Posts by Connecticut SPJ

CTSPJ elects new board for 2022-23

The Connecticut PRO chapter of the SPJ hosts annual elections for board officers. The new board officers start their terms July 1. Due to a bylaws change approved by members this past year, the board now consists of 11 members. As of July 1, 2023, the board will shrink in size to 10 members.

President – Lindsay Boyle (first of two potential one-year terms)

Vice President, programming – Jordan Fenster (first of two potential one-year terms)

Vice President, communications – Ayah Galal (no term limits)

Treasurer – Bruno Matarazzo (no term limits)

Secretary – Jeniece Roman (first of two potential one-year terms) 

Past President – Viktoria Sundqvist (no term limits)

Board of Directors:

Darren Sweeney (second year of two-year term of 2021-23)

Mercy Quaye (filling a vacancy, second year of two-year term 2021-23)

Chandra Bozelko (filling a vacancy, second year of two-year term 2021-23)

Mike Savino (first year of two-year term – 2022-24)

Martha Shanahan (first year of two-year term – 2022-24)

Winners for 2021 Excellence in Journalism contest announced

An outdoor event to celebrate the winners of our Excellence in Journalism contest is planned for Saturday, June 25, from noon-4 p.m. at the Ansonia Nature Center pavilion, 10 Deerfield Road, Ansonia. More details here.

Click here to see winners of this year’s college contest.

All Media Special Awards

First Amendment Award
First Place
A free press, a fair election; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award
First Place
Lost to abuse; Hearst CT Media; Clare Dignan, Verónica Del Valle

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting
First Place
Policing the police; Hearst CT Media; Bill Cummings

Arts & Entertainment

Hyperlocal
First Place
Conversations with the irrepressible Dolly Curtis; Easton Courier; Jane Paley, Richard Falco
Second Place
Cultivating wellbeing, belonging, curiosity, and empathy through art; East Haven Courier; Pem McNerney
Third Place
Darien group uses art to paint picture of equality; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
Styx = grilled cheese; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael Chaiken
Second Place
Youth performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ aiming to teach conflict resolution; New Haven Register; Ben Lambert

Regional B
First Place
After BLM silencing, choral censorship battle reaches national stage; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Local artist remembered for making ‘community beautiful’; Record-Journal; Devin Leith-Yessian

Magazine
First Place
An artist out of Aesop; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall
Second Place
The Remains look back; Connecticut Magazine; Michael Catarevas

Broadcast
First Place
Ballet is for everyone; News 12; Annalisa Klebers,Christopher Wood

Audio Storytelling

Hyperlocal
First Place
Navel gazing podcast: The Valley Indy’s post-election autopsy; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll
Second Place
Navel gazing podcast: Lauretti, DOT Boss, VCOG Rick talk multi-million dollar train station grant; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll

Regional A
First Place
Looking for the Todt family; The Day; Taylor Hartz, Sten Spinella, Peter Huoppi, Carlos Virgen
Second Place
We spoke to residents whose lives have been forever changed by COVID-19. These are their stories.; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad, Timothy Reck

Magazine
First Place
Author Dan Crowley & SCSU President Dr. Joe Bertolino; Connecticut Voice; Christopher Byrne

Broadcast
First Place
Juveniles, joyrides, & justice; WNPR; Walter Smith Randolph, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jim Haddadin
Second Place
31st July 2021 Edition; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith
Third Place
2nd January 2021 Edition; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith

Breaking News

Hyperlocal
First Place
Ansonia police investigate shooting; city researching surveillance system; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll, Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Second Place
Derby police officer shoots person on Division Street; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll

Regional A
First Place
Former Hartford police sergeant keeps teen from jumping off Founders Bridge; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
Second Place
Opponents of mandatory vaccinations for public school dominate hearing; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Flooding; New Britain Herald; Justin Muszynski
Second Place
‘It’s really unreal:’ Wilbur Cross students rattled after lockdown; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman

Broadcast
First Place
Eviction orders spiked in Connecticut when federal moratorium lapsed; WNPR; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jim Haddadin, Walter Smith Randolph
Second Place
A small jet crashes into a bulding in Farmington; WTIC-AM; John Silva
Third Place
Hurricane Ida cleanup; News 12; John Craven, Mark Sogofsky

Business

Hyperlocal
First Place
Darien man’s cereal company gets nationwide attention; Darien Times; Susan Shultz
Second Place
DeLauro visits downtown Branford merchants to gauge recovery efforts; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A
First Place
‘There’s no one easy explanation’ why restaurant workers left industry; The Day; Erica Moser
Second Place
The fourth estate’s future; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael Puffer
Third Place
Connecticut diners could expect to pay more for menu items; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Regional B
First Place
Newtown diner; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Second Place
Flip enriches middleman, burns tenants; New Haven Independent; Tom Breen
Third Place
Increased demand for bicycles, repairs fueled by pandemic; Journal Inquirer; Matthew P. Knox

Magazine
First Place
Stopping embezzlement: How to protect your business from the thief within; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Second Place
In the black; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert
Third Place
New Haven-area manufacturers anticipate long-term impacts — some positive — from supply chain crisis; New Haven Biz; Liese Klein

Broadcast
First Place
Cannabis billboards; NBC 30; Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jonathan Wardle
Second Place
The Porch; News 12; Mark Sudol, Mark Sogofsky
Third Place
Rein’s Deli dealing with kosher meat, worker shortage; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill, David Mulligan

Continuing Coverage

Hyperlocal
First Place
Water company controversy; Fairfield Citizen; Katrina Koerting
Second Place
Police, fire officials sex assault case; Shelton Herald; Donald Eng, Brian Gioiele
Third Place
Coverage of controversy over proposed chicken slaughterhouse approved in residential neighborhood; Easton Courier; Ann Marie Somma, Kelly Wendt

Regional A
First Place
State lawmaker arrest; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart
Second Place
CNN staffer charged; Hearst CT Media; Tara O’Neill, Liz Hardaway, Peter Yankowski
Third Place
Covid and group homes; Hearst CT Media; Julia Bergman

Regional B
First Place
Inappropriate conduct in schools investigation; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day, Adam Hushin
Second Place
Heat shut off; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki
Third Place
Grand Cafe occupation; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman

Magazine
First Place
Delicious; Seasons Magazine; Amy S. White

Broadcast
First Place
State trooper sentenced, resigns after 2019 drunk driving crash in cruiser; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill

Courts/Crime

Regional A
First Place
Hamden homicide victim was new father excited for his upcoming high school graduation; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann
Second Place
How the FBI ID’d a CT man in the U.S. Capitol mob; Hearst CT Media; Dan Brechlin, Lidia Ryan, Bryan Haeffele

Regional B
First Place
She needs to come home; The Hour; Rich Chumney
Second Place
Middletown mother of six fatally stabbed showed strength in final moments, daughter says; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day

Magazine
First Place
On the trail of a killer; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
Second Place
From Cuba to Connecticut; Today Magazine; Odalys Bekanich

Broadcast
First Place
Car crime 2.0; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Jose Gomez
Second Place
Justice for Mari; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Keith Sunthorn

COVID-Investigative

Regional A
First Place
A cancer patient was sent to prison for DUI. Two months later, he was dead from COVID.; Connecticut Mirror; Dave Altimari, Kelan Lyons
Second Place
COVID and Trump towns; Hearst CT Media; Jordan Fenster
Third Place
Griffin Health’s lucrative COVID testing contracts; Connecticut Mirror; Dave Altimari

Regional B
First Place
After $2,774 COVID test, Dunner persists; New Haven Independent; Tom Breen
Second Place
Are Danbury area political candidates vaccinated?; News-Times; Currie Engel
Third Place
Effort to expand vaccine access continues in Meriden amid challenges; Record-Journal; Michael Gagne

Magazine
First Place
Business, interrupted: Insurance claims often denied for pandemic-related business closures; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Broadcast
First Place
Blue Hills FD PPP; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

COVID-News

Hyperlocal
First Place
Ethics and responsibility — the social contract of contact tracing after WHS outbreak; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve
Second Place
One year later–video interview with Wilton’s (and CT’s) first COVID-19 patient, Chris Tillett; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve
Third Place
Darien nurse beats COVID-19, returns to treating pandemic patients; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
COVID-19 long-haulers struggle with persistent mental health issues; Hartford Courant; Eliza Fawcett
Second Place
‘Barely a Band-Aid’: Experts say $600 stimulus could be too little too late for struggling workers; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Third Place
Hill Health Center nurses make steep climb to vaccinate seafarers; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish

Regional B
First Place
Local seniors struggle to schedule vaccinations, face long wait times; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin
Second Place
Hunt for vaccines; News-Times; Currie Engel
Third Place
Contact tracing — could it be telling us more?; Record-Journal; Lauren Takores

Magazine
First Place
COVID shutdown; Today Magazine; Katherine Napier
Second Place
Sense of loss; Connecticut Magazine; Meg Weisberg

Broadcast
First Place
One year later: CT’s ‘patient zero’ reflects; NBC 30; Heidi Voight
Second Place
Therapy dog helps kids heal from pandemic; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte
Third Place
Governor’s new COVID strategy; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff

COVID-Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
A distanced show of support; Harbor News; Kelley Fryer

Regional A
First Place
Getting vaccinated; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Second Place
Closing day; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Third Place
Friendly hands; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko

COVID-Series

Hyperlocal
First Place
COVID creativity; The Sound; Pem McNerney and Kelley Fryer

Regional A
First Place
The lost year; The Day; Staff
Second Place
Connecticut’s uneven recovery; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Kasturi Pananjady
Third Place
Reflect/rebuild; Hearst CT Media; Staff

Regional B
First Place
COVID-19 vaccine project; Record-Journal; Jareliz Diaz, Mary Ellen Godin, Jesse Buchanan, Lauren Takores

Broadcast
First Place
The new normal; News 12; Chris Vaccaro, Kelly Drossel, Doug Geed, Erin Colton, Phil Dowling, Kevin Benjamin, Henry Salmaggi, Christine Amante, Sandrina Rodrigues, Christine McGrath, Shawn Brown, Elizabeth Hashagen

