The Desert Sun employees gained 30 awards, together with eight first-place laurels, in the 2021 California Journalism Awards, the state’s largest and most prestigious contest for print and digital newsrooms.
Coverage of native authorities and the surroundings, plus images, had been standout areas for the newsroom final 12 months in the prizes introduced this week by the California News Publishers Association.
Environment reporters Janet Wilson and Mark Olalde and photojournalist Jay Calderon had been acknowledged with the first-place award in the in-depth reporting class for his or her articles, images and movies concerning the Salton Sea.
Reporters Maria Sestito and Brian Blueskye and photojournalist Jay Calderon gained first-place honors in the profile class for his or her article on a gaggle of older homosexual males from the Coachella Valley who’ve taken TikTok by storm. Said the judges: “Excellent, sharp writing that helps the reader get to know the ‘Old Gays’ and pulls us into their world in a colorful, engaging way.”
Business reporter James Cutchin and Jay Calderon obtained prime honors in the agricultural reporting class for his or her have a look at how altering tastes and altering economics are remaking the Coachella Valley’s farmland.
Jay Calderon additionally obtained three first-place solo awards: For sports activities motion picture, characteristic picture and inventive picture. Photographer Andy Abeyta gained first place in the sports activities characteristic picture class, and second in sports activities motion.
Sports reporter Andrew John shared first-place honors with Victorville Daily Press reporters Jose Quintero and Jason Reed for his or her story on a brand new highschool soccer league.
In the final excellence class, The Desert Sun positioned third. (*30*) stated the judges. “The readers get quite a gem in this journalistic masterpiece.”
Environment reporting stands out
Mark Olalde, who now works for ProfessionalPublica, obtained two awards in the enterprise reporting class on surroundings subjects. He obtained second place honors for his in-depth have a look at whether or not imported water might “save” the Salton Sea. “A comprehensive and compelling look at the latest efforts to ‘fix’ the Salton Sea,” the judges stated. “Excellent photography and graphics deliver the much-needed sense of the area for those unfamiliar with it. Making a science story about people when possible is key to getting readers interested and keeping them interested.”
And he obtained the third-place award for his reporting on how oil bankruptcies go away taxpayers holding the bag. Janet Wilson’s protection of the oil trade, in the meantime, netted her a third-place win in the in-depth reporting class for her articles on how California regulators order oil firms to repair environmental issues, however can’t hold observe of whether or not the corporations comply.
Jay Calderon and Wilson, in the meantime, gained third-place honors for the five-part picture essay “Witness to a Vanishing Sea.”
Local authorities protection acknowledged
The newsroom obtained two awards in the protection of native authorities class. Erin Rode, Paul Albani-Burgio and Amanda Ulrich gained second-place honors for his or her protection of Palm Springs’ reckoning with problems with racial injustices of the previous, together with the Section 14 evictions, requires reparations, and the controversy over the Frank Bogert statue. Said the judges: “This series exemplifies solid local government reporting. The reporting on the past injustice was excellent and moving and required a great deal of historical research. Also, the examination of both sides of the issue of the statue removal of the former mayor was exemplary.”
Receiving fourth-place honors in the native authorities class had been Jonathan Horowitz, Maria Sestito, Eliana Perez and Paul Albani-Burgio for his or her protection of College of the Desert.
“This reporting represents the very best in beat reporting. The fact that the newspaper recognized the importance of the issue and deployed so many resources is to be applauded,” stated the judges. “How bond money is spent and the influence of politics are complicated issues. The depth of this reporting is remarkable and the controversy over the college system leadership was reported with both sides represented, sensitively and fairly.”
Public service award for bounty hunter reporting
Chris Damien obtained third-place honors in the general public service journalism class for his reporting on the shortage of oversight of bounty hunters following the killing of a Palm Springs man in his house by a twice-convicted felon working illegally as a bounty hunter. And he was acknowledged with a second-place award in the writing class for his story on a lethal love triangle involving a sheriff’s deputy.
Reporter Amanda Ulrich and photojournalist Vickie Connor obtained third-place honors in a class for protection of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judges stated their report on efforts to vaccinate residents of Slab City was an “impressive solo story delving into a hyperlocal topic while featuring textbook balance. … So many standout quotes, indicative of strong interviews.” They additionally praised Connor’s “engaging visuals.”
Maria Sestito gained third-place honors for her columns specializing in seniors and growing older. “Terrific writing,” stated the judges. “Young columnist whose skill belies her age.”
A crew of reporters together with Tom Coulter, Janet Wilson, James Ward and Mark Olalde obtained the third-place award in the class of Newsom recall election protection.
Sports reporter Shad Powers and photojournalist Jay Calderon had been acknowledged with a third-place award in the sports activities characteristic class for his or her profile of an area bodily training trainer instructing college students remotely in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Said the judges: “This teacher clearly goes above and beyond to connect with students. This delivered a behind-the-scenes look at the videos that captivated students.”
Other winners included:
- third place, characteristic images: Jay Calderon for his picture of a U.S. citizenship ceremony at Joshua Tree National Park
- 4th place, photojournalism: Jay Calderon, Andy Abeyta and Taya Gray.
- 4th place, land-use reporting: Erin Rode for her protection of Desert Hot Springs and its effort to reclaim its heritage as a spa vacation spot
- 4th place, enterprise reporting: James Cutchin’s protection of fractional-ownership actual property firm Pacaso and its controversial entry into the Palm Springs market
- fifth place, enterprise reporting: The Desert Sun employees, for broad protection of short-term trip rental points
- fifth place, editorial writing: Opinion editor Eric Hartley for his “clear and direct” editorial on the Newsom recall.