The Bunsen Burner was creatively carried out. Well designed. Clever. Liked all the personal comments of how people were coping with the pandemic. I realize this is for employees (and others) but I did not know what OMRF meant until I looked it up.

Ryan Stewart, Lindsay Thomas, Jenny Lee, Shari Hawkins

Second Place

Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET)

Tobacco Stops With Me Cultivated Newsletter

Sjonna Paulson, Chase Harvick, Kelli Brodersen, Matt Morgan, Lindsey Funk

Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET)

The use of faces really draws the reader in. In addition, the acknowledgment that COVID is at the top of people's minds but research to treat other diseases is still ongoing helps show that the requester understands that donors' priorities may have shifted during the pandemic. This was a good balance of an emotional appeal with a statement of how your donation will help.

Jenny Lee, Lindsay Thomas

Second Place

One of the most creative and well written annual reports I've ever read. Really enjoyed the story on the retiree who celebrated his 80th and 90th birthdays with Willie Nelson to raise money for OMRF and another organization.

Adam Cohen, Jenny Lee, Madison Ketcham, Eoin Coveney

Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust

Rise in Childhood Obesity Adds to Worries During COVID

The story of childhood obesity and how it might worsen during COVID-19 was important to tell. Lots of links for readers to get additional info if they desire it.

Second Place

OMRF's skeleton crew keeps research alive and well

Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET)

Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline Launches New Website

Sjonna Paulson, Chase Harvick, Kelli Brodersen, Sarah Powers, Lindsey Funk

Oklahoma Humanities Magazine

Excellent usage of words to paint a vivid picture of Lange'��s evolving work and associating it with the theme of home. I love the line, "We see home in Lange'��s photographs because home is not just a place, it is a perspective."�� That really captures what is conveyed in the piece.

Kimberly Roblin, Oklahoma Humanities

Second Place

Adam Cohen, Shari Hawkins

Oklahoma Humanities Magazine

'Learning from the Past, Acting for the Future'

Ben Alpers, Anne Richardson, Carla Walker, Oklahoma Humanities

Oklahoma Humanities Magazine

I believe this cover immediately grabs the reader'��s attention. Using the image of songwriter and singer/musician Woody Guthrie (who was born in Oklahoma) for the cover of an issue with the theme of �Home� was a brilliant idea. I�m not sure who designed the cover, but having the lyrics of Guthrie's inspirational song appearing on the guitar reinforces the theme.

Sara Bowersock, Anne Richardson, Carla Walker, Oklahoma Humanities

Second Place

Oklahoma Humanities Magazine

Anne Richardson, Oklahoma Humanities

Adam Cohen, Jenny Lee, Eoin Coveney, Madison Ketcham

Oklahoma Humanities Magazine

The cover is absolutely stunning and makes the reader want to continue to explore the publication. Nice consistency in theme across the magazine. I appreciated the visually appealing layout and the incorporation of beautiful photography. Great selection of substantive stories.

Carla Walker, Anne Richardson, Kimberly Roblin, Oklahoma Humanities

Second Place

Oklahoma Humanities Magazine

Carla Walker, Anne Richardson, Kimberly Roblin, Art Lien, Oklahoma Humanities

Adam Cohen, Jenny Lee, Shari Hawkins, Brett Deering

Early release dates for Oklahoma prisoners just got pushed back

Excellent explanatory piece on a high-stakes issue for an undercovered population.

Second Place

A syphilis outbreak in south-central Oklahoma creates yet another strain on the state's public health system

Facial Recognition Is Not Just For Your Phone. It Could Be Used To Prevent Livestock Disease

Oklahoma City George Floyd Protest Leads To Arrests, Tear Gas, And Broken Windows

Compelling spot reporting, capturing the voices of protesters as well as the sounds of police tear gas canisters. Succinct and powerful.

Second Place

Trump's Tulsa Rally Comes Despite Increases Of COVID-19 Infections

How COVID-19 Is Making The Holiday Season Not So Jolly for Santa Clauses

Second Place

Oklahoma Arts Institute moves off Quartz Mountain and into students living rooms

Oklahoma Engaged: How The White Evangelical Protestant Voting Bloc Impacts Elections In Oklahoma

Katelyn Howard, Oklahoma Engaged

How An Oklahoma Law Meant to Protect Fails Mothers

This was a tough call between the first and second place winners. Allison Herrera's reporting on a law that was meant to hold child abusers accountable is failing mothers takes the first place. Not only did Herrera take a close look at one case, using court records and interviews, she also provided extra context regarding domestic violence rates in the state, and how that factors into the unintended consequences of this law. Terrific work, KOSU.