Second Place
The next normal CT; News 12; Mark Sudol, Mark Sogofsky

Data

Hyperlocal
First Place
Wiltons changing demographics: Census 2020 reveals more diversity, fewer children and lasting impact; Good Morning Wilton; Kathy Bonnist

Regional A
First Place
Women of color overrepresented in domestic violence arrests, data show; Connecticut Health I-Team; Lisa Backus
Second Place
Data show decrease in prison sex abuse reports, survivor advocates say fear and ambivalence persist; Connecticut Health I-Team; W. Tanner Bryant, Jodie Mozdzer Gil
Third Place
COVID-19 risk level differs from town to town based on how many people have been vaccinated; Hartford Courant; Tim Reck

Regional B
First Place
The highest-paid workers in north central Connecticut towns do it with overtime; Journal Inquirer; Eric Bedner

Broadcast
First Place
Failing foundations; News 12; News 12 Networks
Second Place
5 things to know about juvenile crime in Connecticut; WNPR; Jim Haddadin

Diversity Coverage

Hyperlocal
First Place
Superintendent Harrison details difficult decision to leave ER9 schools; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Richard Falco
Second Place
Sister, don’t give up; Trumbull Times; Don Eng
Third Place
Fairfield group rebukes racist antagonists: ‘Never let them win’; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A
First Place
Deep roots drive Newhallville stakeholders to advance neighborhood equity; Connecticut Health I-Team; Sujata Srinivasan, Melanie Stengel
Second Place
Targeting disparities in colorectal cancer screening; Connecticut Health I-Team; Elizabeth Heubeck
Third Place
UConn group, Connecticut photographer take on anti-Asian violence and the fight against invisibility; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Regional B
First Place
Danbury’s Hispanic population; News-Times; Julia Perkins
Second Place
Fewer Black and Hispanic residents are getting vaccines; Stamford Advocate; Verónica Del Valle
Third Place
From Jim Crow south to Connecticut, Meriden man has spent lifetime battling racism; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz

Magazine
First Place
MLK memorial; Today Magazine; Katherine Napier
Second Place
The secret lives of doctors: Dr. Marja Hurley, the mentor; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Broadcast
First Place
Justice for all: Mental health in PD; News 12; Shosh Bedrosian, John Dempsey, Frank Bruce
Second Place
1619 Project emails; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Editorial

Hyperlocal
First Place
GMW’s holiday message from the editor; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve

Regional A
First Place
The history lessons taught on Jan. 6, 2021; Hearst CT Media; John Breunig

Regional B
First Place
An insurrection that failed at the nation’s Capitol; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Second Place
Connecticut Supreme Court takes a step backward; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

Editorial Cartoon

Regional A
First Place
Vaccine zeros; The Day; Jacinta Meyers

Regional B
First Place
COVID holidays; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski
Second Place
Mill rate and pickleball; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski
Third Place
Community chest; Record-Journal; Justin Piccirillo

Education

Hyperlocal
First Place
Living the American dream, with help from SAE; The Sound; Pam Johnson
Second Place
Wilton keeps Warriors name; Wilton Bulletin; J.D. Freda
Third Place
ER9 boards of education approve DEI surveys; Easton Courier; Ann Marie Somma and Nancy Doniger

Regional A
First Place
Critical race theory has proved divisive. What is it?; The Day; Erica Moser
Second Place
English learners and pandemic; Connecticut Post; Cayla Bamberger
Third Place
Like you ‘lost a piece of you’: Pandemic forces CT students to apply to college with leaner resumes; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn

Regional B
First Place
You go into a panic; The Hour; Emily Morgan
Second Place
Co-op gets into its back-to-school rhythm; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Third Place
I lived through hell; Stamford Advocate; Ignacio Laguarda

Magazine
First Place
Simple as ABC; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert
Second Place
Back to school out and proud; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis
Third Place
Yale’s $7B capital campaign reflects shifts in nonprofit fundraising focus; New Haven Biz; Liese Klein

Broadcast
First Place
As new school year begins, some immunocompromised families feel left behind; WNPR; Walter Smith Randolph
Second Place
Girls future firefighter camp; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff
Third Place
Remote learning:  The student perspective; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Sarah Willson

Feature Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
Snow day; The Source; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Children enjoying ride at Easton Fireman’s Carnival; Easton Courier; Richard Falco
Third Place
A grand finale in Guilford; Guilford Courier; Wesley Bunnell

Regional A
First Place
Bird conservation; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Second Place
Whale yoga; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Third Place
Spaw treatment; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Tropical Storm Elsa leaves flooding, hazards on local roads; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum
Second Place
Beyond the branches; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Third Place
Fall foliage in the park; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Magazine
First Place
Ghostly glitterati; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
Second Place
Still-life dancer; Connecticut Voice; Stan Godlewski
Third Place
Paddle on; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski

Feature Story

Hyperlocal
First Place
After 70 years in limbo, Seymour soldier accounted for; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll
Second Place
Megan Leubner: Crisis hero award winner; North Haven Courier; Jason J. Marchi
Third Place
Sign of spring: Darien roadside tradition takes on added meaning this year; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
Escapes from Afghanistan, coordinated from a home office in Connecticut; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas
Second Place
Alzheimer’s wedding; Hearst CT Media; Andrew DaRosa
Third Place
Good times and bad at the Lighthouse Inn; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B
First Place
A rare glimpse of redemption; CTNewsJunkie; Lisa Backus
Second Place
7 years later; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Third Place
Everything she did in the community was light: Activist Maia Leonardo passes on at 28; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman

Magazine
First Place
The last of the Connecticut River watermen; Estuary Magazine; David Holahan
Second Place
The founder; Connecticut Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
Third Place
The fabulous ’70s decade of after dark magazine; Connecticut Voice; Frank Rizzo

Broadcast
First Place
Girl whisperer; News 12; Suzanne Goldklang, Frank Bruce
Second Place
From prison to Trinity College; WFSB; Audrey Russo
Third Place
One more chat with dad; News 12; Sean McCabe

General Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
Buy Nothing Facebook groups build connection during trying times; Valley Independent Sentinel; Jodie Mozdzer Gil
Second Place
Winter weather report: Hot with a chance of boiling over; Easton Courier; Richard Lechtenberg

Regional A
First Place
Enriching the rich; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan
Second Place
MLK in CT and the continuing story of segregation; Hearst CT Media; Hugh Bailey
Third Place
Let freedom ring?; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan

Regional B
First Place
Critical race theory is our modern-day ‘Crucible’; CTNewsJunkie; Barth Keck
Second Place
Trump threw away his legacy on human trafficking; Norwich Bulletin; Chandra Bozelko
Third Place
Is my son OK?; News-Times; Sandra Diamond Fox

Magazine
First Place
War torn; Connecticut Magazine; Ron Farina
Second Place
Our storied collections; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich
Third Place
Running for my life; Connecticut Magazine; Joseph M. Korzon

Government

Hyperlocal
First Place
Citizen complaint sparks heated debate about police records in Old Saybrook; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell
Second Place
Easton to increase security at the polls following breach; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Ann Marie Somma
Third Place
Proposed zoning bills reveal political divide in Darien; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
Ned Lamont’s year in the shadow of COVID; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas
Second Place
Old Saybrook releases $190,000 settlement records days before FOI hearing; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann
Third Place
Trump supporters missing from State Capitol as anticipated protest fizzles; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Latest clash in Stamford mayoral race; Stamford Advocate; Brianna Gurciullo
Second Place
State reps get personal as CROWN Act passes house; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Third Place
Anti-mask disruption; News-Times; Currie Engel

Broadcast
First Place
Sedition hunters; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Lorraine Roe
Second Place
Helping firefighters with cancer; News 12; John Craven, MarkSogofsky

Headline

Hyperlocal
First Place
Headllines from the sound; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A
First Place
Hot dog days of summer; red zone blues; vaccine boost; New Haven Register; Susan Nusbaum
Second Place
Ruddy headlines; The Day; John Ruddy
Third Place
Water logged; hail to the Yalies; open bar; New Haven Register; Susan Nusbaum

Regional B
First Place
Haze, companies, spirit; News-Times; Lynn Schnier
Second Place
Organ tranplant / Sweet dreams satisfied / Full STEAM ahead; Greenwich Time; Ashley Winchester
Third Place
Prayer, fishing, noise; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Magazine
First Place
War torn; The dark of light; The mother of all voices; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich
Second Place
Down south for the count; Off the beaten paths; Goose is cooking; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Health

Regional A
First Place
Medical providers are taking nature therapy seriously; Connecticut Health I-Team; Jenifer Frank
Second Place
For some transgender people, pandemic paves path to transition; Connecticut Health I-Team; Carol Leonetti Dannhauser
Third Place
Yale Study links housing instability and risky sexual behaviors; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish

Regional B
First Place
Undercounted; News-Times; Currie Engel, Shayla Colon
Second Place
Artists team up to “vacúnate Fair Haven”; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Third Place
Officials: In Northwest CT, ‘There aren’t a lot of resources’ to address rural health care needs; Register Citizen; Emily M. Olson

Magazine
First Place
Since the lockdown, drinking among women is a growing health problem; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Second Place
Concussion symptoms can be devastating. But what happpens when they won’t go away?; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
Helping teens find their authentic selves; Connecticut Voice; Jane Latus

Broadcast
First Place
Help coming for undocumented immigrants trapped in Connecticut hospitals; WNPR; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Second Place
Therapy dog helps kids heal from pandemic; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte
Third Place
Bringing mommy home to die; News 12; Frank Recchia, Lori Golias

Humorous Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
The great silverware caper of 1908; Easton Courier; Bruce Nelson
Second Place
It’s weird to be normal; Guilford Courier; Julianna Gribbins

Regional A
First Place
Happy to be taken for a ride; Hearst CT Media; John Breunig
Second Place
Miss Misinformation pageant; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan
Third Place
The secret language of autism; Hearst CT Media; John Breunig

