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Alaska Press Club Awards 2004

awarded 2005



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BEST BREAKING NEWS STORY
Large publications

1st: Ta Brant, Anchorage Daily News
2nd: Matt Volz, The Associated Press
3rd: Tom Miller, Ketchikan Daily News
(The judge provided no headlines, but comments indicate that Ta’s story concerned a plane crash, Volz wrote about a helicopter crash, and Miller covered a “matricide.")

Small publications
Judge: Eric Newhouse, projects editor, Great Falls Tribune
1st: Drew Herman, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “First blue whales seen in Alaska in 30 years”
No second or third.

BEST GENERAL NEWS
Large
Judge: Eric Newhouse, projects editor, Great Falls Tribune
1st: Don Hunter, Doug O’Harra, Joel Gay and Megan Holland, Anchorage Daily News, Selendang Ayu stories
No second or third.

Small
Judge: Bill Lueders, Isthmus, Madison’s weekly newspaper
1st: Jon Grover, The Tundra Drums,“Official says church aware of sex abuse”
2nd: Amy Armstrong, The Alaska Star, “The teachers who stole Christmas”
3rd: Larry Persily, Petroleum News, “Propane-air project running out of time”

BEST USE OF STORY AND PHOTOS BY A REPORTER
Judges: Director of Photography Patty Reksten; Features picture editor Mike Davis; Senior Editor/Visuals Randy Cox, The Oregonian

Large
1st: Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, “Alaska fighting championship”
2nd: Joseph Robertia, Peninsula Clarion Newspaper, “Can you dig it?”
3rd: Alex DeMarban, The Tundra Drums, “Coming out party”

Small
Judge: Tony Overman, The Olympian, NPPA
1s: Kelly DuFort, CatholicAnchor, “Perilous Journey”
2nd: Brian Lepley, Alaska Post, “Tomahawks tangle with terrorists”
3rd: Randi Somers, Homer Tribune, “Collision Injures Two”

BEST SHORT FEATURE

Large
Judge: Gail Hill, The Oregonian
1st: Tom Moran, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, “A Cultural Crash Course”
2nd: Debra McKinney, Anchorage Daily News, “Popular Flowers Forbidden at Nursery”
3rd: Doug O’Harra, Anchorage Daily News, “Sealife Octopus Considered Armed and Extremely Dangerous”

Small
Judge: Joseph Rose, Crime & Justice writer
The Oregonian
1st: McKibbon Jackinsky, Homer Tribune, “Homer Gives Big Support to Little Celebrity”
2nd: Amy M. Armstrong, Alaska Star, “Mother of Disabled Woman Needs Both Courage and Love”
3rd: Wes Hanna, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “Chinese Have Long History in Kodiak”

BEST LONG FEATURE
Small and large papers compete together
Judge: Paula Span, Washington Post contributing writer; Associate, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

1st: Toby Sullivan, Anchorage Press, “Lost Season”
2nd: Cinthia Ritchie, Anchorage Daily News, “A Crown of Hope”
3rd: Debra McKinney, Anchorage Daily News; Two stories by the same reporter: “Happy Little Brewery” and “Freeing Up Time for Fox’s Free Beer Fridays”

BEST BUSINESS REPORTING
Large
Judge: Becky Bisbee, Seattle Times business editor
1st: Wesley Loy, Anchorage Daily News, “Extreme exploring”
2nd: Richard Richtmyer, Anchorage Daily News, “Aces High”
3rd: Scott Christiansen, Kyle Hopkins and Press staff, Anchorage Press, “Fundopoly”

Small
Judge: Bob Drews, retired Business copy chief, San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California
1st: Margie Bauman, Alaska Journal of Commerce, “Firm may help longliners end orcas’ free lunch”
2nd: McKibben Jackinsky, Homer Tribune,“International scam artists target Homer”
3rd: Naomi Klouda, Tundra Drums, “Napakiak weighs safety, jobs of coal power plant”

POLITICAL OR GOVERNMENT
Judge (large and small): Dan Hortsch, former politics/state government reporter and public editor for The Oregonian, now retired

Large
1st: Sean Cockerham and Tom Kizzia, Anchorage Daily News, “Alaska’s most powerful (unelected) official”
2nd: Tom Moran, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, “Little support for fiscal, tax plans”
3rd: TIE
Sheila Toomey, Anchorage Daily News, “A new view”
Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Press, “Do Tony and Lisa give a crap?”

