San Luis Obispo Tribune wins 27 awards at California journalism competition
The Tribune won 27 awards in the California News Publishers Association’s 2021 journalism competition, 15 of which were first- or second-place honors.
The awards represent a wide range of coverage, from public service and breaking news to opinion and photography. The winning entries were selected from nearly 2,500 candidates.
The California Journalism Awards represent the best reporting in the state, from the smallest news website to the biggest metro newspaper.
In CNPA’s print competition, The Tribune competes in the 15,000-and-under circulation category, where it won the majority of the awards. The media organization received a couple of honors in the digital competition as well, including third place for online general excellence.
“These awards represent the commitment and dedication from every person in The Tribune newsroom,” Tribune Editor Joe Tarica said. “They recognize a passion, tenacity and ferocity for telling the vital stories that San Luis Obispo County readers need. And they prove that, no matter the challenges, independent, responsible journalism is alive and well on the Central Coast.”
Here’s a look at the full list of awards won by The Tribune:
First place
Enterprise news story or series: Jennifer Schmidt and David Middlecamp, “Life on the San Andreas: Tiny Parkfield is unshaken as ‘Earthquake Capital of the World’ ”
Editorial comment: Stephanie Finucane, “Paso Robles school board president picks white, male pastor because diversity doesn’t matter”
Agricultural reporting: Mackenzie Shuman, “Will offshore wind hurt the Morro Bay fishing industry? ‘We’re basically screwed’”
Wildfire feature coverage: Kathe Tanner, “Raging Dolan Fire overran firefighter and his crew. Now SLO County man is battling to recover”
Artistic photo: David Middlecamp, surfer walking on Pismo Beach
Wildfire photo: David Middlecamp, fire retardant drop on Cuesta Grade
Sports feature photo: Laura Dickinson, kayaker surfing in Cayucos
Second place
Public service: Lindsey Holden, coverage of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors redistricting map, “SLO County redistricting map increases Republican advantage, Tribune analysis shows”
Editorial comment: Stephanie Finucane, “3 ruthless supervisors just gerrymandered SLO County to 10 more years of Republican rule”
Coverage of local government: Sara Kassabian, David Middlecamp and Laura Dickinson, “SLO County foster kids sometimes sleep in offices as family shortage reaches crisis”
Writing: Kaytlyn Leslie, “Semi-wild dog lived on hill above SLO neighborhood for years — and became a beloved mascot”
Coverage of youth and education: Mackenzie Shuman, “Someone defecated on a Pride flag at Paso Robles High. Now LGBTQ students are speaking out”
Coverage of business news: Mackenzie Shuman, “SLO County sportfishing operators say new emissions rules could put them out of business”
Land use reporting: Mackenzie Shuman, “State Parks offers dramatic new vision for Oceano Dunes. Here’s what it has planned”
Breaking news: Staff, coverage of January 2021 storms, “Live Updates: Fallen trees, debris cover SLO County roadways as rain continues to pour”
Third place
Online general excellence: Staff
Writing: Kaytlyn Leslie and Kathe Tanner, “‘Like a bomb went off.’ How a perfect storm sent Big Sur’s Highway 1 crumbling into the sea”
Coverage of youth and education: Mackenzie Shuman, “Morro Bay teacher misused club funds, investigation finds, then got paid $48,000 to resign”
Coverage of local government: Nick Wilson and David Middlecamp, “Is homelessness in SLO getting worse? Here’s what community members, officials say”
Feature story: Jennifer Schmidt and David Middlecamp, “Life on the San Andreas: Tiny Parkfield is unshaken as ‘Earthquake Capital of the World’”
Fourth place
Profile story: Nick Wilson, “How this 23-year-old Cal Poly student rose to respected SLO racial justice leader”
Coverage of youth and education: Mackenzie Shuman, “How safe is Cal Poly at night? Dark areas and story of Kristin Smart worry some students”
Fifth place
Coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic: Nick Wilson, “‘We’ll never forget them’: SLO County doctor couple offers a look inside the pandemic ER”
In depth reporting: Matt Fountain, Kaytlyn Leslie, Lindsey Holden and Nick Wilson, “Live updates: Paul Flores arrested on suspicion of murdering Kristin Smart, sheriff says”
Sports feature story: Nick Wilson, “SLO County softball player with only one hand brings ‘so much energy,’ head coach says”
Sports feature photo: David Middlecamp, football practice in Morro Bay
Video journalism, news: David Middlecamp, “SLO County firefighter recovers from Dolan Fire injuries”