Regional B
First Place
My beef with Mr. Harding; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter
Second Place
Is it me, or is it … ? Oh, it’s me; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

Magazine
First Place
Final thoughts; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks
Second Place
Adventures with the weed; Connecticut Magazine; A. H. Saxon

In-Depth

Hyperlocal
First Place
Superintendent Harrison details difficult decision to leave ER9 schools; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Richard Falco
Second Place
They helped us, now we can help them; North Haven Courier; Pem McNerney

Regional A
First Place
From Kabul to New Haven: 30 hours to freedom; The Day; Taylor Hartz
Second Place
‘A record of rejection.’ State batting away one group’s onslaught of election fraud claims; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Stop pointing fingers, we all lost Afghanistan; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty
Second Place
Train station passes; The Hour; Abigail Brone

Magazine
First Place
Submarine down!; Connecticut Magazine; Michael J. Bielawa
Second Place
Invisible empire: The history of the KKK in Connecticut; Connecticut Magazine; Christopher Hoffman
Third Place
From Vietnam to snow patrol; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Broadcast
First Place
East Windsor officer goes over the line; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle
Second Place
Connecticut remembers 9/11, 20 years later; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Lorraine Roe, Jon Wardle, Thea DiGiammerino, Keisha Grant, Kevin Nathan, Len Besthoff, Dan Corcoran, Dominique Moody, Katherine Loy
Third Place
Book sales and borrowing rise during COVID; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff

Infographic Design

Regional A
First Place
Chaos at the Capitol; Hearst CT Media; Bryan Haeffele, Ian Murren
Second Place
Winds of change; The Day; Scott Ritter
Third Place
How much water do we use?; Hearst CT Media; Bryan Haeffele

Regional B
First Place
UConn women in the Final Four; Journal Inquirer; Hollister Breslin

Infographic Reporting

Regional A
First Place
The language of the pandemic; The Day; Maria Reagan, Timothy Cotter
Second Place
2021 Connecticut town-by-town municipal election results; Hartford Courant; Tim Reck

Investigative

Hyperlocal
First Place
Fairfield PD captain resigns after internal affairs probe: report; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A
First Place
‘This will all be underwater’: As climate change arrives in CT; Hartford Courant; Eliza Fawcett, Alex Putterman
Second Place
Rising seas; Hearst CT Media; Jordan Fenster

Regional B
First Place
Emails reveal debate over LGBTQ video in Southington; Record-Journal; Jesse Buchanan
Second Place
How $100M+ flowed to megalandlords; New Haven Independent; Tom Breen

Magazine
First Place
Face to face with the greatest generation; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Broadcast
First Place
Failing foundations- crumbling conditions; News 12; Shosh Bedrosian, Christopher Wood, Frank Bruce
Second Place
Brewery surveillance video shows trooper’s actions before drunk driving crash in Southbury; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill
Third Place
As sperm donation demand increases, some seek donors on social media; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill, David Mulligan

Leisure

Hyperlocal
First Place
Sunday nature walk: Summer’s end; Easton Courier; Tomas Koeck

Regional A
First Place
C’est magnifique!; The Day; Kristina Dorsey
Second Place
They can chicken out; Connecticut Post; Ashley Winchester
Third Place
Ultimate New Haven pizza guide; Hearst CT Media; Leeanne Griffin

Regional B
First Place
Christmas Eve tradition declines; Feast of the Seven Fishes less important for Italian-Americans; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger
Second Place
Returning to movie theaters; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki
Third Place
Who has the best fast-food chicken sandwich? JI reporters rate seven of them; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger

Magazine
First Place
Chef Danilo Mongillo reopens Strega, bringing his across-the-Atlantic delights to Milford; Connecticut Magazine; James Gribbon
Second Place
The taste of home: the surprising vineyards of the Connecticut River Valley; Estuary Magazine; Eric D. Lehman, Amy Nawrocki
Third Place
The incredible shrinking lawn: How to create a nature-friendly yard; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Broadcast
First Place
Homegrown cannabis in CT; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle
Second Place
Road trip Norfolk; News 12; Lori Golias
Third Place
Lasagna with love; News 12; Suzanne Goldklang, Christina Alaio

Local Reporting

Hyperlocal
First Place
Still seeking justice for family lost on 9/11; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger
Second Place
A difficult day for Branford; The Sound; Pam Johnson, Kelley Fryer
Third Place
He could have died; New Canaan Advertiser; Grace Duffield

Regional A
First Place
In Hamden and New Haven, ex-offenders fight violence on the front lines; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann
Second Place
Homemade guns are showing up more at Connecticut crime scenes, police say; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
Third Place
CT town at forefront of national debate over facial recognition tech; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann

Regional B
First Place
Everything she did in the community was light: Activist Maia Leonardo passes on at 28; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Local residents denounce riots; The Chronicle; Michelle Warren

Magazine
First Place
Peace, comfort dogs, and joy; Seasons Magazine; Renee DiNino
Second Place
Coyotes calling; Today Magazine; Samantha Lewis

Broadcast
First Place
History is worth saving; News 12; Shosh Bedrosian, Christopher Wood, John Dempsey, Christina Alaio
Second Place
‘Every kid deserves a chance to play’: Windsor honors coach lost to COVID-19; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte
Third Place
Same spot at the table; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Frank Bruce

News Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
A day to remember: Guilford observes 20th anniversary of 9/11; Guilford Courier; Wesley Bunnell
Second Place
Girl with flag at Memorial Day Parade; Easton Courier; Richard Falco

Regional A
First Place
Tree lighting; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Second Place
Standing for liberty; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Third Place
Visiting firebrand; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Funeral of Officer Benjamin Lovett; Journal Inquirer; Jim Michaud

Non-Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
9/11; Hearst CT Media; Bryan Haeffele
Second Place
From beyond the grave; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill O’Brien
Third Place
The 14th Regiment, Connecticut; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn

Regional B
First Place
UConn basketball preview; Journal Inquirer; Hollister Breslin
Second Place
Celebrating 150 years; New Britain Herald; James Drzewiecki

Magazine
First Place
Off the beaten paths; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody
Second Place
Home & design guide; Connecticut Magazine; Alyson Moschcovich
Third Place
The Remains look back; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
Pandemic deaths leave an irreplaceable void; The Day; Scott Ritter
Second Place
When the dream came to CT; Hearst CT Media; Sue Nusbaum
Third Place
Big blaze, big loss, big art; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn

Regional B
First Place
Funky, diverse; Greenwich Time; Susan Nusbaum
Second Place
Bonded by tragedy; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Magazine
First Place
River’s realty enriches valley; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert
Second Place
Connecticut Magazine 50th anniversary cover; Connecticut Magazine; Ryan Olbrysh
Third Place
Fame and the Forrest Gump effect; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Photo Essay

Hyperlocal
First Place
The Easton Fireman’s Carnival is in town!; Easton Courier; Richard Falco
Second Place
Easton celebrates Memorial Day; Easton Courier; Richard Falco and Kelly Wendt

Regional A
First Place
Tropical Storm Henri in CT; Hearst CT Media; Staff
Second Place
Bone finder; Hearst CT Media; Patrick Sikes
Third Place
Danbury Mall shooting; Hearst CT Media; Liz Hardaway, Peter Yankowski, Tara O’Neill, Sandra Diamond Fox, H. John Voorhees III, Patrick Sikes, Nicole Funaro, Lidia Ryan

Regional B
First Place
Mad science; Greenwich Time; Susan Nusbaum, Christian Abraham
Second Place
Wadin’ and shadin’; Stamford Advocate; Susan Nusbaum, Christian Abraham
Third Place
Independence through art; Stamford Advocate; Susan Nusbaum,Christian Abraham

Magazine
First Place
Between two worlds; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
Second Place
Pilobolus dance; Connecticut Voice; Stan Godlewski
Third Place
The egg & I; Seasons Magazine; Mary Quinn

Religion

Hyperlocal
First Place
In search of grace; Easton Courier; Jane Paley
Second Place
What it takes to get through the darkest of dark times; The Sound; Pem McNerney

Regional A
First Place
Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe; Waterbury Republican-American; Jay Dunn
Second Place
Farewell, Father Joe; Waterbury Republican-American; Tracey O’Shaughnessy
Third Place
For Old Lyme minister, it’s social justice and more; The Day; Elizabeth Regan

Regional B
First Place
Kapelye conjures Hanukkah miracles on Tower Lane; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Queer And Christian: Children of God find the light; Arts Paper; Leah Andelsmith
Third Place
A tinge of racial or religious fear; The Hour; Abigail Brone

Magazine
First Place
Have faith: How LGBTQ+ clergy are welcoming us home for the holidays; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis
Second Place
Going where the spirit leads; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall

Broadcast
First Place
Exorcism in Stamford; News 12; Sean McCabe, John Dempsey

Reporting Series

Hyperlocal
First Place
Students help beloved counselor find kidney donor — right in town; Good Morning Wilton; Kathy Bonnist, Heather Borden Herve
Second Place
Making music; Valley Courier; Rita Christopher

Regional A
First Place
Lost to abuse; Connecticut Post; Clare Dignan, Verónica Del Valle
Second Place
Planning for a changing climate; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel
Third Place
Fish tales: Life on the sea; The Day; Joe Wojtas, Greg Smith, Erica Moser

Magazine
First Place
MLK’s vision; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert, Naviah Barrow​, Katherine Napier, ​Lisa G. Samia​, Sarah Thompson, ​Terri Wilson

Broadcast
First Place
Back to in-person school: How the pandemic is affecting Connecticut education; WNPR; Walter Smith Randolph, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jim Haddadin
Second Place
Connecticut remembers 9/11, 20 years later; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Lorraine Roe, Jon Wardle, Thea DiGiammerino, Keisha Grant, Kevin Nathan, Len Besthoff, Dan Corcoran, Dominique Moody, Katherine Loy

