqualified
Entrant: Doyle Woody
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Writer did a nice job of developing a unique story. He explained why officials enforced the rules and supplemented story with quotes from both officials and effected runners.
3rd: On Ebay: Anchorage Aces for $1.5 million
Entrant: Josh Niva
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Tightly-written account of club listing itself for sale on EBay. Fair, factual and represented all sides.
17-Sports Game/Event
Small:
Judge: Glenn Crevier, sports editor
Minneapolis Star Tribune
1st: King makes it 6
Entrant: Robert Dillon
Org: Tundra Drums
Comments: Tight, concise, well-written account of the Kuskokwim 300 race. The story was balanced with good quotes explaining the strategy of the winner and runner-up.
2nd: Blood, Sweat and Beer
Entrant: Hollie Joy Brown
Org: The Skagway News
Comments: Good tale about how the team was formed, struggled to stay together and eventually won.
3rd: MEDDAC mauls 267/203
Entrant: Brian Lepley
Org: Alaska Post
Comments: Strong descriptive writing.
Large:
Judge: Bill Plaschke
LA Times Sports Columnist
1st: Buffalo Trouble
Entrant: Paula Dobbyn
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: An absolutely riveting piece about a woman and a buffalo. Great account of courage and a “hellish section of the Iditarod known for busting sleds and people.’’
2nd: Kemppel Cruises to 8th Title
Entrant: Beth Bragg
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: The wonderful lede said it all … “Winning a record seventh straight Mountain Marathon championship was the easy part of Nina Kemppel’s day Thursday. Getting to the starting line was the hard part.’’...A funny, inspiring story of a champion who had to break into her car for her shoes.
3rd: Tupou Survives DQ Attempt
Entrant: Charles Bingham
Org: Juneau Empire.
Comments: A nice job of mixing statistics and controversy in a difficult state track meet story. Properly captured the lede of a competitor who was nearly disqualified because, well, she couldn’t fit into her shorts.
18-Sports Feature
Small:
Judge: Glenn Crevier, sports editor
Minneapolis Star Tribune
1st: Local man realizes dream as Olympic torch runner
Entrant: Darrell Breese
Org: Alaska Star
Comments: Nice storytelling on a man who held an Olympic dream – and achieved it, even if it wasn’t on the playing field. Effective use of quotes that reveal his excitement and passion.
2nd: Hellfest 2000
Entrant: Lucie Straub
Org: The Skagway News
No 3rd place award.
Large:
Judge: Bill Plaschke
LA Times Sports Columnist
1st: Taking Shots
Entrant: J.R. Rardon
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Wonderful idea and execution of the tale of the child star of a corny TV commercial who grew up to become a good, but harassed, high school basketball player. Funny, yet touching, it deftly handles the problems faced by Buddy Bailey as he has balanced fame and infamy. Just as Buddy Bailey is ‘’here, there and everywhere,’’ so is this charming story.
2nd: Rafting the Tat
Entrant: John Woodbury
Org: Alaska Geographic
Comments: It is impossible not to award for a sports story that includes an anecdote of a guy jogging around a gravel bar wearing his underwear on his head for warmth.
3rd: Runner Spreads Resolve
Entrant: Beth Bragg
Org: Anchorage Daily News.
Comments: A former chain smoker turned distance runner wears dresses made of racing bibs and says, ‘’If people think I’m el whacko, they’ll think I’m el whacko.’’ As everyone knows, el whackos make great stories.
19-Arts Coverage
Judge: Doug Kim
Arts & Entertainment Editor, Seattle Times
1st: Driven Too Far
Entrant: Susan Morgan
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Fascinating, multilayered profile that probes the complexities of a man’s relationship with his father, and how he’s taming that into art. Lots of depth here.
2nd: Hiding in public
Entrant: Robert Meyerowitz
Org: Anchorage Press
Comments: Writer weaves a very rich tapestry that truly allows the reader to understand the artistic place that Iris Dement comes from.
3rd: The hardest story to tell…
Entrant: Debbie Carter
Org: Fairbanks Daily New Miner
Comments: Like the way the writer confronts head on the different aspects of the author’s latest work. Piece also gives a window into Native American culture from a difficult and unusual perspective.
20-Sustained Coverage or Series
Small:
Judge: Frank Lewis
Managing Editor, Philadelphia City Paper
1st: Godfrey murder
Entrant: Greg Dart
Org: Alaska Star
Comments: Thorough without becoming redundant. An excellent example of community journalism at its best.
