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1 | Category Name | Circ Group(s) | Judge | 1st Organization | 1st Entry | 1st Comment | 1st Credits | 2nd Organization | 2nd Entry | 2nd Comment | 2nd Credits | 3rd Organization | 3rd Entry | 3rd Comment | 3rd Credits | Judge's Category Comments | ||||||||||
2 | Best Video Journalism | All Media | Joan Cartan-Hansen | Alaska's News Source | Rachel McPherron Best of Video Journalism 2024 | Rachel McPherron, Lauren Maxwell, Rebecca Palsha, Jonson Kuhn, John Thompson | Alaska Public Media | Matt Faubion | Matt Faubion | Alaska's News Source | Eric Sowl composite | Eric Sowl | ||||||||||||||
3 | Vern McCorkle Award for Best Business Reporting | All Media | Tom Daykin | Anchorage Daily News | Soaring rents, mortgages and home prices: What new data shows about Anchorage’s housing crunch | A detailed, data-driven look at the factors behind Alaska's soaring housing prices for both renters and prospective home buyers. | Emily Goodykoontz | KMXT Radio, Kodiak | Pollock trawl closure sends economic ripples across Kodiak community as fishermen adapt | When a key part of Alaska's commercial fishing industry shuts down earlier than expected, the community effects are widespread. | Davis Hovey | KYUK | Where some see trash, others see treasure at the ‘Wal-Mart of Bethel’ | An offbeat feature on the "Walmart of Bethel"--the local dump where scavengers find new uses for trash. | Evan Erickson | |||||||||||
4 | Best Same-Day Feature | Video | Devon Sayers | Alaska's News Source | Long Lost Family Scrapbook returns home | Georgina Fernandez, Jeremy Kashatok | Alaska's News Source | Bear encounters at homeless camps | Rachel McPherron, Lauren Maxwell | Alaska's News Source | At Peters Creek Post 33, a mission beyond the miles | Beth Verge, MMJ | ||||||||||||||
5 | Best Culture Reporting | Audio | Cara Hetland | Alaska Public Media | Yup’ik elder talks about her childhood with her grandson, and gives advice | This touched my hear in all the right places. Loved the voices and the creative way to put the discussion together. | John Ramos, Rachel Cassandra, Anne Hillman | KTOO Public Media | What are the original Lingít names for Juneau?s mountains? | History, language, all the right things brought in great writing and tender correctness. | Yvonne Krumrey | KUCB Unalaska Community Broadcasting | Unalaska commemorates 200 years of Russian Orthodox history with blessing of the Bishop's House | Love the history here and the effort to celebrate. | Theo Greenly, Andy Lusk | The history and the language and the people featured in this competition were brought with great story telling and care. Thank you for the opportunity to learn so much about Alaska. | ||||||||||
6 | Best Humor | All Media | Jason Goodwin | KNBA Radio | A moose on the loose: Combat shopping in an Anchorage Costco parking lot | Rhonda McBride | KYUK | Interviewing the Dogs at the Bogus Creek 150 | MaryCait Dolan, Gabby Hiestand Salgado | The Northern Light | The ups-and-downs of elevators on the UAA campus | Hannah Dillon | ||||||||||||||
7 | Best Sports Photo | All Media | Paul Keane | Ketchikan Daily News | Volleyball Dive | Great action shot, but the facial expression makes it the winner. Very nicely done. | Christopher Mullen | Ketchikan Daily News | Safe at Home | Great action shot that shows the play perfectly. A little soft on the focus of the catcher and the ball but overall a good photo. | Christopher Mullen | The Northern Light | Photos: UAA Women's Gymnastics 2nd meet against UC Davis Jan. 21 | The only thing I might have done is cropped this one tighter to give it more impact and emphasis. Great stop action shot. | Justin Cox | All of the entries were solid and tough to choose among. Wish I could have given out even more awards because all of the entries were very strong. | ||||||||||
8 | Best Portrait | All Media | Paul Keane | Copper River Record | Veterans Neil Hannan (L) and Gary Wattengel (R), wrapped in quilts presented by the Quilts of Valor Foundation: "to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts." | Awesome photo showing two Veterans just how patriotic they are. This should inspire everyone. | Carol Cozzen | KNOM | Three Generations of Dexters | Very close to being first place. I love the expression on the infant's face. | Ben Townsend | Juneau Empire | Heat it and beat it | Great portrait and action photo. Difficult to catch this one and keep your equipment dry. | Jasz Garrett | |||||||||||
9 | Best Breaking News Story | Tom Daykin | KTOO Public Media | Mendenhall River neighbors recount narrow escapes after record-breaking glacial outburst flood | A well-written account of a flash flood. I especially appreciated the lede's details of a dramatic escape by one family. | Anna Canny | Alaska Beacon | Alaska judge strikes down state’s cash payments to families using correspondence school programs | This story covered all the important angles on a court ruling that affects the education of students throughout Alaska. | James Brooks, Claire Stremple | Juneau Empire | Record flooding exceeding ‘worst-case’ forecast swamps homes and streets near Mendenhall River | Detailed coverage of a flash flood that included extensive field reporting. | Jasz Garrett, Mark Sabbatini | ||||||||||||
10 | Best Alaska History Reporting | All Media | Ed Schoenfeld | Anchorage Daily News | Josie's Story | I doubt few people knew this piece of Alaska history before Kizzia wrote the series. It was a joy to read, with new discoveries throughout. The research was incredible and Kizzia's narrative brings us along with the subject's family as they learn about their relative's life. The author provides important context, including the treatment of Sitka's Tlingit residents by Russians and Americans. That had to be part of the story and it was well-done. | Tom Kizzia | Chilkat Valley News | From pain to healing: The emotional impact of the Navy’s apology to Angoon | Martínezcuello captured the history and emotion of this historic event. His coverage of the apology ceremony and surrounding events takes us there. The historic narrative plays out well with his choice of quotes and imagery. Martínezcuello's article could have easily taken first place had it not been up against another incredible history piece. | Francisco Martínezcuello | KTOO Public Media | Juneau’s deadliest landslide tore through downtown like a ‘mighty grinder.’ Now it’s a fading memory | This report is a wonderful story about a horrible event. Canny reveals the facts through a well-paced narrative mixing factual details with witness descriptions. The report could have easily been first in the category if other excellent reports had not been entered. Congrations! | Anna Canny | |||||||||||
11 | Best Breaking News Story | Video | Jason Goodwin | KTVF | Alaska transportation department to impose bridge weight limit lower than loaded Manh Choh haul trucks' poundage | Patrick Gilchrist | No Winner | No Winner | ||||||||||||||||||
12 | Leslie Ann Murray Award for Best Editorial or Commentary | All Media | Michael Roehrman | Petersburg Pilot | Petersburg EMS is in crisis and it is time to do something about it | Orin Pierson's well-argued and well-written piece about a pressing community need brought about positive change in the community. | Orin Pierson | Kodiak Daily Mirror | What is our obligation here? Are we meeting it? | Wellner's column doesn't provide easy answers, but it raises the hard questions that residents of all communities should ask themselves. | Andrew Wellner | Anchorage Daily News | The indifferent devastation of Forty Mile | Tom Hewitt | ||||||||||||
13 | Best Environmental Reporting | All Media | Erik Anderson | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Federally funded heat pumps are coming to Prince of Wales Island | Wonderful scene that takes listener to the story. Crisp and conversational writing that made the report accessible. Reporter sniffed out a good story and added the context to appeal to many audiences. Bravo! | Michael Fanelli | Alaska Beacon | Beaver expansion into Alaska’s Arctic tundra presents problems for people – and opportunities | Thoughtful and detailed storytelling that used local voices to engage readers. The historical background was complicated but clear. Well done! | Yereth Rosen | Arctic Sounder | After flood, Kotzebue residents take stock of damaged homes and property, and take care of one another | Lovely engaging open that grabbed the reader and never let go. Great characters. Excellent reporting. | Alena Naiden | There is no category for honorable mention, but if there was one, I would award it to the Anchorage Daily News entry from Lauren Holmes and Charles Wohlford. The writing was sublime. The photos exquisite. Just wanted some more voices. | ||||||||||