Sports Column

Regional A
First Place
A daughter’s promise; Hearst CT Media; Jeff Jacobs
Second Place
Baylor coach Kim Mulkey’s COVID comments ignorant and dangerous; Hearst CT Media; Jeff Jacobs
Third Place
Like father, like son, both knew UConn football was a challenge Jim Mora couldn’t resist; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B
First Place
Gildea, Strand shared a special bond; The Chronicle; Mike Sypher
Second Place
Rich kids sports offer road to Ivies; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty
Third Place
When it comes to sports gambling, the game is rigged; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Sports Feature

Hyperlocal
First Place
She just wanted to play; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney
Second Place
Remembering Newington co-op’s historic 5 OT win; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
Being grateful a key for Helstein during pandemic; Greenwich Sentinel; Paul Silverfarb

Regional A
First Place
NFA senior Valeria Yraita-Zevallos draws strength from the women who raised her; The Day; Vickie Fulkerson
Second Place
UConn’s top 5; Hearst CT Media; David Borges
Third Place
The Equus Effect, an experiential equine program; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

Regional B
First Place
‘Big Guy’ leaves a lasting legacy; The Chronicle; Mike Sypher
Second Place
Preparation, practice have helped Nick Grosso get to the NCAA tournament; Connecticut Wrestling Online; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
A guardian over all of us; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Magazine
First Place
Okwandu relishes recollection of UConn title; Today Magazine; Nishant Gopalachar
Second Place
Raising the game; Seasons Magazine; Andrew Kelsey
Third Place
The beloved Hartford Whalers: A team that continues to inspire to this day; Seasons Magazine; Dennis House

Broadcast
First Place
Adaptive blind baseball; NBC 30; Matt Finkel
Second Place
Grandma Marge; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Third Place
A perfect game; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

Hyperlocal
First Place
Avon stops Lewis Mills to win CCC Tier 4 title and secure a playoff berth; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Second Place
Avon beats Wallingford to win first American Legion baseball state championship; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
Hand defeats Guilford 43-18, qualifies for playoffs; The Source; Dean Bibens

Sports News

Regional A
First Place
Bueckers will get paid; Hearst CT Media; Paul Doyle
Second Place
Covid lab at UConn; Hearst CT Media; Mike Anthony
Third Place
UConn pitcher Justin Willis, family survived harrowing escape from collapsed condos in Surfside, FL; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B
First Place
Coventry’s Prior has plenty in reserve; Journal Inquirer; Adam Betz
Second Place
UConn offer serves as motivation for Windsor football senior Samuels; Journal Inquirer; Kyle Maher

Broadcast
First Place
Play like Danni; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Second Place
UHart moves to Division III; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

Sports Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
A flat out; The Sound; Kelley Fryer

Regional A
First Place
Out of the box; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Second Place
Sweet leap; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Third Place
Pass defended; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Interference; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Manchester beats Peabody; Journal Inquirer; Jim Michaud
Third Place
Endzone elation; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac

Video Storytelling

Hyperlocal
First Place
‘Modified and totally not normal’ Barlow Palooza; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Richard Falco, Tomas Koeck
Second Place
Mr. Pompa’s surprise: Days before kidney transplant, more GOOD news for beloved WHS counselor; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve

Regional A
First Place
Died in Salisbury Prison; Waterbury Republican-American; Lee Lewis, Martin Begnal
Second Place
Dog delivers paper in Mystic; The Day; Peter Huoppi
Third Place
The secret to finding a parking spot in Mystic; The Day; Peter Huoppi, Rick Koster

Broadcast
First Place
Adaptive blind baseball; NBC 30; Matt Finkel
Second Place
In my heart; News 12; Mark Sogofsky

Connecticut SPJ 2021 Excellence in Journalism Contest now accepting entries

The 2021 Excellence in Journalism contest is open for entries. The deadline is Friday, Feb. 11 Tuesday, Feb. 15! You can enter the contest here. The contest is open for items published or broadcast in 2021. We are keeping four COVID categories for content related to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Entry fees are $10 for members (with valid SPJ member number) and $25 for non-members or entries paid for by a news organization. Please contact log into your membership account on the national SPJ website if you do not know your membership number. 

For questions about the Connecticut contest, please contact contest clerk Kathleen Farmer at kathleenctspj@gmail.com.

Categories

All media outlets compete against each other in the top three special awards categories. For the rest of the categories (below), media outlets will compete in one of five circulation classes.

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award

This is a special award open to all media for a story or stories having a significant impact in the public interest. Entries must include supporting documentation such as letters, editorials, evidence of a change in public policy, showing how the entry had an impact. Please include a cover letter with the entry.

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting

This is a special award open to all media for a single story or formal series containing information, obtained through reporter initiative not readily available to the news media or public.

First Amendment Award

This is a special award open to all media for a single story, column or series which increases public understanding of the role of the press in a free society.

MAIN CONTEST CATEGORIES

COVID News | A single story that highlights the impact the pandemic has had on our lives and our society.

COVID Investigative | A single story containing pandemic-related information obtained through reporter initiative that was not readily available to the public.

COVID Series | Three to 10 stories in a formal series that highlight the impact of the pandemic on our lives and society.

COVID Photo | A single photo that highlights the impact of the pandemic on our current socially distance status. 

Editorial Cartoon | A single cartoon online or in print

Single Editorial | Represents the opinion of the publication, station or news website as an organization

General Column | A single (other than sports or humorous) that expresses an opinion or point of view on an issues or event

Humorous Column | A single column on any topic with the purpose to entertain

In-Depth | A single story that helps audience understand situation beyond information provided in a normal news story

Investigative | A single story containing information obtained through reporter initiative that was not readily available to the news media or the public

Feature | Any story written for a reason other than timeliness. (Please note, this was omitted from an earlier list in error)

Religion | A story dealing with religious topics

Government | A story dealing with government topics

Courts/Crime | Any story dealing with issues of the criminal justice system, except for breaking news

Arts & Entertainment | A single story dealing with the arts

Business | A single story dealing with business

Leisure | A story dealing with travel, food, gardening, or other leisure topics

Continuing Coverage | No more than 10 articles that follow the same topic over time

Diversity Coverage | Single story on a diversity issue

Education | A single story on an education issue

Reporting Series | A formal series of no more than 10 articles, including investigative, in-depth or feature series

Local Reporting | A story that shines light on an issue important to a single town or region. This category is meant for those stories that fulfill the mission of community journalism.

Breaking News | A single story or package of stories and social media updates that involves coverage of a spot news event written under an immediate deadline.

Sports News | A single story on a sports news topic

Sports Feature | A single story on a sports topic, written for a factor other than timeliness

Sports Column | A single column on a sports topic

Sports Photo | A single sports photo

Feature Photo | A single feature photo

News Photo | A single news photo

Photo Essay | A collection of photos, either in print or online, that together tell one story.

Page 1 Layout | A category for the person who arranged the text and images, not for the writers or photographers of the materials on the page.

Non-Page 1 Layout | Any single page design that was not on page 1

Headline | A single entry is made up of three headlines, all the work on a single individual

Infographic Design | The design of a single static or interactive graphic

Infographic Reporting | The reporting of a single static or interactive graphic

Video Storytelling | Use of video to tell a story alone or bolster written reporting

Audio Storytelling | Use of audio to tell a story alone or bolster written reporting

Data | Effective use of data for reporting a single story or graphic

Health | A single story or broadcast regarding health issues, either local or statewide

CIRCULATION CATEGORIES FOR THE 2020 CONTEST

The following is the list of circulation categories for the Excellence in Journalism contest. If you don’t see your media outlet listed here, please contact contest clerk Kathleen Farmer at kathleenctspj@gmail.com, and we will add it.

These categories are based, in part, on media outlets’ advertised coverage areas and staffing levels. To petition for a change in circulation class, please contact CTSPJ President Viktoria Sundqvist at vickansundqvist(at)gmail.com. The CTSPJ Board of Directors will consider all requests, and any approved changes will take effect in the next year’s contest season.

Regional A

• Connecticut Health Investigative Team
• Connecticut Mirror
• Connecticut Post
• Hartford Courant
• New Haven Register
• Waterbury Republican American
• The Day (New London)
• Any Hearst Connecticut collaboration, including smaller circulation outlets

Regional B

• Connecticut Law Tribune
• CT News Junkie
• Danbury News-Times
• Manchester Journal-Inquirer
• Meriden Record Journal
• Norwich Bulletin
• Stamford Advocate
• Greenwich Time
• CT Latino News
• Greater New Milford Spectrum
• Litchfield County Times
• The Middletown Press
• New Britain Herald
• The Bristol Press
• The Register Citizen
• The Chronicle
• The Hour
• Fairfield County Business Journal
• Hartford Business Journal
• The Connecticut Times
• Inquiring News
• Neighbors Paper

Regional C (Magazines)

• AAA Journeys and AAA Horizons
• Catholic Transcript
• Connecticut Magazine
• Connecticut Parent Magazine
• Connecticut Voice
• Hartford Magazine
• New Haven Biz
• Seasons magazines
• Stamford Magazine
• Today Magazine
• WAG Magazine
• Wilton Magazine

Regional D (Broadcast)

• WTNH
• WFSB
• WTIC
• WNPR
• WSHU
• News12
• NBC30

Hyperlocal

• Citizens News
• CollinsvillePress.com
• Shore Publishing weeklies
• TurleyCT publications
• New Britain City Journal
• NewCanaanite.com
• Online Journalism Project publications
• Hearst Connecticut weeklies
• Branford Eagle
• Glastonbury Citizen/Rivereast News Bulletin
• Nancy on Norwalk
• Greenwich Sentinel
• Fairfield Patch
• New Haven Independent
• WestportNow.com
• Town Times
• Glastonbury Life
• Guilford Curier
• The Source
• Harbor News

* Note: Any item that appeared in a higher circulation publication should be entered in that circulation class.

CTSPJ inducts Jon Lender to Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame

Jon Lender worked 48 years at the Hartford Courant. He started as a young correspondent just out of UCONN at the old Willimantic Bureau. He was full time a year later covering Bristol, Southington and Middletown. He moved to the main office in Hartford in 1981 and was assigned to reporting on government agencies and politicians with an emphasis on investigations.

