CT SPJ 2025 Excellence in Journalism Contest winners
- 3 days ago
- 16 min read
Each year, the Connecticut chapter of SPJ recognizes the best in Connecticut journalism with its Excellence in Journalism Contest.
This year’s entries showcase the important, compelling, entertaining and compassionate work being done by journalists across the state.
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who entered.
This contest also supports the mission of CT SPJ as our biggest fundraiser. We give out thousands of dollars in scholarships to journalism students in or from CT each year, and support other efforts, such as the Legal Defense Fund, CCFOI and CFOG.
We’re grateful to the many Connecticut journalists who volunteered to judge the SPJ Arkansas Diamond Journalism Awards in exchange for the work of the judges from Arkansas who judged the Connecticut contest. We couldn’t pull off the contest without the people who judge our swap partner’s contest every year – thank you.
Reminder: The CT SPJ college contest is open for entries! College journalists at CT schools are invited to enter work created for a student publication and published during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Enter here. The entry deadline is Wednesday, May 13, at 11:59 p.m.
Certificates and plaques will be available at the CT SPJ awards dinner in June 2026.
If not picked up then, they will be mailed to the winners’ newsrooms.
Thank you for your support. If you’d like to become more involved in the board and our activities, reach out to any of the board members listed below or email spjconnecticut@gmail.com.
CTSPJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026
Board Officers:
President - Martha Shanahan
Past President - Chandra Bozelko
Vice president of programming - Viktoria Sundqvist
Vice president of communications - Lindsay Boyle
Treasurer - Sam Smink
Secretary - Mercy Quaye
Board of Directors:
Jordan Fenster
Sarah Gordon
Jeniece Roman
Darren Sweeney
STEPHEN A. COLLINS PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
A story or stories that have had significant impact in the public interest
Hearst Connecticut Media Group staff
The judges said:
“There seems little doubt that lives have been saved thanks to 48 hours of reporting by Hearst Connecticut Media. The compassionate and compelling storytelling at the heart of the "No place to sleep" series put names and faces to circumstances that are often too easily ignored. In one of its 134 remembrances of lives lost to homelessness is Madelyn Chapman's powerful declaration: "He died because he was homeless. That is the cause of his death." It is coupled with her brother's reflection that "there's no safety net—you just fall." Hearst staff showed the gaps in the net in such a way that lawmakers had no choice but to begin to stitch its repairs.”
THEODORE DRISCOLL AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
A single story or series containing information, obtained through reporting initiative, not readily available to the news media or public.
Hearst Connecticut Media Group staff
The judges said:
“While there were many well researched and important stories and series in this year's entries for the Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting, ‘No Place to Sleep’ stood out as an innovative series that brought together solid narrative storytelling, data, analysis, investigation, audio, video, photos and even the actual handwriting of people experiencing homelessness. The multimedia presentation of ‘48 hours of homelessness in Connecticut’ gave an issue that many don't fully understand a very human portrayal. And the impact of this reporting cannot be understated. It didn't just shine a light in a dark corner, it brought the issue to the state's leaders and had immediate impact. The journalists who worked on this project not only had to secure access to areas where the media is typically denied access, but also successfully earned the trust of vulnerable people. Moreover, the reporting told their stories in a clear-eyed manner while still respecting their dignity.”
FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD
A single story or series which increases the public understanding
of the role of the press in a free society.
Dave Altimari and Ginny Monk, Connecticut Mirror
The judges said:
“Fascinating look at a frustrating legal loophole. Excellent use of public records. This series is well within the spirit of the First Amendment and why the press should be a check on government and legal abuses.”
