Charlotte Observer wins 30+ NC Press Association awards, top honors for excellence online
The Charlotte Observer received more than 30 awards Thursday during the annual North Carolina Press Association competition, including top honors for General Excellence for Newspaper Websites.
In addition to General Excellence online, the publication won second place for overall General Excellence. Veteran journalist Mike Gordon repeated as winner of the Media & The Law Award. The Observer staff also earned 11 first-place awards, nine second-place awards and 10 third-place awards in editorial and multimedia categories.
“It’s always humbling to be recognized for our commitment to exceptional journalism,” said Observer Executive Editor Rana L. Cash. “But more importantly, it’s an indication that we are serving the Charlotte community as watchdogs and storytellers.
“Winning among the state’s largest newspaper websites is a demonstration of the Observer’s innovation, urgency and comprehensive coverage.”
NCPA’s contest is among the largest in the country with over 3,500 entries from over 125 newspapers and news organizations, the organization said in a release Thursday. This year Alabama Press Association members judged the contest.
Below is a list of Observer staff winners:
First place
Jeff Siner: Video, “Sports Legends of the Carolinas: Dale Earnhardt Jr.”
Théoden Janes: Sports Feature Writing, “He was told he had less than 18 months to live. That was 3 years and 3 marathons ago.”
Alex Andrejev: Sports Enterprise Reporting, “Payback: The Jessica McDonald story.”
Scott Fowler: Sports Columns, Collection of Sports Columns.
Devna Bose: Religion & Faith Reporting, “Faith prevails for LGBTQ Charlotteans — even when churches reject them.”
Théoden Janes: News Feature Writing, “We followed a Charlotte woman’s quest to buy a starter home. She’s on the verge of giving up.”
Ames Alexander, Gavin Off: News Enterprise Reporting, “‘People can die.’ Staffing crisis endangers thousands inside NC nursing homes.”
Michael Gordon: Media and the Law Awards of Excellence, “Tax errors took everything from a disabled Charlotte woman and left her sleeping in a parking deck.”
Théoden Janes: Feature Writing, “As a baby, I was left on a street by ... someone. As an adult, I tried to figure out why.”
Payton Guion: Education Reporting, “Internal CMS emails reveal promise, problems with big bet on school body scanners.”
Catherine Muccigrosso, Adam Bell: Arts and Entertainment Reporting, “Secrets of the Picasso landscape exhibit: Behind the scenes at the Mint’s landmark show.”
Second place
Makayla Holder: Video, “Is uptown haunted? Legend says that these places are.”
Alex Zietlow: Sports Enterprise Reporting, “Stars align as North Wilkesboro Speedway revitalization effort shifts into high gear.”
Ames Alexander, Sara Coello, Tyler Dukes: Religion & Faith Reporting, “NC pastors among those on secret list of Southern Baptist leaders accused of sex abuse.”
Michael Gordon: News Enterprise Reporting, “Tax errors took everything from a disabled Charlotte woman and left her sleeping in a parking deck.”
Théoden Janes: Lighter Columns, Collection of Lighter Columns.
Gavin Off, Adam Wagner, Ames Alexander: Investigative Reporting, “Big Poultry in North Carolina,” an investigation by The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer.
Jeff Siner: Illustration/Photo Illustration/Print or Interactive Graphics, “Why did they leave me?”
DJ Simmons: Election/Political Reporting, “What are Mecklenburg County Latino voters’ top concerns? It might surprise you.”
Anna Maria Della Costa, Joe Marusak: Breaking News Coverage, “CMS Board of Education will meet Tuesday to fire superintendent.”
Third place
Payton Guion, Tyler Dukes, Gordon Rago: Investigative Reporting, “Security for Sale,” an investigation by The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer.
Staff: Sports Coverage.
Alex Zietlow: Sports Columns, Collection of Sports Columns.
Jeff Siner: Photography, Sports Feature, “What I’m thankful for on Thanksgiving.”
Jeff Siner: Photography, Sports, “Panthers 24, Browns 26.”
Michael Gordon: General News Reporting, “‘Accountable for the wrong you do.’ 2 years after Capitol riot, NC footprint still grows.”
Melissa Oyler, Heidi Finley: Email Newsletter, Charlotte Five.
Staff: Breaking News Coverage, “Panthers founder Richardson dies.”
Catherine Muccigrosso: Beat News Reporting, “As Book Buyers closes one chapter, another opens with new Plaza Midwood location.”
Théoden Janes: Beat Feature Reporting, “A good way to appreciate Deborah Triplett’s life? Consider what was behind her house.”
