2013 Sunshine State Awards Finalists

2013 Sunshine State Awards

FINALISTS

Finalists in each category are presented in alphabetical order by organization

To correct errors or omissions, please contact Tim Dodson, tim@timdodson.com

James Batten Award for Public Service

Sun Sentinel – Sally Kestin & John Maines, Above the Law: Speeding Cops
Tampa Bay Times – Alexandra Zayas, In God’s name
The Palm Beach Post – Michael LaForgia, Kids in Peril

Diversity Award

Tampa Bay Times – Eric Deggans, Eric Deggans: A collection

First Amendment Foundation Freedom of Information Award

WESH-TV – Greg Fox, TextGate

Integrity Florida Award for Public Corruption Reporting

Lakeland Ledger – Suzie Schottelkotte, Money in Mulberry

Journalist of the Year

Miami New Times – Michael E. Miller, Death Trap

Gene Miller Award for Investigative Reporting

Sun Sentinel – Sally Kestin & John Maines, Above the Law: Speeding Cops

Breaking News Reporting (Large)

Orlando Sentinel – Arelis Hernandez, Bianca Prieto & Amy Pavuk, 4 dead, 1 hurt in killer’s rampage
The Miami Herald – Staff of The Miami Herald, Face Eater
The Palm Beach Post – Staff, Isaac had soaking surprise in store

Breaking News Reporting (Small)

Miami New Times – Kyle Munzenrieder , Francisco Alvarado, Gus Garcia-Roberts & Tim Elfrink, Miami Zombie
The Gainesville Sun – Jon Silman, Cindy Swirko, Joey Flechas & Chad Smith, Tropical Storm Debby
The Gainesville Sun – Staff, Interstate 75 Wrecks

Non-Deadline News Reporting (Large)

Sun Sentinel – Megan O’Matz, John Maines, Bad-Neighbor Banks: How Big Lenders Spread Blight
Tampa Bay Times – Staff, Stand your ground
The Palm Beach Post – Pat Beall, Medicaid funds flood of oxycodone to the poor

Non-Deadline News Reporting (Small)

Florida Weekly Palm Beach Gardens & Jupiter – Athena Ponushis, Life Since Amanda
Lakeland Ledger – Jeremy Maready & Lyle McBride, Polk’s Garbage Mess
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Melissa Holsman & Zaimarie De Guzman, Killer with no remorse

Feature Reporting (Large)

Tampa Bay Times – Leonora LaPeter Anton, The agony of Gretchen M.
The Miami Herald – Diana Moskovitz, Nubia Barahona – The Life of a Child
The Palm Beach Post – Carlos Frias, One Shot

Feature Reporting (Small)

Miami New Times – Tim Elfrink, Gun and the Scalpel
New Times Broward-Palm Beach – Deirdra Funcheon, Balloon Boy 2012: Three Years After the Hoax, Falcon Heene Fronts a Metal Band
The Gainesville Sun – Jon Silman, Teen with disease faces life of eating via a tube

Series

Sun Sentinel – Megan O’Matz & John Maines, Bad-Neighbor Banks: How Big Lenders Spread Blight
The Miami Herald – Audra D.S. Burch, Frances Robles & David Ovalle, The Trayvon Martin Story
The Palm Beach Post – Pat Beall & Adam Playford, Flawed machines, endangered votes

General Commentary & Criticism

Orlando Sentinel – Scott Maxwell, Scott Maxwell portfolio
Tallahassee Democrat – Gerald Ensley, Collection
The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Mac Thrower, Mac Thrower collection

Arts Commentary & Criticism

Creative Loafing – Mark Leib, Collection
Creative Loafing – Megan Voeller, Collection
Sun Sentinel – John Tanasychuk, Dining

Editorial Writing

Sarasota News Leader – Robert Hackney, Collection
Tampa Bay Times – Tim Nickens, Voting
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Rich Campbell, Collection

Editorial Cartoon

Baker County Press – Ed Hall, Portfolio of Cartoons
Sun Sentinel – Chan Lowe, Editorial Cartoons by Chan Lowe

Presidential Election Coverage

Lakeland Ledger – Ryan E. Little, Gary White, Jeremy Maready & Matthew Pleasant, The Homestretch
Orlando Sentinel – Jim Stratton, Collection
The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Derek Catron, Collection

State/Local Election Coverage

The Associated Press – Brendan Farrington, Collection
The Miami Herald – Staff, Florida Early Voting
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Jonathan Mattise, George Andreassi & Scott Wyland, Collection

Election Commentary

Creative Loafing – Mitch Perry, Collection
Tampa Bay Times – Adam C. Smith, Collection
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Eve Samples, Collection

Beat Reporting – Arts

Fort Myers Florida Weekly – Nancy Stetson, Collection
Orlando Sentinel – Matthew Palm, Collection
The News-Press – Charles Runnells, Collection

