The Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award (with $1,000 prize)
Brooke Lea Foster and Cindy Rich of Washingtonian for “Look What They’re Doing to Our Mountains.”
Judges’ Comments: “This was a very descriptive account, from the grassroots level rather than top down, of what residents of Appalachia are facing as they go up against a big industry that also has kept many of their families employed. I hope the Washingtonian continues to dedicate resources to following the developments of their efforts to verify what’s happening to the water supply there and other natural resources.”
Weekly Newspaper – Editorial, Columns, Commentary
First Place: Kevin Naff (Washington Blade) for “Washington Post’s Gay Problem”
Judges’ Comments: “Hard-hitting column [that] doesn’t mince words.”
Weekly Newspaper – Arts Criticism
Judges’ Comments: “His review of an Aretha Franklin concert offers fresh and comprehensive commentary with opinions that are sometimes sharp, often constructive and always fair.”
Weekly Newspaper – Features
First Place: John McArdle (Roll Call) for “Lou Frey: Capitol Hill’s Very Own Willie Mays”
Judges’ Comments: “Lighthearted piece that shows competition extends from the House floor to the national pastime. Great use of sports language in profile of Congressman.”
Weekly Newspaper – Investigative Reporting
First Place: Paul Singer, Jennifer Yachnin and Casey Hynes (Roll Call) for “The Failures of Financial Disclosure”
Judges’ Comments: “This was very well-explained, raised all of the appropriate and important questions, laid out the rules as they exist and brings attention to ways in which they may be insufficient. The reporters are consistent in their scrutiny of public officials and those who are supposed to be monitoring them.”
Weekly Newspaper – Spot News
Judges’ Comments: “Reporters went over and above, using documents, historical background and quotes to give a complete picture of what happened when Sen. Ted Stevens was indicted on corruption charges. ”
Weekly Newspaper – General News
First Place: Jim Snyder and Kevin Bogardus (The Hill) for “Bailout Hurts Charities”
Judges’ Comments: “Story sheds light on an unintended consequence of the government bailouts.”
Weekly Newspaper – Business/Financial Reporting
Judges’ Comments: “This was a well-balanced and fair presentation of how complex this contract award became. The Hill was first out of the box with this and managed to present arguments from all sides, yet pointed out questionable behavior by all parties that had occurred at that point. Keep up the good work watching over substantial expenditures of public dollars.”
The Correspondent Award
First Place: Sara A. Carter (The Washington Times) for “An Opium Epidemic in Afghanistan”
Judges’ Comments: “Sensitive story telling brings a crisis half a world away home.”
Daily Newspaper – General News
First Place: Elaine Grossman (National Journal Group’s Global Secutiy Newswire) for “Critics Question Army Readiness For Post-WMD-Attack Patrols”
Judges’ Comments: “Reporter took an in-depth look into a disconcerting scenario. Reporter caught Army with its pants down, and adds to our worry about whether troops are trained to protect our homeland following a terrorist attack. Fine job.”
Daily Newspaper – Spot News
First Place: Nafeesa Syeed (The Associated Press) for “Helicopter Crash”
Judges’ Comments: “Under tight deadlines, reporter skillfully crafts plenty of breaking news detail set against the alarming trend of a growing number of air ambulance accidents. Despite the fact that it was a weekend, reporter was able to reach experts to talk about the problem.
Daily Newspaper – Investigative Reporting
First Place: Audrey Hudson (The Washington Times) for “Disposable Heroes”
Judges’ Comments: “Kudos to The Times and Audrey Hudson for taking a microscopic look into the VA’s smoking cessation drug experiment that used wounded Iraq troops as guinea pigs. The three-month investigation performed a great community service to show us the side effects of Chantix in statistics, documents and personal accounts. It’s the kind of thing that makes your skin crawl.”
Daily Newspaper – Business/Financial Reporting
First Place: David Dickson (The Washington Times) for “China: ‘Balance of Financial Terror’”
Judges’ Comments: “This reporter did a great job of sticking with the theme of a story that was heavy in numbers, statistics and trends and demonstrated a command of the information and the varying perspectives on what it all means for the U.S. economy.”
Daily Newspaper – Features
First Place: Mary Kane (The Washington Independent) for “Foreclosure Machine Grinds on Through Holiday Season: Fannie, Freddie Moratorium Hasn’t Stopped Evictions”
Judges’ Comments: “Story puts a face on the human tragedy of losing one’s home.”
Daily Newspaper – Editorial, Columns, Commentary
First Place: Barbara Hollingsworth (The Washington Examiner) for “Legal Perspective”
Judges’ Comments: No comments were provided for this entry.