14 | Best Reporting on Government or Politics | Audio | Tom Banse | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Man files for US House seat in Alaska - from federal prison in New York | Very nice conversational narration. Some twists in the story made me laugh. Answered all my questions about how this fringe candidacy was possible. | Jack Darrell | KYUK | Alaska’s rural schools languish on capital improvement lists and an increase in Base Student Allocation won’t help | Good swing at an important problem. Nice to have examples from different parts of Bush Alaska in the story. | Emily Schwing | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Ketchikan’s Native leaders speak out against fake totem poles as city considers action | Nice use of sound and snappy editing. | Michael Fanelli | |||||||||||
15 | Best Magazine Cover | Mike Campbell | Alaska Business Monthly | July 2024 | Emily Longbrake | Alaska Business Monthly | April 2024 | Monica Sterchi-Lowman | The Northern Light | Fall Commencement Edition 2024 | Edleen Guiao, Linnaea Gossard | |||||||||||||||
16 | Best Page Layout & Design | Mike Campbell | Alaska Contractor | Annual Report to Members | James Brown | The Northern Light | UAA 2024 presidential election poll | Edleen Guiao, Kyle Ivacic, Linnaea Gossard, Matthew Schmitz | Alaska Contractor | Delivering the Future | James Brown | |||||||||||||||
17 | Best Picture Story | All Media | Sharon Phillips | Chilkat Valley News | Quick Shop fire | Rashah McChesney | Anchorage Daily News | The polar bear and the bird scientist: George Divoky’s 50-year Arctic vigil | Loren Holmes | KMXT Radio, Kodiak | Scenes from Kodiak Crab Festival 2024 | Brian Venua | ||||||||||||||
18 | Best Social Media Presence | All Media | Sharon Phillips | Alaska's News Source | Meteorologist Melissa Frey | Melissa Frey | Alaska Teen Media Institute | ATMI Social Channels | Kaylee LaTocha | KNOM | KNOM- Yours for Western Alaska | Ben Townsend, Janice Homekingkeo, Miranda Musich | ||||||||||||||
19 | Best Sound-Rich Feature | Audio | Ed Schoenfeld | KFSK Radio (Petersburg) | Petersburg’s Vikings and Valkyries are going for more than just “the grog” | This piece has lots of great sound, structured and mixed well. It really caught the spirit of the events - and this category. | Shelby Herbert | KNBA Radio | Sun Rise Camp: A new day for children with incarcerated parents | This report could have tied for first, if ties were allowed. The reporter covered a great topic with excellent sound and actualities. | Rhonda McBride | KCAW Radio (Sitka) | While local herring are more affordable and accessible in Japan, some still look to Alaska for eggs | This piece has the best journalism in this category. The sound is also good and the mix and narration worked well. | Katherine Rose | I was impressed by the amount of good sound in most of these reports. The winners had the best mix of illustrative sound, descriptive and fact-filled narration and well-balanced audio. Several other entries could have easily made the top 3. I was surprised, though, that some reports were not sound-rich. One or two segments of natural sound aren't enough. | ||||||||||
20 | Best News Photo | All Media | Stephanie Mullen | Anchorage Daily News | Roof Collapse | Beautiful use of the aerial angle. Love the light and coldness in the colors. | Loren Holmes | KMXT Radio, Kodiak | Biologists dissect Cuvier’s beaked whale found dead on Kodiak Island. | This is so Alaska and a well composed frame. | Brian Venua | Ketchikan Daily News | Stay Court Fire | Christopher Mullen | ||||||||||||
21 | Best Solo Journalism | All Media | Linda Levin | KHNS | The Skagway Shuffle | Outstanding reporting on a subject important to the Skagway community. | Molly McCluskey | Alaska Public Media | 2024 Iditarod coverage | Great photos to accompany the stories of the annual race. | Casey Grove | KMXT Radio, Kodiak | Brian Venua Multimedia | A mix of interesting stories, well told through multi-media. | Brian Venua | |||||||||||
22 | Best Feature Photo | All Media | Allen Morris | KNOM | Rydan Henry next to the remains of the Stebbins School fire | Ben, What an immensely powerful photograph. Of course the scene itself lends to an engaging photograph; however, you've managed to capture a moment with Rydan that carries a deeper narrative. He looks as though he really wants to play basketball with his friends, but no one is around because...well..why would they be...the smoldering wreckage behind him tells the tale. The way that he confronts the reader, the expression on his face, they all YANK at the heartstrings - they don't simply tug. Excellent photograph! | Ben Townsend | Peninsula Clarion | ‘Evolve or die’ | Jake, THANK YOU for sharing this fantastic photograph. I am so impressed by your ability to capture the energy and work going into retrieving the seine net. The apparently blustery conditions and grey sky really emphasize how important these tests are to the fishery and it's health - folks are out there doing the hard work even in less than ideal conditions. That's Alaskan Work Ethic. That's a compassion for the environment. That's one heck of a photo. Good work! | Jake Dye | All, I know it sounds trite to say this, and I know I've probably said it more times that I would like to admit, but this competition was EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to judge. You all submitted very strong work that ran an extreme gamut from lighthearted imagery to soul bruising photographs and all things in between. Technically your photos were all very strong, and well executed in composition. For me, the choice came down to photographs that conveyed the most narrative content and could stand on their own without the need for allied text. Photographs that really defined or described what I (as an "Outsider", albeit from the Pacific Northwest) think about when I envision Alaska and those who call it home. Thank you all, sincerely, for sharing your photographs and your talent for storytelling and image making. Take heart in your work and keep telling these stories. I know I speak for a lot of readers when I say just how much we appreciate your hard work and your amazing pictures. | ||||||||||||||
23 | Best Arts & Culture Criticism | Mike Dunham | Homer News | Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage | Delcenia Cosman | The Northern Light | Late to the party | Tanner Croft | The Northern Light | Sound and sociology: Is Hip Hop dying? | Nahla White | |||||||||||||||
24 | Best Culture Reporting | Print-Large | Mike Dunham | Anchorage Daily News | Mexico’s ‘las mañanitas’ celebration provides cultural connection, 4,000 miles north | Jenna Kunze, Loren Holmes | Juneau Empire | Coats of many colors: Halibut jackets make a big splash again | Laurie Craig | Alaska Beacon | Focus is on community, civic responsibility at Juneau Traditional Games event | Claire Stremple | ||||||||||||||
25 | Best Education Reporting | Audio | Bob Collins | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Students and teachers report a sharp decline in support for non-native English speakers in Ketchikan schools | First of all, I LOVE how you started the piece. The human perspective. Making a personal connection between the story and the listener. YES!! Do you realize how few journalists do this? The arc of the story was perfect: Student...to teacher... to superintendent... to lawyer.. to teacher... to student. What we have here is the perfectly told story. | Jack Darrell | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Ketchikan high school students recognized for kindness | Terrific piece. Nothing fancy. One of those things that happens in schools that nobody covers, but it makes a lasting impression on the listener. | Jack Darrell | KYUK | A utility room under Mertarvik’s public school is full of raw sewage | Great, descriptive writing. And what courage to even go into that room! I'd love to know how this ended. | Emily Schwing | Very solid reporting throughout. | ||||||||||
26 | Best Arts Reporting | Audio | Andrew Villegas | KYUK | From the Kuskokwim to Ketchikan, Alaska’s music history has many stories to tell | I absolutely adored this story. The scenes, the music -- not too much, not too little. I really got a good feeling for the history of this music and the effort to save it. Good arts reporting places us in a moment to reflect; this does that perfectly. | Evan Erickson | Alaska Public Media | At Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, art classes help prisoners take a break and prepare for release | I loved the hope this piece gave not only the people who are incarcerated, but all of us that we can keep creating no matter where we are in life or the odds. It connects us to each other and our humanity in a place that is not always known for it. | Rachel Cassandra, Matt Faubion | Alaska Public Media | Hometown hero? Valdez may soon get a life-sized statue of a ‘Star Trek’ icon | Good arts reporting is weird in the best possible way. This piece did a great job of taking a seemingly mundane topic -- public art -- and weaves in and out of TV tape in a way that doesn't feel over the top, but is indeed, fun and masterful. | Wesley Early | |||||||||||
