1. Gov. James M. Cox Public Service Award — News Staff, Dayton Daily News, "Down on the Factory: Cheap food, hidden costs," how Ohio farms are operated like factories but regulated like farms. Judges' comments: "A comprehensive and exhaustive look at a little-noticed national issue that raises important questions. The paper created a national database of regulations for mega-farming, a massive commitment of resources."
2. Deadline Writing — Bill Rose, Palm Beach Post, Hurricane Lili's impact in Louisiana and Texas. Judges' comments: "These stories are examples of great narratives that capture the true voices of the people."
3. Feature Writing — Christine Evans, Palm Beach Post, missing girl, migrant worker's recovery from a traffic accident, public health nurse. Judges' comments: "Evans writes with authority and clarity. Her piece on the missing girl should be required reading in newsrooms across America."
4. Editorial Writing — Eddie Roth, Dayton Daily News, editorials about predatory lending practices, nursing home regulation and medical malpractice "reform." Judges' comments: "His work reflects in-depth reporting and understanding of politics and the legislative process. He does his homework and presents the facts in an easy-to-digest bulleted form."
5. Column Writing — Jay Bookman, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Bush's real goal in Iraq; Invasion would mark next step toward an American empire" and columns critical of proposed Northern Arc freeway. Judges' comments: "His Northern Arc columns use clear, concise logic. His Iraq essay reflects in-depth, original reporting and his point again is very clear."
6. Sports Writing — Karen Crouse, Palm Beach Post, "Athletes and depression." Judges' comments: "Lucid, informative and engaging writing. The profiles with the series are compelling."
7. Business Reporting — Patti Bond and Ann Hardie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Georgia-Pacific's Asbestos nightmare," about the company that is the target of lawsuits. Judges' comments: "The story was compellingly told, extremely readable and obviously exhaustively researched. This is an example of business writing with heart and soul."
8. Headline Writing — Mike Tighe, Palm Beach Post, "Men are from memory lag, women from memory lane"; "He studies the windshield carnage so insects won't bug us as much"; others. Judges' comments: "These headlines are lively, on-point and engaging. He makes sophisticated, clever use of words."
9. News Photography — Rodolfo Gonzalez, Austin American-Statesman, rescuer comforts a woman trapped in an overturned truck after a traffic accident. Judges' comments: "This is an amazing moment. The photo has depth and immediacy."
10. Feature Photography — Joey Ivansco, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Saving the Everglades: The Nation embarks on its amazing plan to revive it." Judges' comments: "Throughout, a thread holds it together. These photographs give the viewer a sense of place. They make the reader care about the ecosystem. His compositions are intensely colorful in a quiet, serene way."
11. Sports Photography — Ron Alvey, Dayton Daily News, Ohio high school football playoff emotion. Judges' comments: "This is a flash-point moment for a kid who is in high school at the beginning of his career, looking ahead. The lighting is beautiful. The moment in the rain is like a release."
12. Graphics — Graphics director Vasin Omér Douglas, artists Robert Calzada and Linda Scott, and national editor Jody Seaborn, Austin American-Statesman, Sunday Insight pages about Iraq and the buildup to war. Judges' comment: "There is consistent, orderly storytelling in a digestible format."
13. Illustrations — Brennan King, Palm Beach Post, "Pitcher perfect," about the pitching staff of the Miami Marlins. Judges' comment: " A very different concept that is bold and well-executed."
14. Page Layout — Sarah Franquet, Palm Beach Post, for the Post's "Perfect" series, for example, the perfect season for a sports team, the perfect gentleman, the perfect body, etc. Judges' comments: "This was the most ambitious of all the entries in terms of a well-thought-out concept. It was executed beautifully. Nice typography. Beautiful color palette, not overly designed."

