We’re proud to announce the winners of the Arizona Press Club’s 2025 journalism contest. Congratulations to all the journalists recognized for their outstanding work!
VIRG HILL ARIZONA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
- 1st: Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, Trump's border and immigration crackdown
- 2nd: Yana Kunichoff, Arizona Luminaria, Yana Kunichoff
- 3rd: Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, Covering Arizona's environments, literally
Judges notes: (1) In-depth and surprising coverage on a critical topic. Found new vantage points from which to tell stories, such as the reverse migration trend and how it's impacting a tiny village in Panama. — With skillful writing and on-the-ground (and in-the-air) work, Daniel Gonzalez presents a deeply reported, nuanced and human look at the enormous changes to migration patterns in 2025 — while capturing a wide range of perspectives and experiences. — Nicely written immigration reports from Central America, etc. Thought provoking. Wished his sharp lens also looked harder at those who put immigrants in this situation. Still, he tells the story well about those harmed. (2) Great breadth of work, from the scoop about Amazon Web Services' involvement with a huge data center to stories on the impact of heat on everyday Tucsonians. Reveals overlooked segments of society with close attention to personal details. — Yana's work is so impressive. Digging in on important stories. Writing clearly and cleanly. Major kudos for Amazon Web Services is company behind Tucson’s Project Blue, according to 2023 county memo — What great reporting on a big story. Arizona Luminaria requested and analyzed heat-related or heat-contributed death data provided by the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner. This is just great journalism — telling stories that no one is doing by digging hard. The criminal trespass story is just excellent. Yana's writing and reporting are crisp, and Yana homed in on stories that are important and matter. The use of FOIA and data are impressive to turn around concise stories. Yana is a terrific journalist. — Yana Kunichoff demonstrates highly impressive range in unearthing crucial details for the public on matters of great importance — not only scoring a major scoop unmasking the tech giant behind a highly controversial, secretive data center, but bringing human stories to life around mobile home heat risks and criminalization of camping in public. (3) Creative project idea spawns a riveting and informative series of stories, exploring the geographic and historic ties of the Arizona Trail. Great way to put important and very timely topics into new light. — Very nice writing. Nicely conceived series. Nice at pulling the lens from people to policies.
NICK OZA ARIZONA PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
- 1st: Patrick Breen, The Arizona Republic
- 2nd: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
- 2nd: Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
Judges notes: (1) I appreciate the photographer's attention to stories. I can tell there is a strong level of trust with those whom they photograph. (2) A lovely series of captures ranging from the human element to nature and sports, this professional clearly illustrates a talent for all genres. Well done! (3) A lovely series of captures ranging from the human element to nature and sports, this professional clearly illustrates a talent for all genres. Well done!
ARIZONA COMMUNITY NEWS OUTLET OF THE YEAR
- 1st: Arizona Luminaria staff, Arizona Luminaria, Arizona Luminaria
- 2nd: Maritza L Félix, Conecta Arizona, Conecta Arizona
- 3rd: Staff, AZPM, AZ Community Outlet of the Year
Judges notes: (1) Arizona Luminaria stands out as a deserving Community News Outlet of the Year because it consistently demonstrated the highest ideals of local journalism: public service, accountability and measurable community impact. Its reporting not only informed readers but also helped drive change, most notably through coverage that exposed shortcomings in Arizona’s missing persons alert system and contributed to the creation of the state’s Turquoise Alert. The newsroom paired that impact with ambitious enterprise reporting, including the development of Arizona’s first statewide database of missing and murdered Indigenous women, investigations into immigration enforcement, housing, environmental issues and the justice system, and extensive bilingual coverage that ensured critical information reached underserved communities. Despite its relatively small size, Arizona Luminaria delivered journalism with statewide significance while growing its audience, strengthening its financial sustainability and collaborating with other news organizations to maximize reach. The result is a newsroom that serves as a model for community-centered journalism and exemplifies how local reporting can inform, engage and improve the communities it covers. (2) Conecta Arizona is a compelling candidate for Community News Outlet of the Year because it has built a journalism model that places community needs at the center of every aspect of its work. Through daily engagement with readers via WhatsApp, radio, podcasts, events and digital platforms, the newsroom has created a trusted information network serving Spanish-speaking and binational communities often overlooked by traditional media. Its reporting on immigration, public safety, elections, health and border issues provides critical information during times of uncertainty while maintaining a strong commitment to listening, accessibility and public service. Beyond its journalism, Conecta Arizona empowers community members to become storytellers, creates spaces for civic dialogue and demonstrates measurable audience growth across multiple platforms. The result is a newsroom that not only informs its audience but actively strengthens the communities it serves, exemplifying the highest ideals of community-centered journalism. (3) AZPM is deserving of recognition because it fulfills the core mission of public-service journalism by providing comprehensive, community-focused coverage across multiple platforms while remaining accountable to the audiences it serves. As a nonprofit, publicly funded newsroom, AZPM demonstrates a commitment to reporting that goes beyond official statements to examine how major issues affect the lives of Southern Arizonans. Its coverage of immigration enforcement, education funding, housing affordability and key political developments reflects a newsroom deeply engaged with the concerns of its community. Through a combination of broadcast, digital, podcast and daily news reporting, AZPM reaches audiences wherever they consume information, ensuring important stories are accessible and impactful. Its dedication to informing the public, amplifying community voices and holding institutions accountable exemplifies the vital role local journalism plays in strengthening civic life across Southern Arizona.