Reporting categories
Arts, Entertainment, Food & Leisure
Division A
First Place
Doug Moore the sawyer; WNPR; Joe Amon, Tyler Russell
Second Place
Copper Hill Vaulting Team; WNPR; Joe Amon, Tyler Russell
Third Place
CT’s real-life Brutalists and the landmarks they created help inspire Oscar-nominated film; Hearst CT Media; Mollie Hersh
Division B
First Place
Janis Ian talks life, loss and music after film screening at The Kate; Connecticut Examiner; Clare Byrne
Second Place
New book tells the full story of Sept. 6, 1781; The Day; John Ruddy
Third Place
Daguerreotypes at the Wadsworth highlight first ever exhibition of outdoor views; Connecticut Examiner; Meredith Guinness
Division C
First Place
For a New Haven playwright, rite & ritual at last take center stage; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Jacques Pepin 90/90; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith
Third Place
Artists rally for Esdrás, as an image of a young musician emerges; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Breaking News
Division A
First Place
Coverage of the case of Jacqueline 'Mimi' Torres-Garcia; Hearst CT Media; Lisa Backus, Christine Dempsey, Richard Chumney
Second Place
Waterbury continues with boil advisory as thousands remain without water; WNPR; Eddy Martinez, Michayla Savitt, Tyler Russell, Jeni Ahrens, Matt Dwyer, John Henry Smith, Lori Mack
Third Place
Fairfield and Bridgeport residents rally against UI monopole project; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon
Division B
First Place
One empty chair as Maloney High graduates with student still in ICE custody; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin
Second Place
Armed off-duty trooper confronts activist who came to his Groton home; The Day; Jack Lakowsky
Division C
First Place
Fed freeze frenzy leaves city, state in chaos; New Haven Independent; Laura Glesby, Dereen Shirnekhi, Thomas Breen, Paul Bass
Second Place
Crowd fills streets to protest Israeli minister; New Haven Independent; Nathaniel Rosenberg, Thomas Breen
Third Place
Ansonia dog saved from icy banks of Naugatuck River; Valley Independent Sentinel; Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Business
Division A
First Place
Mall values drop under this company, records show. CT towns are paying the price.; Hearst CT Media; Luther Turmelle
Second Place
Made in the shade: CT tobacco farmers roll with the times; Connecticut Mirror; Dave Altimari
Third Place
Electric Boat and other Connecticut manufacturers have thousands of job openings; Hearst CT Media; Paul Schott
Division B
First Place
High Impact: State contractor puts CEO on leave, launches investigation; Inside Investigator; Marc E. Fitch
Second Place
Ideal Fish: The rise and fall of an experimental fish farm in Waterbury; Inside Investigator; Alex Appel
Division C
First Place
Guilford's Green Planet creates a cottage community of affordable single family homes; Shoreline Times; Susan Braden
Second Place
Connecticut’s new college grads contemplate an uncertain economy; CT Community News; Kwasi Osei-Amankwah
Third Place
Cuppy's Cafe owner looks to close Shelton longtime dive bar; Shelton Herald; Brian Gioiele
Continuing coverage or series
Division A
First PlaceWhy couples traveling to Connecticut to wed are raising questions about sham marriages; Hearst CT Media; Joshua Eaton, Brianna Gurciullo and Brian Lockhart
Second Place
Two Connecticuts: How gaps between rich and poor define life in CT; Hearst CT Media; Alex Putterman, Natasha Sokoloff
Third Place
Waterbury woman accused of locking away her stepson for 20 years; Hearst CT Media; Bruno Matarazzo Jr.
Division B
First Place
East Lyme Little League sues former treasurer, says he stole almost $90,000; The Day; Jack Lakowsky
Second Place
Internal affairs report suggests East Lyme police officers may lose certification for DV response
Connecticut Examiner; Ally LeMaster
Third Place
Ongoing coverage of the Groton Housing Authority; The Day; Kimberly Drelich
Division C
First Place
The fallout of uncovering the town's CFO held another job 2,000 miles away
Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve and Jarret Liotta
Second Place
Morales murder trial coverage; Valley Independent Sentinel; Jasmine Wright
Third Place
ICE arrests coverage; New Haven Independent; Laura Glesby, Mona Mahadevan, Thomas Breen
Courts/Crime
Division A
First Place
How a Connecticut man rebuilt his life after being wrongfully locked up for 19 years; Hearst CT Media; Alex Putterman
Second Place
Drug overdoses in CT prisons raising alarms; Connecticut Mirror; Emilia Otte
Third Place
A gap in the law: Tay's story; WFSB; Sam Smink, Jeff Hockett, Nick Napoletano
Division B
First Place
Friends, neighbors describe life and death of Joe Kane in Milford encampment; Connecticut Examiner; Nick Sambides, Jr.