27 | Best Newscast | Audio,Video | Corey Flintoff | Alaska's News Source | News at 6: Multiple fire break out across Alaska | Wide-ranging, coverage of wildfire outbreaks from several parts of the state. This program makes good use of reporters in the field, from Denal, Montana Creek and the Elliot Highway to convey the extent of the firs, together with up-to-date warnings to residents and weather reports. Good public service reporting. | Makayla Clark, Kevin Fowler, Melissa Frey, John Thompson, Lex Yelverton, Mike Ross | Alaska Public Media | Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 | Comprehensive reporting on issues, events and people from across Alaska, ranging from the lack of childcare in Valdez to RSV vaccinations in Bethel. Good use of local voices. | Tim Rockey Casey Grove, Chris Hyde Tim Ellis, Liz Ruskin Eric Stone, Ashlyn O'Hara Sage Smiley, Hunter Morrison Evan Erickson | Alaska's News Source | Alaska's News Source Late Edition: Ketchikan landslide | Close-up coverage of the Ketchikan landslide that focuses on the affected residents. Good use of on-site video, reporter stand-ups, maps and weather reports | Beth Verge, Melissa Frey, Joe Cadotte, John Perry, Jordan Rodenberger, Kevin Fowler | The best thing about this year's entries was that all focused on solid, public-service reporting, free from the technical razzle-dazzle and media-personality performances that often mar news programs at the national level. The winners were informative, appealing and rich with the flavor of Alaska. | ||||||||||
28 | Best Reporting on Government or Politics | Print-Small | Tom Daykin | Mat-Su Sentinel | Houston council certifies election despite irregularities, ballot concerns | A thorough explanation of election irregularities--raising questions about how a small community is governed. | Amy Bushatz | Nome Nugget | Shaktoolik races against time and bureaucracy to rebuild protective berm | The story provides a detailed look at a clash between bureaucratic rules and local realities. | Colin Warren | Homer News | Libraries face uncertainty in wake of funding cuts | A deep dive into library funding issues. | Delcenia Cosman | |||||||||||
29 | Best Short Feature | Print-Large | Christina Myer | Peninsula Clarion | Moose Pass rallies behind free spay and neuter clinic | Jake Dye | Eos | Finding the Frequency of a Fjord | J. Besl | Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | Growing strong at 40: Fairbanks Community Garden celebrates an anniversary | Haley Lehman | Figuring out which of these three would be first was difficult. Each was well, written, interesting and brought fascinating stories to the readers. The margin between first and third in this contest came down to the smallest of details. Well done, everyone! | |||||||||||||
30 | Best Natural Sound Video Journalism | All Media | Erik Anderson | KYUK | Arctic Artists: Building community through yuraq | MaryCait Dolan, Gabby Hiestand Salgado | No Winner | No Winner | Wonderful storytelling that captured the ambiance of the drummers and the meaning that drives the group. The sound carried and linked the narative. | |||||||||||||||||
31 | Best Sports Reporting | Audio | Andrew Villegas | Crude Conversations | EP 145 There is no excuse with Andrew Kurka | The best sports reporting tells us something unexpected about a sport. It might be something we know intrinsically about its place in our lives, and puts the dots together for us without being heavy-handed. This piece did a wonderful job showing how the resiliency of the human spirit is best reflected in sport -- and that our greatest opponent is often ourselves. | Cody Liska | KCAW Radio (Sitka) | Alaska’s top ‘pinheads’ gather in Sitka for first ever state pinball championship | Sports aren't just about athletics. They are also past-times and often feature in the spaces where we often don't look. This story did a good job, just as the winner did, at helping us understand that to understand sport, we must look inward. I also loved the nat sounds, the bites chosen and the unexpected scene setter. I felt there. | Katherine Rose | KFSK Radio (Petersburg) | Juneau coaches teach local kids Native Youth Olympics | Sport tells us our place in the world. This story captured me by giving me a story about teaching, learning and how we maintain and hold on to our important pasts. I so appreciate the framing here, taking time to explain to the listener what we don't know about Native Alaskan sports and how and why people practice them today. Sports reflect to us something about our larger culture, and this story did that very well. | Hannah Flor | |||||||||||
32 | Best Reporting on Science | Audio | Corey Flintoff | KFSK Radio (Petersburg) | Scientists hope to learn about alien intelligence from Frederick Sound humpback whales | This well-produced field report explores an intriguing question: Can research on whale communication illuminate the possibility of communicating with an alien mind? | Shelby Herbert | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | A dog on Prince of Wales Island is helping to conserve wolves by tracking their poop | An engaging piece about a dog-trainer/researcher whose dog sniffs out elusive wolf scat to try to determine wild populations. Well-written and explained. | Jack Darrell | CoastAlaska | Study shows “stray” hatchery salmon could change wild runs | A good, clearly explained report on research in whether stray hatchery fish can influence the migratory habits of wild salmon. Engages the listener in an interesting question. | Angela Denning | Alaska provides so many opportunities for interesting science reporting, but the challenge is to make complex issues and concepts clear to a listener in a very short time. This year's entries did a good job in making research accessible and engaging. | ||||||||||
33 | Best Culture Reporting | Print-Small | Christina Myer | Arctic Sounder | ‘Joy overflowing’: Point Hope whaling captain and widow shares harvest at Qagruq | Wonderfully human detail that gave the reader an experience as much as a peak into one life. | Alena Naiden | Chilkat Valley News | Hooligan oil cooked at culture camp ‘it’s pure magic’ | Lex Treinen | Arctic Sounder | After decades of dormancy, skin boat-making returns to Wainwright | Alena Naiden | Well-written windows into the lives of communities those of us living in the lower 48 have a hard time imagining. Great care was taken in telling these stories authentically and realistically. Excellent work. | ||||||||||||
34 | Best Profile | Print-Small | Paula Dobbyn | Baker to hold art show to benefit Hospice of Kodiak | Nice story with lots of heart. This particular section deftly captured what motivates the artist: “I met this man for the first time on probably the worst night of his life and I said, ‘I am Deb’s friend, may I sit with you awhile?’” Barker recalled. She remembered he had a picture that appeared to have been taken in the 1940s or 50s of a young woman. “He wanted that close but he was dying alone. There were no friends, there were no family, there was a complete stranger, and I held his hand.” Barker told this story as a way to illustrate just how important she finds the work hospice does. | Andrew Wellner | Chilkat Valley News | Glacier pilot Drake Olson finds his flow state | Great storytelling and use of color and quotes. The story invites the reader to go along for the ride and get to know this quirky pilot. These quotes really summed up his personality: I lived like a dog,” he said “I always feel like I’m one little problem away from disaster,” he said. | Lex Treinen | The Senior Voice | Mr. Whitekeys' New Act: A new act — sailing into history | Nice to know what this beloved Spenardian is up to these days. | Dimitra Lavrakas | ||||||||||||
35 | Best Reporting on Science | Print-Large | Paula Dobbyn | Anchorage Daily News | After a steep drop in Alaska’s reintroduced wood bison, state biologist sees push into a second area as part of success story to come | Great combination of imagery and words to tell the story of wood bisons' next chapter in Alaska. | Marc Lester | Alaska Beacon | Study tracks calls used by endangered Alaska belugas – and human-made noise in their habitat | Solid reporting on ship noise and industrialization and their effects on Cook Inlet's beloved but endangered belugas. | Yereth Rosen | Juneau Empire | Breaching a gap of 3,296 miles: Iceland’s experience with jökulhlaups | Interesting and informative story that compares Juneau and Iceland's battles with ice to protect humans and houses. | Jasz Garrett | |||||||||||