Spanish-language news reporting
- 1st: Maritza L. Félix, Daniel Robles, Conecta Arizona, Turistas mexicanos en alerta para cruzar la frontera
- 2nd: Maritza L Félix, Conecta Arizona, Lo que sigue para María Isabel Morales tras el incendio en tienda Waldo’s de Hermosillo
- 3rd: Maritza L. Félix, Daniel Robles, Conecta Arizona, Miles se unen a las protestas “Sin Reyes” en Arizona
Spanish-language feature reporting
- 1st: Celia Esperanza Ramos Montoya, Maritza L. Félix, Conecta Arizona, ¿Por qué nadie ayudó a Michael Montoya?
- 2nd: Beatriz Limón, Arizona Luminaria, Socorro
- 3rd: Paula Diaz, Conecta Arizona, Ciencia desde el desierto: la misión de la Biosfera 2 frente al cambio climático
Judges notes: (1) Un reportaje conmovedor sobre el asesinato de un alumno de prepa. Combina las estadísticas de las armas y la violencia en las escuelas de Phoenix con la historias personal de Michael. Incluye muchos datos y detalles pero no pierde de vista el impacto emocional de su muerte. (2) Una historia fascinante sobre una luchadora social de Guadalupe. Un ejemplo de como la historia sigue viva y sus vínculos con la coyuntura actual. (3) Muy interesante lectura sobre la ciencia que se hace en Biosfera 2 y su relevancia a la sociedad de Arizona y la comunidad latina. Me gustó la combinación de escritura y vídeo, me parece una estrategía importante para comunicar temas de ciencia y cambio climático.
Spanish-language commentary/analysis
- 1st: Maritza L. Félix, Conecta Arizona, Cruzando Líneas: Migración
- 2nd: Maritza L. Félix, Conecta Arizona, Cruzando Líneas: El gozo migrante
- 3rd: Maritza L. Félix, Conecta Arizona, Cruzando Líneas: El regreso de Trump
Judges notes: (1) The author uses her excellent and distinct voice to provide an insightful view of what her characters are facing and thinking. This sequence of pieces tell the story of how immigrant communities have slowly returned to living in the shadows and provides a front row seat to how changes to the legal immigration system began trickling down Arizona’s immigrant community. (2) According to the explanation submitted, “these essays offer a grounded, emotionally honest analysis of what it means to fight for both freedom of movement and freedom of the press in today’s Arizona.” The series accomplishes exactly what it set out to do and does it through great,first-person insights from the writer. (3) The columns served as a mirror reflecting, in real time, how immigrant communities in Arizona were reacting and grappling with the dizzying pace in which immigration policies began to change when Trump returned to the White House.
The Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting
- 1st: Howard Center for Investigative Journalism ASU, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ASU, Deadly Force
- 2nd: Chelsea Curtis, Arizona Luminaria, MMIP data project
- 3rd: Hannah Dreyfus, Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, Wrestling With A Nightmare
Public service journalism
- 1st: Yana Kunichoff, John Washington, Michael McKisson, Arizona Luminaria, Mobile homes
- 2nd: Lex Doig, Jaehee Kim, Adrian Mancera Cota, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ASU, Off the Rails: Aging U.S. railroad bridges self-inspected, findings kept secret
- 3rd: Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, A year of threats and shifts in norms for Arizonans' First Amendment freedoms
- 3rd: Stephanie Murray, Robert Anglen, Arizona Republic, Canyon officials ignored 'critical' warnings on Dragon Bravo, fire plan shows
Judges notes: (1) The stories shine a bright light on life and death issues for many of the state's most vulnerable residents. The reporting, especially the interviews with the mobile home residents, is impressive and heartbreaking. The stories made a real difference in the lives of people who are often living on the edge.
Breaking news
- 1st: Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel, Paul Ingram: ICE pepper sprays congresswoman, reporter
- 2nd: Staff, Arizona Daily Star, U of A community shaken by crash that took the lives of 3 students
- 3rd: L. M. Boyd, AZPM, Arizona Attorney General’s Office confirms lawsuit against House Speaker Johnson
Justice system reporting
- 1st: Nicole Santa Cruz, Dave Biscobing, ProPublica, Seeking Death
- 2nd: Michael Kiefer, Arizona Mirror, Aaron Gunches execution
- 3rd: Howard Center for Investigative Journalism ASU, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ASU, Deadly Force
John Kolbe Politics Reporting Award
- 1st: Stephanie Murray, Arizona Republic, Charlie Kirk assassination
- 2nd: Shawn Raymundo, Lauren De Young, Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, MAGA politics reaches local government
- 3rd: Stephanie Murray, Arizona Republic, How Trump's DOGE cuts impacted Arizona
Judges notes: (1) Beautifully constructed coverage of an organization and the individuals behind it. The reporter follows the money and the message, showing how Charlie Kirk and his organization rose to national prominence and spurred a movement. The effort is well sourced and well told. (2) The reporting team could have easily lost this story to spin and rhetoric, such was the nature of the topic. Instead, the team produced a strong example of how authoritative reporting can cut through the noise with clarity and tight structure. It's the kind of political reporting that enhances the reader's understanding of our current democracy with nuance and care. (3) It is refreshing to read politcial coverage that leads with people who are directly affected by the decisions of elected officials. The reporter elevates those voices while delivering context with clarity.
Health and social issues reporting
- 1st: Hannah Dreyfus, The Arizona Republic, The Cost of “Crime Free” Housing
- 2nd: Natalie Robbins, Tucson Sentinel, 'Major gap in our system': Arizona lacks secure facilities for people with serious mental illness
- 3rd: Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, Has Arizona's plan for extreme heat actually improved related health and social issues?
Judges notes: (1) The swift and potentially significant impact from this project is a credit to the strong formula fused for this investigation: Smart questioning of official government and police narratives, data analysis bolstered by an expert outside partner, shoe-leather reporting and powerful narrative storytelling. (2) Brought to life by poignant detail surfaced by thorough reporting, this investigation shows the public how urgent a community crisis this is while laying out the context and nuance of the public policy issues and failures behind it. (3) When strong reporting like this turns to evidence to go deeper even on what seems like unassailably good news, it can have profound impact on the discourse around some of the biggest issues facing a community. What an important revelation about efforts to confront one of Arizona's most existential problems.
Environmental reporting
- 1st: Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, Illuminating the big picture on shifts in Arizona's environments
- 2nd: Clara Migoya, The Arizona Republic, An overlooked water crisis in San Simon, AZ
- 3rd: Yana Kunichoff and John Washington, Arizona Luminaria, Project Blue
Judges notes: (1) Reporter Joan Meiners leads this enterprising, in-depth and well-written series on some of the biggest climate challenges facing Arizona. (2) Reporter Clara Migoya tells the compelling story of corporate tree farmers impact on an accelerating groundwater crisis in the San Simon Valley through the stories of residents who have farmed the area for generations. (3) Reporters Yana Kunichoff and John Washington's coverage of the controversy over the massive Project Blue data center revealed the corporate giant behind the project when local officials would not. They continued covering the the data center's potential impact on water, power and the local community as the rebellion over the facilities spread across the US.