2nd: Calista Corporation
Entrant: Ted Horner
Org: Delta Discovery
Comments: Meticulously reported and well balanced.
3rd: Shell Game
Entrants: Chris Bernard and Sepp Jannotta
Org: Homer News
Comments: Well written, colorful and informative.
Large:
Judge: James M Naughton
President of the Poynter Institute and former editor of the The Philadelphia Inquirer
1st: Fishing Industry in Peril
Entrant: Wesley Loy
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: It’s hard to conceive an industry more vital to Alaska than fishing, and even though threats to it happen with alarming frequency, this set of stories artfully told of the collisions – present and future – between traditional wild fishing and breeding fish on farms and how the livelihoods of Alaskans were being altered against their wills.
2nd: Drugs in Juneau
Entrants: Riley Woodford and Julia O’Malley
Org: Juneau Empire
Comments: This three-day series on drug abuse in Juneau was thorough, intelligent and clear. That it told a variety of important stories without resorting to stereotypes was a welcome bonus.
3rd: Buddy the Dog
Entrant: Lucas Wall
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Who can resist a good dog story? I can’t, especially one with such unusual twists – dog loyally stays with dead master; dog bites the hand which feeds it; dog dies ignoble death before it can get a reprieve. Wow. Thanks, Lucas.
21-Headline Writing
Judge: Bob Drews
Copy Editor with 30 years of experience, San Jose Mercury News
1st: Jenny Neyman
Org: Peninsula Clarion
Entry: Old Saint Nicknack, others
Comments: Every one of these headlines worked with the display art, showed wonderful creativity and told what the story was about. Always working with the lead story can be both a blessing and a curse - you get good art and room to write a headline, yet are pressured to come up with something that sells the story. Jenny was equal to the opportunity and the challenge.
2nd: Kyle Hopkins
News organization: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Entry: District saves school closure for a rainy day, others
Comments: Kyle used good word play where the opportunity presented itself, without being trite, and he showed a good touch on a mix of news and feature stories. Plus, he had some tough counts to work with. The “Free gun with $8 shelves” was particularly well done.
3rd: Kevin A. Coughlin
News organization: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Entry: UAF hockey dips into Salsa again, others
Comments: Kevin’s work was impressive for finding a fact or name in the story and building the headline around it without forcing the issue. Also, he often didn’t have much room to play with some of these headlines yet still did nice work. And he strived for creativity on all stories, whether dominating a page or secondary in importance.
22-Editorial Cartoon
Judge: David Horsey
Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
1st: Three cartoons—Terrorist Profiling, Alaska’s Axis
Of Evil, Looney News
Entrant: Dan Darrow
News Organization: The Ester Republic
Comments: Darrow has a fun, cartoony style that softens the blow but doesn’t undermine the sharp jabs he takes at his subjects. The satire on a local media figure featured in “Looney News” was nicely done.
2nd: Three cartoons --Boom Box, Exxon Settlement, Ballot Machine
Entrant: Mike O’Meara
New organization: Homer News
Comments: O’Meara employs an economy of line coupled with clever ideas to get his opinions across clearly. I especially liked the image of claimants languishing on a rocky beach in his “Exxon Settlement” cartoon.
3rd: Three cartoons by Michael Hootch
Entrant: Michael Hootch
News Organization: The Delta Discovery
Comments: I like Hootch’s whimsical drawing style and his linking of national issues with local symbols—particularly his “Osama bin Laden is Whale Bait” cartoon.
23-Best Section
Small:
Judge: Lori Robertson
Managing Editor, American Journalism Review
1st: Arts Section
Entrant: Carey James
Org: Homer News
Comments: This section has a nice, clean layout that makes good use of color and graphics. The writing is good, and the calendar of events is comprehensive, easy to read and useful.
2nd: Camai 2002
Entrants: Ted Horner, Nili Sundown
Org: The Delta Discovery
Comments: This section is inviting, with a clear layout and a nice use of photos. The writing is awkward at times, but the section is easy to navigate, and the schedule of events is appropriately played on the back cover.
3rd: Talkeetna Good Times Special Sections
Entrants: Judy M. Marie, Sarah J. Birdsall, Anita Golton
Org: Talkeetna Good Times
Comments: All three sections have very nice photo montages on the front. The layout could use more white space, and too many fonts are used in the headlines. But the sections are comprehensive and include lots of news you can use.
Large:
Judge: Dan Hortsch, public editor and Kay Mitchell, lead suburban copy editor at the Oregonian.
