Dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.

 

1-A. DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Pam Sohn, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Waves of Destruction”

1-B. DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

HONORABLE MENTION:

Matthew Stewart, The Daily Times, “Track of Tears.”

2-A. DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING, RADIO

HONORABLE MENTION:

Chrissy Keuper, WUOT-FM, “Mulch Fire Results in Fish Kill”

2-B. DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING, TELEVISION

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Staff, WRCB-TV, “March 2 Tornadoes”

3-A. DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING, MEDIA ORGANIZATION-AFFILIATED INTERNET SITE

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel, “High-Security Break-in”

4-A. GENERAL REPORTING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

HONORABLE MENTION:

Mike Donila, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Funding For KCSO Has Steadily Risen”

THIRD PLACE:

Megan Boehnke, Knoxville News Sentinel, “UT Fracking Proposal”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Chris Carroll and Kate Harrison, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “DesJarlais series”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Josh Flory, Knoxville News Sentinel, “2011 Suicides Heighten Concerns”

4-B. GENERAL REPORTING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

AWARD OF MERIT:

J.J. Kindred, The Daily Times, “I Feared for My Life”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Wes Wade, The Daily Times, “Recovery Road”

5-A. GENERAL REPORTING, RADIO

THIRD PLACE

Brandon Hollingsworth, WUOT-FM, “Carbon Fiber Generates Hope in Oak Ridge”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Christine Jessel Grider, WUOT-FM, “Bullying in Maryville Schools”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Matt Shafer Powell, WUOT-FM, “Mother and Child: Carla Saunders”

5-B. GENERAL REPORTING, TELEVISION

THIRD PLACE:

Allison Bybee and Joe Baker, WBIR-TV, “Fighting to Keep Cool”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Allison Bybee and Jerry Owens, WBIR-TV, “Bicyclist's Legacy Cycles On”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Staff, WRCB-TV, “March 2 Tornadoes”

7-A. FEATURE WRITING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

HONORABLE MENTION:

Kate Harrison, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Chattanooga Underground”

THIRD PLACE:

Mike Gibson, Metro Pulse, “The House That Frank Built”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Cari Wade Gervin, Metro Pulse, “Young and Sick”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Joan Garrett, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Tempest in My Soul”

7-B. FEATURE WRITING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

HONORABLE MENTION:

Linda Braden Albert, The Daily Times, “Solider Not Forgotten”

THIRD PLACE:

Wes Wade, The Daily Times, “Life in the Fast Lane”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Melanie Tucker, The Daily Times, “Up Where She Belongs”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Steve Wildsmith, The Daily Times, “Scott Miller's Second Chance”

8-A. FEATURE REPORTING, RADIO

AWARD OF MERIT:

Christine Jessel Grider, WUOT-FM, “Turnaround Schools: Inskip Elementary”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Chrissy Keuper, WUOT-FM, “Doomtowns”

8-B. FEATURE REPORTING, TELEVISION

THIRD PLACE:

Beth Wilkin-Waldmann, Lori Tucker and Fallon Smith, WATE-TV, “Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend Special”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Heidi Wigdahl, WBIR-TV, “Girl Scouts Hit Pay Dirt”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Russell Biven, WBIR-TV, “Lucas and Juno”

9-A. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

AWARD OF MERIT:

Judy Walton, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Justice in Question”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Natalie Alund , Knoxville News Sentinel, “Driving High”

10-B. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING, TELEVISION

AWARD OF MERIT:

Amanda Dill and Jerry Owens, WBIR-TV, “Ex-Con Comes Clean”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Hillary Lake and Michelle Flandreau, WBIR-TV, “Tourism Turmoil”

11-A. SERIES/PACKAGE/PROJECT WRITING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

THIRD PLACE:

Judy Walton, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Justice in Question”

AWARD OF MERIT:

John Adams, Dan Fleser, Carly Harrington and Kristi L. Nelson, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Fight Against Alzheimer's”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Matt Lakin, Knoxville News Sentinel, “125 Years”

11-B. SERIES/PACKAGE/PROJECT WRITING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

HONORABLE MENTION:

Jayson Alexander, Marcus Fitzsimmons, Katie Forrester, Amanda Greever and Tom Sherlin, The Daily Times, “Outdoor Gear”

AWARD OF MERIT:

J.J. Kindred, The Daily Times, “Domestic Violence”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Melanie Tucker, The Daily Times, “Lucas”

12-A. DOCUMENTARY/PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING, RADIO

AWARD OF MERIT:

WUOT News Team, “Dialogue: 2012 Compilation”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:Matt Shafer Powell and Leslie Snow, WUOT-FM, “Without a Net:Voices of the Working Poor”

12-B. DOCUMENTARY/PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING, TELEVISION

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

WRCB-TV staff, “Bully Battle: A Town Hall Meeting”

