Excellence in Journalism 2019 travel grants available

We are pleased to announce that, for the fifth year in a row, we’re offering a travel grant for one SPJ member and one student to attend the 2019 conference. This year’s Excellence in Journalism conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas, from Sept. 5-7. 

Last year’s winners were Jordan Fenster, who then worked for Gannett but now works for Hearst Connecticut Media, and Sarah Willson, a student at Central Connecticut State University.

Connecticut SPJ is offering a grant of up to $1,100 to cover the cost for one member to attend, as well as another $500 to help a student attend. If you’re interested in applying for the grant, please send a 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.

Applications are due by July 6 at noon. The winners must be members in good standing of CTSPJ. New members are welcome to apply.

CTSPJ Board of Directors 2019-20

Winners announced for our annual CT SPJ Excellence in Journalism Awards for 2018 entries

This year, we had 842 entries in 39 different categories. They ranged from arts and leisure stories to data and investigative reporting.

All Media Special Awards

First Amendment Award
First Place
D’Amelio attorney says arrest expunged; threatens lawsuit; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award
First Place
The Hartford Courant’s five-year fight for Adam Lanza documents; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, Andrew Julien, Matthew Kauffman, Josh Kovner

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting
First Place
Denied: A look into inmate health care; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas and Clarice Silber

Arts & Entertainment

Hyperlocal
First Place
Curious about Ed Vebell, patrons pack Historical Society; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney
Third Place
Jim DeCesare feature; Canton Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Regional A
First Place
Can Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood be an arts destination? These developers think so.; Hartford Courant; RebeccaLurye
Second Place
New Da Vinci discovered?; Waterbury Republican-American; Tracey O’Shaughnessy
Third Place
The new face of drag; The Day; Mary Biekert

Regional B
First Place
Stamford’s State Cinema to close, despite family’s efforts; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton
Second Place
Danbury composer channels ire over fallen innocents; News-Times; Christina Hennessy
Third Place
One hot summer night at the Shaboo; The Chronicle; Claire Galvin

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Dreams and illusions; Seasons Magazine; Frank Rizzo
Second Place
Looking in Theatre offers students the chance to open the doors to dialogue; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Third Place
‘Samson et Dalila’ … et Darko; Hartford Magazine; Frank Rizzo

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Little princess; News 12; Marissa Alter, Mark Sogofsky
Second Place
There is life; News 12; Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Audio Storytelling

Regional A
First Place
Case unsolved; The Day; Karen Florin, Lindsay Boyle, Erica Moser, Peter Huoppi, Carlos Virgen, Tim Cotter, Izaskun Larraneta
Second Place
Young voters could decide the election. We talked to a few of them.; Hartford Courant; Mike Hamad
Third Place
Here’s what you can expect if Connecticut gambles on sports betting next year; Hartford Courant; Mike Hamad

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Adaptive sailing program launches in Stonington; WNPR; David DesRoches
Second Place
What secrets are hidden inside the call of a bat?; WNPR; Patrick Skahill
Third Place
A pound for pound history of Connecticut’s weights and measures; WNPR; Patrick Skahill

Breaking News

Hyperlocal
First Place
At 9/11 memorial, rain mixes with tears; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Staples student in custody after violence threat; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Third Place
Flu complications caused New Canaan boy’s sudden death, say officials; New Canaan News; Erin Kayata and Humberto Rocha

Regional A
First Place
Official: Woman lit dynamite, thought it was candle; blew off fingers; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Second Place
Milford man charged with assault after standoff; Connecticut Post; Amanda Cuda, Jim Shay
Third Place
Teen dead after police pursuit, crash; victim ID’d; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill, Jim Shay

Regional B
First Place
‘God was by our side’; The Chronicle; Michelle Firestone
Second Place
Man purposely crashed car into Middlesex Hospital, set himself on fire, officials say; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Third Place
Police detonate pressure cooker found outside Israel Putnam School in Meriden; Record-Journal; Bryan Lipiner, Lauren Sellew

Business

Hyperlocal
First Place
Mitchells: Guided 60 years by a mom & pop philosophy; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Marci Moreau gets naked; West Hartford LIFE; Mara Dresner
Third Place
Commuter Coffee says goodbye at Railroad Place; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Regional A
First Place
Credit union scam remains a mystery; The Day; Lee Howard
Second Place
Ticket to a new life; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth
Third Place
How business strategies put Obsitnik in the GOP primary; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar

Regional B
First Place
Fans, friends mourn loss of late ‘Wild’ Bill Ziegler’s Nostalgia store; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Second Place
Torrington couple opens new cafe, taking another step in longtime history of family home; Register Citizen; Ben Lambert
Third Place
Shucking returns to Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk; The Hour; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Mind, body & soul: mActivity is a different kind of fitness center; Seasons Magazine; Frank Rizzo
Second Place
The spectrum of success; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
On the road again; Seasons Magazine; Carol Latter

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Attracting Amazon: How much Connecticut spent to become home to HQ2; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Dave Michnowicz
Second Place
Jump drum; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Third Place
Wanke’s Yankee; News 12; Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Continuing Coverage

Hyperlocal
First Place
Lunch ladies battle for jobs; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Second Place
Town wrestles with school security issues; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Third Place
At P&Z, strong opposition to medical marijuana facilities; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Regional A
First Place
Voters in CT suburbs, once reliably Republican, may power a blue wave in age of Trump; Hartford Courant; Daniella Altimari
Second Place
Is school desegregation working?; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jake Kara
Third Place
Bullets over Brass City; Waterbury Republican-American; Jonathan Shugarts

Regional B
First Place
Coverage of the May 2018 tornardo/microburst; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin, Matt Zabierek, Jeniece Roman, Bailey Wright, Devin Leith-Yessian, Lauren Sellew
Second Place
Mold issues grow in Stamford schools; Stamford Advocate; Erin Kayata
Third Place
Purdue faces uphill battle to overcome opioid controversy; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
‘Nowhere to go’: Some CT Transit bus drivers wearing adult diapers on the job; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Courts/Crime

Hyperlocal
First Place
Asleep at the switch: Madison Police remove three dispatchers for sleeping on the job; The Source; Zoe Roos
Second Place
Lunch ladies charged in half-million dollar scam; New Canaan News; Humberto Rocha

Regional A
First Place
One family’s sole survivor; The Day; Karen Florin
Second Place
With soccer dreams shattered, Mitchell Anderson to be sentenced for Dillon Stadium fraud; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Matthew Kauffman
Third Place
Life in a cult: fear, abuse; Hartford Courant; David Owens

Regional B
First Place
Saved by the cell; Journal Inquirer; Alex Wood
Second Place
Norwalk father watches son play in Babe Ruth World Series, an immigration checkpoint changes all; The Hour; Justin Papp
Third Place
Experts: Prevention of Claxton’s suicide not possible in Conn.; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Wrongfully imprisoned for 27 Years, Mark Schand is finally living the life he always wanted; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Home companion arrest raises questions about hiring process; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison
Second Place
HPD wrong way pursuit; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, David Michnowicz
Third Place
Danger in the driver’s seat: Dozens of CT transit drivers report assaults; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Data

Regional A
First Place
Home prices across Connecticut have failed to recover since peak in 2007; Hartford Courant; Kenneth R. Gosselin
Second Place
Totals don’t tell full story of drug overdoses; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Third Place
In divided territory, dispute rages on; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Missing pieces: Guns stolen from CT suburbs turning up at crime scenes; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
Second Place
Connecticut governor’s race: Where are contributions coming from?; WNPR; Patrick Skahill

Diversity Coverage

Regional A
First Place
Access to AP courses often elusive for low-income students; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Second Place
Strategic outreach bridging gap in pregnancy-related outcomes; Connecticut Health I-Team; Elizabeth Heubeck
Third Place
After tumultuous summer, Hartford police look to hire more minority officers; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth, Jenna Carlesso

Regional B
First Place
Latino students face unique hurdles; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker
Second Place
Black, Hispanic cops a minority on Danbury police force; News-Times; Zach Murdock
Third Place
A year after Hurricane Maria, residents displaced from Puerto Rico still adjusting; Record-Journal; Jeniece Roman

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
The spectrum of success; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Second Place
Spreading peace: Former gang member’s center focuses on resolving conflict; Hartford Magazine; Matthew Broderick

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
For a teen with Autism, being different was seen as being dangerous; WNPR; David DesRoches

Editorial

Regional A
First Place
Haddam Selectwoman is owed an apology; Hartford Courant; Stephen Busemeyer
Second Place
Arming teachers makes schools more dangerous; Connecticut Post; Jacqueline Smith
Third Place
Elizabeth Esty must resign; Hartford Courant; Stephen Busemeyer

Regional B
First Place
Unthinkable is now devastatingly routine in schools; The Hour; Nancy Shulins
Second Place
Meriden School Readiness Council operated in secret; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Third Place
Keeping Sandy Hook investigation secret is inconsistent with democracy; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

Editorial Cartoon

Regional A
First Place
Passing the buck; The Day; Jacinta Meyers
Second Place
Fake news; The Day; Jacinta Meyers

Regional B
First Place
Wallingford microburst hits twice; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski

Education

Hyperlocal
First Place
Staples students, victims of sexual assault, look to change school policy; Westport News; Justin Papp
Second Place
Parents banned from eating lunch with children at Darien schools; Darien News; Lynandro Simmons

Regional A
First Place
Metropolitan Business Academy students show, not tell, on final exam; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Second Place
How safe are Connecticut students at school?; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Third Place
No pressure, but … another principal takes over at Bassick; Connecticut Post; Linda Lambeck

Regional B
First Place
Sacred Heart Greenwich threatens to ban student over Planned Parenthood sticker; Greenwich Time; Emilie Munson
Second Place
Despite little progress, more efforts underway to recruit minority teachers; News-Times; Zach Murdock
Third Place
Greenwich schools consider menu overhaul after complaints; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Connecticut’s rural schools get creative to stay viable; WNPR; David DesRoches
Second Place
The high cost of educating students displaced by Hurricane Maria; NBC 30; Shyang Puri, Garett Allison
Third Place
Cyberthreats become disruption in Connecticut schools; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison

Feature Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
Drawing a crowd; Harbor News; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Compo cloud; WestportNow.com; Anna-Liisa Nixon
Third Place
Greeting daddy; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff

Regional A
First Place
Barn reading; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Second Place
Cancer wedding; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Third Place
Lizard encounter; The Day; Dana Jensen

Regional B
First Place
Mail roots; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Jumping for joy; The Chronicle; Roxanne Pandolfi
Third Place
Up in the air with acro yoga; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack

Feature Story

Hyperlocal
First Place
Race. Wreck. Fix. Repeat; The Source; Pem McNerney
Second Place
Whimsical trail brings hope to Belltown; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan
Third Place
Grand marshal Larry Aasen on war and remembrance; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Regional A
First Place
A ‘horrific’ scene unfolds; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
Second Place
Training empowers everyday people to help save lives; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
Third Place
Fighting hate; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael DeGirolamo Jr.