1st: Outdoors & Travel
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Date: Sept. 29, 2002
Comments: The section’s heart is a gorgeously photographed package on Denali National Park in autumn. Other notable features are a thoughtful column on subsistence hunting and several stories on winter sports equipment. Reader-friendly information tells how to apply for the park tour lottery, where to swap skis, and what outings are available. The section is cleanly designed and edited. The writers are obviously experienced in their field and are careful to include diverse viewpoints from gung-ho hunter to environmental activist. The result is an irresistible serving of Alaskan flavor.
2nd: Kusko 300
Org: Tundra Drums
Date: Jan. 16, 2002
Comments: The section may be intended as a guide for a sled-dog race, but it digs deeply into the subject for the casual viewer as well as the experienced musher. It explores the event’s history, human and canine participants, course conditions, and more. An especially interesting story profiles a German veterinarian volunteering with dog care. There is even a vocabulary list for the sport. The section’s design is straightforward; it has a wealth of black-and-white photos and some effective color, including a race map. The writing offers a wealth of detail.
3rd: Heartland Magazine, Away at School
Org: Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Date: Dec. 15, 2002
Comments: The section presents another flavorful sampling of Alaska. The weekly offering ranges from snippets of local history to a science lesson to a roundup of activities, including briefs nicely keyed to a state map. The centerpiece is an exploration of an innovative boarding school, undoubtedly a topic of interest to many. The design and editing are clear. Dave Barry’s syndicated column seems a bit of a stretch, but otherwise, it’s a keeper.
24-Best Weekly
Judge: James M Naughton
President of the Poynter Institute and former editor of the The Philadelphia Inquirer
1st: Anchorage Press
Comments: At last! Enterprise journalism! As it happened, the Press was the last entry I saw, at the bottom of the box, and I had about given up hope that the weekly category would demonstrate aggressive, thoughtful enterprise reporting. But all three entered issues of the Press contained meaningful stories about the Alaska experience. Too many so-called “alternative” papers spend their time (and credibility) hacking at the metro dailies in their markets instead of pursuing stories the metros missed. This is a paper with guts – and gusto – that seems to be refreshingly focused on a real news agenda. And much of it is written with panache. Hooray for the Anchorage Press.
2nd: Anchorage Chronicle
Comments: What a handsome publication. I love its vibrant color photography and its clean look. I’m impressed by its aspiring spirit and hoping that it will do journalism as impressive as the format. It could use some enterprise journalism to be a standout.
3rd: Talkeetna Good Times
Comments: This obviously is a paper that takes seriously its obligation to be a voice of the community. Even events of modest proportion were treated with seriousness of purpose. If I lived in its distribution area, I would want to not miss an issue of the Good Times.
25-Best Illustration
Judge: Steve Dorsey
Editor of SND’s Design Journal
Design and Graphics Director, Detroit Free Press
1st: Flabby Claims
Entrant: Lance Lekander
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: This illustration was playful and fun, yet well-rendered. It also caused me to imagine what one of these contraptions might feel like. It was masterfully incorporated into the page too, which helps.
2nd: Arts special section cover
Entrant: Pam Dunlop Shohl
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Too often annual covers get over-designed and over-illustrated. Too many reefers and elements clog the reader’s attention. This was a thoughtful tribute to simplicity that showed fore-thought and solid execution. I would have almost preferred the final typography chosen were simpler, allowing this polished illustration to take the full center stage on this page.
3rd: Vexed by hiccups
Entrant: David Ball
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: An intriguing visual style was employed making this a gripping illustration. The complex textures and askew angles made hiccups seem dark and spirited to me, like the monsters in children’s book. I wished the designer had not feathered the edges of this piece, that treatment goes counter to this style.
Honorable Mention: General Election Voters Guide Cover
Entrant: Dee Dee Hammond
Org: Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Comment: The subtle use of texture and technique combined to make this rather simple illustration a piece I kept coming back to. I appreciated the watercolor softness and the incorporation of the stars. Nits: I wish the state of Alaska was not disembodied (chopped off where it borders with Canada); I wish the design had better incorporated the illustration into the page.
26-Best Page Layout and Design
Small:
Judge: Rick Shaw, News Graphics at the Hartford Courant, winner of the 2001 Best Overall Design award from the Society of Newspaper Design
1st: Kusko 300 cover
Entrant: Lyra J. Gordon
Org: Tundra Drums
Comments: Design elegance can be based on simplicity. Typography is clean and color is tied in photograph. Plus type does not intrude on the subject of the image.