Lender covered the administration of Gov. John Rowland for 8 years. Then he came upon information the governor had taken valuable favors from state contractors. With fellow reporters, Dave Altimari and Edmund H. Mahony, he spent months investigating. The result of those stories led to a 2004 impeachment inquiry of the governor in the legislature. Rowland resigned and was convicted on corruption charges and served time in federal prison.

The governor was not the only politician whose behavior was revealed by Lender’s diligence. From 2008 to 2021 he wrote the “Government Watch” column for the Courant. Some in public life who came under his scrutiny began to use his name as a verb. It was said they had been “Lendered.”

He believes deeply in Freedom of Information. He said:

“The FOI Act was always as basic and useful a tool as a hammer or saw. Submitting a written FOI request not only had legal force — making an official produce documents or be accused of violating the law — but it also showed simply that you meant business and would insist on getting answers.”

Why did he choose journalism? His father, as he grew up in New Jersey, brought home two newspapers a day and he started reading the sports pages every day before he was a teenager. He admired New York columnists like Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill. That first reporting job covering small CT towns paid 25-cents an inch. He says he figured he’d report until he thought of something better to do. It is the reader’s fortune he never did.

His former editor, Rick Green, says, “Jon is a methodical and persistent journalist who over a long career never lost sight of his mission to shine a light in dark places. He represents a diminishing and proud newspaper tradition of columnists who investigate and let their reporting tell the story.”

A young reporter said, Russel Blair said,

“Beyond his investigative reporting, Jon served as a key mentor to scores of young journalists during his four-plus decades at The Courant. Whether speaking to a college class or a group of Courant interns, Jon patiently gave important, practical real world advice on how to approach difficult interviews and other challenges on the job, life lessons that in many cases transcended journalism.”

He won many journalism awards. One judge wrote: “ …Lender
is from the old ‘I Smell a Rat’ school of investigative journalism. Reading one of his columns is like reading a thoroughly involving short story. The narrative is one of corruption’…”

Lender has had a remarkable career giving life to the journalistic idea of public service. His career clearly meets the standard of a “significant and enduring” contribution to Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame.

Hartford Courant, Hearst, New Haven Independent honored at SPJ awards ceremony

The Connecticut SPJ hosted an in-person awards ceremony on July 17 at the Ansonia Nature Center and honored winners of the 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest. 

First Amendment Award

FOI commission: Schools can’t use students as shield; New Haven Independent; Christopher Peak

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award

From deaths to lost jobs to health care, the coronavirus has changed our way of life in Connecticut; Hartford Courant; Hartford  Courant staff

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting

Death by gun; Connecticut Post/Hearst Connecticut; Bill Cummings, Ed Stannard, Ethan Fry, Tara O’Neill, Brian Lockhart, Clare Dignan, Ben Lambert, Mark Zaretsky

Click here to see full list of winners. 

College contest winners announced for the 2020-21 academic year

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists’ student contest highlighted the best work published or broadcast during the 2020-21 academic year. Students from four different colleges or universities in Connecticut participated in this year’s contest. Certificates for the winners will be mailed out to the address provided in the contest entry. Scroll below to see the winners, and congratulations to all! 

Audio Storytelling

First Place

The Bachelor nation controversy; Central Connecticut State University; Kelly Langevin, Samantha Bender

COVID-19 Reporting

First Place

Frontline Owls; Crescent magazine; Jason Edwards

Second Place

Covid-19 travel advisories; Central Connecticut State University; Alleah C. Red

Third Place

Future teachers take on COVID-19; Crescent magazine; Liz Getts

Editorial/Op-ed

First Place

America’s indifference toward the Black body; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Second Place

Content creators; Crescent magazine; Jessica Guerrucci

Third Place

It’s time for Fairfield students, faculty, and staff to ignite their inner activist!; Fairfield Mirror; Peyton Perry

Feature

First Place

LGBTQ @ QU; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Second Place

Hero among us; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Chatwan Mongkol

Third Place

The show must go on: Breaking the stigma against theater majors; Crescent magazine; Sarah Shelton

Feature Photo

First Place

Magician Joel Meyers took the stage during SPB’s Welcome Week.; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Second Place

QU nutrition; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

General Column/Commentary

First Place

The strike that almost popped the bubble; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Second Place

Controversy behind the closure of WQUN radio station; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Chatwan Mongkol

General Reporting

First Place

Facilities stressed out amid COVID-19 pandemic; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Second Place

Quinnipiac University will implement a new parking fee beginning next semester; Q30 Television; Joseph LoGrippo

News Photo

First Place

Quinnipiac faculty join the fight for LGBTQ policy reform; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Connor Lawless

Second Place

Something or nothing — you choose; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Non-Page 1 Layout

First Place

Yellow sun at high noon; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Second Place

A stitch at a time; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Third Place

Music and the mind: How music can positively affect mental health; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Sports Feature Story

First Place

“Move the chains James” Tyshaun James talks practice-filled fall; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Second Place

Junior Amani Free takes scoring, leadership role for Quinnipiac; Q30 Television; Quinton Hamilton

Third Place

Women in sports media; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Sports News Story

First Place

Patrick Sellers officially named next basketball coach; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Second Place

With plenty still unknown, Quinnipiac men’s basketball takes the court; Q30 Television; Jacob Resnick

Third Place

Donyell Marshall’s contract not renewed, coaching search begins; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Sports Photo

First Place

Quinnipiac shuts out Yale to claim Heroes Hat and series sweep; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Second Place

Peter Diliberatore yells after missing a goal scoring opportunity; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Third Place

Kevin Marfo dunk; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Video Storytelling

First Place

The Covid generation: Academic burnout- documentary; Central Connecticut State University; Samantha Bender

Second Place

CCSU seniors will be graduating In person; Central Connecticut State University; Kelly Langevin

Third Place

#THAT 2020 Emmy Awards recap; Q30 Television; Maggie Smith

CTSPJ honors its 2021 scholarship winners

The Connecticut SPJ honored five scholarship winners for 2021 at an outdoor ceremony on July 17 at Ansonia Nature Center. Scholarship winners must be enrolled at an accredited university in Connecticut or be a Connecticut resident enrolled in an accredited university in any state or country studying journalism.

Here are this year’s scholarship recipients:

Alison Cross is a rising senior who writes for UConn’s Daily Campus and is working this summer as a C-HIT intern covering young people’s health concerns. She aspires to become an investigative journalist at a major print publication.

Samantha Simon is a rising senior at Quinnipiac who prides herself on having grown up in Queens, N.Y. After graduation, she hopes to work for a non-profit news organization that focuses on social justice before someday making her way to the New York Times. In her free time she likes crafting and spending absurd amounts of money on plants.

Melody Rivera is a senior at CCSU who has written for The Recorder for three years and has been president of the Autism Connection Club for two. She has been passionate about writing since eighth grade, when she wrote for her middle school’s newspaper.

Matthew White is a junior at Keene State College who’s involved with the Equinox student newspaper and the WKNH student-run radio station. He participates in student government, enjoys photography and also plays instruments including the guitar and drums.

Eric Kerr is a 3+1 student at Quinnipiac who recently completed his undergraduate coursework and will continue on to the school’s sports journalism graduate program in the fall. He has covered sports and news for Q30 Television and worked as a broadcast manager for QBSN.

Kerr is the recipient of the Jack Kramer scholarship, a special scholarship given this year in honor of the late Jack Kramer, a long-time editor at the New Haven Register.

Travel grants available for national SPJ conference in New Orleans

The Connecticut Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will again offer travel grants to the SPJ national conference.

Professional members of the CTSPJ chapter are eligible for reimbursements, with proof of receipt, of up to $1,100 toward conference expenses. Student members of SPJ in Connecticut are eligible for $500.

SPJ 2021 will run from Sept. 2 – 4 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

To apply, submit an essay of 500 words or less about why you want to attend the conference, and how you have been, or would like to become, involved in CTSPJ events. That could include anything from helping with judging swaps, supporting programming, or volunteering to select scholarship winners.

Send the short essay, along with your SPJ member number, to Cindy Simoneau, a past president of the CTSPJ board, at simoneauc1@southernct.edu.

Simoneau will prepare all entries for a blind review by the CTSPJ board.

One professional member and one student member will be selected. The winners must be members in good standing of CTSPJ. New members are welcome to apply.

To confirm your membership status, contact national Membership Coordinator Caroline Escobar at cescobar@hq.spj.org or 317-361-4132.

The deadline to apply for the grants is noon on Saturday, July 17 Wednesday, July 21.

Minutes from Dec. 6, 2020, CTSPJ board meeting

CT SPJ board meeting minutes

Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m., via Zoom

1. Call to order – Viktoria Sundqvist calls the meeting to order at 2:09 p.m.

Present: Lindsay Boyle, Viktoria Sundqvist, Mike Savino, Darren Sweeney, Cindy Simoneau, Jordan Fenster, Bruno Matarazzo, Ayah Galal, Aaron Johnson, Jodie Mozdzer Gil, Jackie Stoughton, Jeniece Roman

2. Approval of minutes

1. Action item: Approve minutes from July 12 board meeting
2. Action item: Approve minutes from special meeting on Nov. 15 date

-Viktoria makes a motion to approve the minutes

-Mike seconds the motion

-Motion unanimously approved

3. President’s report

• Update from national
• Membership update
• Regional conference 2021 update

-New database should help user experience for members; no votes taken

4. Treasurer’s report

• Financial overview
• Action item: annual approval of donations

• SCSU SPJ, $750
• CCSU SPJ, $500
• Bob Eddy Scholarship, $1,000
• CFOG, $250
• CCFOI, $500
• SPJ LDF, $500
• No money needed this year for SPJ Region 1 ($500) or CT FOI Day ($500)

-All scholarships were paid; board’s financial health is strong

-Jordan makes a motion to approve all of the suggested funds for donations

-Mike seconds the motion

-Motion passes 9-0 with three abstentions (Mike, Jodie, Aaron)

5. Committee updates

• Programming (Mike)
• Contest (Jodie)
• Scholarship (Lindsay)
• Membership (Vik)
• FOI (Mike)
• Communications (Mercy)

-The board will add COVID categories to the contest

-General, features, data?