Education reporting
- 1st: Hannah Dreyfus, The Arizona Republic, Ignored Warnings in Chandler Unified
- 2nd: Shondiin Silversmith, Arizona Mirror, UA conflicts over DEI
- 3rd: Prerana Sannappanavar, Arizona Daily Star, Subject matter: University of Arizona's decision to centralize its cultural and resource centers
Judges notes: (2) The level of detail and the breadth of reporting in these stories is impressive. You can tell the reporter really understands and has the trust of the community.
Immigration reporting
- 1st: Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, Returning home-Volviendo a Casa
- 2nd: Emily Bregel, Emily Hamer, Arizona Daily Star, Hell on Earth: DHS mass-detention net ensnares more non-criminals
- 3rd: Rafael Carranza and Gabriel Sandoval, Arizona Luminaria, ICE’s 287(g) program
Judges notes: (1) Extraordinary storytelling. Humanizing and compelling narrative. (2) Deeply reported and incredible use of data. (3) Illuminating reporting on 287(g) agreements.
Business reporting
- 1st: Staff, Tempe Tribune, The long road to saving Tempe landmark Danelle Plaza
- 2nd: Bruce Pascoe, Arizona Daily Star, How NIL payments are changing the college sports business model
- 3rd: Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, Arizona won over the chips industry. Now, it needs workers for the semiconductor boom.
Judges notes: (1) On the strength of its writing alone, the first story in this series was the best I read in this category. Really strong lede and nice storytelling. How things spill out from there is more newsy than the first story is feature-leaning, but I appreciate how comprehensive everything is together at stepping us through from that initial story to resolution. What I like most is that it's accessible — biz reporting can have a tendency get overly jargony, but I appreciate here that you've explained the one potentially confusing element (zoning cateogries) pretty succinctly. (2) From a biz reporting perspective, I appreciate the balance between hard news and more engaging sports reporting here. Especially enjoyed "Did NIL kill Cinderella?" and "In the dark" for their engaging voice. (3) Big fan of the mix here of industry perspective and voices from regular people working in it. I think it's a very effective and engaging way to write about a major workforce issue that could so easily get bogged down by industry speak.
Sports reporting
- 1st: Jason Wolf, The Arizona Republic, 'We've got to be better than that': NFL updates criteria for Walter Payton Man of the Year
- 2nd: Bruce Pascoe, Arizona Daily Star, Arizona men's basketball coverage
- 3rd: Lee Shappell, Tempe Tribune | tempenews.com, Cardinals flip the field, leaving Tempe training facility
Judges notes: (1) This is a great example of journalism making change (and of a professional athlete being moved by a journalist into leading that change). I love the first-person approach to some of this, and also the deep sourcing on the many aspects of this article. Great job. (2) A great breadth of sports reporting here, from traditional (and informed) game beat writing to a behind-the-scenes look at what some players do in their down time. There also is some great sports business detail here. I like that this beat reporter goes beyond just the court in their work. (3) Great financial details of what these moves mean and also going beyond that for what it means not only for the team but more so the city.
