Investigative Reporting ( 10,000 and Over,Under 10,000)Back
Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Grand Forks Herald Entry Title: Outside chances Entry Credit: Sam Easter Judge Comment: Absolutely blown away by the commitment to this series. Most impressed by the access to parts of the "system" that few get to see, and even fewer understand. Well done.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Fargo/Moorhead - The Forum Entry Title: Within 4 months, her brother and dad died as inmates of North Dakota jails Entry Credit: Kim Hyatt Judge Comment: This story is at once heartbreaking and maddening and mind-numbingly unbelievable — and yet it's the reality for many. Great work.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Bemidji - The Bemidji Pioneer Entry Title: Broken trust: Players detail inappropriate behavior by softball coach, lack of action by BSU Entry Credit: Micah Friez, Austin Monteith Judge Comment: Exactly what journalism should do: shine a light into dark corners of disgusting that the world needs to see. Fantastic.
Competition Comment: This has to be one of the most competitive categories going. I went back and forth on a "shortlist" that wasn't terribly short, truth be told. Access to information and sources, robust storytelling and unique subjects made the decision even harder. So much great reporting and storytelling — the state of Minnesota newspapering is solid to say the least.