Regional B
First Place
Coastal town offers a sheltering sky; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Second Place
Lost, but not forgotten: Meriden’s Vietnam casualties; Record-Journal; Leigh Tauss
Third Place
Second-hand retailer Euphoria mixes commerce, community; Fairfield County Business Journal; Phil Hall

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Service dog frauds: The safety of truly dependent people could be at risk; Hartford Magazine; Leonard Felson
Second Place
A room of their own: Local couple’s efforts provide peace and comfort in difficult times; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
The ancient tradition of seeking sanctuary in churches has been reborn in Connecticut; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Hating on CT; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison
Second Place
Rejected: Vanity license plates you won’t see on the road; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle
Third Place
Mysterious suitcase helps Connecticut man discover his grandfather’s WWII service; WNPR; David DesRoches

General Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
Bill Seiden, 91: A reporter’s retrospective; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Musings from Mara; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner

Regional A
First Place
Connecticut Landmarks neglects 1700s Stonington house, despite endowment; The Day; David Collins
Second Place
The ballad of the Depression Kid; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Third Place
Side issues are the economy; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar

Regional B
First Place
We could sure use Lincoln today; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Second Place
Birth mother vs. bio mother; Stamford Advocate; Deborah DiSesa Hirsch
Third Place
Empty nest, packed emotions; Stamford Advocate; Deborah DiSesa Hirsch

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
In our midst: Garage of dreams; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
Second Place
In our midst: How she heals; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
Third Place
In our midst: Key man; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper

Government

Hyperlocal
First Place
Norwalk wired $900K to scammers; may settle reimbursement lawsuit; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
Second Place
East Hampton hub ballots destroyed, questions remain; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan

Regional A
First Place
Connecticut politics take a toxic turn; Hartford Courant; Neil Vigdor
Second Place
New debate stirs over Hartford’s residency requirement; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Vinny Vella
Third Place
Malloy myth is dead wrong; he slashed state spending; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar

Regional B
First Place
Prison health care compromised; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Second Place
Developer BLT seeks new tax district to expand footprint in Stamford neighborhood; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton
Third Place
Overtime pays for Danbury cop shortage; News-Times; Dirk Perrefort

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
A day in the life; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Structurally deficient bridges in Connecticut at risk for closure; NBC 30; Shyang Puri, Garett Allison
Second Place
Tenant troubles; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison
Third Place
Connecticut has given private schools over $3M in public cash for security upgrades; WNPR; David DesRoches

Headline

Hyperlocal
First Place
RTM to utility wires: We will bury you; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff
Second Place
Three speeds, one mission etc; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A
First Place
Grits, froyo, sweetings; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier
Second Place
Custer’s last strand?; The Day; Joe Turco
Third Place
In the merry merry month of May; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B
First Place
Unorthodox sanctuaries/Spring in step/ Marilyn moon row; Stamford Advocate; Ashley Winchester
Second Place
At sixes and sevens/A springer in her step/Before you go, go; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum
Third Place
Mettle, zen, taps; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Super bowl/Savage garden/The Twain you shall meet; Connecticut Magazine; Albert Yuravich

Health

Hyperlocal
First Place
Schools grapple with handling sexual assault complaints; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
When it comes to suicide prevention, direct is best; Guilford Courier; Pem McNerney

Regional A
First Place
Costs and access still barriers to health care, survey finds; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kaitlyn Regan, Ryan Conchado, Kevin Crompton, Jailene Cuevas, Melanie Espinal, Jonathan Gonzalez, Andrew Hans, Megan Hill, Patrick Quinn O’Neill, August Pelliccio, Michael Riccio, Alyssa Rice
Second Place
From tears to Cinderella at prom; Hartford Courant; David Owens
Third Place
Former Middletown swimmer putting a face to PTSD; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye

Regional B
First Place
Every time they shoot up could be the last; Journal Inquirer; Zachary F. Vasile
Second Place
After surviving teenage suicide attempt, Wallingford woman creating awareness; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Smarter diets; Hartford Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Second Place
A doctor in your phone; Hartford Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
Psychedelic drugs show promise for treatment of PTSD; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Nailed by complaints: Issues plaguing Connecticut nail salons; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
Second Place
Laser hair removal services; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Third Place
Dirty school air; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, David Michnowicz, Garett Allison

Humorous Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
Matter of opinion; Stamford Magazine; Beth Levine

Regional A
First Place
You’re in the bathroom, get off your phone; Hartford Courant; Rand Richards Cooper

Regional B
First Place
Isn’t It Romantic?; Stamford Advocate; Jerry Zezima
Second Place
News cycle sets Kid’s wheels turning; Stamford Advocate; John Breunig
Third Place
Sofa, I need to move on to another; The Chronicle; Traci Hastings

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
A day to forgive; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks
Second Place
The cargument; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire

In-Depth

Hyperlocal
First Place
Race. Wreck. Fix. Repeat; The Source; Pem McNerney
Second Place
Shoreline gathers for March for Our Lives; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner

Regional A
First Place
A killer’s obsession: Writings outline descent into darkness, despair; Hartford Courant; Josh Kovner, Dave Altimari
Second Place
Nearly three quarters of Hartford children live in areas with high rates of gun violence; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye
Third Place
An East Lyme family’s honest obituary; The Day; Lindsay Boyle

Regional B
First Place
Ousted residents never had their say; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Second Place
Opioid crisis fuels massive litigation against Purdue Pharma; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott
Third Place
Maintenance deferred: Without funding, problems can grow like … mold; Stamford Advocate; Erin Kayata

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
King’s death sparked riots in Hartford 50 years ago: A look at the lasting effects; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan
Second Place
The battle to preserve Plum Island; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
Third Place
Summer of discontent; Seasons Magazine; James Battaglio

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Firefighter PTSD; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Michnowicz, Jon Wardle
Second Place
Consignment shop sold; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Third Place
The push for ‘green’ cemeteries in Connecticut; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle

Infographic Design

Regional B
First Place
Create your own budget; Record-Journal; Ron Rainey, Richie Rathsack

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Apples to apples; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody
Second Place
Recycling: In or out?; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Infographic Reporting

Regional A
First Place
An interactive look at development in Hartford; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Kenneth Gosselin, Timothy Reck
Second Place
See how your town fares in home price recovery; Hartford Courant; Kenneth R. Gosselin

Investigative

Hyperlocal
First Place
Police investigation shows safety concerns ahead of dredging death at Guilford Yacht Club; Guilford Courier; Zoe Roos

Regional A
First Place
Nurses’ drug abuse top cause of disciplining, but once sober, some nurses get relicensed; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish, Carl Jordan Castro
Second Place
Denied: A look into inmate healthcare; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Clarice Silber
Third Place
Race for Gov; contrast of words, business; business record under scrutiny; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Lyman Hall gym teacher resigned after student complaints of sexual harassment; Record-Journal; Matt Zabierek
Second Place
Scaife keeps in touch, on city’s dime; Record-Journal; Leigh Tauss
Third Place
Andover figure lost job over lewdness; Journal Inquirer; Emily Brindley

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Letters from Whiting; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jon Wardle, Matthew Glasser
Second Place
Nailed by complaints: Issues plaguing Connecticut nail salons; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
Third Place
Mortuary mixup; NBC 30; Sandra Jones

Leisure

Regional A
First Place
A fresh start 27 years later; Hartford Courant; Don Stacom
Second Place
What makes a great fried clam?; The Day; Mary Biekert
Third Place
Homecoming of sorts for Danny Meyer; Hartford Courant; Leeanne Griffin

Magazine

First Place

Perfectly imperfect heirloom apples are making a comeback

Erik Ofgang;   Connecticut Magazine

Second Place

Barbecue – Hot stuff: Your guide to everything smoky, saucy and sloppy

Kelly Vaughan;   Hartford Magazine

Third Place

Barcelona – Walking the city: Its riches unfold for travelers on foot

Joan DeNatale Green, Rick Green;   Hartford Magazine

 Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Food and fun; News 12; Sean McCabe, Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Hyperlocal
First Place
Perfecting perfection in the Village of Essex; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney

Local Reporting

Hyperlocal
First Place
A major problem at the 11th hour for Scranton Library; The Source; Zoe Roos
Second Place
Bluepoint Wellness: Marijuana as blueprint for pain control; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Third Place
500 Main St.: Why has “the most dangerous intersection in Westport” never been fixed?; Westport News; Sophie Vaughn

Regional A
First Place
2014 stabbing death of Melissa Millan; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, David Owens, Nicholas Rondinone
Second Place
New debate stirs over Hartford’s residency requirement; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Vinny Vella
Third Place
Scary bear encounters; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey

Regional B
First Place
Remaining Washington Village residents struggle with deteriorating conditions; The Hour; Justin Papp
Second Place
Homeless: A life and death in Danbury; News-Times; Zach Murdock
Third Place
Social workers: Fostering love; The Chronicle; Ekaterine Tchelidze, Claire Galvin

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Crumbling concrete & grand lists; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Michnowicz
Second Place
Proposal to turn rock quarry into reservoir faces mountain of opposition; WNPR; Patrick Skahill
Third Place
About time; News 12; Sean McCabe, Christopher Wood, Lori Golias

News Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
We need change; The Source; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Sad afternoon; WestportNow.com; Dave Matlow

Regional A
First Place
Lucky shots; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Second Place
Car fire; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Third Place
Tearful testimony; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Police train for a school shooting response; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Grabbing some gear after the storm; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack
Third Place
A high tech holiday; The Chronicle; Amar Batra

Non-Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
Enough; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore
Second Place
Searching for success; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore
Third Place
Season’s sweetings; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier

Regional B
First Place
Big 10 bound: Berlin native Burby signs letter of intent to play for Rutgers; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Greenwich Town Party; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum
Third Place
Crews to the rescue; News-Times; Sue Nusbaum

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
How to beach – Non-page1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore
Second Place
The ultimate “Hamilton” quiz: Non-page 1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore

Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
All but forgotten; The Day; Melissa Johnson, Jacinta Meyers
Second Place
We the people …; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn
Third Place
New Haven Top 50; New Haven Register; Alyson Bowman

Regional B
First Place
The year that was; The Hour; Sue Nusbaum
Second Place
An unforgettable fire; The Chronicle; Jennifer Lemanski
Third Place
Ship wrecked; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Cover: The changing city; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore
Second Place
Top chefs share secrets – page 1/cover layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore, Patrick Raycraft
Third Place
Inspired: A renaissance of young artists – Page 1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore, Patrick Raycraft

Photo Essay

Regional A
First Place
Convention season; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Second Place
Swabs report in; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Third Place
Shearing the Sheep; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Snowclone; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum, Tyler Sizemore
Second Place
Lighting the sky; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore
Third Place
Dance of the ages; News-Times; H. John Voorhees III

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Going all in on New Haven’s future; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
Second Place
The raw, the cooked, the bowls and the boiling; Seasons Magazine; Nick Caito

Religion

Hyperlocal
First Place
Bishop takes control of St. Paul’s Church in Darien; Darien News; Lynandro Simmons
Second Place
A new mission for Sister Caroline; The Sound; Pam Johnson
Third Place
Rector to stay amid tensions; Darien News; Humberto Rocha

Regional A
First Place
Painstaking, sacred work; Hartford Courant; Jordan Otero Sisson

Regional B
First Place
Joined in grief and faith; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Second Place
Florida couple hopes to establish Presbyterian church in Wallingford; Record-Journal; Bailey Wright
Third Place
‘A different style of church’ — Megachurch Hillsong makes home in Norwalk; The Hour; Justin Papp

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Stations of the cross; News 12; Frank Recchia, Mark Sogofsky

Reporting Series

Hyperlocal
First Place
This is ABC; 06880: Where Westport Meets the World; Dan Woog, Susan Woog Wagner
Second Place
Celebrating seniors; Valley Courier; Rita Christopher

Regional A
First Place
Extreme inequality: Connecticut’s wealth dilemma; Connecticut Mirror; Keith Phaneuf, Clarice Silber and Jake Kara
Second Place
Connecticut’s vanishing shoreline; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel
Third Place
Helping hands; The Day; Julia Bergman, Amanda Hutchinson, Kimberly Drelich, Karen Florin, Erica Moser, Mary Biekert

Regional B
First Place
Transfer trauma; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Second Place
Serving up love: The Covenant Soup Kitchen; The Chronicle; Claire Galvin

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
At a price! The high cost of local town living; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Shyang Puri, Dan Corcoran, Jill Konopka, Max Reiss, Matthew Glasser, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jon Wardle, David Michnowicz, Steve Pancione
Second Place
CT do better; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Shyang Puri, Dan Corcoran, Matthew Glasser, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jon Wardle, David Michnowicz

Sports Column

Regional A
First Place
A role model, flaws and all; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony
Second Place
As records fall at girls State Open track, debate rages over transgender issue; GameTimeCT.com; Jeff Jacobs
Third Place
Family, legacy led Dan Hurley to UConn; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B
First Place
Culture change: New Britain football sees recent season as strong building block for program; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Clyde Washburn: A life well lived; The Chronicle; Mike Sypher