2nd: Warming up for the real thing
Entrant: Barb Smith
Org: Alaska Star
Comments: Strong use of photographs with clear lead and secondary photos. Background color is neutral without being garish. “Sprocket” holes not necessary.
3rd: Who needs snow?
Entrant: Jeremiah Morgan
Org: Homer Tribune
Comments: Clean design lets the power of the photos provide the content. Typography is kept simple for best readability. Good contrast of image sizing.
Large:
Judge: Steve Dorsey
Editor of SND’s Design Journal
Design and Graphics Director, Detroit Free Press
1st: Flabby Claims
Entrant: Ben Harris
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: This page incorporated the vibrant illustration smoothly without hitting me over the head. The use of color and typography accomplished the job. And the designer knew when to stop. There was also room accommodated for additional, unrelated stories (I’m assuming these were required), but they did not seem squeezed on disproportionately or in any was treated like an afterthought. A complete page. Well done.
2nd: Berners Bay
Entrant: Mary-Ann McBride
Org: Juneau Empire
Comments: This is a deceptively simple page. It would have been easy to try and accommodate more photos (I’m sure there were more), but restraint was exercised. Similarly there was typographic restraint used. The overall effect left me able to explore the photos without feeling like someone wanted to make sure their design was seen — the photos ARE this page and they are allowed to carry the visual burden of the page.
No 3rd place award.
Honorable Mention: Seeds of change
Entrant: Pam Dunlap-Shohl
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: A polished and sophisticated design intrigues me and makes me want to learn more about seeds. The design itself even feels a little purposefully “scattered,” invoking seeds. But the lack of treatment, space and attention afford the secondary story are a disservice to this page as a whole. (In fact, trying to mark this story so the page would be judged just for the centerpiece almost seemed unfair). Still, some very strong positive aspects.
27-Best Graphic
Judge: Rob Romig
Director of graphics/photography
The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR
1st: Demise salmon fishing
Entrant: Ron Engstrom
Org: Anchorage Daily News
2nd: Sea enemies
Entrant: Ron Engstrom
Org: Anchorage Daily News
3rd: Coastal trail
Entrant: Ron Engstrom
Anchorage Daily News
28-Spot News Photo
Small:
Judge: Tony Overman
Staff photographer at The Olympian and Director for the National Press Photographers Association Region 11
1st: Mismatch
Entrant: Tony Bickert
Org: Alaska Star
2nd: How’s My Driving?
Entrant: McKibben Jackinsky
Org: Homer Tribune
3rd: Unexpected Guests
Entrant: Theresa Roark
Org: Sun Star
Large:
Judge: Colin Crawford
Director of Photography, Los Angeles Times
1st: Coldwater Drowning
Entrant: Marc Lester
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Photographer captured the scene while drama was unfolding.
2nd: Neighbors douse blaze
Entrant: Sam Harrel
Org: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Comments: This was a different, compelling fire photo. Photographer seemed to have gotten to the scene before the firefighters.
3rd: Sedated Cub
Entrant: Brian E. Wallace
Org: Juneau Empire
29-Picture Story
Small:
Judge: John Sale
Director of Photography
The Spokesman Review, Spokane, Washington
1st: Bikes for tykes
Entrant: Kristin Akers
Org: Alaska Post
Comments: This entry showed good variety. The choice of perspectives, wide shots, close shots, interaction and scene setters built a complete story that captured the essence of the kids’ experience.
2nd: U-DOC Program Dr.
Entrant: David Hayes
Org: The Northern Light
Comments: This story had nice moments, but judges felt the inclusion of the group shot weakened the flow of the visual narrative. It would make more sense to take a picture like this out of the layout and put it on the jump.
3rd: Long Distance Fire
Entrant: Lindsay Oliveras
Org: Alaska Post
Comments: Good job, but the visual narrative would have been strengthened with a greater variety of perspectives. Show us a sense of place and some human interaction.
Large:
Judge: Colin Crawford
Director of Photography, Los Angeles Times
1st: Junior’s Gift
Entrant: Jim Lavrakas
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: This was the best story idea of the bunch but it could have been executed better. Photographer needed to spend more time flushing out the subject’s struggles, his love of music...to get more surprises in the photos.
2nd: Homeless Al
Entrant: Mark Lester
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Several nice images but photos are pretty superficial. Photographer needed to go beyond the obvious by spending more time with the subject.