-Viktoria asks committee to have a meeting and report back

-More discussion but no action taken

6. Dinner/Awards

• Discussion: Do we start planning a virtual event?

-The board will wait until later to decide

7. Adjourn – Viktoria moves to adjourn at 3:18 p.m.

-Jodie seconds the motion

-Motion passes unanimously

Excellence in Journalism 2020 contest winners announced

Today would have been the day for us to gather in person for a formal awards dinner to announce the winners of the 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest, under normal circumstances. However, due to the pandemic, we have chosen to announce the winners here on our website instead.

An outdoor event to celebrate the winners is planned for Saturday, July 17, from noon-4 p.m. at the Ansonia Nature Center pavilion, 10 Deerfield Lane, Ansonia. Plaques for the special awards will be given out at the event, and certificates for the general awards will be available for pickup or will be mailed out after the event to those who cannot attend. The event is free, but we will accept donations to our Bob Eddy Scholarship Fund (suggested donation is $10 per person). More details and a link to register for that event to come in the following weeks. For now, congratulations to all the winners! The full list can be found below or downloaded in Word format here SPJ WinnersList5.24.21

All Media Special Awards

First Amendment Award

FOI commission: Schools can’t use students as shield; New Haven Independent; Christopher Peak

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award

From deaths to lost jobs to health care, the coronavirus has changed our way of life in Connecticut; Hartford Courant; Hartford  Courant staff

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting

Death by gun; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings, Ed Stannard, Ethan Fry, Tara O’Neill, Brian Lockhart, Clare Dignan, Ben Lambert, Mark Zaretsky

***

GENERAL CONTEST:

Arts & Entertainment

Hyperlocal

First Place

What can happen when you disregard normal; The Sound; Pem McNerney

Regional A

First Place

A Connecticut rock band may have figured out how to ‘tour’ — and make money — during the pandemic; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Second Place

Recent experiences have inspired North Stonington artist Alfredo Carlson in new ways; The Day; Rick Koster

Third Place

Up through the atmosphere: Stonington High School Drama sends students flying in ‘Mary Poppins’; The Day; Kristina Dorsey

Regional B

First Place

Connecticut’s 1st state troubadour; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day

Second Place

Norwalk band Goose virtually ‘gigs’; The Hour; Andrew DeRosa

Third Place

Hill-Stead porch; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

At 50, Hartford’s Cinestudio keeps projecting into the future; Connecticut Magazine; Randall Beach

Second Place

Songwriter for the heart: Michael Kelly Blanchard reflects on musical journey; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Third Place

A new chapter, Cheshire author, radioanchor publishes first mystery book; Seasons Magazine; Cindy Simoneau

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

The impossible dream: Terrence Bogan living out loud; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte

Audio Storytelling

Regional A

First Place

Coping with pandemic, 3 part series; Connecticut Health I-Team; Colleen Shaddox

Second Place

Capitol Watch Podcast; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Third Place

StoryLine Podcast; The Day; Carlos Virgen, Rick Koster, Sten Spinella

Breaking News

Hyperlocal

First Place

5,000 march for racial justice; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen, Maya McFadden, Courtney Luciana, Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Steve Bannon arrested; Hartford Courant; Edmund H. Mahony

Second Place

Abuse at American School for the Deaf; Hartford Courant; Zach Murdock

Third Place

Nora Dannehy resigns; Hartford Courant; Edmund H. Mahony

Regional B

First Place

Fotis Dulos clings to life; The Hour; Pat Tomlinson, Lisa Backus

Second Place

Police: Teen thought killings would make his life better; Journal Inquirer; Alex Wood

Third Place

Remembering Eli; Journal Inquirer; Joe Chaisson

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Opposing protestors clash during New Haven Christopher Columbus statue removal; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill, Maura Murphy

Second Place

Tracking Isaias; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Business

Hyperlocal

First Place

Barbering brothers hang up the shears after 60 years in Trumbull; Trumbull Times; Donald Eng

Regional A

First Place

Ideanomics; Hartford Courant; Emily Brindley

Second Place

Eversource was on a victory lap. Then came Isaias; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas

Third Place

‘There’s pain everywhere.’ Hospitals stand to lose $1.5 billion amid COVID-19 crisis; Connecticut Mirror; Jenna Carlesso

Regional B

First Place

Analyst: Pratt HQ may stay; Journal Inquirer; Zachary F. Vasile

Second Place

CT largest companies want to diversify ranks; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott

Third Place

Restaurants in Little Poland struggling to survive amid coronavirus restrictions; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

As baby boomer retirement wave nears, family biz weigh pros, cons of outside leadership; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Second Place

Frontier justice? In wake of April bankruptcy, telecom hopes new CEO and new direction will reverse; New Haven Biz; Natalie Missakian

Third Place

New life for poisoned properties?; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Eversource rates breakdown; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Mulligan, Jonathan Wardle

Continuing Coverage

Hyperlocal

First Place

History corner; Easton Courier; Bruce Nelson, Elizabeth Boyce

Regional A

First Place

Shootings in Hartford; Hartford Courant; Zach Murdock, Rebecca Lurye, Jesse Leavenworth

Second Place

Bridgeport chief probe/arrest; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill, Dan Tepfer, Brian Lockhart

Third Place

Connecticut’s declining prison population; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Regional B

First Place

Police officer disciplined; Journal Inquirer; Olivia Regen

 Second Place

Police shoot, kill Jose Soto; Journal Inquirer; Skyler Frazer, Olivia Regen, Erika M. Prudy, Alex Wood, Abigail Brone

Third Place

Racial justice in New Britain; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

11-year-old girl abducted by stranger found safe after Amber Alert; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill

Second Place

Beyond the Collision Course…; WNPR; Frankie Graziano

Third Place

Covid in CT prisons; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy, Patrick Arnold, Olivia Schueller, Sarah Willson

Courts/Crime

Hyperlocal

First Place

Federal gun strategy goes on trial; New Haven Independent; Christopher Peak

Second Place

Best friends murdered, 5 years apart; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Third Place

‘Don’t talk to the police’: Details from fill pile affidavits; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A

First Place

Tony Todt confessed to killing his family; Hartford Courant; Emily Brindley

Second Place

Justice off the rails; Waterbury Republican-American; Brigitte Ruthman

Third Place

Dulos, money bail and an ongoing conversation about bond reform; Connecticut Mirror; Kelan Lyons

Regional B

First Place

Newtown’s woodchipper killer to walk free; News-Times; Rob Ryser

Second Place

Stamford jewelry store case; Stamford Advocate; John Nickerson

Third Place

COVID, addiction, and crime; Journal Inquirer; Alex Wood

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

The great Connecticut pharma heist; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Second Place

Attorney Norm Pattis: Defender of the despised; Connecticut Magazine; Christopher Hoffman

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Cold case arrest; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff

COVID-Investigative

Hyperlocal

First Place

City COVID rent fund so far pays out … $0; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Second Place

Debt collector dogs “free” COVID testee; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Regional A

First Place

Coronavirus stresses nursing home infection-control practices; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner, Susan Jaffe

Second Place

Six months into pandemic, just two families have received aid from state’s rental assistance program; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Regional B

First Place

Evergreen cited for low staffing; Journal Inquirer; Anthony Branciforte

Second Place

‘We have no safety net’; The Hour; Justin Papp

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Genesys; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Second Place

Companies cut staff even after getting PPP; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

COVID-News

Hyperlocal

First Place

Coronavirus takes 3 lives from same CT family in 5 days; Patch.com; Ellyn Santiago

Second Place

‘Wartime nursing’; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Third Place

After ICU shift, coming home to family; New Haven Independent; Emily Hays

Regional A

First Place

The night COVID-19 silenced the slots at Foxwoods; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas

Second Place

An eviction tsunami is on the horizon, and with it comes more COVID cases; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Third Place

Connecticut eclipses 5,000 coronavirus deaths,with many families unable to say goodbye to loved ones; Hartford Courant; Daniela Altimari, Eliza Fawcett

Regional B

First Place

Wallingford health officials investigated 75 COVID-19 complaints since March; Record-Journal; Lauren Takores

Second Place

He thought COVID was ‘baloney’; The Hour; Abigail Brone

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Opportunity vs. disaster: How COVID-19 strengthened one company, destroyed another; New Haven Biz; Michael Bingham

Second Place

Student’s-eye view of school during COVID; Today Magazine; Noelle Blake

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A Connecticut COVID Milestone- looking back at a two month shutdown; NBC 30; Siobhan McGirl

Second Place

Coronavirus in Connecticut: Story of our lifetime; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Ron DeLucia

Third Place

“We’re angry, we’re sad, we’re patient”: Pandemic forcing families apart; NBC 30; Heidi Voight

COVID-Photo

Regional A

First Place

Parking lot ballet; The Day; Dana Jensen

Second Place

FoodShare at Rentschler; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko

Third Place

Visiting through the glass; Connecticut Mirror; Cloe Poisson

Regional B

First Place

Front line worker; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore

Second Place

Memorable sendoff; News-Times; John Voorhees

Third Place

Car COVID test; News-Times; John Voorhees

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Love in the time of COVID; Seasons Magazine; Todd Fairchild

COVID-Series

Regional A

First Place

The road ahead; Connecticut Post; Hearst Connecticut staff

Second Place

Confronting the coronavirus; The Day; Erica Moser, Taylor Hartz, Brian Hallenbeck, Julia Bergman

Third Place

Food access during Covid-19; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel

Regional B

First Place

Meeting students’ needs in-person and remotely in Meriden; Record-Journal; Michael Gagne

Second Place

How coronavirus has impacted life in New Britain area; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

COVID series; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang, Mike Wollschlager, Theresa Sullivan Barger

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

First Wave: Three Months Of Coronavirus In Connecticut; WNPR; Tucker Ives, Harriet Jones, Connecticut Public News Team

Second Place

What’s on your mind?: Your thoughts during COVID-19; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz, Ron DeLucia