Column, opinion and editorial writing
- 1st: Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star, Immigration crackdown hits Tucson, borderlands
- 2nd: Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star, University of Arizona confronts Trump's higher-ed revolution
- 3rd: Michael Lev, Arizona Daily Star, Amid political strife, Tucson's Mexican baseball partnerships aim to unite
Personality profile and human interest writing
- 1st: Debra Krol, reporter; Mark Henle, photos and video, Arizona Republic, For San Carlos gatherers, acorns are likegold. Drought is making them harder to find
- 2nd: Carolina Cuellar and John Washington, Arizona Luminaria, La Ristra
- 3rd: Yana Kunichoff, Arizona Luminaria, Living without air conditioning
Judges notes: (1) Debra Utacia Krol gracefully guides readers through the acorn harvest, following two San Carlos gatherers and sisters, Evelyn Rope and Karen Martin, as they sift, sort and prepare acorns to make flour—a traditional activity for Apaches and other Indigenous peoples that has become more difficult as persistent drought chokes the long-lived, resilient trees of the Southwest, diminishing their acorn production. Throughout the narrative, Utacia Krol details oaks’ ecological importance with vivid descriptions, like of their extensive tap roots, while also connecting readers with the trees’ cultural significance. “Acorns are one of nature’s most perfect foods,” she writes, packed full of protein, amino acids and vitamins. Textural details, like how the sisters survey the ground, rake and grind the acorns, how they have to travel farther to find productive trees and leave early in the morning to beat the July heat, place the reader alongside Rope and Martin, giving an intimate look into the process. “But it’s all worth it to Apache, O’odham and other peoples in Arizona who seek sustenance, not only for bodies but for spirits,” Utacia Krol writes. The story demonstrated excellent reporting skills, time spent in the field, keen observations and ability to highlight personal narratives within a broader climate story, showcasing how drought threatens not just oak survival but also tribal harvests and lifeways. (2) A detailed, personal look at how the two founders of La Ristra, a Tucson nonprofit, help immigrant families cope with fear and loneliness under the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration policies. The story starts with a compelling scene of a woman named Yarlidis, who is self deporting herself and her four children. Reporters Carolina Cuellar and John Washington featured vivid details of how La Ristra helps immigrant families, through art therapy or simply encouraging them to enjoy regular, day-to-day activities, like a community potluck. Other sections reveal, in heartbreaking quotes and descriptions, why families choose to self-deport: “I don’t want to see my children in handcuffs,” the mother of four said. In another section, Cuellar and Washington compellingly described the stakes families face: “For families like Yarlidids’, the result is a reality where choosing to leave—leaving behind her mother-in-law, her community, her children’s school and what she hoped for their future—becomes the only option that feels safe.” This story provides a needed narrative, showcasing the humanity of immigrants and their children, and the deep mental toll of living in daily fear under the current administration. Cuellar and Washington showcased strong reporting and source-building skills to gain access to this family and nonprofit workers, and readers are rewarded. (3) In powerful storytelling, reporter Yana Kunichoff gives readers an inside look at the daily struggle of those living in Tucson’s increasingly deadly heat without air conditioning. In three compelling vignettes, Kunichoff shows how people adapt and survive, often while facing an impossible choice: make rent or live in dangerous heat. Kunichoff includes gutting details, like how one woman, JP Paxton, who lives out of her car, avoids salty foods during the summer heat to preserve as much of her body’s moisture as possible. Others, like Miryam Palafox, who lives in a mobile home, described losing power, predictably at 3 pm. “Nearly every day in June, it was like clockwork,” Kunichoff writes. The story required extensive reporting and source building to highlight how Tucson's most vulnerable residents shoulder the burden of Arizona’s deadly heat. These types of profiles that humanize an environmental injustice are critically needed as extreme summer heat becomes a normality for Tucson.
Arts, food and beverage reporting and criticism
- 1st: Mia Kortright, Tucson Sentinel, Arts reporting by Mia Kortright
- 2nd: Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, Influencer slammed Phoenix bakery. Then the baker clapped back and hell broke loose
- 3rd: Cathalena E. Burch, Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Opera makes history with first AI opera
Judges notes: (1) Elegant, assured reporting from Mia. These exhibition (p)reviews unfurl gently, drawing greater points about the heft pain has in art; how art seeps into politics; and what injustices are worth remembering. You can tell from the economical writing that Mia has deft knowledge of art styles. She passes that knowledge on to the reader, not forcefully but understatedly, as if by osmosis. It's public service journalism that makes you feel lighter, not heavier. Top-notch work. (2) This is the kind of food story that can cause waves in 2026. We're all affected by influencers and the gravitational pull of social media, severely so restaurants and bakeries that keep the people fed. Who can you trust online? Dina gathered perspectives not just from the people directly involved but from other restauranteurs, leaving the reader, the customer, with a lot of food for thought. Enthralling stuff. (3) Very solid local arts reporting with assured writing and clear-yet-meaty descriptions and context that can engage the general art, not just opera or ballet, lover. Shouts out for the news report on the artists dispersing federal grants before it was too late.
Short-form audio storytelling
- 1st: Katherine Davis-Young, KJZZ News, Workshop aims to reduce overdoses during Arizona's deadliest month
- 2nd: Katherine Davis-Young, KJZZ News, Low-income Phoenix students lose education plans, housing in federal Job Corps cuts
- 3rd: Gabriel Pietrorazio, KJZZ, Liberty Wildlife lets guests bless birds with tobacco ‘to feel the wind of the eagle’
Long-form audio storytelling
- 1st: Gabriel Pietrorazio, KJZZ, Native Heroes Erased
- 2nd: Abby Bessinger, Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, How did Flagstaff become the world's first International Dark Sky City?