Daily Newspaper – Photojournalism
First Place: Katie Falkenberg (The Washington Times) for “Pakistani Women Seek Shelter From ‘Honor’ Violence”
Judges’ Comments: “Compelling images, beautifully framed to give the sense of isolation these women endure in the so-called ‘safe-house,’ given the alternative of returning to violence and death at the hands of families and husbands.
Daily Newspaper – Arts Criticism
First Place: Debora Dietsch (The Washington Times) for “How Not to Be Hip”
Judges’ Comments: “A brightly written, in-depth piece on how the National Portrait Gallery tries to prove it can be as cool as hip hop. Great execution. Sharp writing.”
Daily Newspaper – Sports
First Place: David Elfin (The Washington Times) for “The Redskins Are Still Struggling”
Judges’ Comments: “Elfin’s reporting delivers, day-to-day, an impressive combination of profile, analysis, and straight reporting. It’s tough to cover the Redskins in DC and Elfin does it as well as anyone.
Magazine – Features
First Place: Cindy Rich (Washingtonian) for "I Wanted to Yell Out ‘I Know What Happened’"
Judges’ Comments: “A gut wrenching, nuanced look at a tragedy that should never have happened.”
Magazine – General News
First Place: Harry Jaffe (Washingtonian) for “Want This Next to Your Bed?”
Magazine – Editorial, Columns, Commentary
First Place: Denise Kersten Wills (Washingtonian) for “Why Can’t They Fix It?”
Judges’ Comments: “A touching tale of a family coming to terms with the illness of one of their own.”
Magazine – Arts Criticism
First Place: Harry Jaffe (Washingtonian) for “Discovering Degas”
Judges’ Comments: “Writer catches and holds reader’s attention over the mystery surrounding famous painter’s work and the effort to unravel the meaning behind ‘Dancers at the Bar.’ Writer holds the reader’s interest so that reader is eager to find out final outcome of restoration of the Degas masterpiece.”
Magazine – Business/Financial Reporting
First Place: Kim Isaac Eisler (Washingtonian) for “All of His Calls Get Answered”
Judges’ Comments: “This story takes the reader through many emotions, paints scenes well and gives insightful glimpses into not only Bob Barnett, but people with whom he interacts.”
Magazine – Investigative Reporting
First Place: Brooke Lea Foster and Cindy Rich (Washingtonian) for “Look What They’re Doing to Our Mountains”
See comments above for the Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award
Magazine – Photojournalism
First Place: David Deal (Washingtonian) for “War Stories”
Judges’ Comments: “Portraits of veterans of several wars that are deceptively simple: The longer you look, the more you see.”
Magazine – Sports
First Place: Drew Bratcher (Washingtonian) for “The Son Also Rises”
Television – Sports
First Place: Kris Van Cleave and Ian Rushing of WJLA for “Parkour”
Judges’ Comments: “A fascinating look at a little-known activity.”
Television – Features
First Place: Kris Van Cleave, Ian Rushing, Patrick Stalionis and Hillary Esquina (WJLA) for “Art’s Harrier”
Television – General News
First Place: Kris Van Cleave, Jeff Rose, Peter Stolz and Rigel Moranchel (WJLA) for “Expired Food”
Judges’ Comments: “Reporter shows consumers why it’s important to pay attention to details when shopping.”
Television – Spot News
First Place: Gary Nurenberg (freelance for WUSA) for “Family Held Hostage”
Television – Business/Financial Reporting
First Place: Gary Nurenberg (freelance for WUSA) for “Local Foreclosure Woes”
No awards were given in the Television – Investigative Reporting category
Radio – General News
First Place: WTOP News Staff for “D.C. Gun Ban”
Judges’ Comments: “Impressive commitment of time and resources that you don’t often see from commercial radio.”
Radio – Investigative Reporting
First Place: Mark Segraves (WTOP) for “Deadbeat Feds”
Judges’ Comments: “His report on federal employees and retirees who failed to pay their income taxes in 2007 is what investigative reporting is all about: finding an important story that has been missed by others. This one became an issue in the 2008 presidential campaign.”
Radio – Features
First Place: Brennan Haselton (WTOP) for “Fruitcake Must Die!”
Judges’ Comments: “A smile-inducing piece.”
No awards were given this year in the Radio – Spot News category
Radio – Sports
First Place: WTOP News Staff for “Opening Day”
Judges’ Comments: “WTOP has the opening of the Nationals’ new stadium covered from the fans to what happened on the field.”
Newsletter – Washington Reporting
First Place: Marjorie Censer (Inside Washington Publishers) for “Funneling Resources to FCS, Army POM Strips Vehicle Program Funding”
Judges’ Comments: “A stunning revelation that the mainstream media never picked up on.”