36 | Best Short Feature | Print-Small | Paula Dobbyn | Skagway News | Curious driftwood art found on Jersey Shore | Fascinating tale about driftwood, small-town Alaska, and the passage of time. | Gretchen Wehmhoff | Southside Neighbors | Leon Kinneeveauk lost his way. Carving helped bring him back. | Nice feature about an Alaska Native artist and the restorative power of Indigenous art. | Amy Newman | |||||||||||||||
37 | Best Sports Feature | John Carpenter | Juneau Empire | Jaasyah Crowley chasing gridiron dream as whistle-blowing manager for Juneau Huskies | What a unique story! We need more of these types of stories! Well written and kept me engaged. | Klas Stolpe | Alaska Sports Report | Homer’s Kristen Faulkner switches gears to make her Olympic cycling dream come true | Great writing! Set me up to want to watch the women's cycling events in the Olympics! | Beth Bragg | Anchorage Daily News | Stepping away: West Anchorage football coach Tim Davis is putting a pause on his passion to focus on what matters most | Great topic, great writing, but it kind of felt like two different stories. | Josh Reed, Bill Roth | ||||||||||||
38 | Best Public Safety Reporting | Audio | Erik Anderson | Alaska Public Media | Security footage calls into question Anchorage police account of fatal shooting | Solid reporting fueled by brisk writing and a personable delivery make this entry stand out. The reporter recreated a difficult scene and then added different perspectives that added context and controversy. Well done. | Wesley Early | Alaska Public Media | UAA training for health care providers keeps victims of violent crimes from falling through the cracks | Used the power of audio to take listeners to the scene. Add in the solid reporting, great storytelling and clean production and it is a recipe for an award winning story. | Rachel Cassandra | CoastAlaska | Regional working group seeks to set up a landslide warning system in Southeast Alaska | The crisp and direct writing moved listeners through a nuanced story. Appreciated the many voices that made the reporting effort shine. | Angela Denning | |||||||||||
39 | Best Arts Reporting | Video | Deborah Horne | KYUK | Arctic Artists: Building community through yuraq | A joy to watch this piece. The video, the editing, especially the editing, and the use of unexpected sound, like the drummer laughing, added so much. | MaryCait Dolan, Gabby Hiestand Salgado | Alaska Public Media | What Medieval Calligraphy taught this Eagle River Lawyer | INDIE ALASKA | Beautifully shot. Nicely told story. All three of these entries could have placed first. | Shiri Segal | Alaska's News Source | Life Sized Tuskers | Love the use of spare use of copy. Managed to make a piece essentially shot in one room come alive. | Eric Sowl | |||||||||||
40 | Best Sports Reporting | Video | Deborah Horne | Alaska's News Source | For dad-daughter duo, Iditarod is a family affair | Nicely told story. Could feel the emotion of the day. Nice job. | Beth Verge, Tracy Sabo | No Winner | Alaska's News Source | Friday Night Lights' on the northernmost football field in America | There was a lot to like about this story, especially the distance the crew traveled to tell it. Nice photography. | Jordan Rodenberger, Tyler Lane | ||||||||||||||
41 | Best Education Reporting | Print-Large | Betsy Russell | Alaska Beacon | False citations show Alaska education official relied on generative AI, raising broader questions | Wow! Excellent reporting, fact-checking and analysis. Great enterprise. | Claire Stremple | Alaska Beacon | School closure on Alaska Air Force base highlights effects of education policy choices | Well-written, comprehensive report that brings home the impact of this school closure | Claire Stremple | Alaska Beacon | Alaska school districts got a one-time funding boost. It came too late for many teachers. | Terrific rundown, with specifics, of the impact of state funding decisions on real people and families. | Claire Stremple | There was SO MUCH great reporting in this category! I wish I could have given more than three awards. Alaskans are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated reporters doing fine work like this on such an important topic. | ||||||||||
42 | Best Sports Reporting | Print-Small | Michael Campbell | Nome Nugget | Nanooks are 2024 State Champions! | Conveyed the excitement of the championship and, more importantly, what it meant to the town of Nome. A true championship effort. | Anna Lionas | Petersburg Pilot | Phil Hofstetter places third in 2024 Iditarod Trail Invitational | Despite a bit of redundancy, the account of bike race to Nome allowed the reader to feel the loneliness and difficulty. | Olivia Rose | Nome Nugget | Musher Brent Sass disqualified from Iditarod, Burke Jr. withdraws from Iditarod after being reinstated | A strong effort to document a DQ that left some Iditarod fans shocked. Both sides represented in the story. | Diana Haecker | |||||||||||
43 | Best Same-Day Feature | Audio | Corey Flintoff | KFSK Radio (Petersburg) | Petersburg honors veterans with quilts and a parade | This well-produced piece captures the emotion of a small town honoring its veterans with a parade, band music and quilts for those who served. a story with heart. | Hannah Flor | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Ketchikan sees first snow of the season | This engaging feature accomplishes the rare feat of making a first snow in Alaska interesting. Goes from fun and silly to serious when it raises the question how how the weather will affect the homeless. | Jack Darrell | KCAW Radio (Sitka) | Students stage walkout, calling for more school funding | This story uses speeches, interviews and ambient sound to put us in the middle of walkouts by students at two Sitka High Schools as they protest education budget cuts. A good job of conveying the scene. | Meredith Redick, Katherine Rose | This year's entries showcased good, clear writing, logical structures and engaging delivery by the reporters. The audio pieces were enhanced by good recording, editing and production. Winners and contestants should all be proud of their journalism. | ||||||||||
44 | Best Arts Reporting | Laura Tillman | Homer News | Homer Theatre under new ownership | What a fun journey with a group of people committed to bringing a theater to Homer, Alaska. I love that the reporter ventured into the origin story of the theater. The article is informative, with good choice of quotes, and a nice narrative thread. | Delcenia Cosman | Alaska Business Monthly | Alaska Music Census | A deeply reported, comprehensive look at Alaska's music scene. It's clear that a lot of work went into this piece and that the writer has a passion for this subject and community. This helped me understand a scene I had no concept of before. | Vanessa Orr | Peninsula Clarion | Seward in ‘Wonderland’ | This write made me feel like I was right there at "Alice in Wonderland" in Seward. Great descriptions, beautiful photos, and fun details about why the performers enjoyed the show so much. | Jake Dye | Congratulations to all the participants on some fascinating articles about Alaska's arts scene. I enjoyed reading all of the entries, but a few rose to the top. The winners did a good job of interviewing their subjects to capture captivating quotes and details that make the stories unique and the artists and their work come to life, even from thousands of miles away. | |||||||||||
45 | Best Headline Writing | All Media | Margaret Littman | KCAW Radio (Sitka) | Sitka schools may drain savings account, swimming pool to make ends meet in 25 | Robert Woolsey | Chilkat Valley News | Chilkat Valley News Headlines | Rashah McChesney | Anchorage Mayor Bronson's final resignee warns about 'time bombs' in city’s bookkeeping | Jeremy Hsieh | These were good combinations of headlines that used word play and clever devices to capture attention, but were not cutesy, nor did the distract from the meaning and intent of the article. | ||||||||||||||
46 | Best Travel Reporting | All Media | Margaret Littman | Alaska's News Source | Road Trippin' 2024: What is Ultra Luxury? | Tracy Sinclare, Beth Verge | Alaska's News Source | Road Trippin' 2024: Aurora Ice Museum | Tracy Sinclare, Georgina Fernandez, Peggy McCormack | Nome Nugget | Three roads, 229 miles and 48 hours— road tripping around Nome | Anna Lionas, Colin Warren | Good conversational tone, informative and aspirational content. Makes people want to go. Respectful of locals where appropriate | |||||||||||||