Small
1st: John Roscoe, Catholic Anchor, “Bishops join efforts to put controls on payday loans”
2nd: Nate Raymond, Sun Star (University of Alaska/Fairbanks), “Sen. Stevens brings home the bacon for UAF”
3rd: John Crowder, Homer Tribune, “Gas lease buyback ‘will not happen’

EDUCATION REPORTING
Judge (large and small): Christopher Broderick, education editor, The Oregonian

Large
1st: George Bryson, Anchorage Daily News, “War of the Word”
2nd: Marmian Grimes, Fairbanks News Miner, “Making the grade”
3rd: Katie Pesznecker, Anchorage Daily News, “Bullied boy brain-damaged after suicide attempt”

Small
1st: Carey James, Homer News, “Culture or religion?”
2nd: John Crowder, Homer Tribune, “High school students walk out”
3rd: McKibben Jackinsky, Homer Tribune, “Groundbreaking student prepares to leave Old Believer village”

BEST PROFILE

Large
Judge: Paula Span, Washington Post contributing writer; Associate, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

1st: Debra McKinney, Anchorage Daily News; Two artist profiles by the same reporter: “Colorful Spirit” and “Funny Business”
2nd: Haden Polseno-Hensley, Anchorage Press, “Shall Be Released”
3rd: Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Press, “A Midwinter’s Dream”

Small
Judge: Len Reed, Northwest Editor, The Oregonian
1st: Jon Grover, The Tundra Drums, “Busy achiever continues California dreamin’”
2nd: Jeff Benzak, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “New history prof brings environmental approach”
3rd: Claire Chandler, Alaska Journal of Commerce, “Unwavering vision leads to survival and success”

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING
Judge (large and small): Douglas Fischer, Oakland Tribune environmental reporter

Large
1st: Lisa W. Drew, Science\Business, “Dr. Yes or No”
2nd: Elizabeth Bluemink, Juneau Empire, “Hard rock, hard choices”
3rd: Amanda Coyne, Anchorage Press, “Hunting the hunters”

Small
1st: Kelly Jean Lincoln, The Delta Discovery, “How beach grass took root in Bethel”
2nd: Paul Basile, The Delta Discovery, “Kapuukaraat, the delicious taste of spring”
3rd: Michael Armstrong, Homer News, “15 years after the spill”

CRIME & COURTS

Large
Judge: Hurst Laviana, crime reporter
Wichita Eagle

1st: Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Press, “This evil world. Cynthia Lord told police that to save her sons, she had to kill them”
2nd: Ta Brant, Anchorage Daily News, “Tape shows man’s fatal struggle with Chilkoot’s security.”
3rd: Scott Christiansen, Anchorage Press, “A parade of troubles: Night court presents a window into life on the edge.”

Small
Judge: Dave Krajicek former crime reporter for the Omaha World-Herald; crime bureau chief for New York Daily News.

1st: Heather A. Resz, Anchorage Chronicle, “Bullying, violence linked”
2nd: Naomi Klouda, The Tundra Times, “Trooper’s victim wins $1.8 million”
3rd: Jedediah R. Smith, Bristol Bay Times

HEALTH OR SCIENCE
Judge (large and small): James Dawson, Senior news editor Physics Today

Large
1st: Doug O’Harra, Anchorage Daily News, “UAF team listens to the earth rumbling”
2nd: Amanda Coyne, Anchorage Press, “Keeping Faith”
3rd: Chris Talbott, “Born to burn”

Small
1st: Drew Herman, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “Next phase begins for whale project”
2nd: Carey James, Homer News, “SPH obstetrics mixes midwives and medicine”
3rd: Anne Millbrooke, Nome Nugget, “Follow the compass”

BEST EDITORIAL WRITING
Judge (large and small): Eleanor Clift, Newsweek, Washington, D.C.

Large
1st: It’s a tie!
Terry Miller, Ketchikan Daily News, “Pick on the Other Guy,” “Let’s Back off,” “Click!”
Matthew Zencey, Anchorage Daily News, “Save the Nike Site,” “Bad deal,” “Adolescents”
2nd: Scott L. Woodham, Anchorage Press, The Flashlight Letters
3rd: Lori Evans, Peninsula Clarion, “When did it become…; Plan for giant final dividend…; Wolf should attend”

Small
1st: John Roscoe, Catholic Anchor, “Refresher on ends and means in Iraq; Oil consumption is a moral issue; Profits and prisons shouldn’t be mixed”
2nd: Carla Helfferich, The Ester Republic, “Duty” and “Cheering up the Left”

BEST COLUMNIST
Judge (large and small): Seattle Times columnist Nicole Brodeur

Large
1st: Rebecca Braun, Juneau Empire
2nd: Heather Lende, Anchorage Daily News
3rd: Geo Beach, Anchorage Daily News