Beat Reporting – Business

Orlando Sentinel – Jason Garcia, Jason Garcia portfolio
South Florida Business Journal – Brian Bandell, Squandered bailout for U.S. Century Bank
Tampa Bay Business Journal – Jane Meinhardt, Legal Beat

Beat Reporting – Children’s Issues

Orlando Sentinel – Kate Santich, Kate Santich portfolio

Beat Reporting – Community

Lakeland Ledger – Kevin Bouffard, Citrus — An Industry at a Crossroads
The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Chris Graham, Chris Graham collection
The Gainesville Sun – Morgan Watkins, Alachua County coverage from Morgan Watkins

Beat Reporting – Consumer Issues

Lakeland Ledger – Elvina Nawaguna, Consumer News in Polk County
Orlando Sentinel – Richard Burnett, Richard Burnett portfolio
Tampa Bay Times – Laura Reiley, Collection

Beat Reporting – Crime/Courts

Naples Daily News – Aisling Swift, Collection
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Keona Gardner, Collection
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Melissa Holsman, Collection

Beat Reporting – Education

Orlando Sentinel – Lauren Roth, Failed charter pays principal more than $500K
The Florida Times-Union – Topher Sanders, Topher Sanders
The Miami Herald – Michael Vasquez, Education Beat Reporting

Beat Reporting – Environmental/Health/Science

New Times Broward-Palm Beach – Chris Sweeney, Coral Capers
Orlando Sentinel – Kevin Spear, Kevin Spear portfolio
Tampa Bay Times – Craig Pittman, The Springs

Beat Reporting – Government/Politics

Sun Sentinel – Brittany Wallman, Broward County beat coverage
The News-Press – Thomas Himes, Collection
The Palm Beach Post – John Kennedy, John Kennedy collection

Beat Reporting – Minority Issues

Daily Business Review – Julie Kay, Vala Lopez, Diversity Suffers With Firms in Survival Mode
Orlando Sentinel – Arelis Hernandez, Arelis Hernandez portfolio
The News-Press – Cristela Guerra, Their desperate search

Beat Reporting – Religion

Sun Sentinel – Lois Solomon, Collection
The Tampa Tribune – Michelle Bearden, Collection
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Zaimarie De Guzman, Collection

Beat Reporting – Sports

Orlando Sentinel – Mike Bianchi, Mike Bianchi portfolio
The News-Press – Dan DeLuca, Collection
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Laurel Pfahler, Collection

Special Publication/Section

Daily Business Review – Julie Kay & Vala Lopez, Diversity Suffers With Firms in Survival Mode
The News-Press – Staff, JetBlue Park
The Palm Beach Post – Bruce Moore, Eliot Kleinberg, Storm 2012

Investigative Reporting – Magazine

Ocala Magazine – John Sotomayor, Stand Your Ground
Ocala Magazine – John Sotomayor, Zombieland
Sarasota Magazine – Tony D’Souza, Eyes Wide Shut

Feature Reporting – Magazine

Boca Raton Magazine – Gaspar Gonzalez, Black Magic Woman
Ocala Magazine – John Sotomayor, Stand Your Ground
Playboy – Andy Dehnart, Reality on the High Seas

Profile Reporting

Gulfstream Media Group – Jennifer Tormo, Nila Do, Boca Life Magazine – “Forgetting Breast Cancer”
Sarasota Magazine – Adam Davies, Saranova and Me
Sarasota Magazine – Johannes Werner, Poster Boy

Commentary & Criticism – Magazine

Sarasota Magazine – Frank Galati, War By Other Means
Sarasota Magazine – Robert Plunket, From Rudolph to Halston
Sun Sentinel – Mark Gauert, Here & Now: With the Editor & Publisher

Trade/Special Interest Publication

850 – The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida – Linda Kleindienst, Larry Davidson, Saige Roberts & Scott Holstein, 850 – The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida
Horizons – Horizons Staff, Nova Southeastern University’s Horizons
Sun Sentinel – Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine

Cover Design

Sarasota Magazine – Gigi Ortwein, Sarasota Magazine covers, April, November and December 2012
Sun Sentinel – Anderson Greene, Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine
The News-Press – Lindi Daywalt-Feazel, Kinfay Moroti & Tammy Ayer, Grandeur (January 2012); Grandeur (November 2012); Grandeur (December 2012)

Inside Design

Boca Raton Magazine – Lori Pierino, Kathleen Ross, Call of the Wild / Here’s The Beef / Black Magic Woman
Sun Sentinel – Anderson Greene, Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine
The Boca Raton Observer – Scott Deal, Art Director, Look Better Naked

Best Single Issue

Tallahassee Magazine – Rosanne Dunkelberger, Larry Davidson & Staff, Tallahassee Magazine – May/June 2012
The Boca Raton Observer – Linda Behmoiras, Felicia Levine & Scott Deal, The Boca Raton Observer-January 2012-Health & Fitness Issue
The News-Press – Pamela Hayford, Lindi Daywalt-Feazel, Amanda Inscore & Wendy Fullerton, Southwest Florida Parent & Child October 2012

Breaking News Photography (Large)