3rd: Berner’s Bay
Entrant: Michael Penn
Org: Juneau Empire
Comments: Several nice images, especially the lead photo. This is a good quick hit essay.
30-Sports Photo
Small:
Judge: Rob Romig
Director of graphics/photography
The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR
1st: We’re No. 1!
Entrant: Robert DeBarry
Org: Alaska Newspapers Inc.
2nd: Spring mushing
Entrant: James Mason
Org: Alaska Newspapers Inc.
3rd: Underclassmen set marks
Entrant: Darrell L. Breese
Org: Alaska Star
Large:
Judge: Colin Crawford
Director of Photography, Los Angeles Times
1st: State Wrestling
Entrant: Stephen Nowers
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Photographer captured peak moment and good facial expressions.
2nd: Put On a Happy Face
Entrant: Brian Wallace
Org: Juneau Empire
Comments: Photo captured the thrill of victory and agony of defeat. Good photo despite the fact his team lost.
3rd: Freestyle Motocross
Entrant: Marc Lester
Org: Anchorage Daily News
31-Scenic Photo
Small:
Judge: John Sale
Director of Photography
The Spokesman Review; Spokane, WA
1st: Home from Camp
Entrant: James Mason
Org: Arctic Sounder
Comments: Nice job. The abundance of natural beauty made it difficult for judges to decide on the winners in this category. Suffice it to say that all the winners showed nice use of light and cheerful compositions. The shots were made at the right time of day. Now we all want to vacation in Alaska. One judge said, “I want to swim in your fjord.” Trust me, you don’t want that.
2nd: Land of the Midnight Sun
Entrant: David Hayes
Org: The Northern Light
3rd: Rainbow’s End
Entrant: Peggy Fagerstrom
Org: Nome Nugget
Large:
Judge: Colin Crawford
Director of Photography, Los Angeles Times
1st: Bohemian Waxwing
Entrant: Bob Hallinen
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Photo has a nice sense of movement against a colorful Alaskan landscape.
2nd: Bailey Hill Barn with Pioneer Park
Entrant: Bob Martinson
Org: Northern Light
Comments: Very nice light and good, rich texture in the photo. The warming sun against the cool background makes for an appealing image.
3rd: Cooling Down
Entrant: M. Scott Moon
Org: Peninsula Clarion
Comments: Good juxtaposition in photo showing hikers dwarfed by the massiveness of the glacier.
32-Portrait
Small:
Judge: Colin Crawford
Director of Photography, Los Angeles Times
1st: Russian Orthodox Priest
Entrant: Nili Sundown
Org: Delta Discovery
Comments: Photo captured intimacy and mood of a quiet moment.
NO 2nd or 3rd awarded.
Large:
Judge: Tony Overman
Staff photographer at The Olympian and Director for the National Press Photographers Association Region 11
1st: Not Forgotten
Entrant: Evan R. Steinhauser
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Natural moment of a man sitting among headstones on Memorial Day was portraiture at its finest. It’s a real moment in a wonderful setting. The solitude of the man amid the headstones is both peaceful and powerful.
2nd: Arvid Nelson, Dog Musher
Entrant: Marc Lester
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: Marc Lester’s photo of a musher waiting before a race has character and nice composition. The fur hood, ball cap peeking out, and suspenders tell us what this man is. The wrinkles and slanted gaze tell us who he is.
3rd: Badge of Courage
Entrant: Oakley Cochran
Org: First Alaskans, ANI
Comments: Oakley Cochran’s photo of a young woman who shot herself in the face in an unsuccessful suicide attempt was clean, tight and not looking at the camera. Non-traditional portraiture, but nicely done.
33-Feature
Small:
Judge: Tony Overman
Staff photographer at The Olympian and Director for the National Press Photographers Association Region 11
1st: Curious Eagle
Entrant: Jeff Richardson
Org: Dutch Harbor Fisherman
Comments: Jeff Richardson’s photo of an eagle poking his head over a snow bank took first place for one reason: it made us laugh out loud. The composition, framing between the church peaks and the mountains and the water was well done. The eagle’s expression was priceless!
2nd: Never Forget
Entrant: Neil Zawicki
Org: Alaska Star/ Military Weekly
Comments: The wonderful silhouette of Air Force honor guard members, combined with the backlit American flag made this photo a winner.
3rd: Young Eagle Dancer
Entrant: Nili Sundown
Org: The Delta Discovery
Large:
Judge: Colin Crawford
Director of Photography, Los Angeles Times
1st: Moose Through Roof
Entrant: Bob Hallinen
Org: Anchorage Daily News
Comments: This was a very humorous photo despite the drama.