Second Place
Prostitution, trafficking ring operated across from Stamford police headquarters; Connecticut Examiner; Angela Carella
Third Place
Months after false statement to police, Stamford schools still investigating; Connecticut Examiner; Angela Carella
Division C
First Place
After 135 days in ICE detention, a mom wins asylum and comes home; New Haven Independent; Laura Glesby
Second Place
Tensions erupt at murder sentencing; New Haven Independent; Dereen Shirnekhi
Third Place
Clinton man faces new charges in missing girl case; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell
Data Reporting
Division A
First Place
Connecticut is known for quality schools and high test scores, but also the biggest disparities
Hearst CT Media; Natasha Sokoloff, Victoria Stavish
Second Place
ICE arrests, deportations in CT up sharply in Trump’s second term; Connecticut Mirror; Emilia Otte and Angela Eichhorst
Third Place
Map: New data shows CT's wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods; Hearst CT Media; Alex Putterman, Hanna Zakharenko
Division B
First Place
More than 900 Diquat permits issued since 2022 for Hydrilla, other uses; Connecticut Examiner; Francisco Uranga
Second Place
Sewage overflows into Connecticut River drop by half amid drier year; Connecticut Examiner; Francisco Uranga
Third Place
Connecticut voter turnout climbs in local elections, but cities lag; Connecticut Examiner; Francisco Uranga
Division C
First Place
Survey: Social media dominates students' news consumption
CT Community News; Brandon Cortés, Miah Green, Roselyn Ilo, Avery Martin, Benjamin Martin, Solé Scott, Kahiona Senior, Melanie Vargas, Jay’Mi Vazquez, Brianna Wallen, Lexi White, Jasmine Williams.
Diversity Coverage
Division A
First Place
Autistic field hockey player and Avon High School teammates an inspiring story of inclusion; Hearst CT Media; Bryant Carpenter
Second Place
'¡Que viva Colombia!' CT Latino communities revel at an Independence Day carnival in Stamford; WNPR; Daniela Doncel
Third Place
WNPR host discusses evolution of her own Taiwanese and American identities; NBC Connecticut; Nicholas Doscher, Jeremy Chen
Division B
First Place
New Haven venues host LGBTQ weddings before Trump takes office; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Second Place
Turning the page on prejudice: Groton resident featured in civil rights book; The Day; Kimberly Drelich
Third Place
Federal immigration agents step up enforcement at Stamford courthouse; Connecticut Examiner; Angela Carella
Division C
First Place
CT man in awe as he learns how grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, impacted immigrants and country; West Hartford News; Michael Walsh
Second Place
Elena's Light honors refugee advocates, raises concern for the future; CT Community News; RoselynMartin Somtochukwu Ilo
Third Place
Disability discrimination; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith
Education
Division A
First Place
How a CT student’s research project became a casualty of Trump’s DEI purge; Connecticut Mirror; John Moritz
Second Place
A degree of failure; WTNH; Eva Zymaris
Third Place
Nearly 30 Connecticut school districts failed to comply with safety plan mandate for current year; Hearst CT Media; Ella Napack
Division B
First Place
Partial record: Sexual misconduct and transparency at CSCU; Inside Investigator; Katherine Revello, Brandon Whiting
Second Place
