Category X - Amplifying Community Voices ( Over 7,000,3,001 to 7,000,1,501 to 3,000,1,001 - 1,500,Under 1,000)Back
Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Winona Post Entry Title: The call for change at Winona schools Entry Credit: Sarah Squires, Chris Rogers, Alexandra Retter Judge Comment: At the same time when publications everywhere covered the racial reckoning in response to the death of George Floyd, two hours south of Minneapolis the Winona Post amplified community voices in a completely different and extremely compelling way. Bringing to fruition many months of trust-building, sourcing, and public records requests, the Winona Post revealed, in June 2020, more than a dozen serious discrimination complaints against the local school system – and two school discrimination settlements. The coverage, including ongoing watchdogging of school board reaction and bringing voice to students and community advocates, brought home painful racial justice ways that put the George Floyd reckoning into intensely local and relevant ways. Stellar public service.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Mora - Kanabec County Times Entry Title: Residents of a small city take on a BIG conversation Entry Credit: Kirsten Faurie Judge Comment: Sixty miles north of Minneapolis, Mora might seem a world away from Minneapolis, the death of George Floyd, and the resulting racial reckoning. The Kanabec County Times respectfully made certain the intensely local reaction was not distant. With gripping photography, solid news coverage, and multimedia interviews, the Times confronted the pain and hopes of its local community and readers.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Detroit Lakes Tribune Entry Title: Winter Stories Entry Credit: Marie Johnson Judge Comment: Thanks and recognition to the Detroit Lakes Tribune for amplifying voices well before so many publications accelerated such efforts in the wake of the death of George Floyd. The “Winter Stories” series provided respectful and sensitive coverage of Ojibwe culture, an important element of the local community.