2nd: Look, Ma
Entrant: M. Scott Moon
Org: Peninsula Clarion
Comments: Photographer captured the peak moment with a clean background.
3rd: Room For Rent
Entrant: Marcus K. Garnet
Org: Peninsula Clarion
Comments: We moved this photo from the Spot News Category to Features as we found the photo unique and humorous. It certainly didn’t seem to fit in the Spot News category.
34-Magazine Photo
Judge: Tony Overman
1st: Change
Entrant: David Hayes
Org: True North
Comments: David Hayes photo of a man standing in an ice tunnel formed over a receding creek bed had beautiful light, nice lines to a diminishing horizon and the added touch of the man reaching up to the ice. Very peaceful and fragile.
No 2nd or 3rd place awards.
RADIO
35-Breaking News
Judge: Corey Flintoff, NPR
1st: Ward Cove Leaves Alaska
Entrant: Amy Miller
Org: Coast Alaska
2nd: Trailer Fire/Standoff
Entrant: Dave Totten
Org: KENI
3rd: Ghost Ship
Entrant: Lainie Welch
Org: KMXT
36- Single Story
Judge: Steve Kindred
KFWB, California
1st: Race War
Entrant: Gilbert Sanchez
Org: KSKA
2nd: Walking the Whittier Tunnel
Entrant: Scott Rhode
Org: KENI
3rd: The Climbing Wall
Entrant: Amanda Stossel
Org: KTNA
37-Comprehensive
Judge: Steve Kindred
KFWB, California
1st: Alvin’s Alaska Cruise
Entrant: Sonya Senkowsky
Org: APRN
2nd: The Budd Car
Entrant: Amanda Stossel
Org: KTNA
3rd: Fighting Noise vs. Supporting a Shoulder Season Economy
Entrant: Doug Fine
Org: KHNS
38-Ongoing Public Affairs Program
Judge: Paul Glickman
KPCC-FM, California
1st: Evening Rounds: Gastric Bypass Surgery & Obesity
Entrant: Amy Mayer
Org: KUAC
2nd: Talk Around Town
Entrant: Doug Fine
Org: KHNS
3rd: The Mike Porcaro Show
Entrant: Mike Porcaro/Host; Doug McCullough/Producer
Org: KENI
39-One-Time Public Affairs Program
Judge: Paul Glickman
KPCC-FM, California
1st: Securing the Harvest
Entrant: Native Voice Communications
2nd: Interior Voices: Yukon Highway
Entrant: Eric Mack
Org: KIYU-AM
No 3rd place award.
40-Commentary, Editorial or Review
Judge: Bill Drummond
School of Journalism; University of California – Berkeley
1st: Workplace Cameras
Entrant: John McWhorter
Org: KUAC-FM
Comments: An excellent job of taking an example from everyday life and putting it in the context of national concerns. A strong viewpoint, well written and delivered. An expression of fair-minded and reasoned opinion.
2nd: Phillip Jackson Day
Entrant: Heather Lende
Org: National Public Radio’s Morning Edition
Comments: A powerful story of redemption, cleanly and vividly told. Full marks on pacing and delivery. Creatively employs the best in story-telling technique.
3rd: Waterparks: Crucibles of Ethical Dilemmas
Entrant: Barbara Brown
Org: APRN
Comments: Enjoyable story-telling romp with a subtle message. Well written and delivered.
41-Documentary
Judge: Julie Shapiro
Third Coast Audio Festival
Chicago Public Radio – WBEZ
1st: The Wreck of the Princess Sophia
Entrant: Matt Miller
Org: KTOO
Comments: Miller presents several angles in telling the story of this shipwreck, which makes it timeless as well as historical, interesting on personal levels as well as factually. His choice of interviewees provides an interesting diversity in terms of subjects’ relationships to the incident. The writing is strong, his descriptions are clear and evocative, and the use of recorded sound, especially at the end of the piece, provides listeners with a solid connection to the story he’s telling.
2nd: Vegetable Heavyweights
Entrant: Patty Sullivan
Org: KSKA
Comments: This piece is very energetic and full of personality and humor, and gives rare insight into a small community that otherwise listeners may never come into contact with. Use of sound is excellent and Sullivan allows the story’s characters to come across as very alive and distinct.
No 3rd place awarded.