Sports Feature

Hyperlocal
First Place
Remembering Frank ‘Coach’ Crisafi; East Haven Courier; PJ Foti
Second Place
Adakonis go-karts his way to top national ranking; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy
Third Place
‘A very rewarding journey’; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner

Regional A
First Place
The growing pressure and demands of coaching each year lead to some asking: ‘Is it even worth it?’; GameTimeCT.com; Doug Bonjour
Second Place
Epic rock-paper-scissors battle settles SCC baseball quarterfinal matchup; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Pagagua
Third Place
Amby Burfoot is giving it another go; The Day; Steve Fagin

Regional B
First Place
Biggest victory: After beating cancer, football more than game for New Britain’s Hernandez; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Season-ending injury cannot keep Kellner out of gym; Stamford Advocate; Scott Ericson
Third Place
‘I’ve never been a quitter,’ says ex-NFL player Amari Spievey; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
At UConn, Dan Hurley is taking on “the ultimate challenge”; Connecticut Magazine; David Borges
Second Place
For Anne Worcester, this tennis tournament is a labor of love; Connecticut Magazine; Paul Doyle

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
A life saving gift; News 12; Mark Sudol, Robert Cook
Second Place
Big dreams; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Keith Sunthorn

Sports News

Hyperlocal
First Place
Trailblazer: Gaughran is first girl on Ridgefield LL travel team; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy
Second Place
Simsbury tops Avon for fifth straight win and Valley Gridiron Classic; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
Alfredo finds success as rookie in NASCAR series; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy

Regional A
First Place
Playing with risk; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman
Second Place
Coaches, parents question policy for high school transgender athletes; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley
Third Place
NCAA investigating UConn men; New Haven Register; Jeff Jacobs

Regional B
First Place
Gunn’s three touchdowns spark New Britain football over South Windsor, moves to 3-0; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Barber, Muir unstoppable as Greenwich shuts out New Canaan for CIAC Class LL state title; Greenwich Time; David Fierro
Third Place
Brusnwick’s Cornelius Johnson chooses Michigan; Greenwich Time; David Fierro

Sports Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
Record set; North Haven Courier; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Players and fans celebrate after winning in eight innings; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

Regional A
First Place
No. 1 Ansonia suffers heartbreaking loss; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill Shettle
Second Place
Goalie save; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Third Place
Reach for the win; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Regional B
First Place
Powder Puff takedown; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Not as close as once thought; Stamford Advocate; H. John Voorhees III
Third Place
Catching some air during Snocross; Record-Journal; Justin Weekes

Video Storytelling

Hyperlocal
First Place
Norwalk plants trees at Roodner Court; NancyonNorwalk; Harold Cobin
Second Place
Video: Justin Paul back at Coleytown Middle School; WestportNow.com; Helen Klisser During

Regional A
First Place
Sanctuary church in Old Lyme; The Day; Tim Cook
Second Place
Ella; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Third Place
Brian Merritt: From guitar player to guitar maker; The Day; Peter Huoppi

Regional B
First Place
Christmas season brings Harry Potter, Phantom of the Opera and fiery hot cocoa to Cava; Record-Journal; Ashley Kus
Second Place
Organist keeps music alive at Meriden church; Record-Journal; Ashley Kus
Third Place
Kidcity museum in Middletown; Record-Journal; Bailey Wright

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Christopher Wood composite; News 12; Christopher Wood
Second Place
Mark Sogofsky composite; News 12; Mark Sogofsky

Ken Dixon and John Elliott to be inducted to the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame on May 23

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists will induct two longtime journalists into the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame at its annual dinner on May 23.

Hearst Connecticut political editor Ken Dixon and now retired 96.5 WTIC morning news anchor John Elliott both had careers that spanned more than 40 years.

Ken Dixon

Dixon is responsible for political coverage for eight daily newspapers that are part of Hearst Connecticut Media, including the New Haven Register, Connecticut Post, The Norwalk Hour, Danbury News Times, Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, the Register-Citizen in Torrington and The Middletown Press.

For 24 years until 2018, he was a one-person state Capitol bureau, first for The Connecticut Post and eventually for the other Hearst papers, as they were acquired, covering public policy, the legislature, state departments and politics, and writing one or two columns a week.

Dixon began his career at the Bridgeport Post and Telegram newspapers in July 1977, after a short stint as the farm editor of a central-Ohio daily. He started his journalism career in the Nutmeg state covering Westport and Norwalk before moving to Bridgeport City Hall in 1983. From 1990 through 1994, he was a full-time columnist for what became the Connecticut Post.

Dixon graduated from Ohio University’s journalism program in 1976. He have won state, regional and national awards for reporting and column-writing and he was recently a National Press Foundation fellow.

In his spare time, Dixon plays soccer in leagues and clubs and he plays the electric mandolin and guitar. Dixon is part of a journalists’ bar band, The Bad Slugs, and wrote an iconic tune about working in newspapers: “Ride the Dinosaur.”

John Elliott

Elliott holds the distinction of being the longest running radio news anchor in the state of Connecticut with 42 years at WTIC.

Elliott knew from when he was a little boy that he wanted to be in the news business. When he was a boy, Elliott’s father bought a miniature reel to reel tape recorder with a microphone, which he used to interview family members on tape. His next door neighbor growing up was legendary disc jockey Bob Steele.

Elliott graduated from Emerson College in 1974. He hoped for a career in television news but was turned down by Channels 3, 8 and 30. When told he should try radio, he had his first radio news job with WCCC with morning host Rusty Potz.

CT SPJ statement on the arrest of a Connecticut Post reporter

Bruno Matarazzo, president of the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, issued the following statement in response to Bridgeport police arresting Connecticut Post reporter Tara O’Neill while she covered a protest on Thursday, May 9, 2019:

“The fact that Bridgeport police found it appropriate to arrest a reporter is disturbing. Tara O’Neill was reporting on Thursday’s protest to write a news story. She was not a participant, and identified herself as a reporter when an officer handcuffed her. The fact that someone can be arrested in Bridgeport for the lawful exercise of a First Amendment right is chilling.”

Finalists announced for the 2018 Excellence in Journalism Contest

All Media Special Awards

First Amendment Award
Fake news or real? Take the test; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
The Hartford Courant’s five-year fight for Adam Lanza documents; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, Andrew Julien, Matthew Kauffman, Josh Kovner
D’Amelio attorney says arrest expunged; threatens lawsuit; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
School Readiness Council’s ongoing failure to follow public meeting laws; Record-Journal; Leigh Tauss, Mary Ellen Godin, Matt Zabierek, Mike Savino

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award
The Hartford Courant’s five-year fight for Adam Lanza documents; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, Andrew Julien, Matthew Kauffman, Josh Kovner

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting
Nurses’ drug abuse top cause of disciplining, but once sober, some nurses get relicensed; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish, Carl Jordan Castro
Denied: A look into inmate health care; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Clarice Silber
Uncovering Bob Stefanowski; Connecticut Post; Hearst Connecticut state team

Arts & Entertainment

Regional A
Can Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood be an arts destination? These developers think so.; Hartford Courant; RebeccaLurye
Gallery owner arrested over opioid protest scultpture; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne
Playhouse on Park misses chance to give ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ overdue update; Hartford Courant; Christopher Arnott
The Artists Collective, Hartford’s storied north end arts group, makes a final push for survival; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Susan Dunne
The new face of drag; The Day; Mary Biekert
New Da Vinci discovered?; Waterbury Republican-American; Tracey O’Shaughnessy

Regional B
Danbury composer channels ire over fallen innocents; News-Times; Christina Hennessy
Stamford’s State Cinema to close, despite family’s efforts; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton
One hot summer night at the Shaboo; The Chronicle; Claire Galvin

Magazine
Looking in Theatre offers students the chance to open the doors to dialogue; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Inspired: A renaissance of young artists; Hartford Magazine; Nancy Schoeffler, Christoper Arnott, Susan Dunne, Iris Van Rynbach, Patrick Raycraft, Chris Moore
‘Samson et Dalila’ … et Darko; Hartford Magazine; Frank Rizzo
The ultimate “Hamilton” quiz; Hartford Magazine; Frank Rizzo
Dreams and illusions; Seasons Magazine; Frank Rizzo
Lights, camera, action!; Seasons Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
Nashville in the Nutmeg State; Seasons Magazine; Mike Briotta
Sounds of summer; Seasons Magazine; Mike Briotta
Vinyl revolution; Seasons Magazine; Mike Briotta

Hyperlocal
Staples Players’ “Legally Blonde” goes to the dogs; 06880: Where Westport Meets the World; Dan Woog
Suzanne Sherman: Sing daily!; 06880: Where Westport Meets the World; Dan Woog
Jim DeCesare feature; Canton Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert
Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney
Curious about Ed Vebell, patrons pack Historical Society; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Justin Paul overwhelmed with library award; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Through Mark Molesworth’s lens: Westport and the world; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Broadcast
Little princess; News 12; Marissa Alter, Mark Sogofsky
There is life; News 12; Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Audio Storytelling

Regional A
Depression affects women at twice the rate as men; Connecticut Health I-Team; Colleen Shaddox
Poor and minority women face widening barriers to depression treatment; Connecticut Health I-Team; Colleen Shaddox
Connecticut’s pension problem is even more complicated than you think; Hartford Courant; Mike Hamad
Here’s what you can expect if Connecticut gambles on sports betting next year; Hartford Courant; Mike Hamad
Young voters could decide the election. We talked to a few of them.; Hartford Courant; Mike Hamad
Case unsolved; The Day; Karen Florin, Lindsay Boyle, Erica Moser, Peter Huoppi, Carlos Virgen, Tim Cotter, Izaskun Larraneta

Broadcast
A pound for pound history of Connecticut’s weights and measures; WNPR; Patrick Skahill
Adaptive sailing program launches in Stonington; WNPR; David DesRoches
What secrets are hidden inside the call of a bat?; WNPR; Patrick Skahill

Breaking News

Regional A
Bridgeport cops: 2-year-old pulled from pool dies; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Milford man charged with assault after standoff; Connecticut Post; Amanda Cuda, Jim Shay
Official: Woman lit dynamite, thought it was candle; blew off fingers; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Teen dead after police pursuit, crash; victim ID’d; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill, Jim Shay
Body found after North Haven explosion; house torn down; New Haven Register; Jessica Lerner, Ben Lambert

Regional B
Man purposely crashed car into Middlesex Hospital, set himself on fire, officials say; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
1 dead, 1 injured after police-involved shooting in Danbury; News-Times; Tara O’Neill, Julia Perkins
May 15 macroburst hits Danbury area; News-Times; Zach Murdock, Katrina Koerting, Julia Perkins, Anna Quinn, Dirk Perrefort, Rob Ryser
Police detonate pressure cooker found outside Israel Putnam School in Meriden; Record-Journal; Bryan Lipiner, Lauren Sellew
‘God was by our side’; The Chronicle; Michelle Firestone

Hyperlocal
Flu complications caused New Canaan boy’s sudden death, say officials; New Canaan News; Humberto Rocha
Vandals trash Madison Surf Club; The Source; Zoe Roos
Alert student contacts authorities, potential mass shooting averted in Westport; Westport News; Sophie Vaughn, Justin Papp
At 9/11 memorial, rain mixes with tears; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Staples student in custody after violence threat; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Storm gone but effects remain; residents told to be prepared for ‘several days’ without power; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff

Business

Regional A
CT’s clean energy edge: Going, going . . . or coming back?; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel
How business strategies put Obsitnik in the GOP primary; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar
Malls in region defy national trends; Connecticut Post; Jordan Grice
Mongers Market a treasure trove of reclamations; Connecticut Post; Jordan Grice
Beleaguered tenants beat landlord; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth
Corporate leaders’ role in luring Infosys seen as new model for drawing businesses; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso
Developer envisions hundreds of housing units, extensive retail for downtown north; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Kenneth Gosselin
From factory restorations to new apartments, these developments have the power to reshape Hartford; Hartford Courant; Kenneth Gosselin, Jenna Carlesso
Ticket to a new life; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth
Train could be boon to state housing market; Hartford Courant; Kenneth R. Gosselin
Credit union scam remains a mystery; The Day; Lee Howard
Vintage mania: The race to buy vintage clothing on Instagram; The Day; Mary Biekert
It’s a little bittersweet; Waterbury Republican-American; Harrison Connery
Troubled Waterbury deli moving to Southington; Waterbury Republican-American; Harrison Connery

Regional B
Locals provide suggestions for East Brook Mall’s future; Connecticut Times; Corey Sipe
How will the SoNo Collection impact regional retailing?; Fairfield County Business Journal; Phil Hall
Coffee connoisseur couple wants customers to experience Perkatory in Middletown; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Fans, friends mourn loss of late ‘Wild’ Bill Ziegler’s Nostalgia store; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Owners give Middletown Valero manager hours to vacate thriving mart he’s run for years; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
4 reasons Connecticut residents pay highest electric rates in the continental U.S; Record-Journal; Matthew Zabierek
Torrington couple opens new cafe, taking another step in longtime history of family home; Register Citizen; Ben Lambert
A college degree is a good investment; Stamford Advocate; Julie Jason
Deceased IRA owner? Check the final RMD; Stamford Advocate; Julie Jason
Fraudsters are posing as SEC regulators; Stamford Advocate; Julie Jason
Businesses look to the future after devestating fire; The Chronicle; Michelle Firestone
Shucking returns to Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk; The Hour; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Magazine
Mind, body & soul: mActivity is a different kind of fitness center; Seasons Magazine; Frank Rizzo
Off the beaten path; Seasons Magazine; Caryn B. Davis
On the road again; Seasons Magazine; Carol Latter
The spectrum of success; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Hyperlocal
Clinton finds new buyer for old Morgan site; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell
Marci Moreau gets naked; West Hartford LIFE; Mara Dresner
Behind the Crossroads Hardware closing decision; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Commuter Coffee says goodbye at Railroad Place; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Mitchells: Guided 60 years by a mom & pop philosophy; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Broadcast
Attracting Amazon: How much Connecticut spent to become home to HQ2; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Dave Michnowicz
Chic-Fil-A; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Korey Wilson, Leah Principe
Jump drum; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Rolling video games; News 12; Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood
Wanke’s Yankee; News 12; Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Continuing Coverage

Regional A
Is school desegregation working?; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jake Kara
The 2016 general election; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas
A neighborhood is upended by flooding; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Busy year for public campaign financing; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Coverage of controversial Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim’s campaign for governor; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart
Harassment cover-up takes down a congresswoman; Connecticut Post; Dan Freedman, Rob Ryser, Kaitlyn Krasselt
The murder of a Bridgeport 12-year-old; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill, Daniel Tepfer
Bloomfield’s Blue Hills Fire District; Hartford Courant; Steven Goode
Fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Justin Brady; Hartford Courant; Staff of The Hartford Courant
Million-dollar blunder by the Connecticut Lottery Corp.; Hartford Courant; Jon Lender
Officer stabbed; Hartford Courant; Hartford Courant Staff
The brutal deaths of the Lindquist family; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, David Owens, Nicholas Rondinone
The Hartford Courant’s continuing coverage after the fatal stabbing of a West Hartford 12-year-old; Hartford Courant; Hartford Courant staff
Voters in CT suburbs, once reliably Republican, may power a blue wave in age of Trump; Hartford Courant; Daniella Altimari
Opiod crisis; The Day; Lindsay Boyle
Bullets over Brass City; Waterbury Republican-American; Jonathan Shugarts

Regional B
Caprilands coverage; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger
Haddam selectman blasted for electing to kneel for Pledge of Allegiance; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Coverage of Puerto Ricans and the issues they faced since evacuating after Hurricane Maria; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin, Jeniece Roman
Coverage of the May 2018 tornardo/microburst; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin, Matt Zabierek, Jeniece Roman, Bailey Wright, Devin Leith-Yessian, Lauren Sellew
Mold issues grow in Stamford schools; Stamford Advocate; Erin Kayata
Purdue faces uphill battle to overcome opioid controversy; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott

Hyperlocal
Lunch ladies battle for jobs; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Town wrestles with school security issues; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Portland dog on death row; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan
From recycling to rink; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell
Wall Street group seeks input on POKO; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
West Norwalk zoning approval draws resistance; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
More mold found at Coleytown Middle School; Westport News; Sophie Vaughn
At P&Z, strong opposition to medical marijuana facilities; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Broadcast
‘Nowhere to go’: Some CT Transit bus drivers wearing adult diapers on the job; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Courts/Crime

Regional A
Bridgeport PD: Juveniles slip through cracks with current laws; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Cop’s suit alleges retaliation; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Downfall of a favorite son; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Families despair over displaced remains at Park Cemetery; Connecticut Post; Daniel Tepfer
Navin pleads guilty to killing parents; Connecticut Post; Daniel Tepfer
Police: alleged killer of 12-year-old confessed; Connecticut Post; Daniel Tepfer
Police: Man robbed Ansonia bank to impress Taylor Swift; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill, Jim Shay
Third arrest made in 2016 Bridgeport murder; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Women, advocates seek end to stalking through court system; Connecticut Post; Emilie Munson
A missing mother and daughter, a double life, amnesia and finally — an arrest; Hartford Courant; Nicholas Rondinone
Life in a cult: fear, abuse; Hartford Courant; DavidOwens
No safe place; Hartford Courant; Jesse Leavenworth
With soccer dreams shattered, Mitchell Anderson to be sentenced for Dillon Stadium fraud; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Matthew Kauffman
Widow of Hamden man killed in 2016 accident questions police investigation; New Haven Register; Ben Lambert
One family’s sole survivor; The Day; Karen Florin

Regional B
Saved by the cell; Journal Inquirer; Alex Wood
Man facing deportation after Meriden court appearance used two identities, records show; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin
State police: Meriden City Councilor arrested during protest at courthouse; Record-Journal; Lauren Sellew, Matt Zabierek
Experts: Prevention of Claxton’s suicide not possible in Conn.; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton
Family, friends mourn woman’s death; The Chronicle; Claire Galvin
Norwalk father watches son play in Babe Ruth World Series, an immigration checkpoint changes all; The Hour; Justin Papp

Magazine
Wrongfully imprisoned for 27 Years, Mark Schand is finally living the life he always wanted; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Hyperlocal
Lunch ladies charged in half-million dollar scam; New Canaan News; Humberto Rocha
Asleep at the switch: Madison Police remove three dispatchers for sleeping on the job; The Source; Zoe Roos

Broadcast
Cellphone smuggled into juvenile jail; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, Jon Wardle-Photographer
Danger in the driver’s seat: Dozens of CT transit drivers report assaults; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz
Home companion arrest raises questions about hiring process; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison
HPD wrong way pursuit; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, David Michnowicz-Photographer
Time missing from video used to prosecute Greenwich official in sexual assault case; WNPR; David DesRoches

Data

Regional A
Costs and access still barriers to health care, survey finds; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kaitlyn Regan, Ryan Conchado, Kevin Crompton, Jailene Cuevas, Melanie Espinal, Jonathan Gonzalez, Andrew Hans, Megan Hill, Patrick Quinn O’Neill, August Pelliccio, Michael Riccio, Alyssa Rice
CT’s performance on ‘Nation’s Report Card’ doesn’t budge; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jake Kara
Totals don’t tell full story of drug overdoses; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Home prices across Connecticut have failed to recover since peak in 2007; Hartford Courant; Kenneth R. Gosselin
In divided territory, dispute rages on; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman
Gold Star sees 3 times more crashes in first year of construction; The Day; Lindsay Boyle, Carlos Virgen

Regional B
Where did our love go?; News-Times; Barry Lytton

Broadcast
Missing pieces: Guns stolen from CT suburbs turning up at crime scenes; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
Connecticut governor’s race: Where are contributions coming from?; WNPR; Patrick Skahill

Diversity Coverage

Regional A
A threat of depression: a trigger for toxic stress in children left behind; Connecticut Health I-Team; Sujata Srinivasan
Sickle cell patients suffer as disparities in care and research persist; Connecticut Health I-Team; Peggy McCarthy
Strategic outreach bridging gap in pregnancy-related outcomes; Connecticut Health I-Team; Elizabeth Heubeck
Yale program tackles kids’ obesity by teaching parents healthy eating habits; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner
Access to AP courses often elusive for low-income students; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
After tumultuous summer, Hartford police look to hire more minority officers; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth, Jenna Carlesso
Democrats draw heat on diversity of candidates; Hartford Courant; Neil Vigdor
Transgender women worry about access to surgery; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard
Norwich finally will recognize Ellis Ruley; The Day; Claire Bessette

Regional B
Rediscovering Little Liberia in Bridgeport; Fairfield County Business Journal; Phil Hall
Latino students face unique hurdles; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker
Black, Hispanic cops a minority on Danbury police force; News-Times; Zach Murdock
A year after Hurricane Maria, residents displaced from Puerto Rico still adjusting; Record-Journal; Jeniece Roman
Law and life undocumented: a Quinnipiac University student’s story; Record-Journal; Lauren Takores

Magazine
Spreading peace: Former gang member’s center focuses on resolving conflict; Hartford Magazine; Matthew Broderick
The spectrum of success; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Hyperlocal
Parents raise concerns about transgender kids; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Darien Dreamer talks of troubling time; Darien News; Humberto Rocha
Branford education board asked to better address district’s LGBTQ policy; The Sound; Pam Johnson
At conservative synagogue, 1,000 show solidarity with Squirrel Hill; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Essay winners: ‘Taking a knee’ was patriotism in action; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Broadcast
For a teen with Autism, being different was seen as being dangerous; WNPR; David DesRoches

Editorial

Regional A
America’s attitude to racism put to test; Connecticut Post; John Breunig
Arming teachers makes schools more dangerous; Connecticut Post; Jacqueline Smith
Casting light on shadows of 9/11; Connecticut Post; John Breunig
Dealing with the opioid health crisis; Connecticut Post; Jacqueline Smith
Smart guns could satisfy both sides in gun fight; Connecticut Post; John Breunig
You choose: Words that inspire — or inflame?; Connecticut Post; Jacqueline Smith
Elizabeth Esty must resign; Hartford Courant; Stephen Busemeyer
Haddam Selectwoman is owed an apology; Hartford Courant; Stephen Busemeyer
Why, Rhode Island, why?; Hartford Courant; Stephen Busemeyer
High court pick requires scrutiny; Waterbury Republican-American; Matthew Stevens
No parole for Centrella; Waterbury Republican-American; Matthew Stevens
University’s money sieve; Waterbury Republican-American; Matthew Stevens

Regional B
Keeping Sandy Hook investigation secret is inconsistent with democracy; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter
Meriden School Readiness Council operated in secret; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Fire shows what we’re grateful for; The Chronicle; Michael Lemanski
Unthinkable is now devastatingly routine in schools; The Hour; Nancy Shulins

Hyperlocal
Standing with Hearst in a ‘united defense of the First Amendment’; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman

Editorial Cartoon

Regional A
Fake news; The Day; Jacinta Meyers
Passing the buck; The Day; Jacinta Meyers

Regional B
Wallingford microburst hits twice; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski

Education

Regional A
How safe are Connecticut students at school?; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
No pressure, but … another principal takes over at Bassick; Connecticut Post; Linda Lambeck
State won’t step in to stop Stratford Academy demagnetization; Connecticut Post; Linda Lambeck
A gritty new lesson in casualty response; Hartford Courant; Mikaela Porter
Connecticut schools try anonymous reporting apps; Hartford Courant; Mikaela Porter
More tech school fallout; Hartford Courant; Jon Lender
Metropolitan Business Academy students show, not tell, on final exam; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Students decry anti-Semitism they say is rampant at Amity High; New Haven Register; Pam McLoughlin
Montville school officials’ emails shed light on reaction to classroom fighting; The Day; Benjamin Kail