A Stamford assistant principal claimed a student assaulted her. Police found the report false.; Stamford Advocate; Ignacio Laguarda
Third Place
Control the narrative: Parents claim school downplayed teacher tickling concerns; Inside Investigator; Marc E. Fitch, Alex Appel
Division C
First Place
Mayor defends keeping supt.’s private eval out of 'the newspaper'; New Haven Independent; Maya McFadden
Second Place
Passing a milestone, a Sandy Hook survivor looks back and ahead; CT Community News; Karla Perez, University of Connecticut
Third Place
Mama’s Nightingale author defends book after Darien schools’ removal, a decade after publishing; Darien Times; Mollie Hersh
Government
Division A
First Place
Paid by CT, living elsewhere: Hundreds of state employees work remotely from other states; Hearst CT Media; Bill Cummings
Second Place
Contaminated land may get cleanup under bill; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon
Third Place
Why a lawmaker brought the legislature to a halt to keep her city under CT financial supervision; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon, Paul Hughes
Division B
First Place
Long commute: Some state employees live really far away; Inside Investigator; Marc E. Fitch
Second Place
Scheme to offer state licenses leaves women thousands of dollars out of pocket; Connecticut Examiner; Angela Carella
Division C
First Place
Will the real tenants union please stand up?; New Haven Independent; Mona Mahadevan
Second Place
Build-build-build downtown plan advances; New Haven Independent; Mona Mahadevan
Third Place
Forensic audit uncovers serious misconduct at WAA; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell
Health
Division A
First Place
Lamont nixed overdose prevention centers, but advocates fight on; Connecticut Mirror; Katy Golvala and Laura Tillman
Second Place
Dozens of Whiting hospital employees out with injuries amid staffing crisis; Hearst CT Media; Alex Putterman
Third Place
Bound, but not forgotten: A son’s fight for the truth; WTNH; Kathryn Hauser
Division B
First Place
A mobile solution to rural health barriers in Connecticut's northeast; The Day; Alison Cross
Second Place
Report: Trumbull nursing home had 80+ degree rooms and failed to prevent Legionella growth; CT Post; Brianna Gurciullo
Third Place
More than 900 Diquat permits issued since 2022 for Hydrilla, other uses; Connecticut Examiner; Francisco Uranga
Division C
First Place
Hope, love and giving families more time together; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner
Second Place
Without formal centers, users improvise to reverse overdoses; New Haven Independent; Laura Glesby
Third Place
How Connecticut is training college students to help prevent suicide; CT Community News; Mackenzie Byerlee, Draven Dabrowski, Aminata Diakite, Rachel Rose, Valentina Toro, Catherine Vu
In-Depth Local Reporting
Division A
First Place
The price of life; WTNH; Brittany Taylor
Second Place
Before-and-after images show how development dramatically reshaped Connecticut over the last decade; Hearst CT Media; Alex Soule and Darryl Laiu
Third Place
Connecticut students are dating AI. The explicit content reveals the dark side of chatbots.; Hearst CT Media; Ella Napack
Division B
First Place
The truth about your electricity bill; CTNewsJunkie; Doug Hardy
Second Place
As savings plummet, Hamden faces a 'very, very tight budget' until July 2026; Connecticut Examiner; Nick Sambides Jr.