42-Government or Political
Judge: Connie Walker, News Director
Wisconsin Public Radio
1st: Valley Rally
Entrant: Patty Sullivan
Org: KSKA
Comments: This report is engaging from the start. Creates a picture in the listener’s mind. Excellent writing and transitions, especially to the steer. Love the Lincoln/truck comparison at the end.
2nd: Youth Gubernatorial Debate
Entrant: Shana Sheehy
Org: Alaska Public Radio Network
Comments: Great use of tape to re-create the scene. But this report also goes beyond that with follow-up reaction. Consistent and nicely done.
3rd: Rural Campaign
Entrant: Anne Sutton
Org: KTOO
Comments: Good introduction, grabs attention. Very descriptive and lively use of audio, very effective. Solid reporting all around.
43-Business
Judge: Guy Nelson
KUOW, Seattle
1st: Compost tea
Entrant: Patty Sullivan
Org: KSKA
Comments: From the first line ("Weird things are happening in the garden") to the finish an engaging piece of radio. Wonderful sensual descriptions of aromas and visual writing ("broccoli had the heft of a 3 year old boy") combined with fine production made this piece stand out.
2nd: Leader Creek
Entrant: Johanna Eurich
Org: KDLG
Comments: Fine radio story-telling combining the facts with strong scenes. We are there when the refrigeration goes out.
3rd: Rub-A-Dub Dog
Entrant: Ellen Lockyer
Org: Alaska Public Radio Network
Comments: An entertaining and informative take on an unconventional business. This is a story that would get people talking.
44-Environmental
Judge: Cathy Duchamp, reporter for KUOW in Seattle
1st: Glacier on the move
Entrant: Ann Sutton
Org: KTOO
Comments: Great scenes, nice pacing.
2nd: Baranof Warm Springs reaches boiling
Entrant: Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Org: Independent
Comments: Well balanced story on controversial issue. Captured uproar and water-rights legal issues in a clear manner.
3rd: Grasshopper Gore
Entrant: Patty Sullivan
Org: KSKA
Comments: Great tape. Nice delivery and writing.
45-Crime or Courts
Judge: Richard Baker
KKSU –Kansas
1st: Law Day - Jury Duty
Entrant: Matt Lichtenstein
Org: KFSK Public Radio News
Comments: The actuality at the start of the report immediately grabbed my attention. The piece showed a good mix of nat sound and interviews. That along with good writing kept me listening. This was an important topic with a touch of humor. There was also an interesting sidebar on the “permanent fund.”
2nd: Food Stamp Lawsuit
Entrant: Jody Seitz
Org: KDLG for APRN
Comments: This was a complicated subject made understandable and listenable with good writing and a good mix of interviews.
3rd: Shock Jock
Entrant: Anne Sutton
Org: KTOO
Comments: Interesting and timely piece with a good use of nat sound and interviews.
46-Education
Judge: Phil Easley, KOPN-Missouri
First Place: Fish in Ditch
Entrant: Doug Fine
News Organization: KHWS
Second Place: Russian USA
Entrant: Patty Sullivan
News Organization: KSKA
Third Place: School Funding
Entrant: Jody Seitz
News Organization: KDLG
47-Health or Science
Judge: Phil Easley, KOPN-Missouri
First Place: Coho Carcass Count
Entrant: Doug Fine
News Organization: KHWS
Second Place: The Village Reporter-Tobacco Use in Alaskan Villages
Entrant: Mike Murray
News Organization: KMXT
Third Place: Health Care Pooling
Entrant: Matt Lichtenstein
News Organization: KFSK
48-Feature
Judge: Rachel Ambrose
AP, Los Angeles
1st: Bear and Human Research
Entrant: Doug Fine
Org: The Savvy Traveler
Comments: Informative travel piece on how to see brown bears close-up in Haines and how researchers and tourists approach this July-October phenomenon differently. Developed nicely. And, excellent “Goldilocks” lockout.
2nd: Singing Valentines
Entrant: Rene Gutel
Org: KSKA FM 91.1 Anchorage
Comments: Fun to listen to. Good pacing. Tells an engaging story. Catches your interest from the start.
3rd: Whatsittoya
Entrant: Johanna Eurich
Org: KDLG Dillingham
Comments: Reporter takes you right into this store with the interesting name. Excellent use of sound. Love it when the proprietor answers the phone by asking, “What’s it to you?”
49-Profile
Judge: Katherine Concannon
National Public Radio – Seattle
1st: The House That Ace Built
Entrant: Amanda Stossel
Org: KTNA - Talkeetna Community Radio
Comments: A delightful profile/obituary of a man I did not know and I imagine most people outside his community did not know. However, through Amanda’s detailed and colorful writing and through her personal storytelling she delivered a compelling piece of radio that made me care about this man and her relationship with him. A nice piece — beautifully written and pleasantly delivered.