Regional B
Greenwich schools consider menu overhaul after complaints; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker
Sacred Heart Greenwich threatens to ban student over Planned Parenthood sticker; Greenwich Time; Emilie Munson
After being bullied, Molly Deptula, 12, invented a way to catch such tormentors; Journal Inquirer; Jackie Nappo
Connecticut lags in providing school breakfast; News-Times; Julia Perkins
Despite little progress, more efforts underway to recruit minority teachers; News-Times; Zach Murdock
More women than men in life sciences but less in STEM; News-Times; Katrina Koerting
Torrington school officials mum on teacher’s leave; file says conduct with students investigated; Register Citizen; Ben Lambert

Magazine
A leadership boost; Hartford Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Rhona Free: On coeducation, risk-taking and social justice; Hartford Magazine; Kathleen Megan

Hyperlocal
Parents banned from eating lunch with children at Darien schools; Darien News; Lynandro Simmons
Jonathan Law limits bathroom access to combat vaping; Milford Mirror; Jill Dion
Mothers blast Norwalk’s new preschool facility; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
Norwalk Board of Ed retreats to chart path forward; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
West Rocks controversy intensifies as some cry ‘witch hunt’; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
Canine search policies emerging across the county; New Canaan News; Humberto Rocha
Town and school officials work to tackle rise in e-cigarette use among teens; The Source; Zoe Roos
Staples students, victims of sexual assault, look to change school policy; Westport News; Justin Papp
At Staples graduation, focus is on growth, not elitism; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
In wake of anti-semitic chants, safe schools top board agenda; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Broadcast
Cyberthreats become disruption in Connecticut schools; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison
The high cost of educating students displaced by Hurricane Maria; NBC 30; Shyang Puri,Garett Allison
Boy meets world; News 12; Marissa Alter, Mark Sogofsky
Are private special ed schools better? An unanswerable question, state audit says; WNPR; David DesRoches
Connecticut’s rural schools get creative to stay viable; WNPR; David DesRoches

Feature Photo

Regional A
A finish line and a starting point; Connecticut Post; Brian Pounds
Carnival ride; Connecticut Post; Brian Pounds
Lemonade 50-cents!; Connecticut Post; Christian Abraham
Aim high; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Arbor Day for Maven; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Barn reading; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Ever cold; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Noank light; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Sweat and tears; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Welcome back; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
World Cup viewing; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Bundled walk; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
Camp No Limits; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Easter Bunny; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Madison graduation; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
Stilt walker; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Bat dance; The Day; Dana Jensen
Cancer wedding; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Fan photo; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Frozen seafood; The Day; Dana Jensen
Grilling in the rain; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Hair flip; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Homecoming proposal; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Lizard encounter; The Day; Dana Jensen
Sunrise ritual; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Last flight on the Liberator; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill Shettle

Regional B
Forward pass; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore
Wild man; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore
Mail roots; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Up in the air with acro yoga; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack
Creating a whirlwind; Stamford Advocate; Matthew Brown
Setting forth; Stamford Advocate; Matthew Brown
Jumping for joy; The Chronicle; Roxanne Pandolfi
Diversity on display at NICE Festival; The Hour; Erik Trautmann
Shipside at the shore; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Magazine
Still extraordinary after all these years; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
The Diaper Bank of Connecticut; Seasons Magazine; Tony Bacewicz
The spectrum of success; Seasons Magazine; Allegra Anderson

Hyperlocal
Drawing a crowd; Harbor News; Kelley Fryer
Compo cloud; WestportNow.com; Anna-Liisa Nixon
Compo dawn; WestportNow.com; Mark Molesworth
Greeting daddy; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff
It got late early; WestportNow.com; Helen Klisser During
Sparkling night; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff
Waiting; WestportNow.com; Mark Molesworth

Feature Story

Regional A
Rising rx prices forcing critical choices; states may be last hope for consumers; Connecticut Health I-Team; Sujata Srinivasan
School-based mental health centers play vital role for Hispanic and black students; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner
Bravest of the drag queens; Connecticut Post; Michael Mayko
Bridgeport firefighters practice mayday drills every day; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Undercover treasure; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
A ‘horrific’ scene unfolds; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
Dancing the night away; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth
From tears to Cinderella at prom; Hartford Courant; David Owens
If these walls could talk; Hartford Courant; Jesse Leavenworth
A year later, a New Haven mother grieves over 14-year-old’s unsolved slaying; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard
Bun Lai, Miya’s forage an international reputation with sustainable sushi and cocktails; New Haven Register; Joe Amarante
Connecticut libraries adapting to community needs; New Haven Register; Viktoria Sundqvist
New Haven philanthropist: ‘I’ve learned a lot about rich people’; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Training empowers everyday people to help save lives; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
West Haven’s Savin Rock once ‘Connecticut’s Coney Island’; New Haven Register; Albert Yuravich
Building the Gold Star; The Day; John Ruddy
Celebrating the Armistice; The Day; John Ruddy
Getting back in the saddle; The Day; Karen Florin
An end to the fighting; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael DeGirolamo Jr.
Fighting hate; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael DeGirolamo Jr.

Regional B
Second-hand retailer Euphoria mixes commerce, community; Fairfield County Business Journal; Phil Hall
Coach Matt: To players, recent grad exemplifies Greenwich High Rugby; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker
Greenwich citizens face the heat during fire simulation training; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker
Concrete crisis joins women; Journal Inquirer; Eric Bedner
Coastal town offers a sheltering sky; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Nativity display, atheist banner spark debate in Bethel; News-Times; Julia Perkins
Gaylord patient joins star-studded cast including Adam Sandler, Chris Rock of Netlfix movie; Record-Journal; Devin Leith-Yessian
Lost, but not forgotten: Meriden’s Vietnam casualties; Record-Journal; Leigh Tauss

Magazine
Is a lost treasure buried in Bridgeport’s Seaside Park?; Connecticut Magazine; Michael Bielawa
The ancient tradition of seeking sanctuary in churches has been reborn in Connecticut; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
Hartford landfill: Transformed from Mount “Trashmore” to a haven for wildlife; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan
Service dog frauds: The safety of truly dependent people could be at risk; Hartford Magazine; Leonard Felson
Talking with the bear: The million-pound man, Jamie McDonald of Bear’s Smokehouse; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
A room of their own: Local couple’s efforts provide peace and comfort in difficult times; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
An evolving story: Read to Grow’s mission and impact keep growing; Seasons Magazine; Amy J. Barry
Coming to America; Seasons Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
Music Haven tunes in to New Haven’s neediest kids; Seasons Magazine; Amy J. Barry

Hyperlocal
Whimsical trail brings hope to Belltown; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan
Quite a find: Stone tools estimated at more than one million years old; Milford Mirror; Jill Dion
Ballet star and Soviet defector finds welcoming home, rising talent in Norwalk; NancyonNorwalk; Rachel Baron
Race. Wreck. Fix. Repeat; The Source; Pem McNerney
Grand marshal Larry Aasen on war and remembrance; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Broadcast
Hating on CT; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison
Rejected: Vanity license plates you won’t see on the road; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle
A new normal; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Ethan’s last homerun; News 12; Suzanne Goldklang, Robert Cook
Ice breaker; News 12; Mark Sudol
Jake; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Matt Grindle, Lori Golias
Mysterious suitcase helps Connecticut man discover his grandfather’s WWII service; WNPR; David DesRoches
Puppies raised in prison go on to help disabled veterans; WNPR; David DesRoches

General Column

Regional A
Mothers are dying in childbirth; why isn’t anyone talking about it?; Connecticut Health I-Team; Susan Campbell
Disenfranchising felons from the vote isn’t just wrong; it’s dumb; Connecticut Mirror; Chandra Bozelko
Governor Malloy, you can grant parolees the right to vote; Connecticut Mirror; Chandra Bozelko
Local journalism then and now; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan
On Memorial Day, reverence and sadness; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan
The extraordinary life of Les Payne; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan
Hello, it’s time to fight hate; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Politically, a dead man walking?; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Side issues are the economy; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar
Ten years after Lehman Brothers, the American Empire is (still) fading; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar
The ballad of the Depression Kid; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
The gun industry’s ho-hum approach to 3D printing; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar
I lived in Africa, the President has no idea; Hartford Courant; Rand Richards Cooper
Jon Lender: $480K for blocks of color on UConn lobby’s wall; Hartford Courant; Jon Lender
State Rep Angel Arce urged to resign following questions about text exchanges; Hartford Courant; Jon Lender
Connecticut Landmarks neglects 1700s Stonington house, despite endowment; The Day; David Collins

Regional B
How Hartford shafts brutality victims, cops and citizens at large; Inquiring News; Andy Thibault
The downfall of Elizabeth Esty; News-Times; Jacqueline Smith
Wayne LaPierre, how dare you?; News-Times; Jacqueline Smith
When a Welcome Center is anything but; News-Times; Jacqueline Smith
Newsrooms unite in support of a free press; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
We could sure use Lincoln today; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Birth mother vs. bio mother; Stamford Advocate; Deborah DiSesa Hirsch
Empty nest, packed emotions; Stamford Advocate; Deborah DiSesa Hirsch
Ex-judge guilty of bad judgment; Stamford Advocate; John Breunig
News events stir darkest thoughts; Stamford Advocate; Deborah DiSesa Hirsch
Nimble numbers on salary chart; Stamford Advocate; John Breunig
Through the looking glass of news coverage; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton

Magazine
In our midst: Garage of dreams; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
In our midst: How she heals; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
In our midst: Key man; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper

Hyperlocal
Musings from Mara; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner
Bill Seiden, 91: A reporter’s retrospective; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Government

Regional A
CT’s legacy of debt; Connecticut Mirror; Keith Phaneuf
In this neighborhood, at least, no one says no to Joe Ganim; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas
Stefanowski’s last employer is barred here. Does it matter?; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas
Audit: state agency inflated job creation; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings
Documents detail $35,500 in off-the-books scrap sales; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart
Malloy myth is dead wrong; he slashed state spending; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar
Officials skip beach event; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
State pension funds invested in gun makers; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings
State Police, mental health workers, make highest overtime pay; Connecticut Post; Emilie Munson
Two state bills tackle sex harassment; Connecticut Post; Emilie Munson
Why Connecticut can’t adopt big economic reforms; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar
City of broken stuff; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth
Connecticut politics take a toxic turn; Hartford Courant; Neil Vigdor
New debate stirs over Hartford’s residency requirement; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Vinny Vella
Aiming to inflate safety, towns deal a blow to ‘tube men’; The Day; Erica Moser
An optimist among the city’s empty storefronts; The Day; Greg Smith

Regional B
Prison health care compromised; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Overtime pays for Danbury cop shortage; News-Times; Dirk Perrefort
Draft decision finds state police violated FOI with two-year records wait; Record-Journal; Mike Savino, Lauren Sellew
Stefanowski campaign requests challengers at polls; Record-Journal; Mike Savino
Developer BLT seeks new tax district to expand footprint in Stamford neighborhood; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton

Magazine
A day in the life; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper 

Hyperlocal
Fewer Republicans, more Democrats could be signs of a coming blue wave; Darien News; Lynandro Simmons
East Hampton hub ballots destroyed, questions remain; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan
Six streets, three names: Saybrook eyes a switch; Harbor News; Aviva Luria
Norwalk wired $900K to scammers; may settle reimbursement lawsuit; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman

Broadcast
Structurally deficient bridges in Connecticut at risk for closure; NBC 30; Shyang Puri, Garett Allison
Tenant troubles; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison
Haskell wins; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Meninno
Connecticut has given private schools over $3M in public cash for security upgrades; WNPR; David DesRoches

Headline

Regional A
Grits, froyo, sweetings; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier
Peonies, chocolate, words; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier
Custer’s last strand?; The Day; Joe Turco
In the merry merry month of May; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B
At sixes and sevens/A springer in her step/Before you go, go; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum
Mettle, zen, taps; News-Times; Lynn Schnier
Unorthodox sanctuaries/Spring in step/ Marilyn moon row; Stamford Advocate; Ashley Winchester