Small
1st: James Mason, Arctic Sounder/ANI
2nd: Tony Bickert, Alaska Star
3rd: No winner

BEST SPORTS COLUMNIST
Judge: Los Angeles sports columnist Bill Plaschke
Small and large papers compete together

1st: Jeremiah Bartz, The Frontiersman
2nd: Craig Medred, Anchorage Daily News
3rd: Casey Ressler, The Frontiersman

SPORTS NEWS REPORTING

Large
Judge: Glen Crevier, Assistant Managing Editor/Sports, The Star Tribune Minneapolis

1st: Eric Smith, Anchorage Daily News, “Lean is not mean: With many athletes flying South, Service athletics is cut to the bone”
2nd: Eric Smith, Anchorage Daily News, “Encore act: Fifth-year athletes in center of debate over high school eligibility”
3rd: Charles Bingham, Juneau Empire, “The Little League game that wasn’t”

Small
Judge: Lew Freedman, Chicago Tribune

1st: Jacob Brooks, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “Undefeated Bears Take Alaska Title.”
2nd: Jeff Benzak, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “KHS Pool Goes Bust.”
3rd: Brian Lepley, Alaska Post, “Us Team Takes Gold with Draper.”

SPORTS GAME/EVENT STORY
Large
Judge: Los Angeles sports columnist Bill Plaschke

1st: Matt Nevala, Anchorage Daily News, “Oh Yeah, How Sweep It Is.’’
2nd: Charles Bingham, Juneau Empire, ‘’Hollywood Ending’’
3rd: Andrew Krueger, Juneau Empire, “Long Run In The Sun.’’

Small
Judge: Glen Crevier, Assistant Managing Editor/Sports, The Star Tribune Minneapolis
1st: Tommy Wells, The Delta Discovery, “Iten ends King’s three-year reign”
2nd: Jacob Brooks, Kodiak daily Mirror, “Meeting the challenge”
3rd: Nate Raymond, Homer Tribune, “Dirt racetrack a relief for local motocross bikers”

BEST SPORTS FEATURE

Large
Judge: Los Angeles sports columnist BillPlaschke

1st: Craig Medred, Anchorage Daily News, “Wolf Pack or No Wolf Pack, Musher Has A Tale To Tell’’
2nd: Doyle Woody, Anchorage Daily News, “Wet and Wacko’’
3rd: Doug O’Harra, Anchorage Daily News, “Family Afloat’’

Small
Judge: Glen Crevier, Assistant Managing Editor/Sports, The Star Tribune Minneapolis

1st: Ben Stuart, Homer News, “Shortcut from Seward: Trio crossed Harding icefield”
2nd: Jeff Benzak, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “Night golfing”
3rd: Klas Stolpe, Petersburg Pilot, “Alenna Nilsen: Vikings guide of wrestling lore”

BEST ARTS COVERAGE
Judge: Doug McLennan, Editor, ArtsJournal.com
Small and large papers compete together

1st: Amanda Coyne, Anchorage Press, “Sound of Silence”
2nd: Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Press, “Designing the Undead”
3rd: Alex DeMarban, ANI, First Alaskans Magazine, “Sounds of Old”

SUSTAINED COVERAGE OR SERIES
Judge (large and small): Julie Sullivan-Springhetti, The Oregonian

1st: Diana Campbell, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, “In Cancer’s Grip”
2nd: Paula Dobbyn, Anchorage Daily News, “Golden Glitter’’
3rd:Tim Inklebarger, Juneau Empire, “Bracing for the Move.’’

Small
1st: Laurel Bill, Anchorage Chronicle, “Condo Catastrophe.’’
2nd:Homer News Staff, “Quaint Little Drinking Village”
3rd: Amy Armstrong, The Alaska Star, “School Budget Woes.”

BEST HEADLINE WRITING

Judge: Bob Drews, retired Business copy chief, San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California

Small and large compete together

1st: Jenny Neyman, Peninsula Clarion
“Graduating Senior: Woman finishes art degree 59 years after her first class,” “Enduring Summer: Family, friends matter most to man who’s twice battled cancer,” “Stickler for Details: Carver hunts diamond willow in the rough,” “Road Scholars: Rural students leave village life in high school in search of greater opportunities,” “Making waves: KWJG-FM strives for local flair.”
2nd: Andrew Krueger, Juneau Empire
“One-Disputed: Shadow lingers over tonight’s Sugar Bowl,” “Weather or Not: Some thrive, others wilt in nature’s wrath,” “Center of Balance: Juneau’s Tasha McKoy is a strong post by necessity, a team leader by example,” “Coup D’Etroit: Pistons rout Lakers to win NBA title/Billups wins MVP; L.A. dynasty may crumble,” “The little team that could/Juneau boys win state team title; “Bear girls finish second/Crimson Bear boys win state crown with just six swimmers” “Winless streaks for Juneau, Southeast come to an end during state girls meet”
3rd: Tyler Rhodes, Alaska Journal of Commerce
“Film businesses forced to refocus,” “Ferry could float two communities,” “Seward Ship’s Drydock is happily swamped,” “Sitka hospital nursed back to financial health,” “Energy supplies may be in hot water”