47 | Best Reporting on Government or Politics | Print-Large | Justin Hinkley | Alaska Public Media | Can you guess how these 10 ambiguous Ballot Measure 2 votes were counted? | This entry rose to the top for its creative approach and made what could have been a mundane process story interesting and engaging for readers. A unique way to impart important knowledge to readers. | Eric Stone | Anchorage’s large-vehicle fleet is at risk of ‘imminent collapse’ after years of underinvestment | Local government reporting at its finest. Clear, concise reporting that illustrates the problem and holds accountable those with the power to fix it. | Zachariah Hughes | KTOO Public Media | New condos built with Juneau Affordable Housing Fund loan are being sold at market rate | Clear-eyed watchdog reporting on an important issue to this community. Well done. | Katie Anastas | Alaskans benefit from a bevy of talented journalists on the job to bring the state and local governments to their doorsteps. This competition was hard to judge because of the solid reporting throughout all of the entries. | |||||||||||
48 | Best Profile | Print-Large | Brian McCrone | Anchorage Daily News | The training life: These are the building blocks of Rosie Brennan’s world-class cross-country skiing career | Fine profile that is the most in-depth of this year's entries. | Marc Lester | ICT (formerly Indian Country Today) | Rosita Worl Wins National Humanities Medal | Most important profile of the entries, but left me wanting to know so much more about Ms. Worl. | Joaqlin Estus | Peninsula Clarion | In Juneau, making laws is a group effort | A nice look at a person behind the politician at the Alaska Statehouse. | Ashlyn O'Hara | |||||||||||
49 | Best Sports Reporting | Print-Large | Scott Levin | Anchorage Daily News | Playing at a new level, Anchorage’s Alissa Pili finds her footing and connects with fans | Rock solid look at local athlete’s journey to the professional level, and the cultural significance of her ascent. The reporter did a great job of threading in her first-game action with the heart of the story, her representation as an Alaska Native and Samoan. Sports are a metaphor for all walks of life, and this quote below illustrates the heart of Pili’s journey and what made the story so important. Outstanding and contextually relevant photos throughout elevated the experience. “We wanted to be here to watch Alissa because there is something powerful about watching somebody that looks like you and moves like you and that maybe has been told her whole life that like basketball won’t be her sport, because of build or body or whatever,” Pritchard said. “And (Alissa) has just proven that wrong. She’s just proven that we can do it too. And so it’s fun to get to see her.” | Chris Bieri, Loren Holmes | Peninsula Clarion | Brantley Jr. runs record to 160-9 to take over top of Alaska football wins list | What made this story stand out was the deep dive into Brantley’s philosophy and approach behind his incredible record. Excellent job combining the actual game reporting with the quotes and lore of Brantley’s career. Lovely photos, would have liked to see some of them higher up the story. The lead photo was nice, but not as impactful as some of the ones at the end of the story…particularly the gatorade dump. | Jeff Helminiak | Alaska Sports Report | Three Alaskans qualify for NCAAs, two of them face off as Evan Bockman outlasts Levi Hopkins in 2OT | This was the best work in a strictly game-reporting format. The other two entries had strong feature elements that made them stand out, but the heart of sports reporting is communicating the details and imagery of the actual games. Of all the entries this was the strongest at that. Wrestling in particular is a complicated sport to describe in words, but the reporter did an excellent job not only explaining techniques and moments, but flowing the prose in a way that captured the electricity of the competition. | Van Williams | All the entries were very strong, and Alaska's sports reporting world remains in good hands. | ||||||||||
50 | Best Sports or Outdoors Column | Michael Taylor | Homer News | Reeling Em In: Cherishing an old fishing friend; An Angling addiction; One man's trash fish fish, another's tasty treasure. | Great narrative in each column, followed by useful insider info--the whole package is perfect for the audience. | Nick Varney | Homer News | Out of the Office: Forget not the little joys in life; Bitter patience for sweet fruit; Early sunsets over Homer | Well written, but the philosophical mediation sometimes overtook the narrative. | Delcenia Cosman | Skagway News | Fish This: The Great Sea, Seeds of Survival, Empty Spaces | Two of the columns were repeated copies of the same one, or this column may have placed higher. Good narrative focus in what was there. | Andrew Cremata | All were readable, enjoyable columns. The winner always incorporated character, dialog, and a story before moving on to a knowledgeable fish report. Highly entertaining. Second and third place were both were well done. | |||||||||||
51 | Suzan Nightingale Award for Best Columnist | Michael Taylor | Cordova Times | Last Frontier Days weekly column | Interesting history from the archives, with well told stories that will engage the community. | Hank Nuwer | Ketchikan Daily News | What's on Your Shelf | What a wonderful idea for a column! By profiling local readers, Brown engages the community and promotes literacy. | Rebecca Brown | The Fish Head Report | Very good and relevant reporting for the audience, but sometimes the writing could be crisper and cleaner. i.e., some of those sentences get pretty long. Excellent otherwise. | Terry Haines | The columns that rose above the competition demonstrated personality and readability, with a good balance of reported facts and story-telling. | ||||||||||||
52 | Best Magazine Feature | Michael Taylor | Alaska Business Monthly | The Community Winter Access Trail | Strong lead and ending, with rich reported detail in between. | Nancy Erickson | Alaska Business Monthly | Wired Cattle | Engaging lead and useful, informative detail throughout, with colorful scenes. | Rindi White | High Country News | An Alaska Native Mutual Aid Network Tackles the Climate Crisis | Great subject matter and quotes, but the story seemed to call out for some narrative scenes. | Joaqlin Estus, Emily Sullivan | Many of the features entered showed good reporting and interviewing skill, but the top three were also the best reads. | |||||||||||
53 | Best Alaska Outdoors Reporting | All Media | Michael Taylor | heatherlende.com | Dispatch from Moose Camp | Evocative, poetic, with sloppy long paragraphs and amazing single word sentences, Lende's "Dispatch from Moose camp" is a sheer joy to read. It is the essence of outdoor reporting, framed by actual poetry from Mary Oliver and poetic prose from Lende. Many fine outdoor stories were submitted this year, but only one displays unforgettable writing. | Heather Lende | Daily Sitka Sentinel | Stranded Pooch Gets Full-Scale Ropes Rescue | This story offered a perfect mix of exciting narrative, expert quotes, and a happy ending. And readers learn something about rope rescue along the way. | Garland Kennedy | Anchorage Daily News | Ludacris drank water straight from an Alaska glacier. Fans wondered: Would it make him sick? | The celebrity element makes it newsworthy, but the reported facts on glacial water make this story memorable and useful. | Megan Pacer | The many entries in this category were all quite good, nearly all presenting the sort of exciting outdoor adventure that defines the state. But Heather Lende's notes from moose camp rose above the strong competition from the sheer force of her poetic language. Picking her for first place was easy, while second and third were much, much tougher. The two chosen for those awards each had something unique to offer, not only for this year's contest, but to a judge who has read and viewed many stories in this category over the past decade. | ||||||||||
54 | Best Reporting on Health | Audio | Gabriel Spitzer | Alaska Public Media | A Homer needle exchange offers safer supplies for rural Alaskans and a bridge to recovery | This is a critical, complex story that was clearly handled with much thought and care. A really eye-opening look at the challenges of harm reduction service in rural AK. I so appreciated hearing from the client right up top. I could have used a few stats on ODs and needle-borne infections. Overall, an outstanding story. | Rachel Cassandra | Crude Conversations | EP 149 Human trafficking in Alaska and decolonizing data with Josie Heyano | There were some really lovely moments in this conversation. The guest communicates powerfully, and it's clear the hosts are really listening. The conversation about survivors disclosing personal stories was especially thought provoking. That will stick with me. | Cody Liska, Aurora Ford | Alaska Public Media | Alaskans are increasingly abusing multiple drugs, complicating treatment | Really solid reporting in this story. It's a newsworthy trend, good use of stats, has just about all the info I wanted to hear. Interesting explanation about unique factors in Alaska. | Rachel Cassandra | The best entries in this category told not just effective stories, but ones that shed light on both a solid health angle and the unique Alaska perspective. If I had feedback for folks, it's that many entries were only tangentially connected to health. | ||||||||||