- 3rd: Lex Doig, Jaehee Kim, Adrian Mancera Cota, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ASU, A few federal inspectors are responsible for 70,000 U.S. railroad bridges, a study finds
Judges notes: (1) Telling the story that these heroes cannot, Gabriel does a beautiful job recounting the sacrifices made by a Native American soldier and inspires those like him.
Podcast
- 1st: Amanda Luberto, Ronald J Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast
- 2nd: Amanda Luberto, Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, Valley 101
- 3rd: Staff, Conecta Arizona, Cruzando Líneas, el podcast from Conecta Arizona
Video storytelling
- 1st: Arizona Luminaria and Arizona Public Media, Arizona Luminaria, Mobile Homes mini-documentary
- 2nd: Arizona Luminaria and Arizona Public Media, Arizona Luminaria, Death Behind Bars
- 3rd: Patrick Breen, The Arizona Republic, Parents of Paid Caregivers face funding peril
Judges notes: (1) 'Mobile Homes: The Last Affordable Housing?' presents a compelling and well-structured narrative that elevates a complex public policy issue through the lived experiences of the people affected. Rather than relying solely on expert analysis, the documentary grounds its reporting in deeply personal stories, allowing the audience to understand the affordable housing crisis in this County through a human lens. The inclusion of residents, advocates, legal experts, and government action adds multiple perspectives and reinforces the investigative depth without overwhelming the audience. The documentary was beautifully shot and thoughtfully structured. At the end, it voids offering simplistic solutions, instead emphasizing the resilience and collective action of the communities and their ongoing fight for housing justice. Overall, the project demonstrates thoughtful narrative construction, strong character-driven reporting, and a clear sense of purpose. It effectively transforms a policy issue into a resonant story with significant public service value. As a storytelling entry, it succeeds in making a complex issue accessible and impactful. (2) 'Death Behind Bars' is a powerful investigative documentary that tackles a critical and underreported issue with depth, sensitivity, and journalistic rigor. The reporting effectively combines compelling personal testimonies, exclusive footage, and accountability interviews to illuminate systemic failures within the Pima County jail. The documentary has a clear and impactful narrative while balancing testimonies with factual reporting and evidence. Its pacing keeps viewers engaged, and the inclusion of multiple perspectives—including family members, public officials, and subject-matter experts—strengthens both its credibility and impact. The documentary also demonstrates a strong commitment to public service journalism. I commend the reporter for the persistent commitment to covering an issue that too few journalists address in today's increasingly turbulent world. I also applaud his (and his teams') determination to hold authorities accountable for the systemic failures that have contributed to these deaths. This is an outstanding investigative piece that combines strong visual execution, meaningful reporting, and significant public impact. (3) This project addresses an issue of tremendous public importance, giving voice to families of children with disabilities whose struggles often go unnoticed amid today's relentless news cycle. By focusing on a population that is too often overlooked, the reporting highlights the real-life consequences of public policy decisions and brings much-needed attention to an underreported topic affecting some of Arizona's most vulnerable residents: these children and their families. While the visual execution, narrative structure, and editing could be more refined to strengthen the overall video storytelling, the significance of the subject matter, the authenticity of the family testimonies, and the newsroom's commitment to covering an issue that receives limited media attention make this project a deserving recipient of third place. Its public service value and focus on elevating underrepresented voices, ultimately outweigh its production shortcomings.
Newsletter
- 1st: Staff, Arizona Agenda, Never a dull moment
- 2nd: Staff, Arizona Capitol Times/State Affairs, The Yellow Sheet Report
- 3rd: Staff, Tucson Agenda, All politics is local
Judges notes: (1) This newsletter excels in its breezy style and insider knowingness about Arizona politics. (2) An excellent product but reads more like a full-fledged political news site than a newsletter that forms a personal bond between writers and readers.