Data

Regional A

First Place

At one time, Connecticut was true GOP; Waterbury Republican-American; Ed Daigneault, Paul Hughes, Lee Lewis

Second Place

Data shows prison coronavirus reduction plan not what it appears; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Third Place

His hospital is about 80% full. But he’s not alarmed — yet.; Connecticut Mirror; Kasturi Pananjady

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

How much CT school districts spent to reopen amid COVID-19; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran. Garett Allison

Second Place

Climate change & superfund sites; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy, Thea DiGiammerino

Third Place

Passenger levels plummet 95% at Bradley Airport amid COVID-19 pandemic; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Ron DeLucia

Diversity Coverage

Hyperlocal

First Place

Public outcry follows Stratford cop’s Facebook post targeting BLM; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Second Place

Youth-led BLM rally brings Madison into national conversation; The Source; Jesse Williams

Third Place

Fairfield, racism and the woman behind the signs at old Town Hall; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A

First Place

What is it like to be transgender?; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Second Place

Achievement gaps for English learners linger, troubling CT’s first Hispanic education chief; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Third Place

Black women react to the exoneration of the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Regional B

First Place

‘Why do they hate us so much?; Greenwich Time; Tatiana Flowers

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Speaking their truths; Connecticut Voice; Jane Latus

Second Place

George Floyd: Valley reaction + next steps; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Third Place

Swipe rights & wrongs; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

What’s on your mind?: Protests, police reforms in Connecticut; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz, Ron DeLucia

Second Place

Hidden history: America’s atomic veterans; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte

Third Place

What’s on your mind?: Anger, demands for change after death of George Floyd; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Editorial

Regional A

First Place

Don’t be a jerk; The Day; Paul Choiniere

Second Place

The fight to restore an insulting nickname; The Day; Lisa McGinley

Third Place

COVID toll in nursing homes a scandal; The Day; Paul Choiniere

Regional B

First Place

State Rep. Fishbein’s racist retweet; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz

Second Place

Fire Trump, hire Biden; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

 

Editorial Cartoon

Hyperlocal

First Place

Ted’s take; New Haven Independent; Ted Littleford

Regional B

First Place

CIAC football; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski

Second Place

Preparing for mass vaccine distribution; Record-Journal; Justin Piccirillo

Third Place

Lead fishing; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

When tricks were treats; Seasons Magazine; Sean Wang

Education

Hyperlocal

First Place

Remote students double as “3rd parents”; New Haven Independent; Emily Hays

Second Place

Video: Barlow Class of 2020 graduates in historic car procession; Easton Courier; Tomas Koeck, Richard Falco

Third Place

Slave play prompts parent outrage; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Two districts, two very different plans for students while school is out indefinitely; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Second Place

Police in schools; Connecticut Post; Clare Dignan

Third Place

Graduating college seniors are heading into ‘the most challenging economic environment’ ever; Hartford Courant; Amanda Blanco

Regional B

First Place

Coronavirus provides brief respite; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker

Second Place

Norwalk summer school COVID-19 case; The Hour; Erin Kayata

Third Place

‘I made a poor judgment call’; News-Times; Julia Perkins

 

 

 

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Opening doors and minds: Hartford nonprofit inspires girls to pursue careers in tech; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan

Second Place

Lessons for life; Seasons Magazine; Cara McDonough

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Education federal aid; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Erica Jorgensen, Thea DiGiammerino

Second Place

PPP for private schools; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy, Thea DiGiammerino, Patrick Arnold

Third Place

The stresses and successes of distance learning in Connecticut; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Feature Photo

Hyperlocal

First Place

Air hugs; Harbor News; Kelley Fryer

Regional A

First Place

Easter hope; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko

Second Place

Columbus statue Hartford; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Third Place

A magical merry-go-round, hot yoga and, oh yeah, that much-needed haircut; Connecticut Mirror; Yehyun Kim

Regional B

First Place

Worker protest; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Second Place

Winter’s first snow storm; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Third Place

Cooling off; News-Times; John Voorhees

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

New mayor rolls into town; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski

Second Place

Graffiti artist; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski

Third Place

Humming clearly; Today Magazine; Wendy Rosenberg

 

Feature Story

Hyperlocal

First Place

ShopRite workers shop…at food pantry; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Second Place

Crime scene team draws viewers, critics; New Haven Independent; Ko Lyn Cheang

Third Place

Big time journalist in a small town; East Haddam News; David Holahan

Regional A

First Place

Fassett’s Farm turns page; Waterbury Republican-American; Tracey O’Shaughnessy

Second Place

An insider hones crisis skills at the governor’s right hand; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Third Place

Rumrunners and bootleggers; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B

First Place

‘I love you guys’; The Hour; Pat Tomlinson

Second Place

Army buddies; Greenwich Time; Rob Marchant

Third Place

New Britain mailman retiring after 35 years; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Powder Ridge Rock Festival: The greatest show that never was; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Second Place

The CIA wanted the best and the brightest. They found them at Yale.; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Third Place

Strange brews: Connecticut’s creative craft brewers think outside the bock; New Haven Biz; Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Hidden history: America’s atomic veterans; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte

General Column

Hyperlocal

First Place

So now we march; The Source; Dylan Richmond, Ethan Richmond

Second Place

Burial in the age of COVID-19; New Haven Independent; Paul Bass

Third Place

Is this what disaster looks like?; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Labor nurse adds unnecessary pain; Connecticut Post; Stacy Graham-Hunt

Second Place

Turmoil rages at new Dalio education partnership; Hartford Courant; Jon Lender

Third Place

New Haven’s ‘Shakespeare Lady’; New Haven Register; Randall Beach

Regional B

First Place

The pandemic’s acceptable statistics; Norwich Bulletin; Chandra Bozelko

Second Place

The great stupiding of the United States; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Third Place

American newspapers deserve a fighting chance; Norwich Bulletin; Chandra Bozelko

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Why being ‘not racist’ is not enough; Today Magazine; Noelle Blake

Second Place

The heroes we need right now; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich

Government

Hyperlocal

First Place

Pensioners drank too much COLA; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Second Place

Meeting election day challenges; The Source; Pem McNerney

Third Place

Voters sent different voters’ ballots; New Haven Independent; Paul Bass

Regional A

First Place

Lamont is guarding reserves. Critics say he’s prioritizing austerity over COVID response; Connecticut Mirror; Keith M. Phaneuf

Second Place

Broken promises to fund transportation defined last 15 years; Connecticut Mirror; Keith M. Phaneuf

Third Place

11 Connecticut towns tell the story of the 2020 presidential election; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Regional B

First Place

Absentee ballot drop boxes and a test of  U.S. Postal Service delivery; Journal Inquirer; Matthew P. Knox

Second Place

A First Selectman’s atypical strategy; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Third Place

New Britain’s Christopher Columbus statue will be removed; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

 

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Absentee ballots 101; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Second Place

Preventing double voting; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Headline

Hyperlocal

First Place

A series of good starts; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A

First Place

Just ‘plane’ luck/ The sound on the Bannon fury/ Meat supply at stake; Connecticut Post; Linda Levenson

Second Place

Headlines; The Day; Joe Turco

Regional B

First Place

Stable; Brrrr; Ripe; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Second Place

The city that sleeps, And bagels make three, Who is that masked mannequin?; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

A house divided; School of spies: Finally a family; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich

Second Place

Three headlines; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Health

Hyperlocal

First Place

A fight against cancer; The Source; Maria Caulfield

Regional A

First Place

Fatal drug overdoses jumped in the first half of 2020; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye

Second Place

Connecticut’s halfhearted battle: Response to lead poisoning epidemic lacks urgency; Connecticut Health I-Team; Jenifer Frank

Third Place

As pandemic wears on, Connecticut prepares to launch its long-awaited health information exchange; Connecticut Mirror; Jenna Carlesso

Regional B

First Place

Caring for loved ones comes at a cost; Greenwich Time; Tatiana Flowers

 

Second Place

Election, pandemic stressing people out; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Big data: CT bioscience companies use AI to speed up life-saving drug discoveries; New Haven Biz; Natalie Missakian

Second Place

Lyme disease: A curable nuisance, or a chronic time bomb?; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Third Place

A mother’s vow finds hope in pain: After son dies of opioid overdose, a promise to Jordan is born; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

“We’re angry, we’re sad, we’re patient”: Pandemic forcing families apart; NBC 30; Heidi Voight

Second Place

Social isolation: Hidden health crisis for older people amid pandemic; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle, Garett Allison

Third Place

‘They get it done’: School nurse on front lines of COVID-19 crisis; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison

Humorous Column

Hyperlocal

First Place

Dancing in the dark; Guilford Courier; Juliana Gribbins

Regional A

First Place

Taking in 2020 from catbird seat; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Second Place

Hey governor, keep your distance; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Regional B

First Place

Mind races to exit from 2020; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Second Place

Love at the landfill; Stamford Advocate; Jerry Zezima

Third Place

Cognitive dissonance and the fly of the debate; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

When tricks were treats; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks

In-Depth

Hyperlocal

First Place

Mandy’s 2020 buying spree tops $37M; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Second Place

Hamden “scoops & tosses” $25M; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

CT keeps losing power when storms strike. But that doesn’t have to happen.; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel

Second Place

Use of force; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings

Third Place

1919 versus 2020; Connecticut Post; Jordan Fenster

Regional B

First Place

Domestic violence spike during pandemic; Journal Inquirer; Olivia Regen

Second Place

Woman survives being trafficked for sex, held in captivity, now helping others; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki

Third Place

Signs of Lanza’s possible effect emerge; News-Times; Rob Ryser

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Staying safe; Connecticut Voice; Carol Latter

Second Place

At age 62, a Bethlehem man’s life changed when he took a DNA test—and then it changed again; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Third Place

Giving voice to the Holocaust: Local publisher focuses on diverse authors, issues; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A funeral surprise; NBC 30; Sandra Jones

Second Place

5G generation: Is Connecticut ready for the new technology?; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison, Ron DeLucia