55 | Best Natural Sound Audio Story | All Media | Gabriel Spitzer | KFSK Radio (Petersburg) | Canoes journeying to Celebration welcomed in Petersburg | Beautifully mixed piece. Compelling voices. This story captures things as they happen -- I love hearing stuff unfolding before the mic. Multiple audio gems throughout. One of the best executed non-narrated pieces I've heard in a while. | Hannah Flor | Alaska Public Media | Hey Anchorage, who's your pick for mayor? Why? | Engaging writing and framing, some very funny moments, Nicely mixed, well balanced between substance and color. The two reporter format, with lots of great tape, works really well for this story. | Jeremy Hsieh, Wesley Early | KFSK Radio (Petersburg) | Petersburg hosts Southeast Honors Music Festival | Wonderful material from these kids, woven masterfully with expertly recorded music. Hannah is clearly a highly gifted producer. Bravo! | Hannah Flor | |||||||||||
56 | Best Profile | Audio | Adam Raney | KNBA Radio | Nellie Moore leaves behind a huge footprint in Native Journalism | Rhonda McBride | Alaska Public Media | Anchorage 8th grader wins first ever National Civics Bee | Tim Rockey | Alaska Public Media | Meet Phyllis Bowie, Anchorage's longest-serving teacher who's retiring after 50 years | Tim Rockey | ||||||||||||||
57 | Best Fisheries Reporting | All Media | Wesley Loy | KUCB Unalaska Community Broadcasting | King Cove hit hard by seafood plant closure | Theo Greenly travels to the remote fishing town of King Cove to tell the sad story of a company town in crisis. He assembles a fine package including an online story, a radio version that adds extra detail, and some very nice photos. His report separates itself with details concerning the business challenges surrounding the shuttered King Cove seafood processing plant. And Theo's story offers great color such as an extraordinary food giveaway from the plant, and an anecdote of how the city clerk's parents actually met at the cannery, the closure of which has left locals feeling lost. | Theo Greenly | Alaska Public Media | For more than a century, a fish plant fueled King Cove’s economy. Without it, can the community survive? | Eric Stone also travels to King Cove to tell the traumatic story of the Peter Pan seafood plant's closure and the heavy blow it has dealt to the town and its fishermen. Eric assembles an excellent package of reporting, but his photography really stands out. Love those aerial images! I wish the report had delved deeper into Peter Pan's financial implosion. | Eric Stone | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Alaska’s harbors grapple with rusty pilings and rising costs | Jack Darrell, who has a fine radio voice, brings us an interesting report on what seems a mundane topic. He describes a creeping infrastructure crisis not just in Ketchikan but across the state. The report offers fascinating perspective on the state's oil wealth hangover. "We no longer have a big brother in the oil companies" to subsidize crumbling harbors, the Ketchikan city manager tells Jack. | Jack Darrell | |||||||||||
58 | Best Food Reporting | All Media | Gretchen McKay | Alaska Public Media | A Homer business takes a local approach to brewing mead, with help from thousands of bees | Terrific piece - a real sense of time and place, and a good food story on its own. | Rachel Cassandra | KTOO Public Media | Climate change makes farming easier in Alaska. Indigenous growers hope to lead the way. | Great reporting on an important and timely topic. | Anna Canny | Alaska Public Media | https://alaskapublic.org/news/2024-01-18/no-longer-a-bagel-desert-new-business-is-among-several-bringing-bagels-back-to-anchorage | What a fun piece! Not just a story about bagels but their place in Alaska. | Michael Fanelli, Matt Faubion | |||||||||||
59 | Best Public Safety Reporting | Print-Large | Brian McCrone | Juneau Empire | JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter? | In-depth look at crime blotters, which readers always have liked and probably always will like reading in their local papers. | Mark Sabbatini | Anchorage Daily News | ‘This wasn’t supposed to happen’: Fiancee of man shot by police said she wanted 911 call to get him help | Zaz Hollander, Tess Williams | No Winner | |||||||||||||||
60 | Best Education Reporting | Print-Small | Brian McCrone | The Northern Light | USUAA president resigns | A story straight out of Hollywood. In fact, if this story was a movie, it might not be believable. On top of the story, bravo to the reporter for getting interviews with both main characters, finding supporting evidence to their claims and then writing what feels like a dialogue so brilliantly that all of it makes sense. This is a shining example of local journalism. | Kyle Ivacic, Scott Hobbs | Alaska Contractor | Teachers in the Field | Kevin Klott | No Winner | |||||||||||||||
61 | Best Comprehensive Coverage | All Media | Kathleen McCoy | Anchorage Daily News | Alaska's correspondence programs face legal challenge | Stakes are high in public education funding in Alaska, and this series crisply focused readers on a little-realized use of correspondence school public money going to religious and private schools, allegedly in violation of the Alaska Constitution. Plaintiffs got direction from the Alaska Supreme Court about which entity should address their complaint more correctly. The debate continues. A lawsuit launched it all, but important that reporters did a good job putting the issue in context. | Iris Samuels, Sean Maguire | Juneau Empire | Juneau School District financial crisis | School budgets are important, as these stories exemplify. They are also complicated and hard to follow. All of that is successfully captured in this series when the school district/school board take action to address a large surprise deficit, end up with a modest surplus, but in the meantime realize their faulty reluctance in not taking necessary corrective action before the crisis. Important Alaska issues – declining enrollment, underfunding education – are illustrated. Good thing reporters were there. | Mark Sabbatini | Mat-Su Sentinel | Embattled Palmer city manager resigns with $75,000 payout after 53 days in job | This series illustrates how wrong public governance can go. A city manager is hired by a city council that is unaware (due to personnel policies) of his past two jobs where he left with large severance packages. The messy unraveling follows and he leaves Palmer with a $75,000 severance. Ouch. Good thing a reporter was there. | Amy Bushatz | This category had strong competition. Most entries showed deep commitment to accurate and revelatory local coverage. Topics carried significant impact in their communities. I could name multiple winners for each place. Given the heft of these comprehensive entries, I looked for stories that emphasized oversight of the public process and holding officials accountable. Stories like those may go a long way to fortify public trust – both in those who cover the news and in those who make the news. They illustrate why local news matters. I chose three winners, but also want to call out work by Homer News: Planning Commission weighs Doyon development Juneau Empire and Anchorage Daily News: Community impact of homelessness The Nome Nugget: port development and KNOM: uranium testing near Elim Alaska Beacon: zoonotic diseases in Alaska Peninsula Clarion: Effects of King salmon named a species of concern, impact on east side set netters. A lot of good, comprehensive work all around. | ||||||||||
62 | Best Multimedia Presentation | All Media | Brian McCrone | KNBA Radio | As White Raven attains celebrity status in Anchorage, the bird's dual spiritual and trickster nature on full display | Really beautiful digital layout and mix of video, photos and writing. A perfect subject for a multimedia story and really nice use of various photographers' work that flows seamlessly. | Rhonda McBride | KNOM | Aftermath of Stebbins School Fire: Leaders Plan Recovery and Rebuild | Excellent 360 coverage of a devastating event for a community. Though it is little compensation for the loss of a school and other buildings, this story brought light to everyday people who acted heroically. | Ben Townsend | KYUK | In Kwethluk, the relics of the first-ever Yup’ik saint are unearthed | Fascinating story with lots of visuals. | Evan Erickson, MaryCait Dolan, Katie Baldwin Basile | Strong entries this year. Nice use of photos, video, audio and prose on display. | ||||||||||