Second Place

Oklahoma City mental health emergencies outpace police trained to handle them

Quinton Chandler, Whitney Bryen, Oklahoma Watch

Oklahoma Performance Venues Hit Hard By COVID-19 Pandemic

'We are still human beings': Oklahoma prisoners, officials adjust as COVID-19 spreads

This was a close contest. The first place award goes to StateImpact Oklahoma for its piece "We are still human beings��: Oklahoma prisoners, officials adjust as COVID-19 spreads." The radio piece focuses on a vulnerable and overlooked population -- prisoners in state facilities -- who fell victim to poor planning and procedures during the pandemic. Great work

Second Place

Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Family Violence Prevention Program Helps Those In Need

Allison Herrera, Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton

Oklahoma Democrats Face Uphill Battle To Be Competitive In State Politics Again

A strong examination of the future of state politics, backed by analysis and historical perspective

Katelyn Howard, Oklahoma Engaged

Second Place

Oklahoma teenagers want their voices heard to make the world a better place

Kateleigh Mills, Robby Korth, KOSU , Oklahoma Engaged

Oklahoma Engaged: How Fear And Anxiety Impact Political Behavior

Katelyn Howard, Oklahoma Engaged

Oklahoma City leaders to reconsider police oversight following protests denouncing racial disparities

Second Place

What Medicaid Expansion Could Mean for Oklahoma's Native American Tribes

OU International Students Face Uncertainty And Confusion Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Lost Childhood: The Visible and Invisible Weight on North Tulsa Youth

This impactful special delved into many related topics with smooth transitions, creativity and care. The editing was truly remarkable. Special kudos for weaving in so many voices and so much information, especially historical.

Second Place

Kyle Nix on Spaghetti Westerns, Fiddling & Turnpike Troubadours

This was a solid single-subject interview. The host asked insightful question and the editing of songs into the interview was exquisite.

Oklahoma Engaged LIVE: Voice Of The Voter Episode 3

The live interviews of subject experts were informative and provide an excellent resource for voters in Oklahoma.

Dick Pryor, Logan Layden, Catherine Sweeney, Keith Gaddy

Thorough newscast, including the latest on COVID-19 and stories across the state.

A powerful spot-news PKG that allows the natural sounds and interviews matched with impressive shots to drive the story. Great work, Stephen Owsley.

Nathan Thompson, Luke Slabaugh

An invigorating special program that fans of OU and Texas must have enjoyed. Strong work!

This was a very close call between all three top choices. In the end, Sierra Pizarro's story edged into first place based in part of the photography and editing of her piece, as well as the writing. Great work, KJRH-TV

Second Place

A strong piece of reporting, putting a face to the infamous label "Athlete A" and defining Maggie Nichols beyond just a survivor, but a world class athlete. Amazing work laying out the story behind this courageous woman who took a huge risk coming forward. Solid work, Fox23.

Nathan Thompson, Jay Harness, Todd Pitts

Second Place

From hungry to wanted: changing lives through food and support

The great story represents a bookmark in sports history: the year sports stood still during a raging pandemic. Darryan Moss' drive, fueled by his father's death, was a great character to center the story. Strong work from Fox23.

Nathan Thompson, Jay Harness, Lee Carter, Todd Pitts

Editing in this piece takes the viewer to Adventure town without ever leaving their home. Great use of nat sound and weaving the piece together.

Beautiful pictures and editing, this story unfolds like a poem. I especially liked the framing of Kayla'��s interview in a field. Great writing. Congrats on your win.

What an unprecedented moment for Tulsa, OK that 2Works For You seized on. Two drastically different events converging on the city, in the midst of a pandemic. The team coverage provided viewers with a front-row view of the events coming together, information they needed to know if they were planning to take part in the President�s rally or the Juneteenth events, and the emotions of participants at both events.

'Gigantic impact': Chesapeake Energy's complex legacy

Smartly written, well sourced look at the rise and stumbles of a major OKC employer and benefactor. An informative read from start to finish.

Second Place

During exit, Boren ensured top OU vice presidents got 'retention incentive' payments

Your story no doubt made Mr. Boren squirm. Well done.

The Forgotten History Of The US's Black Cowboys

A pleasure to learn about the contributions and history of OKLA's Black cowboys. Thank you.

Oklahoma Daily (Univ. of Oklahoma)

LIVE UPDATES: OU Black Emergency Response Team ends sit-in at Evans Hall after administration agrees to new demands

Very extensive coverage in this rapidly developing event. The story does a good job in capturing the choas, unknowns as the sit-in developed and the university responded.

Nick Hazelrigg, Jordan Miller, Ari Fife, Blake Douglas, Emma Davis

Second Place

'Hostile environment': Wetumka mayor thwarted in attempt to abolish police department

Crowd Underwhelms Inside Trump's Tulsa Rally; Festive Block Party Caps Tense Day

Seth Bodine, Logan Layden, Rachel Hubbard, Allison Herrera, Ryan LaCroix

If Oklahoma voters wanted to wade into the deep end of the pool on election issues, NonDoc had the in-depth coverage. Also, good use of a media partnership to help enable debate and discussion of the issues.

Second Place

Election Day 2020 Live Blog: Bice Wins, State Questions Fail & Republican Supermajority Grows

KOSU Staff, KGOU Staff, StateImpact Oklahoma Staff

Epic Charter Grads Less Likely to Enroll in College

Terrific reporting, using data and strong interviews and anecdotal accounts to raise questions about the effectiveness of the state's virtual charter school.

Jennifer Palmer, Whitney Bryen

Second Place

'It Was Hell': Inside an Oklahoma Prison Coronavirus Outbreak

This writer brings crystalline clarity to his topic. The headline might have overpromised, but the powerful straight talk delivers the unvarnished truth on this country's racial legacy and its task ahead. (One SERIOUS demerit: Trayvon Martin was not killed by a policeman. But this writer, with the backing of good editors, has the potential to really make a mark if he keeps tackling things the way he does here.)

Second Place

Oklahoma City mask ordinance passes in real-life Parks and Rec episode

Oklahoma Daily (Univ. of Oklahoma)

Football, friendship and forever: An OU photographer memorializes so much more than her senior season