Photojournalism – Picture Story
- 1st: Patrick Breen, The Arizona Republic, Parents as Paid Caregivers program in funding peril
- 2nd: Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star, Serve Society
- 3rd: Diannie Chavez, The Arizona Republic, Bordertown Farmworkers
Photojournalism – News
- 1st: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Police peppered
- 2nd: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Hot No Kings
- 3rd: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Protest
Photojournalism – Feature
- 1st: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Cross
- 2nd: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Lights
- 3rd: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic/USA TODAY, Shopping drama
Photojournalism – Pictorial
- 1st: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Evening strike
- 2nd: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Sunflower
- 3rd: Patrick Breen, The Arizona Republic, Haboob
Judges notes: (1) Beautiful colors in this perfectly executed lightning strike (2) Nice illustration of a hot Arizona day, the bees in the air make the photo. (3) Amazing haboob photo both fascinating and surreal.
Photojournalism – Sports
- 1st: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic/USA TODAY, Game winning home run
- 2nd: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Touchdown
- 3rd: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star, Dual joy
Judges notes: (1) Well cropped, reads very easy. Didn't even need to see the caption to figure out what was happening, just a really great peak celebration moment. (2) Great action, well cropped to help clean up the image. (3) Really nice moment. Well cropped.
Print page design portfolio
- 1st: Shaun Martin, Kaitlin Heneghan, Phoenix Business Journal, A New Sports Landscape
- 2nd: Staff, The Lumberjack Magazine, The Politics of Belonging
- 3rd: Staff, The Lumberjack Magazine, We Are Enough
Judges notes: (1) This page design demonstrated excellent organization and a thoughtful use of color. The layout guided the reader naturally through the content, while the color choices connected each element into a cohesive story. The overall design was visually engaging, clear, and well organized. (2) This page design features a strong use of photography that immediately captures attention and sparks curiosity. The imagery is compelling and well-chosen, creating an inviting first impression that makes the viewer want to open the issue and explore further. (3) This design uses a great photograph to draw the reader in to the story. Great use of restraint from the designer in letting the type be clean and minimal on the page and allowing the photograph to shine.
Student news reporting
- 1st: Dermont Stevenson, Audrey Lippert, Bella Mazzilli, Cronkite News, Daryl Khan
- 2nd: Staff, Cronkite News, Daryl Khan
- 3rd: Brisa Karow, Katie Tsoukatos, The Lumberjack, Navajo Nation in ‘business with Energy Fuels’
Judges notes: (1) The reporters did a good job capturing the breadth of ICE developments, and in every story talking to regular people who were affected. Very sophisticated, comprehensive coverage. (2) The breaking news is very thoroughly reported, and I especially appreciated the follow-up story speaking to bar patrons. The diverse perspectives were helpful to understanding the situation. (3) This is a nuanced look at a complicated community issue. The reporter did a good job laying out many perspectives with good interviews and quotes.
Student features reporting
- 1st: Emily Fox-Million, Cronkite News, Daryl Khan
- 2nd: Abbey Sobelman, The Lumberjack, Detoxing from dopamine in the digital age
- 3rd: Dermont Stevenson, Audrey Lippert, Cronkite News, Daryl Khan
Judges notes: (1) After reading this story, i will not forget Emily Pike's name, nor will forget the name Emily Fox-Million. I appreciate the vivid writing: "After a year it has begun to moulder, the teddy bears hanging from a chain-link fence, their fur stiff from sun and dust. The flowers that were once bright have become faded and brittle at the edges." You made the story personal, and therefore more important than just any old story about a new law. (2) Abbey Sobelman did a great job bringing these kids on their phone to life. The reader can feel their struggles. The reporting shows depth and intelligence. We shouldn't just dismiss these kids. We should learn about them and their habits, like Abbey has done. Thanks for the great read. (3) Dermont Stevenson and Audrey Lippert grabbed the reader's attention immediately. The opening scene could be from a movie, and that's a compliment about the descriptive writing. Dermont and Audrey handled a polarizing issue with grace and revealed several points of view. The story is full of nuance and excellent interviews.
Student photojournalism
- 1st: Beck Toms, Taylor McCormick, The Lumberjack, Phoenix protesters rally against separation of immigrant families
Judges notes: (1) The photographers use of light is wonderful. The backlight on the protesters from the motorcycle headlights and the late day sky are dynamic and the bike lane separating the protestors from law enforcement makes a strong composition. TomsBeck StSProtest-6