BEST EDITORIAL CARTOON
Judge: David Fitzsimmons, Editorial Cartoonist, The Arizona Daily Star
Small and large compete together

1st: Tony “Toe” Newman
2nd: Dan Darrow, The Ester Republic
3rd: Chuck Legge, The Frontiersman

BEST SECTION

Lost in the mail. Refunds available for entrants.

BEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Not available as of press time.

BEST ILLUSTRATION
Judge: Steve Dorsey, Design and Graphics Director, Detroit Free Press; Also editor of SND’s Design Journal
Small and large compete together

1st: Aaron Jansen, Anchorage Press, “The Great Taxi Adventure.”
2nd: Stephanie Johnson, Alaska Star, “2004 Iditarod.”
3rd: Randy Wood, Anchorage Press, “Crude awakening.”

BEST PAGE LAYOUT & DESIGN
Large
Judge: Steve Dorsey, Design and Graphics Director, Detroit Free Press; Also editor of SND’s Design Journal

1st: Aaron Jansen, Anchorage Press, “Metrosexual Doll”
2nd: Gianna Ridgeway, Anchorage Daily News, “Village digs in against a fiery foe.”
3rd: Michael Piett, Juneau Empire, “Blaze guts Subway building.”
HM: Aaron Jansen, Anchorage Press,
“WANTED”

Small
Judge: Gary E. Maitland, Managing Editor
Herald-Zeitung (Texas)

1st: Stephanie Johnson, Alaska Star, “Schools Out for Summer”
2nd: Brian Lepley, Alaska Post, “Winter Wildlife in Denali National Park”
3rd: Betsy Lund, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “2004: A Year in Photos”

BEST GRAPHIC
Judges: Director of Graphics Steve McKinstry and Senior Editor/Visuals Randy Cox, The Oregonian
Small and large compete together

1st: Ron Engstrom, Anchorage Daily News
“Bering Sea Jellyfish”
2nd: Charles Atkins, Anchorage Daily News, “Moose Car Collisions”
3rd: Ron Engstrom, Anchorage Daily News, “E Street Shuffle”

BEST SPOT NEWS PHOTO
Large

Judges: The Los Angeles Times: deputy director of photography Calvin Hom; senior photo editor Alan Hagman; feature photo editor Hal Wells; assignment editor Robert St. John

1st: Robert Hallinen, Anchorage Daily News, “Oil Spill”
2nd: Sam Harrell, Fairbanks Daily News-miner, “On Thin Ice”
3rd: Al Grillo, Associated Press, “Steep Plunge”

Small
Judge: Tony Overman, The Olympian, NPPA

1st: Randi Somers, Homer Tribune, “Firefighter Extrication”
2nd: Wes Hanna,Kodiak Daily Mirror, “Reality Sets In”
3rd: Michael Armstrong, Homer News, “Free Bird”

BEST PICTURE STORY

Large
Judges: The Los Angeles Times: deputy director of photography Calvin Hom; senior photo editor Alan Hagman; feature photo editor Hal Wells; assignment editor Robert St. John

1st: Eric F. Engman, Fairbanks Daily News Miner, “In Cancer’s Grip”
2nd: Robert Hallinen, Anchorage Daily News, “The Secrets of Puffins”
3rd: Robert Hallinen, Anchorage Daily News, “Recycle”

Small
Judges: Director of Photography Patty Reksten; Features picture editor Mike Davis; Senior Editor/Visuals Randy Cox, The Oregonian

1st: Klas Stolpe, St. Petersburg Pilot, “Play Ball”
2nd: Brian Lepley, Alaska Post, “Winter Wildlife in Denali National Park”
3rd: Klas Stolpe, St. Petersburg Pilot, “Little Norway Festival 2004”

BEST SPORTS PHOTO

Large
Judges: The Los Angeles Times: deputy director of photography Calvin Hom; senior photo editor Alan Hagman; feature photo editor Hal Wells; assignment editor Robert St. John

1st: Brian Wallace, the Juneau Empire, “The Heat is On”
2nd: Michael Penn, Juneau Empire, “Down, Not Out”
3rd: Al Grillo, Associated Press, “Long Ride Home”