Third Place
Connecticut tackles multi-million-dollar redemption fraud - with sidebar; The Day; Alison Cross
Division C
First Place
In 2025, New Haven said yes to 'build, build, build'; New Haven Independent; Mona Mahadevan
Second Place
UConn students confront housing crunch as enrollment rises; CT Community News; Julia Gillego, University of Connecticut
Third Place
Ansonia library director filed discrimination complaint before retiring; Valley Independent Sentinel; Jasmine Wright
Investigative
Division A
First Place
The waiting game: Hartford response times Increasing; WFSB; Sam Smink, Nate Buynicki, Nick Napoletano
Second Place
Health system fees doubled at Connecticut hospitals; WNPR; Sujata Srinivasan, Maysoon Khan, Jim Haddadin
Third Place
Protection or punishment: Jahrell’s story; WTNH; Kathryn Hauser
Division B
First Place
Records reveal decades of warnings about Litchfield coach accused of sexual abuse
Connecticut Examiner; Ally LeMaster, Andy Thibault
Second Place
Letter of the law: Section 8 lawsuits and discrimination; Inside Investigator; Brandon Whiting
Third Place
Law firm announce lawsuit against E. Lyme officials, claims of bigotry, destruction of evidence; Connecticut Examiner; Ally LeMaster
Division C
First Place
FD report: Latest Xu-House fire began with burning basement mattress; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen
Second Place
Netanyahu’s son starts New Haven biz; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen
Third Place
State closes unlicensed Bone & Bark Kennel; Good Morning Wilton; Jarret Liotta
Religion
Division A
First Place
Exclusive: Paige Bueckers talks about leaning on her faith during her years at UConn; Hearst CT Media; Maggie Vanoni
Second Place
New wave of spirituality across Connecticut; WTNH; Mackenzie Maynard
Third Place
Connecticut cemetery building a place to grieve after miscarriages, stillbirths, abortions; Hearst CT Media; Jordan Nathaniel Fenster
Division B
First Place
Stranger among you: Faith leadership amid changing immigration policy; Inside Investigator; Alex Appel
Division C
First Place
Clergy speak out as Avelo deportation contract begins; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Church of the Assumption restoration reveals century-old paintings; Westport Journal; Ken Valenti
Third Place
A church aglow; Catholic Transcript; Karen Avitabile
Sports Feature
Division A
First Place
Twenty years later, a Connecticut town still honors its star pitcher and fallen hero; Hearst CT Media; Bryant Carpenter
Second Place
A CT athlete started losing her sight as a child. That didn’t stop her from becoming an ace pitcher; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley
Third Place
Autistic field hockey player and Avon High School teammates an inspiring story of inclusion; Hearst CT Media; Bryant Carpenter
Division B
First Place
Coach on the Water: Abby Steeno is the senior coxswain for Stonington's defending team; The Day; Vickie Fulkerson
Second Place
Killingly seniors aim to cap legacy with another state title; Norwich Bulletin; Jimmy Zanor
Third Place
The studious fury of marvelous Mykquan Williams; Connecticut Examiner; Andy Thibault
Division C
First Place
Different Times. Different Rules. Canton's Memorable 1986 Championship Run; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Second Place
Exciting every time; West Hartford LIFE; Mara Dresner
Third Place
How the Larit sisters got hooked on field hockey; Westport Journal; Andy Hutchison
Sports News
Division A
First Place
Abdou Toure didn't get enough love or money from UConn. John Calipari offered both.; Hearst CT Media; Mike Anthony
Second Place
UConn's NCAA title reign ends with March Madness loss to Florida: 'We played with honor'; Hearst CT Media; David Borges
Division B
First Place
Legendary Bacon Academy basketball coach Dave Shea dies at 91; The Day; Vickie Fulkerson
Division C
First Place
Shooting hoops with CT's Senior Women's Basketball Club; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith
Broadcast categories
Broadcast Radio Spot
Division A
First Place
Slots for autism services go unused as hundreds wait for help; WNPR; Sujata Srinivasan, Maysoon Khan
Second Place
A new generation of CT kids are learning to hunt on 'Pheasant Lane'; WNPR; Áine Pennello
Division C
First Place
Door slammed on 20 Afghans headed for New Haven; New Haven Independent; Paul Bass
Broadcast Television Spot
Division A
First Place
