First off, I salute all of the journalists whose work is represented in the entries. There are many aspects of daily journalism, but there is something foundational to Breaking News, and the mission of working against a daily deadline to tell the most comprehensive story possible.
As for the competition:
Winner: Nicole O’Reilly, The Hamilton Spectator
Devon Freeman inquest stories
Under deadline, Ms. O’Reilly confidently weaved the facts of the tragedy involving Devon Freeman into succinct, high-impact stories with vivid details and a sweeping use of relevant background. The result is unforgettable.
Runners-up: Trevor Wilhelm, Dave Battagello, Taylor Campbell, Julie Kotsis and Kathleen Saylors, The Windsor Star
Blockade at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor
The stories effectively provide the reader with an informative sense of the many moving pieces of a story that had national, and international, implications. Readers were not only well served by the reporting and the varied, relevant key voices but by the streamlined writing that presented it all.
Runner-up: Terry Bridge, Sarnia Observer
Man dies after canoe capsizes at Lake Huron beach and Family, First Nation ‘devastated’ by father of four’s death after canoe capsizes
The stories stand out for their use of on-the-scene details – a coast guard helicopter in the air, paramedics and firefighters working in the second man, the windy weather conditions, and other details. The work the reporter did, on the scene, is palpable and appreciated. The second day story on the victim was also excellent.
