2023 Golden Press Card: Newspapers (Large) - East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists

Here are the 2023 Golden Press Card winners in the Newspaper (Large) category. The entries were judged by the LA Press Club.

CONTINUING COVERAGE (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: The battle for quality special education in Knox County Schools
Entry Credit: Areena Arora
Links: See entry, See entry, See entry, See entry, See entry
Judge Comments: Engaging, vital reports that are full of hope.

CONTINUING COVERAGE (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Yassin’s earthquake mission
Entry Credit: Devarrick Turner
Links: See entry, See entry, See entry, See entry

SPORTS REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Free as a bird: How Ben Kredich inspired Tennessee swimming and a surfing tradition
Entry Credit: Cora Hall
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: Very sad and emotional story, and well written about the death of a 24 year old Autistic man loved by the community.

Category Comments: I found the first and second place stories to be very emotional, but the first place story just was a bit more well written and cohesive.

SPORTS REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: How two funerals 16 years apart prepared QB Joe Milton to be Tennessee football leader
Entry Credit: Adam Sparks
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: This was an inspiring and emotional story profiling Joe, as a Big Brother.

Category Comments: I found the first and second place stories to be very emotional, but the first place story just was a bit more well written and cohesive.

DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Tennessee aviation YouTuber dies in small plane crash in Giles County
Entry Credit: Liz Kellar, Ryan Wilusz
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: Delicate and deftly written report on a terrible tragedy.

DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Tennessee football avoids bowl ban as NCAA hammers Jeremy Pruitt for recruiting scandal
Entry Credit: Adam Sparks
Links: See entry

FEATURE REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Because I just love it’: Nikki Giovanni celebrates 80 years with Knoxville on her heart
Entry Credit: Angela Dennis
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: An extensive multimedia article. Very well presented, highly detailed and well delivered. An enjoyable read and watch.

FEATURE REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: How death of best friend drives Austin-East’s Shane Cherry on basketball court
Entry Credit: Toyloy Brown III
Links: See entry

GENERAL REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Airbnb dispute in Tennessee mountain town turns nasty as neighbors head to court
Entry Credit: Daniel Dassow
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: Seamless incorporation of research, quotes, reporting and multiple sources.

GENERAL REPORTING (Newspaper -Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Dolly Parton opens up on positivity, faith and HeartSong Lodge: I hope I’m a light
Entry Credit: Devarrick Turner
Links: See entry

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Delayed ambulances, wildfire fallout, church misconduct and class action diversions
Entry Credit: Tyler Whetstone
Links: See entry, See entry, See entry, See entry, See entry
Judge Comments: Thorough, effective reporting with an edge for justice

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: How a racist email is key to the mystery of a Black deputy chief’s sudden departure from KPD
Entry Credit: Angela Dennis
Links: See entry

PERSONAL COLUMNS/REVIEW/CRITICISM – (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Leslie Snow Selected Columns
Judge Comments: Personal and honest touching on universal themes and messages

PERSONAL COLUMNS/REVIEW/CRITICISM (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: SEC Columnist Blake Toppmeyer
Entry Credit: Blake Toppmeyer
Links: See entry heupel-tennessee-football-press-conference-vols-media-day/70496105007/, See entry tennessee/football/2023/10/18/tennessee-football-alabama-rivalry-history-cigar-tradition- vols/71201530007/, See entry tennessee/football/2023/07/14/tennessee-ncaa-penalties-jeremy-pruitt-show-cause-bowl-ban- probation-football-what-did-vols-do/70413711007/

SERIES/PACKAGE/PROJECT WRITING (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: How an Airbnb battle tore apart a mountain town
Entry Credit: Daniel Dassow
Links: See entry, See entry, See entry
Judge Comments: In this package, Dassow provides a comprehensive and well-reported look at how Airbnb and HOA disputes affected a rural Tennessee community, reaching the state’s supreme court.

SERIES/PACKAGE/PROJECT WRITING (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Reporting unearths bishop’s efforts to protect seminarian accused of rape
Entry Credit: Tyler Whetstone
Links: See entry, See entry, See entry
Judge Comments: This is a devastating piece of reporting from Whetstone, who wrote a series of articles about sexual abuse in the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville. Here, we see how a bishop threatened to resign to prevent a seminarian accused of sexual misconduct from being sent away. This was part of an alleged pattern of intimidation by the bishop.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

First Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: The impact of explosive growth on public policy
Entry Credit: Silas Sloan
Links: See entry, See entry
Judge Comments: Solid reporting and good date and analysis of an issue that is important to the commuters of the region.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS REPORTING (Newspaper – Large)

Second Place
Contestant Name: News Sentinel
Entry Title: Angela Dennis and accountability reporting
Entry Credit: Angela Dennis
Links: See entry, See entry, See entry