63 | Best Reporting on Health | Brian McCrone | Alaska Beacon | Alaskapox no more: Newly discovered disease and virus is to be called ‘borealpox’ | Fascinating way to update the public on a virus that could affect the Alaskan population. Readers learned about how viruses are named and why a name matters. | Yereth Rosen | Arctic Sounder | Two Iñupiaq women work to become village-based lactation counselors to better support mothers in Northwest Alaska | In-depth look at two women's mission to enhance public health in their communities and as a model for broader Alaska. | Alena Naiden | True North Magazine | As Syphilis Rates Rise, Many Alaskans Should Consider STI Testing As A Part Of Their Routine | Well-written story about an important public health issue for all Alaskans. | Taylor Heckart | ||||||||||||
64 | Best Feature | Video | Devon Sayers | Alaska's News Source | Exploring Matanuska Glacier by foot and air | Beth Verge, Aaron Morrison, Lex Yelverton | KYUK | In Napaskiak, three generations of teachers uplift Yup’ik language and culture in the classroom | MaryCait Dolan, Sage Smiley | Alaska's News Source | Girdwood Forest Fair magic | Georgina Fernandez, John Perry | ||||||||||||||
65 | Best Series | All Media | Jason Lamb | KCAW Radio (Sitka) | Phantom Fish: The Return of Japan's Vanished Herring Industry | This series delivered the exact type of depth, context and perspective that should be honored in a category like this; a deep dive on a topic with direct impact to Alaskans, which simply could not have been accomplished without a trip to Japan to see what was happening there firsthand. An impressive investment in the public interest! | Katherine Rose | Anchorage Daily News | Sea change: Alaska’s marine highway navigates an uncertain future | A fantastic in-depth look at the troubles facing the Alaska Marie Highway system, using narrative storytelling of those who benefit from the service and those who work aboard the aging ferries, along with a strong look at the debate from lawmakers. This piece provides critical understanding for those who may not use the ferry service in Alaska often. Great work! | Iris Samuels | Chatter Marks | Memories and Monsters | There is so much about bigfoot or sasquatch, but I have never heard such an in-depth examination of not just people explaining supposed encounters, but the impact it has across so many perspectives. Truly eye opening! | Cody Liska | |||||||||||
66 | Best Scenic Photo | All Media | Ted Warren | Skagway News | The sun sets on Skagway as the tug moors to the ferry dock, Photo by Kari Rain. | Easy choice for first place! This has so much going for it -- light, colors, reflection, and scale from the boats and dock. Great exposure and composition as well to display all of the tonality. It's also nice to not see a photo like this over saturated and over processsed. Nicely done! | Kari Rain | KMXT Radio, Kodiak | Stellar Steller Sea Lions | Nice combination of creatures and scenery here. I would have liked to see the horizon line not at exactly center, but at either of the thirds lines (probably the lower one, which would emphasize the animals a bit more). | Brian Venua | Petersburg Pilot | Summer sunrise | Nice to see a large sun in a sunset photo and have it emphasized by the mountain in front of it. This is the type of photo that reminds even native Alaskans of the beauty out their front doors. | Carey Case | This was a fun category to judge, as scenics are a favorite of mine to shoot. I was a little surprised to not see any drone entries -- if available at your publication, be sure to utilize them. I hope next year to see more than five entries, as your state has amazing scenery! | ||||||||||
67 | Best Reporting on Science | Print-Small | Chris Conway | The Sun Star | Thesis Watch: Sara Henbslee Researches Young Moose in Northwest Alaska | Zeke Shomler takes you into the world of a wildlife field biologist in his profile of Sara Henslee, a game species manager for the state of Alaska. Henslee is studying the moose population in one of the state's game management regions. Shomler does an excellent job explaining the complexities of managing game species like the moose so that hunters have access to meat while the ecology that sustains the population is protected. This is obviously a major concern in a state where a significant part of moose hunt is for subsistence, and where some populations are in decline while others are increasing. The photos really add to the story-telling. | Zeke Shomler | Arctic Sounder | Subsistence hunters measure wave height and use an app to predict conditions at sea | Alena Naiden has written a fascinating article about the increasing role technology is playing in that most ancient of endeavors -- subsistence hunting in Alaska. In this case, subsistence hunters and fishermen are collaborating with scientists on a project to keep fishermen safe by using buoys to track wave heights. The real-time information can be transmitted to fishermen via an app. She also emphasizes the importance of early and close collaboration with local communities so these technologies will be accepted and used. And the pictures help in telling the story. | Alena Naiden | No Winner | ||||||||||||||
68 | Best Weekly Newspaper | George Bryson | Nome Nugget | March 14, September 12, July 25 | “Alaska’s Oldest Newspaper” continues to generate important regional stories that extend well beyond the city limits of Nome. Its July 25 front page alone reported on the aftermath of a devastating school fire in Stebbins, the first-ever subsistence salmon-fishing closure in Teller, and a proposed (and highly controversial) commercial airline tax that could eliminate Nome’s near-$1 million budget deficit all by itself. Finally, there’s always the Iditarod, which literally finishes at the paper’s front porch. And the Nugget captured that moment impressively with some nice descriptive writing. | Nugget Staff | Wrangell Sentinel | With one of the strongest news staffs among the six weekly newspapers competing, the Wrangell Sentinel — “The Oldest Continuously Published Newspaper in Alaska” — consistently places multiple home-grown stories on each front page. One strong example was its Nov. 20 front page with a lede story predicting 70,000 cruise ship passengers are expected to flood the community in 2026 — more than twice as many as 2023. Also three other interesting (local!) stories, all competently reported. Nice job, Sentinel staff! | Larry Persily, Sam Pausman, Amber Armstrong, Mark Robinson | Skagway News | The Skagway News | Operating with a smaller staff than some of its rivals, The Skagway News makes up for that disadvantage with the most attractive front page design of any of the top three. It's clearly not afraid to allow a single compelling picture to "go big" on the page, complementing the paper's consistenly clean, uncluttered layout. Its strongest issue featured a tourist bus that overturned (injuring passengers); the killing of a problematic bear (prompting the passage of higher fines for those who attract bears); and finally a closer look at Skagway's public school test scores (reportedly the best in the state). | Gretchen Wehmhoff | Judging the front pages only of the weekly newspaper competition is, of course, handicapped by the judge's inability to see beyond the front page. (In a number of instances, this judge wanted to read content on the jump page to see if missing details ever got addressed). Beyond that, here's a few observations. Weekly newspaper editors should continually try to find ways of making their papers more lively. They can achieve this with more instances of point-of-view storytelling and less instances of flat, formulaic news-writing. In other words, they should have fun with their paper! And in terms of straight news reporting, all the papers reviewed allowed far too many acronyms to creep into print. Acronyms are the arch-enemy of storytelling. They make a reader's eyes glaze over. They should especially not appear in headlines (with only a few obvious exceptions, like FBI or CIA). Instead, find ways to refer to institutions generically on second or third reference, instead of constantly regurgitating the initials. And finally, revel in your mission -- the great American privilege of publishing a small-town newspaper. For inspiration, check out the example of early 20th-century Kansas journalist William Allen Wright. His paper was small, but his voice was mighty! | ||||||||||||