13-A. SPORTS REPORTING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

THIRD PLACE:

Mark Wiedmer, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Summitt Facing Future”

AWARD OF MERIT:

David Paschall, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “The Lost Class”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Stephen Hargis, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Compensating Coaches”

13-B. SPORTS REPORTING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Marcus Fitzsimmons, The Daily Times, “Not Horsing Around”

14-B. SPORTS REPORTING, TELEVISION, circulation under 25,000

THIRD PLACE:

Dave Staley, WTVC-TV, “Dave's Diamond Darlings”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Beth Wilkin-Waldmann, Lori Tucker and Fallon Smith, WATE-TV, “Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend Special”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Keith Cawley, WRCB-TV, “Keeping the Faith”

EDITORIAL WRITING, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

AWARD OF MERIT:

Drew Johnson, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Chattanooga Free Press editorials”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Harry Austin, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Chattanooga Times editorials”

16-A. COLUMNS, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

THIRD PLACE:

Mark Kennedy, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Life Stories”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Greg Johnson, Knoxville News Sentinel, “News columns”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

David Cook, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Various columns”

16-B. COLUMNS, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Steve Wildsmith, The Daily Times, “Weekend Editor columns”

17-A. REVIEWS/CRITICISM, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

AWARD OF MERIT:

Cari Wade Gervin, Metro Pulse, “Pulp”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Lee Gardner, Metro Pulse, “Spoiler Alert”

17-B. REVIEWS/CRITICISM, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

AWARD OF MERIT:

Amanda Greever, The Daily Times, “Les Mis, South Pacific and Amy Grant reviews”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Steve Wildsmith, The Daily Times, “2012: The Year in Review”

Division 18-A. BEST USE OF SOUND, RADIO

HONORABLE MENTION:

Matt Shafer Powell, WUOT-FM, “Black Pearl Sings”

Division 18-B. BEST USE OF VIDEO, TELEVISION

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Kristin Farley, Tearsa Smith, Holland Haverkamp, Linda Nguyen and Sarah Self, WATE-TV, “6 Around Town”

19-A. HEADLINE, NEWSPAPERS, all circulations

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Dan Woods, Chattanooga Times Free Press

20-A. PAGE ONE DESIGN, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Chattanooga Times Free Press design staff.

21-A. INSIDE PAGE DESIGN, NEWSPAPERS with circulation over 25,000

THIRD PLACE:

Lin Parker, Chattanoooga Times Free Press

AWARD OF MERIT:

Stacey McCray, Chattanooga Times Free Press

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Sara Jackson, Chattanooga Times Free Press

21-B. INSIDE PAGE DESIGN, NEWSPAPERS with circulation under 25,000

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Amanda Greever, The Daily Times.

22. INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC, NEWSPAPERS, all circulations – Chart, map or diagram used to illustrate information (submit tear sheet or PDF of full page).

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Marcus Fitzsimmons, The Daily Times, “10 Steps to the Title”

23. ART ILLUSTRATION, NEWSPAPERS – Drawing, painting or other medium used to illustrate a story or enhance a page (submit tear sheet or PDF of full page).

AWARD OF MERIT:

Travis Gray, Metro Pulse, “Metro Fest 2012”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Laura McNutt, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Steampunk”

24. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION, NEWSPAPERS

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Rey Pineda, Knoxville News Sentinel, “A Hot Seat”

25-A. DEADLINE PHOTOGRAPHY, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

THIRD PLACE:

Doug Strickland, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Saying Goodbye Again”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Angela Lewis, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Waves of Destruction”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Doug Strickland, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Farewell”

25-B. DEADLINE/PHOTOGRAPHY, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

AWARD OF MERIT:

Joy Kimbrough, The Daily Times, “Not Quite Enough”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Joy Kimbrough, The Daily Times, “Driving the Lane”

25-C. DEADLINE PHOTOGRAPHY, NON-DAILY NEWSPAPERS ONLY

AWARD OF MERIT:

Ann Cason, Grainger Today, “Board Up and Throw Down”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Ann Cason, Grainger Today, “Fire on the Mountain”

26-A. FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY, NEWSPAPERS, circulation over 25,000

AWARD OF MERIT:

Michael Patrick, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Practicing Violinist”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Dan Henry, Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Twice-A-Year Trim”

26-B. FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY, NEWSPAPERS, circulation under 25,000

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Joy Kimbrough, The Daily Times, “Elementary Ballet”

26-C. FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY, NON-DAILY NEWSPAPERS ONLY

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Ann Cason, Grainger Today, “The Buzz on Hummingbirds”

27. EDITORIAL CARTOON, NEWSPAPERS – Entry must include tear sheet or PDF. Up to three examples, per entry, by a single cartoonist. A brief note of explanation may be included for context.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press

28-A. FREELANCE WRITING FOR PRINT (newspaper, magazine, booklet, book, etc.)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Lisa Hood Skinner, “Inside the Israel-Gaza Conflict”