Third Place

Rapid SOS; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison

Infographic Design

Regional A

First Place

How Connecticut voter registrations have shifted; Connecticut Post; Derek Turner

Second Place

What you can and can’t do this summer; Connecticut Post; Sue Nusbaum

Third Place

So you think you know the royals?; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore

Regional B

First Place

COVID-19 daily update; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Find your match; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Second Place

Peering into our environmental future; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Infographic Reporting

Regional A

First Place

Haunted in CT; Connecticut Post; Andrew DeRosa

Second Place

Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez arrest details; Connecticut Post; Derek Turner

Investigative

Hyperlocal

First Place

Charmed scofflaw faces day of reckoning; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Second Place

Students say Amistad faked suspension stats; New Haven Independent; Christopher Peak

Third Place

QAnon cop broadcasts conspiracies; New Haven Independent; Paul Bass, Nora Grace-Flood, Ko Lyn Cheang, Thomas Breen

Regional A

First Place

Testing the USPS; Connecticut Post; Ethan Fry, Tara O’Neill, Brian Lockhart, Ed Stannard, Kendra Baker, Susan Shultz,  Emily Olson, Cassandra Day, Paul Schott, Ken Borsuk, Pat Tomlinson, Keila Torres Ocasio, Viktoria Sundqvist

Second Place

Separated by design: How wealthy towns keep people with housing vouchers out; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Third Place

A federal program lets Connecticut police departments stockpile; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman

Regional B

First Place

Battle over hiring retired school official as consultant; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Second Place

Police defer to labor department on complaint against Wallingford massage business; Record-Journal; Lauren Takores

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Car registration crackdown; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Michnowicz

 

Second Place

Somers Surge; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Leisure

Hyperlocal

First Place

It was precedented; East Haven Courier; Pem McNerney

Regional A

First Place

We went out to dinner and here’s what we discovered; The Day; Karen Florin, Julia Bergman, Taylor Hartz, Kristina Dorsey, Tim Cotter

Second Place

Summertime beach policy; Hartford Courant; Don Stacom

Third Place

Tastes of summer in the dead of winter; The Day; Erica Moser

Regional B

First Place

Vsoulful Eatery; Journal Inquirer; Shawn Rychling

Second Place

South Norwalk restaurant’s ‘special spot’; The Hour; Erin Kayata

Third Place

Eagle cruise; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Tavern on State in New Haven is quickly joining the giants of the state’s food scene; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Second Place

Visiting St. Lucia; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan, Kyn Tolson

Local Reporting

Hyperlocal

First Place

Amid “moratorium,” 31 eviction cases filed; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Second Place

Spike or trend?; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell

Third Place

They can fight. Can they function?; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Hartford’s homeless left to wander the streets; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye

Second Place

Facebook community forums become controversial; The Day; Erica Moser

Third Place

Even superheroes are vulnerable to the pandemic; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart

Regional B

First Place

While overall housing stock increased, affordable units declined in local towns; Record-Journal; Michael Gagne

Second Place

Grant allows Meriden to take team approach to national opioid crisis; Record-Journal; Lauren Sellew

Third Place

Facebook ‘rant’ from Greenwich paramedic; Greenwich Time; Ken Borsuk

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Somers selectman gives himself raise; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy

Second Place

Back from the brink: New Britain officer overwhelmed by support; NBC 30; Heidi Voight

Third Place

What’s on your mind?: Outrage, gratitude over Eversource storm response; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

News Photo

Hyperlocal

First Place

United we stand; The Sound; Kelley Fryer

Regional A

First Place

A mock funeral for George Floyd; Connecticut Mirror; Cloe Poisson

Second Place

I can’t breath; The Day; Sarah Gordon

Third Place

Overheated firefighters; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B

First Place

Black Lives Matter rally in Wallingford; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac

Second Place

Fotis Dulos; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Third Place

BLM protest; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Non-Page 1 Layout

Regional A

First Place

Inner workings; The Day; Scott Ritter, Paul Choiniere

Second Place

November 29, 2020 – 1C; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill O’Brien

Third Place

A&E; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier

Regional B

First Place

March sadness; Record-Journal; Eric Heredia

Second Place

Love of the game; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

The great pharma heist; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Second Place

Healthy from the inside out; Seasons Magazine; Stacy Murray

Third Place

School of spies; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Page 1 Layout

Regional A

First Place

Take me way back to the ballgame; Connecticut Post; Sue Nusbaum

Second Place

November 10, 2020; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn

Third Place

One small step for Connecticut; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B

First Place

Taking a stand; Stamford Advocate; Sue Nusbaum

Second Place

No justice, no peace; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Third Place

‘I feel like the real thing’; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

School of spies: The secret history of how Yale men helped build the CIA; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Second Place

World war II redux; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Third Place

The big score; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Photo Essay

Hyperlocal

First Place

Orange residents go to the polls; Milford-Orange Times; Chandra Bozelko

Second Place

Easton Farms; Easton Courier; Rick Falco

 

Regional A

First Place

BLM on I-84; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Second Place

2020; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold, Brian A. Pounds, Peter Hvizdak, Christian Abraham

Third Place

Despite COVID shutdowns, arts organizations keep the holiday spirit going; Connecticut Mirror; Yehyun Kim

Regional B

First Place

Stamford police order encamped protesters to leave Latham Park; Stamford Advocate; Tyler Sizemore

Second Place

The city that sleeps; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum, Tyler Sizemore

Third Place

BMX racers back in action at Falcon Field in Meriden; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

A treasure trove for all; Seasons Magazine; Tony Bacewicz

Second Place

Finding her Rhythm; Seasons Magazine; Winter Caplanson

Religion

Hyperlocal

First Place

Millennial minister; Guilford Courier; Pam Johnson

Regional A

First Place

State’s Black leaders and pastors react with dismay to suggestion by Connecticut governor; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Second Place

Proposal to split United Methodist Church over gay marriage may hit hardest at local level; Hartford Courant; Emily Brindley

Third Place

New Haven Catholic schools merging; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard

Regional B

First Place

Parishioners flock back to church for the first time since shutdown; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki

Second Place

New Britain church leaders create multi-faith prayer services; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

A whale of a tale; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall

 

Reporting Series

Hyperlocal

First Place

Farm series; Easton Courier; Kelly Wendt, Karen Brewer, Nancy Doniger, Jane Paley, Rick Falco

Second Place

Students seeking and creating social justice; Guilford Courier; Pam Johnson

Regional A

First Place

A better deal: Inclusive economic recovery; Connecticut Mirror; Tom Condon, Kelan Lyons, Keith Phaneuf, Jenna Carlesso, Mark Pazniokas, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Second Place

Police accountability; The Day; Staff

Third Place

2020 bright lights; The Day; Staff

Regional B

First Place

Fairfield University case; The Hour; Justin Papp

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Three types of loss; WNPR; Ryan Lindsay

Sports Column

Regional A

First Place

Connecticut idol George Springer must find a way to repair his reputation as Astros cheating scandal; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Second Place

Room in lineup for No. 42; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Third Place

Born with one hand, this Connecticut high school basketball player is defying the odds; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B

First Place

Paying tribute to the late great Ted Moynihan; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Second Place

It’s time to create the Mets way; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Third Place

Attending New Britain Bees baseball game during pandemic; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Sports Feature

Hyperlocal

First Place

Area baseball players savor the chance to play again; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

 

Second Place

Dan Rooney inducted into Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner

Regional A

First Place

This Suffield couple attended thousands of Connecticut high school basketball games; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

Second Place

Where are they now? Montville girls’ cross country put together a long run of dominance; The Day; Vickie Fulkerson

Third Place

It was 25 years ago when the 1995 UConn women beat Tennessee for their first title; Hartford Courant; Alexa Philippou

Regional B

First Place

Thanksgiving memories burrow deep, and they’ll resume next year; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Second Place

CCSU quarterback Aaron Winchester prepares for NFL Draft; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Third Place

Former Aquinas, St. Paul soccer star Bajek talks recovery, redemption; New Britain Herald; Ryan Chichester

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Staying the course; Seasons Magazine; John Torsiello

Second Place

A horse of another color; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall

Third Place

Eyes on the prize; Connecticut Voice; John Torsiello

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A hawk flying high; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Second Place

Believe: Farmington’s toughest opponent; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

Third Place

Setting the standard; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Sports News

Hyperlocal

First Place

Canton outlasts Granby for historic conference championship win; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

Second Place

Claiming the title; Guilford Courier; Dean Bibens

Third Place

CIAC cancels state tournaments; North Haven Courier; Chris Piccirillo

Regional A

First Place

Dealing with travel restrictions; Hartford Courant; Alexa Philippou

Second Place

Steve Dalkowski, flame-throwing figure of baseball lore, dies of coronavirus in New Britain; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Third Place

Black runners in Connecticut didn’t need Ahmaud Arbery as a warning: ‘You’re a target’; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

Regional B

First Place

In coda to perfection, Southington ends season with CCC regional crown; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Second Place

Jack Cochran talks New Britain football job, the controversy surrounding him applying; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Third Place

No. 4 Xavier rallies to beat No. 2 Simsbury for Class L championship; Connecticut Wrestling Online; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A special meeting; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Sports Photo

Hyperlocal

First Place

The winner; The Sound; Kelley Fryer

Regional A

First Place

League champions; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Second Place

Finish line emotion; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Third Place

Hearts fend off Crusaders; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill Shettle

Regional B

First Place

“Wrestling: 10, 9, 8, 7 — boom! Carr lands late takedown to capture State Open crown”; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Second Place

Headed for home; Journal Inquirer; Jim Michaud

Regional B

Third Place

Volleyball player; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Video Storytelling

Regional A

First Place

After the storm; Connecticut Post; Derek Turner

Second Place

Alzheimer’s choir goes virtual; The Day; Peter Huoppi, Taylor Hartz

Third Place

Volleyball with masks; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Paguaga

Regional B

First Place

Urgency around in-person learning in Meriden rooted in data, experience; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Second Place

‘Let us play!’ is the cry heard ‘round Hartford as players rally at Capitol; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Misgendering; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis

Second Place

Eva Gold; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Governor’s reopen CT plan; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff