Sun Herald journalists win top awards in state for their storytelling on the MS Coast

Justin Mitchell
·3 min read

From following how BP money is spent to exploring what the future will hold for a Black neighborhood, Sun Herald journalists were honored for their reporting and visual storytelling in the 2022 Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The Biloxi Sun Herald competed in the largest circulation division against Mississippi Today, The Daily Journal in Tupelo and the Clarion Ledger in Jackson.

Investigative reporter Anita Lee, who was also inducted into the MPA Journalism Hall of Fame, won a top award for her reporting on how state lawmakers are spending millions in BP oil spill money meant to create high-paying jobs. The reporting was done in partnership with ProPublica.

Visual journalist Hannah Ruhoff was also a big winner, earning 11 awards for her photography, video and social media reporting.

In total, the Sun Herald brought home 23 awards. Here’s the list:

First place

Anita Lee, Bill Minor award for news reporting and winner for general news story: $53.3 million. 33 jobs. No plan. That’s how Mississippi lawmakers are spending BP oil spill money.

Margaret Baker and Hannah Ruhoff, best news package: coverage of the trial of Jacob Blair Scott, an ex-military veteran who faked his own death to avoid child sex crime charges

Gautama Mehta, Mary Perez, Hannah Ruhoff, best planned series: examining the future of Backatown, a Black-neighborhood in the heart of trendy and rapidly developing Bay St. Louis

Justin Mitchell, Emily Broyles, Hannah Ruhoff, best use of social media: live coverage from the scene in the killing of two Bay St. Louis police officers at a Motel 6

Hannah Ruhoff, best spot news photo

Baleigh Bowlin’s mother hugs a family member as they sit near the site of a car crash that killed her daughter off of Highway 613 in Hurley on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Baleigh Bowlin and Chloe Taylor were driving together after the East Central High School homecoming dance when their car went off the road.
Baleigh Bowlin’s mother hugs a family member as they sit near the site of a car crash that killed her daughter off of Highway 613 in Hurley on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Baleigh Bowlin and Chloe Taylor were driving together after the East Central High School homecoming dance when their car went off the road.
The parents of Baleigh Bowlin hug at the site of a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of their daughter and her best friend, Chloe Taylor, off of Highway 613 in Hurley on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.
The parents of Baleigh Bowlin hug at the site of a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of their daughter and her best friend, Chloe Taylor, off of Highway 613 in Hurley on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

Hannah Ruhoff, best photo series: photographs from the funeral of two Bay St. Louis police officers killed in the line of duty

Hannah Ruhoff, best video: talking with Ms. Audrey, who runs a popular soul food buffet and has been feeding the Coast for decades

Sun Herald staff, best website

Second place

Mary Perez, business story: Black-owned businesses once thrived in heart of BSL. They’ve all but disappeared

Hannah Ruhoff, feature photo

Hannah Ruhoff, sports feature photo

Hannah Ruhoff, general news photograph

New American citizens sing the star spangled banner during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
New American citizens sing the star spangled banner during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

Third place

Sun Herald, general excellence

Margaret Baker, Freedom of Information Act award, coverage of an ex-DEA agent accused of forging a DNA test in a Mississippi Coast paternity case

Orizo Hajigurban, social media: making Mississippi pot roast recipe on TikTok

Hannah Ruhoff, spot news photo

Isabelle Taft, feature story: Ms. Audrey and her “kitchen Bible” have been feeding the Coast for 25 years

Scott Watkins, game story: Southern Miss football defeats Rice in LendingTree Bowl behind Frank Gore Jr. record

Margaret Baker, spot news: In his final moments, a young Bay St. Louis police officer shoots veterinarian who opened fire at Motel 6

Honorable mention:

Gautama Mehta, general news story: CDC used “shoe leather” detective work to find rare bacteria on the Coast

Margaret Baker, spot news: Coast councilman’s arrest outside of a Kiln gas station

Hannah Ruhoff, general news photograph

Law enforcement officers prepare to carry the caskets of Bay St. Louis police officers Sgt. Steven Robin and Branden Estorffe following their funeral at the Bay St. Louis Community Center in Bay St. Louis on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Robin and Estorffe were killed responding to a call at a Motel 6 on Dec. 14.
Law enforcement officers prepare to carry the caskets of Bay St. Louis police officers Sgt. Steven Robin and Branden Estorffe following their funeral at the Bay St. Louis Community Center in Bay St. Louis on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Robin and Estorffe were killed responding to a call at a Motel 6 on Dec. 14.
Bay St. Louis Police Chief Toby Schwartz presents a folded flag to Branden Estorffe’s dad Ian, a fellow police officer, during the funeral of Bay St. Louis police officers Sgt. Steven Robin and Branden Estorffe at Gardens of Memory cemetery in Bay St. Louis on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Robin and Estorffe were killed responding to a call at a Motel 6 on Dec. 14.
Bay St. Louis police officers react as Capt. Rachel Jewell calls in the last radio call at the gravesite of Bay St. Louis police officers Sgt. Steven Robin and Branden Estorffe at Gardens of Memory cemetery in Bay St. Louis on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Robin and Estorffe were killed responding to a call at a Motel 6 on Dec. 14.
Bay St. Louis police officers react as Capt. Rachel Jewell calls in the last radio call at the gravesite of Bay St. Louis police officers Sgt. Steven Robin and Branden Estorffe at Gardens of Memory cemetery in Bay St. Louis on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. Robin and Estorffe were killed responding to a call at a Motel 6 on Dec. 14.