Magazine
Super bowl/Savage garden/The Twain you shall meet; Connecticut Magazine; Albert Yuravich

Hyperlocal
Three speeds, one mission etc; The Sound; Pam Johnson
RTM to utility wires: We will bury you; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff

Health

Regional A
ADHD drug use rises sharply among young women; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner
Costs and access still barriers to health care, survey finds; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kaitlyn Regan, Ryan Conchado, Kevin Crompton, Jailene Cuevas, Melanie Espinal, Jonathan Gonzalez, Andrew Hans, Megan Hill, Patrick Quinn O’Neill, August Pelliccio, Michael Riccio, Alyssa Rice
HPV-related cancer rates outpace vaccine rates; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner
Street medicine: Helping the homeless where they live; Connecticut Health I-Team; Steve Hamm
Threat of deportation: A trigger for toxic stress in children left behind; Connecticut Health I-Team; Sujata Srinivasan
Connecticut’s elusive health information exchange; Connecticut Mirror; Julia Werth
The 1918 flu pandemic: Could it happen today?; Connecticut Post; Amanda Cuda
Fil Montanye, breast cancer survivor; Hartford Courant; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Former Middletown swimmer putting a face to PTSD; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye
From tears to Cinderella at prom; Hartford Courant; David Owens
Jackson Lab goes all in on mice; Hartford Courant; Stephen Singer
Living with metastatic breast cancer; Hartford Courant; Theresa Sullivan Barger
PrEP could help end new HIV infections completely, but barriers remain; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Stroke victims can receive treatment up to 24 hours later; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard
Suicidal man kills himself after hospital discharges him; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard

Regional B
New Bicentennial Pond Universal Trail is designed for those with limited mobility; Connecticut Times; Corey Sipe
New FDA focus on homeopathy raises concern among practitioners; Fairfield County Business Journal; Phil Hall
Every time they shoot up could be the last; Journal Inquirer; Zachary F. Vasile
After surviving teenage suicide attempt, Wallingford woman creating awareness; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin
Former lawyer, convict, helps addicts recover; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin

Magazine
Psychedelic drugs show promise for treatment of PTSD; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
A doctor in your phone; Hartford Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Smarter diets; Hartford Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Hyperlocal
When it comes to suicide prevention, direct is best; Guilford Courier; Pem McNerney
Schools grapple with handling sexual assault complaints; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Broadcast
Dirty school air; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, David Michnowicz-Photographer, Garett Allison-Photographer
Laser hair removal services; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Nailed by complaints: Issues plaguing Connecticut nail salons; NBC 30; Shyang Puri

Humorous Column

Regional A
Here’s my beef: Fast food debacle sends writer on quest; Connecticut Post; Amanda Cuda
Understudies fail to shine with the same script; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Where do they get the notion?; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
You’re in the bathroom, get off your phone; Hartford Courant; Rand Richards Cooper

Regional B
Sears was the Amazon of its time; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter
The worst drivers in the galaxy are from Massachusetts; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter
Isn’t It Romantic?; Stamford Advocate; Jerry Zezima
News cycle sets Kid’s wheels turning; Stamford Advocate; John Breunig
Out to lunch at Victoria’s Secret; Stamford Advocate; Jerry Zezima
A job performance that comes naturally; The Chronicle; Traci Hastings
Sofa, I need to move on to another; The Chronicle; Traci Hastings

Magazine
If the shoe fits; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
Me time; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
The cargument; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
A clean break; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks
A day to forgive; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks
Gooey goodness; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks

Hyperlocal
Matter of opinion; Stamford Magazine; Beth Levine
Crocodile tears, laughs and old-time politicking; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

In-Depth

Regional A
Consumers feel sticker shock as out-of-pocket health care costs rise; Connecticut Health I-Team; Sujata Srinivasan
Outreach programs target asthma hot spots, but more help is needed; Connecticut Health I-Team; Steve Hamm
Staffing levels, culture challenge quality of nursing home care; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner
Pressing question for CT: A state tax break for private school tuition?; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
‘Not politically correct’; Gov candidate Lumaj is hard to pin down; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt
Connecticuts road to tolls goes through RI; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings
Ganim taps local, family money for gubernatorial war chest; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart
Lumaj gave campaign funds to a charity based in his law office; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt
Pension push coming to shove; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
A killer’s obsession: Writings outline descent into darkness, despair; Hartford Courant; Josh Kovner, Dave Altimari
Jon Lender: Who is this ‘Jessica Monroe’? Does she exist? Or, police ask, is she Jon Landry?; Hartford Courant; Jon Lender
Life in a cult: fear, abuse; Hartford Courant; David Owens
Nearly three quarters of Hartford children live in areas with high rates of gun violence; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye
UConn School Of Medicine Professor Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi found dead, Wife charged with murder; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, David Owens
With soccer dreams shattered, Mitchell Anderson to be sentenced for Dillon Stadium fraud; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Matthew Kauffman
Immigrants shaped New Haven of today; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
New Haven was birth place of the modern telephone; New Haven Register; Viktoria Sundqvist
Transportation key to region’s past and future; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard
Scientists, offshore wind developer look to minimize marine life impacts; The Day; Benjamin Kail
An East Lyme family’s honest obituary; The Day; Lindsay Boyle
Left behind: Navy families navigate life at home; The Day; Julia Bergman

Regional B
Four takeaways from Cyber Risk Insights Conference for businesses and consumers; Connecticut Times; Corey Sipe
Report: More Greenwich families struggling financially; Greenwich Time; Hannah Dellinger
Ousted residents never had their say; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Man shot by Meriden police says he was racially profiled and felt threatened by undercover unit; Record-Journal; Matt Zabierek
Maintenance deferred: Without funding, problems can grow like … mold; Stamford Advocate; Erin Kayata
Opioid crisis fuels massive litigation against Purdue Pharma; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott
An unforgettable fire; The Chronicle; Ekaterine Tchelidze
Cop shot in on-duty accident denied workers’ compensation; The Hour; Pat Tomlinson
In historically poor neighborhoods, success is elusive; The Hour; Justin Papp

Magazine
The battle to preserve Plum Island; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
King’s death sparked riots in Hartford 50 years ago: A look at the lasting effects; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan
State of the state’s environment: Concerns include pollution, pesticides, weaker enforcement; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan
From Sound to source; Seasons Magazine; Donna Caruso-Bowden
New Haven heroes; Seasons Magazine; Jodie Mozdzer Gil, Cindy Simoneau
Summer of discontent; Seasons Magazine; James Battaglio

Hyperlocal
Shoreline gathers for March for Our Lives; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Race. Wreck. Fix. Repeat; The Source; Pem McNerney

Broadcast
A nightmare at sea; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Bear hunt in CT?; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison
Consignment shop sold; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Firefighter PTSD; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, David Michnowicz, Jon Wardle
The push for ‘green’ cemeteries in Connecticut; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle

Infographic Design

Regional B
Create your own budget; Record-Journal; Ron Rainey, Richie Rathsack

Magazine
Apples to apples; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody
Recycling: In or out?; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Infographic Reporting

Regional A
An interactive look at development in Hartford; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Kenneth Gosselin, Timothy Reck
See how your town fares in home price recovery; Hartford Courant; Kenneth R. Gosselin

Investigative

Regional A
Nurses’ drug abuse top cause of disciplining, but once sober, some nurses get relicensed; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish, Carl Jordan Castro
Staffing levels, culture challenge quality of nursing home care; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner
Denied: A look into inmate healthcare; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Clarice Silber
Connecticut’s aging gas lines cause concern; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings
Ex-justices aided GOP strategt vs. McDonald; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Not politically correct governor candidate; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt
Race for Gov; contrast of words, business; business record under scrutiny; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Scrutiny of corrections officers rattles Connecticut’ prisons; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings
Wealthy parents boost Joe Ganim’s fortunes; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart
A killer’s obsession: Writings outline descent into darkness, despair; Hartford Courant; Josh Kovner, Dave Altimari
Council’s food bill tops $2,500; Hartford Courant; Steven Goode
Texts, lies and videotape; Waterbury Republican-American; Jonathan Shugarts

Regional B
Andover figure lost job over lewdness; Journal Inquirer; Emily Brindley
Lyman Hall gym teacher resigned after student complaints of sexual harassment; Record-Journal; Matt Zabierek
Scaife keeps in touch, on city’s dime; Record-Journal; Leigh Tauss

Hyperlocal
Police investigation shows safety concerns ahead of dredging death at Guilford Yacht Club; Guilford Courier; Zoe Roos

Broadcast
Letters from Whiting; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, Jon Wardle-Photographer, Matthew Glasser-Producer
Mortuary mixup; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Nailed by complaints: Issues plaguing Connecticut nail salons; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
For a teen with Autism, being different was seen as being dangerous; WNPR; David DesRoches
Greenwich employee details retaliation and betrayal two years after alleged assault; WNPR; David DesRoches

Leisure

Regional A
A fresh start 27 years later; Hartford Courant; Don Stacom
Carbone’s celebrates 80 years as landmark; Hartford Courant; Leeanne Griffin
Homecoming of sorts for Danny Meyer; Hartford Courant; Leeanne Griffin
What makes a great fried clam?; The Day; Mary Biekert

Regional B
Much to see for all ages at Railroad Museum & enjoy the Rails to Trails on Connecticut Trails Day; Neighbors Paper; Corey Sipe

Magazine
Perfectly imperfect heirloom apples are making a comeback; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
At home in the kitchen: Top chefs share their secrets; Hartford Magazine; Kelly Vaughan
Barbecue – Hot stuff: Your guide to everything smoky, saucy and sloppy; Hartford Magazine; Kelly Vaughan
Barcelona – Walking the city: Its riches unfold for travelers on foot; Hartford Magazine; Joan DeNatale Green and Rick Green
Block Island: Little island of God; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
Grand Canyon or bust: 900 miles through the splendid southwest; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
Scarborough Farm: Historic Hartford garden now In Smithsonian archives; Hartford Magazine; Nancy Schoeffler
Seaside swirl; Hartford Magazine; Nancy Schoeffler, Maria Valentino
The Flying Monkey; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
The village of Sleepy Hollow: A heady October getaway; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire
An ode to pasta; Seasons Magazine; Alycia Chrosniak
Faux ceviche; Seasons Magazine; Prudence Sloane
Literary landmarks; Seasons Magazine; Lori Miller Kase

Hyperlocal
Perfecting perfection in the Village of Essex; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney

Broadcast
Food and fun; News 12; Sean McCabe, Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Local Reporting

Regional A
2014 stabbing death of Melissa Millan; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, David Owens, Nicholas Rondinone
New debate stirs over Hartford’s residency requirement; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Vinny Vella
Official takes a knee; Hartford Courant; Daniela Altimari
Scary bear encounters; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
School officers must walk a fine line; Hartford Courant; Jesse Leavenworth
The Artists Collective, Hartford’s storied north end arts group, makes a final push for survival; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Susan Dunne
Timeline of a drowning; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth
For domestic violence survivors, homelessness can be fear, reality; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
The tale of two crashes; The Day; Benjamin Kail

Regional B
Analysis: The battle for the 150th came down to Byram; Greenwich Time; Hannah Dellinger
It’s in God’s hands; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger and Jackie Nappo
Homeless: A life and death in Danbury; News-Times; Zach Murdock
Towns struggle with cost of removing ash trees killed by invasive pest; News-Times; Katrina Koerting
Former Klan leader second in command of Wallingford VFW post; Record-Journal; Matt Zabierek
Meriden hires auditor after clerical error leads to $3.4m in uncollected taxes; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin
Study: Westover should have been tested for mold in 2009; Stamford Advocate; Erin Kayata
Local firefighter’s near death sparks vital discussions; The Chronicle; Michelle Firestone
Social workers: Fostering love; The Chronicle; Ekaterine Tchelidze, Claire Galvin
Remaining Washington Village residents struggle with deteriorating conditions; The Hour; Justin Papp