Small
Judge: Rob Romig, director of graphics, The Register-Guard

1st: Ben Stuart, Homer News, “Goal”
2nd: Bob Martinson, Northern Light, “Game-winning goal”
3rd: Robert DeBerry, Anchorage Chronicle, “Superman”

BEST SCENIC PHOTO

Large
Judges: The Los Angeles Times: deputy director of photography Calvin Hom; senior photo editor Alan Hagman; feature photo editor Hal Wells; assignment editor Robert St. John

1st: Michael Penn, Juneau Empire, “Winter Dawn”
2nd: Robert Hallinen, Anchorage Daily News, “Surfer Boys”
3rd: Evan R. Steinhauser, Anchorage Daily News, “Spencer Ice”

Small
Judges: The Oregonian: Director of Photography Patty Reksten; Features picture editor Mike Davis; Senior Editor/Visuals Randy Cox

1st: Jeff Richardson, ANI/The Dutch Harbor Fisherman, “Picture Perfect Perch”
2nd: Jed Smith, ANI/Bristol Bay Times, “Chasing Daylight”
3rd: Klas Stolpe, Petersburg Pilot, “One Pizza Pie”

BEST PORTRAIT

Large
Judge: Tony Overman, The Olympian, NPPA

1st: Eric F. Engman, Fairbanks Daily News Miner, “Raising Grandchildren”
2nd: Jim Lavrakas, Anchorage Daily News, “Face Mask”
3rd: Jim Lavrakas, Anchorage Daily News, “Windshield Man”

Small
Judge: Rob Romig, director of graphics
The Register-Guard
1st: Betsy Lund, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “We will miss you”
2nd: Amy M. Armstrong, The Alaska Star, “Shannon Brunke”
3rd: Bob Martinson, Northern Light, “Mariano Gonzalez”

BEST FEATURE PHOTO

Large
Judges: The Los Angeles Times: deputy director of photography Calvin Hom; senior photo editor Alan Hagman; feature photo editor Hal Wells; assignment editor Robert St. John

1st: Erik Hill, Anchorage Daily News, “Job Site Abstraction”
2nd: Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, “A Visit From Spiderman”
3rd: Jim Lavrakas, Anchorage Daily News, “Calf Kissed”

Small
Judge: Tony Overman, The Olympian, NPPA

1st:Jeff Benzak, Kodiak Daily Mirror, “Curse Reversed”
2nd: James Mason, Alaska Newspaper Inc.,“Hauling a Hawser”
3rd: Klas Stolpe, Petersburg Pilot, “Takeoff”



RADIO

BREAKING NEWS
Judge: Corey Flintoff, NPR

1st: Lori Townsend, Annie Feldt, Michelle Wozniak, Alaska Public Radio Network
2nd: Dan Bross, KUAC-FM, “Newscast: Fire”
3rd: Johanna Eurich, KDLG, “Drowning”

BEST SINGLE STORY
Judge: Susanna Capelouto, Georgia Public Broadcasting

1st: Libby Casey, KUAC, “Troop Deployment”
2nd: Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK, “Greenpeace Protest”
3rd: Dixie Hutchinson, KNBA, “Alaska Native Oratory Society”

BEST COMPREHENSIVE REPORTING
Judge: Catrin Einhorn,Chicago Public Radio

1st: Ed Schoenfeld, Anne Sutton, Matt Lichtenstein, Coast Alaska, KFSK, “Tourism Changes Series”
No 2nd or 3rd place winners.

BEST ONGOING PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM
Judge: Elizabeth Arnold, NPR

1st: “AK,” APRN, Ashley Gross, Gabriel Spitzer, Ellen Lockyer, Duncan Moon, Michelle Wozniak
2nd: Alaska Teen Media Institute “In Other News”
3rd: Jeff Brown, KTOO, The American State Songbook

ONE TIME PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIAL
Judge: Paul Glickman

1st: Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK, “Veterans Day Special”
2nd and 3rd: No winners.