The waiting game: Hartford response times increasing; WFSB; Sam Smink, Nate Buynicki, Nick Napoletano
Second Place
Recycling test; NBC Connecticut; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison
Third Place
Bear breaks into Simsbury home, eats food while teen sleeps; NBC Connecticut; Nicholas Doscher and Amanda Pitts
Photo and video categories
Feature Photo
Division A
First Place
Invasive hydrilla floats in the Connecticut River; WNPR; Mark Mirko
Second Place
Upside-down umbrella; Hearst CT Media; Arnold Gold
Third Place
Water main Santa; WNPR; Tyler Russell
Division B
First Place
Ryan Wentzell gets his cap adjusted by friend Hannah Blakeslee before MHS graduation; The Middletown Press; Frank Logiudice
Second Place
Domenic Giuliano of Middletown on Rt. 66 in Middlefield on his way to the St. Sebastian’s Church
The Middletown Press; Frank Logiudice
Third Place
Off to flying start; The Chronicle; Traci Hastings
Division C
First Place
Snow day flight; Guilford Courier; Wesley Bunnell
News Photo
Division A
First Place
Protesters outside the State Capitol sign their names to a banner during 'No Kings' protest; WNPR; Mark Mirko
Second Place
Freedom reads; WNPR; Tyler Russell
Third Place
Jessie Santiago kisses his family goodbye; Hartford Courant; Aaron Flaum
Division B
First Place
Notre Dame High School celebrates first day as co-ed school with 50 female students; New Haven Register; Dave Zajac
Second Place
The Nuri carry the St. Sebastian’s Statue during the processional; The Middletown Press; Frank Logiudice
Division C
First Place
Parade queen receives a kiss during St. Patrick’s Day parade; The Sound; Wesley Bunnell
Photo Essay
Division A
First Place
This Ukrainian family fled war in Odesa and found a foothold in CT; Connecticut Mirror; Shahrzad Rasekh
Second Place
‘No Kings’ rallies draw 12,000 to Capitol, thousands across CT; WNPR; Mark Mirko
Third Place
Waking up outside the courthouse; Hearst CT Media; Ned Gerard
Division B
First Place
Middletown High School celebrates the class of 2025; The Middletown Press; Frank Logiudice
Second Place
Dementia forces New London couple to grapple with a new reality; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Division C
First Place
Building hope: A Habitat home in Madison; The Source; Wesley Bunnell
Sports Photo
Division A
First Place
St. Joseph goalie celebrates after defeating Fairfield Ludlowe 10-5; Hearst CT Media; Arnold Gold
Second Place
Foran High School girls soccer team celebrates a win; Hearst CT Media; Arnold Gold
Third Place
Pheasant hunt; WNPR; Joe Amon
Division B
First Place
Gilbert player celebrates at the buzzer as the Yellowjackets defeat Northwestern Division; New Haven Register; Dave Zajac
Division C
First Place
New England bound; Guilford Courier; Wesley Bunnell
Second Place
Championship shower; The Sound; Wesley Bunnell
Third Place
Thunderbirds celebrate state championship victory; The Sound; Wesley Bunnell
Video Storytelling
Division A
First Place
Cheshire man's wish to spread kindness is granted; NBC Connecticut; Nicholas Doscher
Second Place
The most peaceful time of day; WNPR; Mark Mirko
Third Place
Sculpting a career; WNPR; Joe Amon, Tyler Russell
Columns and commentary categories
Editorial
Division B
First Place
On funding the press; Connecticut Examiner; Gregory Stroud
Second Place
The problem of other people's money in Old Lyme; Connecticut Examiner; Gregory Stroud
Third Place
Maybe the greatest story left untold; Connecticut Examiner; Gregory Stroud
Division C
First Place
Wilton’s Financial Review Committee needs independence, clarity — and course correction;
Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve
General column/commentary
Division A
First Place
Dan Haar: CT teacher's arrests in 2 towns reveal dangerous flaws in safety net for children; Hearst CT Media; Dan Haar
Second Place
Giving financial help to adult children: One problem at a time, please; Hearst CT Media; Julie Jason
Third Place
Dementia is not a solo affair. Be financially prepared.; Hearst CT Media; Julie Jason
Division B
First Place
Hellene on Earth; Connecticut Voice; Jane Latus
Second Place
Who ditched the Showalter grand jury transcripts?; Connecticut Examiner; Andy Thibault
Third Place
What useful service does inmate legal assistance program provide prisoners (or the state)?; Connecticut Examiner; Chandra Bozelko
Division C
A technical error has delayed the judging decisions for this category, please check back soon for the final results!