2nd: Mardy Murie Profile
Entrant: John Mcwhorter
Org: KUAC-FM
3rd: Glenn Godfrey Remembered
Entrant: Rene Gutel
Org: KSKA
50-Sports
Judge: Doug Nadvornick
KPBX, Spokane
1st: Sex on the Trail
Entrant: Anne Sutton
Org: KTOO
Comments: A new wrinkle on why dogs sometimes don’t run well. The most unique piece in the category. Some very good tape. The writing and delivery are good too.
2nd: Viking Wrestlers go to Regionals
Entrant: Matt Lichtenstein
Org: KFSK
Comments: A nice advance feature about a high school wrestling team that’s headed to its regional tournament.
3rd: The Back of the Pack
Entrant: Doug Fine
Org: KHNS
Comments: A prototypical high risk, high reward piece. This story had some flaws: it was way too long and some of the production was spotty. But the writing was interesting and sometimes funny and some of the sound bites were really colorful. This piece kept my attention and deserves some kudos.
51-Live Event Coverage
Judge: Doug Nadvornick
KPBX
No award given.
52-Arts
Judge: Euan Kerr
Minnesota Public Radio
1st: “Alaskan Beer Poetry”
Entrant: Rene Gutel
Org: KSKA
Comments: Rene combines a snappy delivery and a sense of fun to convey the spirit of a fun event with a serious interest in poetry.
2nd: “Steaming the Canoe”
Entrant: Doug Fine
Org: KHNS
Comments: Doug’s use of sound allows us to witness a demonstration of an ancient skill and gives us a glimpse of how life was once very different.
3rd: “Turnagain Arts”
Entrant: Ellen Lockyer
Org: APRN
Comments: Ellen takes us on an audio tour of a remarkable facility dedicated to the arts
53-Daily News Program
Judge: Mardy Derby, CBC
1st: APRN Nightly News
Entrant: Steve Heimel
Org: APRN
2nd: KDLG Noon News
Entrants: Jody Seitz and Johanna Eurich
Org: KDLG
3rd: KHNS News
Entrant: Doug Fine
Org: KHNS
TELEVISION
54-Breaking News
Judge: Emmy-winning news team of KTVT-TV (CBS), Dallas/Fort Worth
No award.
55-Single Story
Judge: Michael Rinehart, news director at KCRA-TV, Sacramento and staff
1st: Lake Hood Flooding
Entrants: Jeff Turner, Mike Carl
Org: KTVA
Comments: Grabbed me from the start with copy and pics. Good nat sound, good sound bites.
2nd: Guardians of the Last Frontier
Entrants: Megan Baldino
Org: KTUU
Slow start on the story. Would have like to be told “extreme weather is the norm” earlier. Story flowed well after the slow start.
3rd: Call for Help
Entrants: April Davis, Ken Lawrence
Org: KIMO
56-Series Reporting
Judge: Emmy-winning news team of KTVT-TV (CBS), Dallas/Fort Worth
1st: Septic Scam: In Search of JR Olsen
Entrants: Maria Downey and Eric Sowl
Org: KTUU
2nd: Avalanche Alert
Entrants: Aimee Rzewuski and Mike Carl
Org: KTVA
3rd: The Women of Mary Magdalene
Entrants: Rhonda McBride and Phil Walczak
Org: KTUU
57-Live Shot
Judge: Jill Geisler
The Poynter Institute and former news director at WITI-TV, Milwaukee
1st: Central Alaska Earthquake
Entrant: Dan Fagan, Chris Werner
Org: KTUU
Comments: The reporter demonstrated “skills without script” – knowledgeable, conversational storytelling. Working with his photojournalist partner, he walked viewers through the scientific documentation of the earthquake, asked cogent questions of an expert and gave a succinct, clear reply to an anchor’s follow-up question.
No 2nd or 3rd place award.
58-Documentary
Judge: Susan Han
Senior Producer at Seattle’s PBS affiliate, KCTS Television, Han’s work has earned regional and national awards and has been recognized with nine regional Emmy nominations.
1st: Racing on the Edge: The Story of Arctic Man
Entrants: Jason Moore, Tom Cole
Org: KTUU
Comments: This entry was well-rounded, with good pacing, great editing and solid videography. It was also well-written, a