COMMENTARY, EDITORIAL OR REVIEW
Judge: Bill Drummond, Berkeley School of Journalism

1st: Amanda Krysinski, Alaska Teen Media Institute, “Heavy Metal Commentary”
2nd: Gabriel Spitzer, Alaska Public Radio Network, “Why I smoke”
3rd: Johanna Eurich, KDLG, “Spring”

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Judge: Julie Shapiro, Third Coast International Audio Festival

1st: Gabriel Spitzer, Living on Earth, “Moving the Village”
2nd: Sarah Neal, KUAC, “Dry Country”
3rd: Alaska Teen Media Institute, Alaska Teen Media Institute, “Culture Shock”

GOVERNMENT OR POLITICAL
Judge: Laura McCallum, Capitol Bureau Chief, Minnesota Public Radio

1st: Amanda Stossel, KTNA, “A Place Called Y”
2nd: Dixie Hutchinson, KNBA, “ATG Discharged”
3rd: Amanda Krysinski, Alaska Teen Media Institute, “Political Humor”

BEST BUSINESS REPORTING
Judge: Kai Ryssdal

1st: Anne Sutton, KTOO, “Pt. Sophia”
2nd: Jody Seitz, KDLG, “Wild Alaska Seafoods”
3rd: Sarah Neal, KUAC, “TIF”

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING
Judge: Patricia Murphy, Host/ Reporter “All Things Considered”, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio Seattle

1st: Gabriel Spitzer, Alaska Public Radio Network, “Shishmaref Confronts Climate Change”
2nd: Ashley Gross, Alaska Public Radio Network, “The Mine in Our Backyard”
3rd: Len Anderson, Alaska Public Radio Network, “Cats Only on St Paul”

CRIME & COURTS
Judge: Richard Baker, News Director, K-State Radio Network, Associate Professor, Dept. of Communications, Kansas State University

1st: Len Anderson, KSKA, “Bethany’s Body Positively Identified”
2nd: Matt Miller, KTOO, “Courtwatch: Presumptive Sentencing”
3rd: Sarah Neal, KUAC, “Council Member Steps Down To Fight Crime”

BEST EDUCATION REPORTING
Judge: Rachel Ambrose, AP

1st: Ashley Gross, APRN, “Caught Between Tradition and Modernity: Russian Old Believer Schools”
2nd: Mike Murray,” Salvadorans”
3rd: Melissa Wentzel, “Life at Mount Edgecumbe High School”

HEALTH OR SCIENCE
Judge: Elizabeth Arnold, NPR

1st: Rosemary Alexander, KTOO, “The Forgetting”
2nd: Dixie Hutchinson, KNBA, “World Aids Day”
3rd: Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK, “Catscan”

BEST RADIO FEATURE
Judge: Rachel Ambrose, AP

1st: Johanna Eurich, “Migrants”
2nd: Len Anderson, KSKA, “Big Mitch and the Singing Students”
3rd: Jessica Cochran, APRN, “Fish Skin Workshop”

BEST PROFILE
Judge: Katherine Concannon, NPR Seattle

1st: Gabriel Spitzer, Alaska Public Radio Network, “Porky and the Volcano”
2nd: Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Radio Network, “M. Ashley Dickerson - Legal Pioneer”
3rd: Dan Bross, KUAC-FM, “Dennis Gaboury Profile”

BEST SPORTS REPORTING
Judge: Bill Drummond, Berkeley School of Journalism

1st: Libby Casey, KUAC, Yukon Quest
2nd: Shana Sheehy, APRN, “Running the Klondike”
3rd: Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO, “Tough Bears”

BEST COVERAGE OF A LIVE EVENT
Judge: Mardy Derby, CBC

1st: Matt Lichtenstein, KFST, “Greenpeace”
No second or third.

BEST ARTS COVERAGE
Judge: Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public Radio

1st: Anne Sutton, KTOO, “Transformations”
2nd: Ashley Gross, APRN, “Christian Native Dance”
3rd: Libby Casey, KUAC, “Gun Art Show”

BEST DAILY NEWS PROGRAM
Judge: Mardy Derby, CBC

1st: Alaska News Nightly, Duncan Moon & Lori Townsend, APRN
2nd: Independent Native News, Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, INN-KUAC
No third.



TELEVISION

BEST BREAKING NEWS STORY
Judge: Kimberly Reeves, Dallas

1st: Ben Deci, KTVA, “Plane Crash”
2nd: Dan Fiorucci, KTUU, “Private Plane Crash”
3rd: Meghan Stapleton, KTUU, “Bethany Found”

BEST SINGLE STORY REPORTING
Judge: Kimberly Reeves, Dallas

1st: Lynn Melling, KTUU, “Cabin Burns”
2nd: Meghan Stapleton, KTUU, “Short of the Runway”
3rd: Meghan Stapleton, KTUU, “Starved Dogs”
HM: Ty Kellner, KTVF, “Pogo Mine”

BEST SERIES REPORTING
Judge: Andrea McCarren, WJLA-TV, Washington, D.C.