COMMUNITY DIVISION

1. Gov. James M. Cox Public Service Award — Anthony J. Gottschlich, Springfield News-Sun, "Urban League: A Mission Challenged," its record of financial mismanagement places program in danger. Judges' comments: "Kudos for taking a reader's call and developing it into a good example of public service. It isn't easy investigating a charity with strong ties to the community. He made good use of the Freedom of Information Act; tax records; and other public documents."
2. Deadline Writing — News Staff, Lufkin Daily News, Hurricane Lili coverage. Judges' comments: "The main story did a great job of weaving in multiple reporting from reporters in the field. Each sidebar had a clear reason for being. Stories are filled with good detail."
3. Feature Writing — J. B. Smith, Waco Tribune-Herald, social and economic effects of Mexican immigration. Judges' comments: "Strong writing and reporting make this the best in the category. He not only grabs the reader's attention at the start but keeps it with writing that is compelling and well-paced."
4. Editorial Writing — Marc Masferrer, Lufkin Daily News, Deputy's illegal gun sale; incest; deferring in gubernatorial race endorsements. Judges' comments: "The writing has the cadence of a good Southern preacher. The paper had the courage to say neither candidate for governor was qualified."
5. Column Writing — Rick McCrabb, Middletown Journal, home for unwed pregnant teenagers; a retired teacher's recollections of a seventh-grader she taught; death of a beloved youth softball coach; others. Judges' comment: "He makes good use of storytelling and goes beyond opinion with his good reporting."
6. Sports Writing — Kevin Van Brimmer, Springfield News-Sun, Auto racing and high school basketball and track. Judges' comment: "A nice mix of examples that showcase his ability to write a daily game story and features."
7. Business Reporting — Mike Copeland, Waco Tribune-Herald, manufactured housing; retired millionaire; and private aviation. Judges' comments: "These good story concepts went beyond the routine and are well-focused."
8. Headline Writing — Joseph Gyure, Waco Tribune-Herald, Green-and-Gold left tickled pink," about an event at Baylor University; "Deck the halls with advertising inserts"; "Thomas speaks, court listens"; others. Judges' comments: "In some instances the headlines were better than the stories. He draws in the reader despite tight word counts."
9. News Photography — Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, fire at the Price Cutter Carpet store. Judges' comments: "This is the defining moment of the news event, and the photographer nailed it. The reader gets the sense of urgency that the firefighter must have felt. Lackey was there at the right time with the right lenses."
10. Feature Photography — Tim Zielenbach, Marshall News Messenger, Marshall High graduation. Judges' comments: "This immortalizes a joyful moment between two friends. The choice made in the framing adds to the impact."
11. Sports Photography — Ricardo B. Brazziell, Longview News-Journal, 13-year-old all-star baseball action. Judges' comments: "This illustrates why still photography is a great medium. In video, you never have the same emotional response. It's very interesting compositionally. It's circular. You keep coming back to him."
12. Graphics — No winner.
13. Illustrations — David Catrow, Springfield News-Sun, "Follicle fallout," about hair loss. Judges' comment: "It's clever and well-executed."
14. Page Layout — Sarah Cox, Waco Tribune-Herald, "With a sweep of the brush," Fashion page about makeup. Judges' comments: "The page is the result of good collaboration. There's restraint in the use of color. She makes good use of white space."

COMBINED CATEGORIES

1. Criticism — John Kessler, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, restaurant reviews. Judges' comments: "He writes not only for diners with discriminating palates, but also for common families looking for a good spot to take the kids to dinner. The reviews are comprehensive without being overwhelming. He makes the reader want to experience the good restaurants — and avoid the others."
2. Editorial Cartooning — Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News, "Love means never having to say you're Saudi," airline pilots seated on bar stools, "A day with Michael Jackson and his son," others. Judges' comment: "This is smart, sophisticated humor."
3. Rookie of the Year — Shiloh Crawford III, photographer, Dayton Daily News, for his sports and feature photography. Judges' comments: "This is a photographer in the beginning of his career, working to see things differently. He shows good potential for the future."
4. Arnold Rosenfeld Editor of the Year Award — Raman Narayanan, Atlanta and the World section editor, for his leadership in launching a weekly section that reflects the diverse and changing cultural landscape of metro Atlanta. Judges' comments: ﾒWhile others pay lip service to international news, Raman Narayanan lives it, literally and figuratively. Raman and his staff bring the world's stories to Atlanta, told in the words and actions of the city's booming and diverse ethnic populations. The result: A lively, informative and very personal weekly section called ‘Atlanta & the World.'
   

OVERALL

1. Best Photographer — Damon Higgins, Palm Beach Post, the faces of disadvantaged families whose needs are aired in the paper's annual "Season to share" articles; a couple share a tender moment at the beach; others. Judges' comments: "His focus on relationships strikes a chord with viewers. The images are intimate. He captures the special moments of everyday life."
2. Best Writer — Christine Evans, Palm Beach Post, for her features. Judges' comments: "We didn't want to stop reading. Her writing style is distinctively reader-friendly. Active voice and the use of dialogue make for tales that take you there."
3. COXnet Award — Tim Burke, Palm Beach Post. He is the executive sports editor and assistant managing editor in charge of PalmBeachPost.com. Judges' comments: "He has taken the initiative to be a major disciple for CoxNet in the Post newsroom and throughout the chain. His proactive sharing of big event budgets and participation in coverage coordination show his commitment to the network. In his current role, he has gone beyond sports to help with all Cox web sites and help coordinate online election feeds for all daily papers.