Humorous column/commentary
Division A
First Place
Is it ‘theater’ or ‘theatre’? Really, it doesn’t matter. Get over it.; Hartford Courant; Christopher Arnott
Division B
First Place
It's so cool not to be alone as a birdwatcher; The Chronicle; Traci Hastings
Sports column/commentary
Division A
First Place
How UConn basketball gave a Connecticut couple joy and strength through heartbreak; Hearst CT Media; Mike Anthony
Second Place
How UConn got Samson Johnson's parents to Storrs for Senior Day; Hearst CT Media; Mike Anthony
Third Place
A dynasty restored, Paige Bueckers and UConn women leave no unfinished business; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore
Division B
First Place
Killingly baseball raises the bar again; Norwich Bulletin; Jimmy Zanor
Second Place
The cap that isn't going to happen; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty
Third Place
News about potential sale of Sun and move to Boston isn’t surprising; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Division C
First Place
A Plowboy season; Litchfield County Sports; Rick Wilson
Second Place
Ansonia’s legendary Tom Brockett made the best better; Litchfield County Sports; Rick Wilson
Third Place
Good guy, tough guy; Litchfield County Sports; Rick Wilson
Headlines and layout categories
Headlines
Division A
First Place
WNPR; Patrick Skahill
Second Place
New Haven Register; Susan Nusbaum
Third Place
Connecticut Post; Susan Nusbaum
Division B
First Place
The Day; Joseph Turco
Second Place
Today Magazine; Bruce William Deckert
Division C
First Place
Catholic Transcript; Karen Avitabile
Magazine Layout
Division B
First Place
Legendary chef Jacques Pépin chats about his book, artwork and career; Connecticut Magazine; Bryan Haeffele
Second Place
Audrey Hepburn: A Life of Beautiful Uncertainty; Connecticut Magazine; Bryan Haefelle
Newspaper Layout
Division A
First Place
There is no next year; New Haven Register - Hearst; Susan Nusbaum
Second Place
Dozen get any better; New Haven Register - Hearst; Susan Nusbaum
Division B
First Place
Muddling through; Journal Inquirer; Susan Nusbaum
Second Place
Celeb sightings; Journal Inquirer; Susan Nusbaum
Third Place
Going full circus; Journal Inquirer; Susan Nusbaum
Digital categories
Innovative Digital Storytelling
Division A
First Place
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail: Map, tips and highlights for your bike ride or walk
Hearst CT Media; Derek Turner; Peter Yankowski, Dave Zajac
Second Place
Roundabout construction underway in Naugatuck; NBC Connecticut; Andrew Rowan
Third Place
Toad's Place: 50 iconic shows from the past 50 years; Hearst CT Media; Andrew DeRosa
Podcasting
Division A
First Place
‘Generation Gilmore Girls’: Welcome to Stars Hollow, Connecticut!
WNPR; Chloe Wynne, Lily Tyson, Cassandra Basler, Jay Cowit, Megan Fitzgerald, Ayannah Brown, Tyler Russell and Sam Hockaday
Second Place
80 years ago, the U.S. dropped bombs on Japan. CT's Shizuko Tomoda still feels the impact. WNPR; Isaac Moss, Kevin Chang Barnum, Khalilah Brown-Dean, Erica McIntosh, Robyn Doyon-Aitken and Megan Fitzgerald
Third Place
Nothing goes as planned: A first-time offender’s prison story from arrest to release
WNPR; Chion Wolf, Jessica Severin de Martinez, Megan Fitzgerald, Robyn Doyon-Aitken, and Meg Dalton
Division C
First Place
50 years of Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith
Second Place
Connecticut's disappearing farmland; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith
Third Place
Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy podcast; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll
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