1st: Rhonda McBride and Phil Walczak, KTUU, “Courting the Rural Vote”
2nd: Megan Baldino and Dave Steward, KTUU,“Crossing the Line of Duty
3rd: Meghan Stapleton, Jason Moore and Eric Sowl, KTUU, “The Late Addition”

BEST LIVE SHOT
1st: Meghan Stapleton, Justin Freeman, KTUU, “Short of the Runway”
2nd: Megan Baldino and Dave Steward, KTUU, “Live on Kahiltna Glacier”
3rd: No winner.

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Judge: Tim Ryan, Assistant News Director
9News/KUSA-TV, Denver, CO

1st: Jeanie Greene, Jeanie Greene Productions/Heartbeat Alaska, “Diomede: People of the Sea”
2nd: Michael Rogers, Jaime Schwartzwald, KXD News 13, “A Salute to Champions”
3rd: Steve MacDonald, Rich Jordan, KTUU-TV, “Aftershocks: Anatomy of Alaska’s Earthquakes”

HEALTH OR SCIENCE
Judge: Stephanie Clements, 9NEWS KUSA-TV, Denver

1st: Robert Hannon, KVAC Alaska One, “Vital Signs: Occupational Health”
2nd: Meghan Stapleton, Mike Nederbrock, KTUU, Channel 2 News, “The Cost of Tobacco”
3rd: Jeanie Greene Productions, Heartbeat Alaska, “Tobacco Cessation”

BEST EDUCATION REPORTING
Judge: Karen Larsen, KJRH (NBC)

1st place: Photographer Chris Werner and reporter Jason Moore, KTUU, “Exit Exam Private School”
2nd place: Angela Unruh and Rich Jordan, KTUU, “Russian Mission Subsistence Education”
3rd place: Reporter Yvonne Ramsay and photographer Eric Jowl, KTUU, “No Child Left Behind in Rural Alaska”
HM: Jeanie Green and Dave Manning, Heartbeat Alaska, “Akhiok Culture in Schools Week”
HM: Rebecca Palsha, KIMO ABC Alaska’s Superstation, “Joining NASA”

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING
Judge: Andrea McCarren,WJLA, Washington, D.C.

1st: Rhonda McBride and Dave Steward, KTUU, “St. Paul Island’s Rite of Spring: Clean Beaches”
2nd: Jeanie Greene and Dave Manning, Heartbeat Alaska, “The Dipnet Dilemma”
3rd: Dan Fiorucci and Brad Hillwig, KTUU, “Selendang Ayu”

BEST CRIME OR COURTS REPORTING
Judge: Kimberly Reeves, Dallas

1st: Ben Deci, KTVA, “Padgett Trial”
2nd: Maria Downey, KTUU, “Olson’s Arraignment”
3rd: Megan Baldino, KTUU, “Crossing the Line”

BEST POLITICAL REPORTING
Judge: Adam Schrager, 9News Reporter, KUSA-TV Denver, CO

1st: Anne Sutton, KTOO,“Alaska Week: The Boxer
2nd: Rhonda McBride-Reporter, Phil Walczak, KTUU,“Big Race on the Kenai”
3rd: Megan Baldino, Tom Anderson, KTUU, “The Stripping Bill”

BEST BUSINESS REPORTING
Judge: Tim Ryan, Assistant News Director
9News/KUSA-TV, Denver, CO
1st: Reporter Maria Downey; Photographer Barry Johnson, KTUU, “Alaska Dream Kitchens:A Consumer Nightmare”
No second or third.

BEST TELEVISION FEATURE
Judge: Deborah Horne, Emmy-award winning reporter, KIRO 7 News Seattle
1st:Ben Deci, Ron Solstad, KTVA, “Globe of Death”
2nd:Jeffrey Hope, Justin Freeman, KTUU, “Spear Fishing”
3rd: Jeffrey Hope, Rich Jordan, KTUU, “Animal Carousel”

BEST ARTS COVERAGE
Judge: Deborah Horne, Emmy-award winning reporter, KIRO 7 News Seattle

1st:Jeffrey Hope, Eric Sowl, KTUU, “Jeweler”
2nd: Sharice Walker, “Watercolor Society”
3rd: No Winner

ONGOING PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM
Judge: Dick Kay, Emmy-award winning reporter; George Foster Peabody medallion, NBC 5 Chicago

1st: Jeanie Greene, Heartbeat Alaska
“Heartbeat Alaska”

ONE TIME PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM
Judge: Dick Kay, Emmy-award winning reporter; George Foster Peabody medallion, NBC 5 Chicago

1st: Katie Bausler, Skip Gray, and Terry Tavel, KTOO-TV/Alaska One, “Who’s in? Who’s out?”
2nd and 3rd: No winners.

BEST SPORTS STORY
Results not available as of press time.