69 | Best Long Feature | Justin Hinkley | Anchorage Daily News | Outlandish and animated, pro wrestling entertainment is gaining a foothold (and a chokehold) in Anchorage | Proof that good journalism doesn't have to be hard-hitting, Lester entertains as he informs by bringing people into the ring of professional wrestling. A well-told and rollicking piece. | Marc Lester | Anchorage Daily News | Hotel Captain Cook bellman retires after 44 years of witnessing Anchorage’s evolution | Jenna Kunze tells the story of a town through the lens of one man, and she tells it well. | Jenna Kunze | Petersburg Pilot | Petersburg officer escorted “The People’s Tree” to Washington D.C. | A proud journey told with great detail without weighing things down for the reader. A great read. | Orin Pierson | ||||||||||||
70 | Best Blog | All Media | Justin Hinkley | Amberbatts.com | Five years forgotten in a phone | A riveting read from start to finish. | Amber Nickerson, Amber , Amber , Amber , Amber , Amber , Amber , Amber , Amber | Heatherlende.com | Fair Winds and Following Seas | Lende sets the scenes perfectly and takes readers along with her both physically and emotionally. | Heather Lende, Joan Sizemore | The Alaska Memo | The Alaska Memo: The What and Why it Matters of Alaska Politics | Thought-provoking and informative, Buxton brings his readers inside Alaskan politics smartly and wittily. | Matt Acuña Buxton | |||||||||||
71 | Best Public Safety Reporting | Print-Small | Justin Hinkley | The Sun Star | Legionella Found in Akasofu and Usibelli Buildings on UAF Campus | Manny Melendez | KTVF | Alaska transportation department to impose bridge weight limit lower than loaded Manh Choh haul trucks' poundage | Patrick Gilchrist | Chilkat Valley News | Klukwan residents expand wildlife protection efforts, take on VPSO role | Molly Dischner | ||||||||||||||
72 | Best Solo Video Journalism | All Media | Wes Pope | Alaska's News Source | Georgina Fernandez | Georgina Fernandez | Alaska's News Source | Eric Sowl | Overall, the shooting quality on all of these is very solid. The writing falls into a pattern of VO/bite/VO/bite. Look for opportunities to build a story arc. | Eric Sowl | Alaska's News Source | Beth Verge | Shooting is nice on all of these. Detail shots, good use of tripod. The skiing piece is especially nice visually with some of the framing with foreground elements. The writing & stories on each could be a bit stronger. Pretty flat reports when there might have been opportunities for some narrative arc / twists & turns / or at least a reveal or two. | Beth Verge | Love seeing the range of stories across Alaska. Strong visuals among the winners. Everyone could use some work on the VO writing and voicing (recommend Bob Dotson's Make It Memorable book). Would-be runner up: Patrick Story #1: nice little family history story with a twist. Story #2: simple business feature fine for publication - not really contest-worthy. Story #3: Pretty dull topic (sale of state land to Grange). B-roll, interviews and VO were all fine. Audio throughout all of these is over-modulated. Maybe an export issue for the web version? Can't imagine they are going on air like this. Other non-winner comments: Murat Good event coverage plus protestor & interviews. Different mic-ing could have improved the audio. Built-in conflict between mayor and protestors contributes to slight increase in sense of drama. Anja Fun, simple little piece. The reflexive search-for-bears approach made it more engaging. Felt ready-made for social media. | |||||||||||
73 | Best Specialty News Program | Video | Wes Pope | Alaska's News Source | Alaska's Athletes of the Year | Really nice range of human interest stories packaged together well. | Jordan Rodenberger, Tyler Lane | Alaska's News Source | Road Trippin' 2024: Iconic Alaska | Fun series of travel features edited together into a show. Very Alaska content. | Tracy Sinclare, Ariane Aramburo, Tracy Sabo | Alaska's News Source | A Christmas Gift from Alaska | Capitol Christmas Tree journey. A long piece with some good sections but drags in places. Appreciate the package showcasing the vocational program. And the tree's journey was edited well, integrating stills in a cool way. | Tracy Sinclare, Rachel McPherron, Lauren Maxwell, John Thompson, Tracy Sabo | Some nice work overall. notes for non-winners: Alaska Native Vote Some good interviews around an important topic. Lots of generic b-roll without people, doesn't push the story forward. Picture Alaska Engaging user generated content - viewers no doubt loved this one. A bit of effort here to add context - biologist, physics lesson, etc. Hard to judge this against other types of submissions. | ||||||||||
74 | Best Narrative Audio Program | Audio | Adam Raney | Closing the Gap | Closing the Gap | Gwen Holdmann, Jennifer Pemberton | Alaska's News Source | Parenting in the Far North | Ariane Aramburo | KNBA Radio | Alaska's Native Voice: Fashion, Music & Art & Day 2 of the Native Youth Olympics | Antonia Gonzales, Host Emily Schwing, Producer Jill Fratis, Assistant Producer Hannah Bissett, Assistant Producer | ||||||||||||||
75 | Best Interview or Call-in Audio Program | Audio | Adam Raney | Alaska Public Media | State of Art | Ammon Swenson | Alaska Public Media | Talk of Alaska | Lori Townsend, Annie Feidt, Madilyn Rose, Chris Hyde | KTOO Public Media | Songwriters on Songwriters | Bostin Christopher, Taylor Dallas Vidic, Josh Fortenberry, Marian Call, Mike Maas, Alex Kotlarsz | There were a lot of strong entries here. Thanks for allowing me to take part as a judge. I feel privileged to have heard so many interesting voices in well produced shows and podcasts. State of the Art and Songwriters on Songwriters were both very smart, well produced programs that showed a great variety of artistic voices. I also really appreciated Talk of Alaska with its statewide scope and well produced newsy and cultural stories and topics. | |||||||||||||
76 | Best News Reporting | Video | Karen Larsen | Juneau Empire | With no official place to camp, homeless and neighborhoods alike are suffering miseries | This was a tremendously in-depth look at a problem that is occurring in cities everywhere. Well researched with multiple interviews covering numerous angles. | Jasz Garrett, Mark Sabbatini | Alaska's News Source | This use to be a beautiful house': Squatters infiltrate Anchorage home | Excellent use of natural sound and on-scene reporting. Showcasing the tour of the home with its personal belongings and memories - along with a review of the owner's efforts to solve the dilemma helped bring this story alive for viewers. | Rebecca Palsha, Rachel McPherron, Jonson kuhn | Alaska Public Media | A fish plant fueled King Cove’s economy. Without it, can the community survive? | Kudos to the photographer, and and writer of this story. Well done. | Eric Stone, James Oh, Matt Faubion, Annie Feidt | |||||||||||
77 | Best Culture Reporting | Video | Karen Larsen | KYUK | The bittersweet success of community-based archaeology in Quinhagak | Beautifully shot video combined with well-paced editing, sound and music help the viewer see, understand and even feel the need to preserve native culture. Well done! | Gabby Hiestand Salgado, Evan Erickson | Alaska's News Source | Nesbett Courthouse Totems | Excellent writing, sound and editing help share the important message behind this artist's task. | Eric Sowl | Alaska's News Source | Alaska Native culture bearers bless Cook Inlet Fin Whale | Interesting insights into the significance of honoring the whale and its place in tribal culture. | Georgina Fernandez, John Perry | |||||||||||
78 | Best Legal Affairs Reporting | All Media | Tulsi Kamath | KNBA | Native woman, believed slain by serial killer Brian Smith, declared homicide victim | Rhonda McBride | Alaska Public Media | A judge has thrown out a key part of Alaska's homeschool system. Here's what to know. | Eric Stone | KRBD Radio (Ketchikan) | Washington man sentenced to 99 years for murder of Ketchikan surgeon | Jack Darrell | ||||||||||||||
79 | A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism | All Media | Cheryl Thompson, Steve Reed, Jacob Resneck | Anchorage Daily News | Hundreds of people charged with domestic violence, child abuse or DUIs are walking free in Anchorage | Kyle Hopkins | Alaska Beacon | False citations show Alaska education official relied on generative AI, raising broader questions | Claire Stremple | Alaska Public Media | This oil platform stopped pumping 30 years ago. Alaska still won't make the owner tear it down. | Nat Herz | ||||||||||||||
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