Hyperlocal
Bluepoint Wellness: Marijuana as blueprint for pain control; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Hallelujah ban angers Sliney parents, children; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Airbnb regulation blasted as ‘political’; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan
City reacts to increase in homeless population; Milford Mirror; Jill Dion
South Norwalkers report sewage pit, rats, gas leak at Washington Village; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
Residents grapple with salty wells; News-Times; Katrina Koerting
A major problem at the 11th hour for Scranton Library; The Source; Zoe Roos
500 Main St.: Why has “the most dangerous intersection in Westport” never been fixed?; Westport News; Sophie Vaughn
Westport restaurant removes racially insensitive drink from menu; Westport News; Sophie Vaughn

Broadcast
Condo chaos; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Crumbling concrete & grand lists; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Michnowicz
About time; News 12; Sean McCabe, Christopher Wood, Lori Golias
Young journalist; News 12; John Craven, Christopher Wood
Proposal to turn rock quarry into reservoir faces mountain of opposition; WNPR; Patrick Skahill

News Photo

Regional A
A deepening crisis; Connecticut Post; Brian Pounds
Bitter rivals; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar
Boy drowns in Bridgeport backyard pool.; Connecticut Post; Christian Abraham
Community and school confront gun violence.; Connecticut Post; Ned Gerard
Eternal unrest at Park Cemetery; Connecticut Post; Christian Abraham
Crash scene; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Freedom; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Jahana Hayes wins; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Lucky shots; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Missing girls remembered; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Perfect match; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Police officer steps in; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Respect and shame; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Student walkout; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Drugs on the Green; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
First selectman split; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
March for our Lives; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Candlelight vigil; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Car fire; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Immigration rally; The Day; Dana Jensen
Leaving Sanctuary; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Murder victim vigil; The Day; Dana Jensen
Pledge protest; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Quilt of valor; The Day; Dana Jensen
Street flooding; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Tearful testimony; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Driver disrupts crash site; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Shannon
Factory ravaged by fire; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Shannon
Fire destroys ‘everything’; Waterbury Republican-American; Jonathan Shugarts
Firefighter’s shadow at three-alarm blaze; Waterbury Republican-American; Bruno Matarazzo Jr.
Hayes defeats Glassman; Waterbury Republican-American; Steven Valenti

Regional B
Jahana Hayes makes history; News-Times; H. John Voorhees III
Lockdown at WCSU was false alarm; News-Times; H. John Voorhees III
Grabbing some gear after the storm; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack
Police train for a school shooting response; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
A high tech holiday; The Chronicle; Amar Batra
Automotive inferno; The Chronicle; Lulu Rodriguez
Four responders of fire apocalypse; The Chronicle; Roxanne Pandolfi
Fewer Norwalkers work in home city; The Hour; Erik Trautmann
Service ackowledged; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Hyperlocal
We need change; The Source; Kelley Fryer
A wave goodbye; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff
Catching a cop; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff
Sad afternoon; WestportNow.com; Dave Matlow

Non-Page 1 Layout

Regional A
UConn basketball preview; Connecticut Post; Chris McNamee
Enough; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore
Pups that paint; Hartford Courant; Molly Arnio
Searching for success; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore
Suds & songs; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore
Paradise blue; New Haven Register; Sue Nusbaum
Punch up your picnic; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier
Season’s sweetings; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier
‘They told me not to go’; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier
Echoes; The Day; Maria Reagan
Grain fed, pasture raised; The Day; Scott Ritter
The sad tale of our Dark Knight; The Day; Scott Ritter
Vintage mania; The Day; Maria Reagan

Regional B
Clash of the quarterback titans; Greenwich Time; Chris McNamee
Greenwich Town Party; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum
Big 10 bound: Berlin native Burby signs letter of intent to play for Rutgers; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Crews to the rescue; News-Times; Sue Nusbaum

Magazine
How to beach – Non-page1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore
The ultimate “Hamilton” quiz: Non-page 1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore

Page 1 Layout

Regional A
New Haven Top 50; New Haven Register; Alyson Bowman
All but forgotten; The Day; Melissa Johnson, Jacinta Meyers
Arts by the numbers; The Day; Maria Reagan
We the people …; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn

Regional B
Greenwich Time A1 12.2.18; Greenwich Time; Lynn Schnier
Ship wrecked; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum
News-Times A1 10.27.18; News-Times; Lynn Schnier
News-Times A1 10.28.18; News-Times; Lynn Schnier
An unforgettable fire; The Chronicle; Jennifer Lemanski
National Walkout Day: Stop spilling our blood; The Chronicle; Lauren Flaum
The year that was; The Hour; Sue Nusbaum

Magazine
Cover: The changing city; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore
Inspired: A renaissance of young artists – Page 1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore, Patrick Raycraft
Top chefs share secrets – page 1/cover layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore, Patrick Raycraft

Photo Essay

Regional A
The year in photos; Connecticut Post; Brian Pounds
Convention season; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Courtroom anger in aftermath of Enfield murder; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Farm family tradition ends with an auction, and tears; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Finding sanctuary; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Year of the dog; New Haven Register; Sue Nusbaum, Peter Hvizdak
Gun rights rally; The Day; Dana Jensen
Holding down the homefront; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Pointe shoe fitting; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Shearing the Sheep; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Swabs report in; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Underwater hockey; The Day; Sarah Gordon

Regional B
Lighting the sky; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore
Snowclone; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum, Tyler Sizemore
Crews to the rescue; News-Times; Sue Nusbaum, Christian Abraham
Dance of the ages; News-Times; H. John Voorhees III
SoNo Community Association Thankgiving; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Magazine
Our changing city; Hartford Magazine; Nancy Schoeffler, Cloe Poisson, Chris Moore
Going all in on New Haven’s future; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
Mind, body & soul: mActivity is a different kind of fitness center; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
New perspective: Former Elm City mayor John DeStefano, Jr. is looking to the future; Seasons Magazine; Tony Bacewicz
The raw, the cooked, the bowls and the boiling; Seasons Magazine; Nick Caito
Weekend away in style; Seasons Magazine; Todd Fairchild

Hyperlocal
Women’s marches: Power to the polls; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Marching Bears hold Spirit Night; NancyonNorwalk; Bob Welsh
Pride in the Park draws thousands to Norwalk; NancyonNorwalk; Bob Welsh
Scenes from SoNo ArtsFest 2018; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman, Bob Welsh
Gallery: Washington ‘March for Our Lives’ rally; WestportNow.com; Helen Klisser During
Gallery: Westport candlelight march; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff, Dave Matlow, Lynn U. Miller, J.C. Martin

Religion

Regional A
Breast cancer survivor; Hartford Courant; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Painstaking, sacred work; Hartford Courant; Jordan Otero Sisson
In Connecticut, private schools don’t have to teach reading, math; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard
Fighting deportation, couple stays at church; The Day; Erica Moser

Regional B
Joined in grief and faith; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Florida couple hopes to establish Presbyterian church in Wallingford; Record-Journal; Bailey Wright
‘A different style of church’ — Megachurch Hillsong makes home in Norwalk; The Hour; Justin Papp

Hyperlocal
Bishop takes control of St. Paul’s Church in Darien; Darien News; Lynandro Simmons
Rector to stay amid tensions; Darien News; Humberto Rocha
A new mission for Sister Caroline; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Broadcast
Church loses faith in contractor; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Stations of the cross; News 12; Frank Recchia, Mark Sogofsky

Reporting Series

Regional A
Connecticut’s vanishing shoreline; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel
Extreme inequality: Connecticut’s wealth dilemma; Connecticut Mirror; Keith Phaneuf, Clarice Silber, Jake Kara
Connecticut cold cases; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
New Haven Top 50; New Haven Register; New Haven Register Staff
Helping hands; The Day; Julia Bergman, Amanda Hutchinson, Kimberly Drelich, Karen Florin, Erica Moser, Mary Biekert

Regional B
Transfer trauma; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Serving up love: The Covenant Soup Kitchen; The Chronicle; Claire Galvin

Hyperlocal
This is ABC; 06880: Where Westport Meets the World; Dan Woog, Susan Woog Wagner
Celebrating seniors; Valley Courier; Rita Christopher

Broadcast
At a price! The high cost of local town living; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Shyang Puri, Dan Corcoran, Jill Konopka, Max Reiss, Matthew Glasser, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jon Wardle, David Michnowicz, Steve Pancione
CT do better; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Shyang Puri, Dan Corcoran, Matthew Glasser, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jon Wardle,David Michnowicz

Sports Column

Regional A
Luis Angel Rosa Jr.- The kind warrior lives on; Connecticut Post; Jeff Jacobs
As records fall at girls State Open track, debate rages over transgender issue; GameTimeCT.com; Jeff Jacobs
Baseball helps put a Song in Evan’s broken heart; GameTimeCT.com; Jeff Jacobs
A role model, flaws and all; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony
Family, legacy led Dan Hurley to UConn; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore
For Lindy Remigino, 10 seconds of Olympic glory translated into a lifetime of transforming lives; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley
Legend hasn’t missed a beat; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore
Ollie doesn’t deserve to be exiled forever; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony
Whalers night just fell flat; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony

Regional B
Culture change: New Britain football sees recent season as strong building block for program; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Trust has been just as important as talent for Berlin football this season; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Clyde Washburn: A life well lived; The Chronicle; Mike Sypher

Sports Feature

Regional A
Rowing opens opportunities, especially for female athletes; Connecticut Post; Doug Bonjour
UConn’s Molly Bent finds motivation by watching younger sister with Down syndrome; Connecticut Post; Doug Bonjour
Epic rock-paper-scissors battle settles SCC baseball quarterfinal matchup; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Pagagua
The growing pressure and demands of coaching each year lead to some asking: ‘Is it even worth it?’; GameTimeCT.com; Doug Bonjour
Driven to win on the court; Hartford Courant; Kelli Stacy
ESPN’s bald mountain; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman
Grandest goal; Hartford Courant; Shawn McFarland
Next generation of champion water-skiers taking flight in Avon Pond; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley
Connecticut players starring for Division I teams across the nation; New Haven Register; David Borges
Football: UConn receiver Kyle Buss inspired, empowered by his mother’s memory; New Haven Register; Jim Fuller
UConn’s Dan Hurley, Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley bonded by brotherhood and basketball; New Haven Register; David Borges
Amby Burfoot is giving it another go; The Day; Steve Fagin
For Stonington’s Candelet, it’s what you’d call a dream; The Day; Vickie Fulkerson
The comeback kid; Waterbury Republican-American; Mark Jaffee

Regional B
GHS hockey’s Mozian back from surgeries and scoring again; Greenwich Time; David Fierro
Sacred Heart’s Ryan Smith, an athlete for all seasons; Greenwich Time; David Fierro
‘I’ve never been a quitter,’ says ex-NFL player Amari Spievey; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Bessette to make UFC debut in Boston at TD Garden; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Biggest victory: After beating cancer, football more than game for New Britain’s Hernandez; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Right place, right time: Plainville grad gets unexpected shot with New Britain Bees; New Britain Herald; Paul Angilly
Two managers with autism ‘mean everything’ to Maloney football team; Record-Journal; Matt Zabierek
Season-ending injury cannot keep Kellner out of gym; Stamford Advocate; Scott Ericson
Gomez garners prestigious honor; The Chronicle; Richard Zalusky

Magazine
At UConn, Dan Hurley is taking on “the ultimate challenge”; Connecticut Magazine; David Borges
For Anne Worcester, this tennis tournament is a labor of love; Connecticut Magazine; Paul Doyle
Enjoying the ride; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Broderick

Hyperlocal
Remembering Frank ‘Coach’ Crisafi; East Haven Courier; PJ Foti
‘A very rewarding journey’; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner
A look into the conditioning of modern-day student-athletes; Guilford Courier; John Lecardo
Adakonis go-karts his way to top national ranking; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy

Broadcast
A life saving gift; News 12; Mark Sudol, Robert Cook
Big dreams; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Keith Sunthorn

Sports News

Regional A
Enfield football honors dead teammate; GameTimeCT.com; Paul Doyle
Coaches, parents question policy for high school transgender athletes; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley
Historically low attendance at UConn; Hartford Courant; Kelli Stacy
Playing with risk; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman
Silence for slain teammate; Hartford Courant; Kelli Stacy, Mikaela Porter
AAC upcoming TV deal will have huge ramifications for UConn, league; New Haven Register; David Borges
Elmira, N.Y. community turns out to support UConn linebacker Eli Thomas; New Haven Register; Jim Fuller
Mike Olt promises to hit home run for ailing mother — and delivers; New Haven Register; David Borges
NCAA investigating UConn men; New Haven Register; Jeff Jacobs
New UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley is exactly where he wants to be; New Haven Register; David Borges
Positionless basketball on display when rivals UConn, Notre Dame meet in Final Four; New Haven Register; Jim Fuller
WNBA stars unite for unforgettable birthday for 12-year-old fan; New Haven Register; Jim Fuller

Regional B
Barber, Muir unstoppable as Greenwich shuts out New Canaan for CIAC Class LL state title; Greenwich Time; David Fierro
Brusnwick’s Cornelius Johnson chooses Michigan; Greenwich Time; David Fierro
Big names don’t disappoint in opening round of Travelers Championship; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Gunn’s three touchdowns spark New Britain football over South Windsor, moves to 3-0; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
‘Small ball’ has big results for Bristol Junior American Legion Baseball team; New Britain Herald; Paul Angilly

Hyperlocal
Simsbury tops Avon for fifth straight win and Valley Gridiron Classic; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Old Saybrook boys’ soccer edges Morgan, 2-1, for first state title since 1983; Harbor News; Chris Negrini
North Haven softball claims first SCC title with 12-8 win over Amity; North Haven Courier; Chris Piccirillo
Alfredo finds success as rookie in NASCAR series; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy
Seter goes from football toss to spot on Georgia roster; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy
Trailblazer: Gaughran is first girl on Ridgefield LL travel team; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy

Sports Photo

Regional A
Fairfield Prep rallies to beat Shelton.; Connecticut Post; Christian Abraham
Hockey sketch; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Husky hockey; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Leap of faith; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Like father, like son; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Listen to the coach; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Reach for the win; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Rory takes a look; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Top of the heap; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Flying; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Hall defeats St. Luke’s; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
Hand touchdown; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
Hand vs. Windsor; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
Ice hockey celebration; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Championship goal; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Floor fight; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Goalie save; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Out at home; The Day; Dana Jensen
Safe at home; The Day; Dana Jensen
Three and one; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Touchdown dive; The Day; Dana Jensen
No. 1 Ansonia suffers heartbreaking loss; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill Shettle
The fighting Panthers; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Shannon
Up and over; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill Shettle

Regional B
Brunswick wrestlers win town crown; Greenwich Time; H. John Voorhees III
Cards top Darien in season opener; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore
Greenwich 34, New Canaan 0; Greenwich Time; H. John Voorhees III
Sarcone ends with a flourish; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore
Catching some air during Snocross; Record-Journal; Justin Weekes
Getting some air for an interception; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Powder Puff takedown; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Bognon lifts New Canaan; Stamford Advocate; Matthew Brown
Jordan tosses a gem; Stamford Advocate; Matthew Brown
Not as close as once thought; Stamford Advocate; H. John Voorhees III

Hyperlocal
Players and fans celebrate after winning in eight innings; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Record set; North Haven Courier; Kelley Fryer

Video Storytelling

Regional A
Street medicine: Helping the homeless where they live; Connecticut Health I-Team; Steve Hamm
2018 Class LL Football Championship preview: Greenwich New Canaan; GameTimeCT.com; Sean Bowley
Class L football preview; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Pagagua
Class S football preview; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Pagagua
From Friday lights to klieg lights, Sheehan’s Bogan stars on any stage; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Pagagua
Controlled burn; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Ella; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
End of an era at Greenbacker Farm in Durham; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
George Willard Coy and the first commercial telephone exchange; New Haven Register; Viktoria Sundqvist
Brian Merritt: From guitar player to guitar maker; The Day; Peter Huoppi
Make Music Day; The Day; Rick Koster, Peter Huoppi
New Johnny 5 reunite; The Day; Peter Huoppi, Rick Koster
Queen for a night; The Day; Tim Cook
Remembering Sgt. Grotjan; The Day; Tim Cook
Sanctuary church in Old Lyme; The Day; Tim Cook

Regional B
Christmas season brings Harry Potter, Phantom of the Opera and fiery hot cocoa to Cava; Record-Journal; Ashley Kus
Classic horror inspires this year’s Trail of Terror in Wallingford; Record-Journal; Ashley Kus
Kidcity museum in Middletown; Record-Journal; Bailey Wright
Organist keeps music alive at Meriden church; Record-Journal; Ashley Kus

Hyperlocal
Norwalk enjoys National Night Out; NancyonNorwalk; Harold Cobin
Norwalk plants trees at Roodner Court; NancyonNorwalk; Harold Cobin
Norwalkers test pedestrian routes, view art; NancyonNorwalk; Harold Cobin
Video: Interview with Justin Paul about Westport; WestportNow.com; Helen Klisser During
Video: Justin Paul back at Coleytown Middle School; WestportNow.com; Helen Klisser During
Video: Melissa Etheridge at Levitt Gala; WestportNow.com; J.C. Martin

Broadcast
Christopher Wood composite; News 12; Christopher Wood
Mark Sogofsky composite; News 12; Mark Sogofsky
Sex abuse at the Hotchkiss School: Woman shares her story; WNPR; Frankie Graziano
Waiting for supplies for his home, one Puerto Rican rebuilds another man’s house instead; WNPR; Ryan Caron King

Background on new venue for annual dinner

It’s time for making changes to the way we run our annual Excellence in Journalism awards dinner. Just as the media landscape is changing all around us, so should we. 

This year, we are trying a new type of venue for our awards dinner. Why? you ask. As most things, it comes down to money. 

The cost of hosting a sit-down dinner is becoming higher than the amount of money the chapter receives in organizing it. Simply put, CTSPJ is losing thousands of dollars each year because of the dinner.

The venue for the past two years has cost more than $4,000, and ticket sales have not been able to cover that amount. The chapter’s reserves have absorbed the deficits in recent years and can continue for the next decade or more, but it’s important the chapter reduce costs now in order to maintain existence much longer. Making changes is something the board has discussed for many years, but we decided last year to taking a hard look at other options available. 

Process:

At the July 1 board meeting, members voted unanimously to examine a different direction for its award dinners. In past few years, the dinners have been held at function facilities with a sit-down dinner in the suburbs. It was agreed that a new format, involving a buffet dinner either at a restaurant or at a rented space in a city would be best. Hartford and New Haven were discussed as locations to focus on, with a greater focus on sites near public transportation.

Board members were then tasked with finding possible locations and submitting them to discuss at a meeting in December. At that meeting, the board meet to review 16 recommendations in the two cities. Cost and capacity were the major issue in reducing the number of selections down to three: The Press in Hartford, City Steam in Hartford and Bar in New Haven.

A final site was picked on Jan. 12. Unfortunately, that venue later announced it would be unable to host our dinner due to its building being sold. The board then voted on a backup option: The Hawthorne, 2421 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin. 

This site offers plenty of free parking but is still near public transportation. Stay tuned for more options about this venue and details for buying your dinner ticket. 

2018 CTSPJ Scholarship Winner Shares Her Story

Shayla Farrow, from Stamford, is a junior at Howard University. She applied for the 2018 CTSPJ scholarship and received an award of $2,500. The deadline for the 2019 entries is May 1.

My first semester since winning the CTSPJ student scholarship

Entering my junior year of college brought on many questions and concerns for me. I was no longer an underclassman and I wondered what new responsibilities and challenges I would have to face. Being awarded the $2,500 Bob Eddy Scholarship from Connecticut’s Society of Professional Journalists also elicited a desire for me to do well.

I wanted CTSPJ members to know that they didn’t make a mistake in choosing me to be a scholarship recipient. So, I decided that I would work as hard as possible to make sure I had a successful first semester of junior year.

All of my friends who were upperclassmen warned me that junior year is when the difficulties of college really set in, but I knew I could not let these things cause me to lose focus of the bigger picture.

During my first semester as a junior, I’ve had some monumental achievements in my professional career. I was able to interview movie director, Malcolm D. Lee, and speak about his path to becoming a director and his recent works. This was a dream come true for me because I would have never imagined being able to interview a director, especially before graduating college.

In addition to my big interview, I had my first story published on the Howard University News Service. This semester allowed me to enhance my skills as a writer and even as a photographer. I was enrolled in a “Multimedia Storytelling” course that required me to write a new story and interview people every week. I also took a course in visual communication that focused on using pictures and images to capture a story. `

I was able to finish my semester strong and make the Dean’s List. By the end of the semester, my fears were out of the window and I was looking forward to what next semester would have in store for me.

As a new semester begins, I look forward to new classes, new stories to cover, and new opportunities with my internship at WHUR-FM. I am hopeful that this new semester will be just as good as or even better than the one before!

I encourage other journalism students to apply for this scholarship and not miss out on a great opportunity. The award goes far beyond money and it allows students to connect with some of the best journalists Connecticut has to offer!

NJ SPJ and The Deadline Club host podcasting workshop in NYC on March 16

[Show slideshow]

Here’s your chance to learn the basic skills of creating your own podcast.

In a one-day workshop on March 16, you can learn about the possibilities of podcasting, what makes for a good podcast and how to promote it.

We’ll also provide you with hands-on training for how to record, edit, script and produce a podcast.
The workshop is co-sponsored by The Deadline Club and the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

It will take place in the offices of Retro Report, 633 Third Ave., New York City.
The workshop will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. Instruction will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a break for lunch.

Participants must bring their own laptop computer and smart phone.

To register for the workshop, go here: https://conta.cc/2I9BNH4

Register before March 1 to take advantage of the early bird rate of $65 for professionals and $25 for students. After March 1, registration rises to $75 for professionals and $35 for students. The fee does not include lunch.

Speakers for this event include:

Alex Kapelman has produced content for WNYC, KCRW, Audible, and Gimlet Media. His audio work has been featured on NPR and BuzzFeed, and in publications like The Atlantic and New York Magazine; he has also been tapped as a contributor to NPR. Alex co-founded Pitch, a critically acclaimed narrative podcast series, and is the founder of Podcast Love, a podcast company that provides consulting for brands and teaching tools for podcasters.

He is also an adjunct journalism instructor at New York University. Alex will present on how to get great content, specifically tailored for podcasting.

Mike Savino produces a daily news podcast for the Record-Journal in Meriden, Ct. Mike oversees local and state government coverage for the newspaper. He is is a national board member of SPJ and president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information.

Mike will talk about the tools and techniques of podcasting.

John Ensslin is creator and producer of several podcasts, including Studio SPJ, Record Talk Radio and On the Record. John has worked for newspapers in New York, New Jersey and Colorado. He is a past national president of SPJ and is the current president of SPJ New Jersey.

John will talk about how to script and edit your podcast.

For more information on the workshop, call John Ensslin at 973-513-5632 or email him at johnensslin@gmail.com.

CT SPJ statement on gubernatorial candidate barring reporter from event

“It is absolutely unbecoming of a candidate for this state’s highest office to tell reporters they are ‘not welcome’ to cover a campaign event. Connecticut’s constitution reinforces the First Amendment right to a free press, and we would expect any candidate looking to oversee the executive branch to respect that. Candidates and public officials are free to disagree with any coverage, but they don’t have the right to decide who gets to cover them. The Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists also wants to express its solidarity with the other reporters who came to the aid of one of their colleagues.”

— Bruno Matarazzo, Connecticut Society of Professional Journalist president.