BEST PROFILE
Judge: Gary Horcher, award-winning investigative reporter, KIRO 7 News Seattle

1st: “Debbie Lestenkoff, woman who walks in two worlds”
2nd: Megan Baldino, reporter, Justin Freeman, photographer, KTUU, “Lost & Found”
3rd: Jim Scheve and Justin Freeman, KTUU, “From their perspective”

BEST LIVE SPECIAL
Judge: Tim Ryan, Assistant News Director
9News/KUSA-TV, Denver, CO

No winners

BEST EDITING
Judge: Eric Kehe, 9News Director of Photography

1st: Bradley Hillwig, KTUU, “Without A Trace”
2nd: Eric Sowl, KTUU, “MDA Live Ride”
3rd: Jaime Schwartzwald, KXD News 13, “Delta Mud Drags”

BEST FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Judge: Eric Kehe, 9News Director of Photography

1st: Justin Freeman, Jeffrey Hope, KTUU
“Alaska Spear Fishing”
2nd: Shawn Wilson, KTUU, “The Summer Mountain”
3rd: Skip Gray, Terry Tavel, Katie Bausler, KTOO, “Glacier Bay”

BEST SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
Judge: Eric Kehe, 9News Director of Photography

1st: Eric Sowl, KTUU, “Dog Rescue”
2nd: Bradley Hillwig, KTUU, “The River’s Edge”
3rd: N/A, only two entries

BEST SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Judge: Eric Kehe, 9News Director of Photography

1st: Eric Sowl, KTUU, “Dodgeball”
2nd: Bradley Hillwig, KTUU, Snow Cross
3rd: Justin Freeman, Lars Peterson, KTUU, “Iditarod”

BEST DAILY NEWSCAST
Judge: Tim Ryan, Assistant News Director
9News/KUSA-TV, Denver, CO

1st: KTUU CH2 “Newshour” (10-12-04)
2nd: KTUU CH2 Late Edition
3rd: KTUU CH2 Newshour (2-27-04)



OPEN TO ALL MEDIA

HUMOR
Judge: Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown

1st: Mike Dunham, Anchorage Daily News
“Operetta Sees Red; Violetta is Blue”
2nd: Marion Owen, Associated Press, “Dock Dog”
3rd: Amanda Krysinski, Alaska Teen Media Institute, “Teen Trivia”

BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Judge: Bob Drogin, National security correspondent, Los Angeles Times Washington, D.C. Bureau

1st: Paula Dobbyn, Anchorage Daily News
2nd: Maria V. Downey and Eric Sowl, KTUU
3rd: Jody Seitz and Johanna Eurich, KDLG

BEST MEDIA WEBSITE
Judge: Adam Howell, award-winning website designer, Winston-Salem Journal

1st: KTOO: Gavel to Gavel Alaska (KTOO FM&TV)
2nd: KTVF (KTVF, http://www.webcenter11.com)
3rd: Marion Owen
(http://www.upbeetcommunications.com)

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Judge: Pulitzer-prize winning investigative reporter Gary Cohn, Los Angeles Times; also former UAA Atwood Chair.

Winner: Diana Campbell and Eric Engman, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Comments: This year’s Public Service Award goes to the staff of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, notably reporter Diana Campbell and photographer Eric Engman, for a series of stories about the growing cancer rate among Alaska natives. The stories and photographs focused much-needed attention on the impact and growth of cancer among the native population and the many difficulties — including geographical distance, limitations of the rural health-care system, and a variety of cultural and lifestyle factors — faced by the native population in combating cancer. The stories were told by Diana Campbell in a clear way, focusing on people that made the reader care deeply about this growing problem.

Eric Engman’s photographs documented the people and problems visually and complemented Campbell’s compelling writing. The entire series provided Alaskans with important information that can be used to help fight the growing cancer problem.

This was an extraordinary team effort. The Alicia Patterson Foundation gave Diana Campbell a fellowship to focus on the rising cancer rate among Alaska natives. The News-Miner and managing editor Kelly Bostian supported Campbell during her fellowship and then gave her the time and teamed her with Engman to expand her reporting into a compelling five-part series. This project, which epitomizes the notion of public service, shows what relatively small newspapers can do when they have the will and creativity to serve their readers.
This was truly an extraordinary year for Public Service by Alaska’s news organizations. I would also like to commend the Anchorage Daily News and Paula Dobbyn’s groundbreaking investigation into conflicts of interest by Alaska’s Attorney General. Her stories documented a serious ethical problem and brought about results. I strongly recommended that Dobbyn’s stories be named the winner of another keynote category, investigative reporting.