29-A. OVERALL INTERENT SITE

THIRD PLACE:

wbir.com

AWARD OF MERIT:

TIE: knoxnews.com and Knoxville.com

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

timesfreepress.com

31-A. ONLINE USE OF VIDEO

AWARD OF MERIT:

Erin Chapin, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Legend: A Tribute to Pat Summitt”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Adam Brimer, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Edsel Blevins plays banjo for Big South Fork Railway passengers”

32-A. BEST BLOG, AFFILIATED WITH MEDIA ORGANIZATION

HONORABLE MENTION:

Erin Chapin, Jigsha Desai, David Goddard and Rachel Wise, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Trending”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Steve Wildsmith, The Daily Times

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Mike Donila, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Screams from the Porch”

32-B. BEST BLOG, UNAFFILIATED WITH MEDIA ORGANIZATION

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Jack Lail, jacklail.com

33. COLLABORATIVE REPORTING

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Grant Ramey and Marcus Fitzsimmons of The Daily Times and John Brice of VolQuest.com, “Who Will Fill Empty Seat?”

Judges: Good layout, good art and the breakdown of the search is concise and thorough.

34. HORACE V. WELLS JR. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

THIRD PLACE:

Don Dare and Dave Wignall, WATE-TV, “Dental Deception: Painful Procedure”

AWARD OF MERIT:

Carly Harrington and Kristi L. Nelson, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Fight Against Alzheimer's”

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:

Erin Chapin, Lauren Spuhler and Rachel Wise, Knoxville News Sentinel, “A Community's Child: The story of Phillip 'Tookie' Stanford”

GOLDEN PRESS CARD AWARD:

WINNER: Natalie Alund, Knoxville News Sentinel, “Driving High”

Judges said: “This investigation into the impacts of driving under the influence was extensive in its detail, data and personal narrative. The four-part series explored several different perspectives of driving under the influence and left readers with a comprehensive understanding of this important issue. Great photos and graphics accompanied the stories to help set the pace and give more access to the information. Superb job.”

Mark your calendars to honor East Tennessee's best journalism!

East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists will have its Golden Press Card Awards banquet Friday, May 10, at the University of Tennessee Visitors Center (formerly UT Faculty Club) at the corner of Neyland Drive and Kingston Pike.

Co-sponsored by UT's College of Communication and Information, the event will feature heavy hors d'ouevres (including vegetarian options) and a cash bar. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., with the awards ceremony beginning at 7:15.

On-air institution Hubert Smith, host of 90.3 FM's “Hubert Smith Radio Show,” a mix of classic R&B music and local public affairs, will emcee this year's awards.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Reserve your tickets here.

Our Golden Press Card Awards are specifically for East Tennessee journalists, recognizing outstanding professional achievement and service to the community. Journalists working in East Tennessee for daily and non-daily newspapers, other print media, radio and television stations as well as Internet sites may enter. We also have categories appropriate for freelance writers who reside in East Tennessee but whose work appears in outlets with headquarters outside our area.

Get ready for ETSPJ's annual holiday party!

Some circumstances have forced a date change, though: It's still at 7 p.m., but now it's Thursday, Dec. 13, at 1829 Chicadee Drive -- near Lakeshore Park.

As usual, we'll do potluck, BYOB and Sneaky Santa. To participate, bring a gag gift to trade. We'll also have the 2012 Front Page Follies video on loop for those interested in seeing it (and copies available).

Hope to see you there!

For specific directions, you can email d-bowles.comcast.net.

Do the numbers in your story add up? What do those percentages really mean? Find out Jan. 8 how to communicate more effectively with numbers.

Carl Wagner, a professor of mathematics at the University of Tennessee, will present a professional development program on better storytelling through math and statistics. Free and open to all journalists, regardless of affiliation, the program is sponsored by East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists.

The program begins Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Scripps Convergence Lab at the Communications Building on the UT campus. There will be a drawing for a door prize.

Wagner, a 2009 recipient of the James R. and Nell W. Cunningham Outstanding Teaching Award, is the co-author of the book "Rational Consensus in Science and Society" and has received seven grants from the National Science Foundation.

Read more...

Sources from social media? Sometimes!

ETSPJ presents a FREE professional development program:

"Follow the Noise: Using Social Media Tools to Find Sources"

7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15

Moskos Room, Knoxville News Sentinel, 2332 News Sentinel Drive

Yes, social media is great for networking and sharing links. But how can it help you find sources and information to round out your reporting?

This free program will cover searching for information on Facebook and Twitter; how to use Linked In's tool for journalists; what Storify is and how to use it; and how sites like friendfeed can simplify your work.

And if that's not enough ... we'll have refreshments, too!

It's all free, free, FREE! (But we will accept donations to SPJ's Legal Defense Fund.)

See you there!