Orlando Sentinel – George Skene, Falling bear

Breaking News Photography (Small)

The Gainesville Sun – Brad McClenny, Tropical Storm Debby in Cedar Key
The Gainesville Sun – Doug Finger, Multi-car crash on I-75 sends two to hospital
The News-Press – Kinfay Moroti, Traffic stop turns deadly

Feature Photography

Orlando Sentinel – Red Huber, Eagle and prey
The Florida Times-Union – Bob Self, Art Walk Faces
The Florida Times-Union – Bob Self, Morning Rower

Photography Story

The Gainesville Sun – Doug Finger, Mack’s killer gets 1st degree murder
The Gainesville Sun – Erica Brough, Rural Florida Community
Treasure Coast Newspapers – Eric Hasert, Stuart Air Show

Art/Photo Illustration

Creative Loafing – Andrew Spear, The Seven People You’ll Meet at the Convention
Orlando Sentinel – Rich Pope, Rich Pope portfolio
Sun Sentinel – Tammy Wheatley, 27 Things to Love About FLIFF

Infographic

Sun Sentinel – Cindy Jones-Hulfachor, Sally Kestin & John Maines, Cop blazes through Broward County
The Gainesville Sun – Staff, Tragedy on I-75
The News-Press – Michael Donlan, Scott Sleeper, Fracking in Florida; Mighty Mo’s final resting place

Front Page Design (Large)

Creative Loafing – Todd Bates, The Style Issue, Cat Fight, Lucky 13
Miami New Times – Miche Ratto, Collection
Tampa Bay Business Journal – Pam Huff & Chris Wilkerson, Tampa Bay Business Journal

Front Page Design (Small)

Orlando Sentinel – Staff, Orlando Sentinel front page
Sun Sentinel – Lillian Mayor, 17,668
The Miami Herald – Robert Cohn, Sports Front Page Design

Best Newscast

WFTS-TV – ABC Action News Staff , Kristin Moore & Felicia Burton, Tropical Storm Debby, ABC Action News At 5PM
WFTV-TV – Kim Bottom & Staff, WFTV Entry – 11pm Newscast 11/27/12

Investigative Reporting

WBBH-TV – Lauren Bernaldo, Matthew Apthorp, Andy Pierrotti, Voter Investigation
WFTS-TV – Michael George & Randy Wright, Private Information Made Public
WTSP-TV – Mike Deeson, Tony D’Astoli & Paul Thorson, FINR Abuse

Spot News Reporting

WBBH-TV NBC-2 News – Nina Moini, Nina Moini Spot News Reporting
WFTS-TV – Kristin Moore, Jacqueline Ingles & Scott Wilson, I-75 Pileup
WFTV-TV – Staff, DeLand Publix Plane Crash

Government Coverage

WFTS-TV – Michael George & Randy Wright, Private Information Made Public
WPTV-TV – Dan Krauth, Lynn Walsh & Jim Sitton, Millions Spent on Vacant South Florida Government Property
WTSP-TV – Mike Deeson, Tony D’Astoli & Paul Thorson, Vern Buchanan: Congressional Questions

Continuing Coverage

WFTS-TV – ABC Action News Staff, Tropical Storm Debby
WFTS-TV – Jackie Callaway & Matt McGlashen, Charity Scam
WFTV-TV – WFTV Staff, Trayvon Martin Coverage

Election Coverage

WESH-TV – Greg Fox, “Commitment 2012”
WFTS-TV – Staff, Republican National Convention

Feature Reporting

WESH-TV – Greg Fox, Scooter Man
WFTS-TV – Alison Morrow, Blind Man’s Dog Hit
WFTS-TV – Deiah Riley, Eugene Perry & Jennifer McVan, Melissa Dohme

Public Affairs

WFTS-TV – Brendan McLaughlin, John Fulton & John Pendygraft, If I Die Young
WFTS-TV – Lissette Campos, Jennifer McVan, Elizabeth Gold & Rich Pegram, Taking Action Against Domestic Violence
WUSF-TV – Sarah Pusateri, Jennifer Molina, Uniform Betrayal: Rape in the Military

Anchor of the Year

Bay News 9 – Veronica Cintron
WFTS-TV – Jamison Uhler
WWSB-TV – John McQuiston

Best Newscast

WLRN-Miami Herald News – Marva Hinton & The WLRN-Miami Herald News team, Day After the 2012 Election in South Florida
WUSF-FM – Carson Cooper, Best Newscast – 09/11/2012
WUSF-FM – Susan Giles Wantuck, Best Newscast – 11/06/2012

General Coverage

WFSU-FM – Jessica Palombo, Tropical Storm Debby Coverage
WLRN-Miami Herald News – Ashley Lopez, WLRN-Miami Herald News & The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, The Florida Ballot Amendments
WUSF-FM – WUSF Staff, Republican National Convention compilation

Investigative Reporting

WFSU-FM – Lynn Hatter, Family Speaks Out After Fla. State Mental Hospital Nurse Charged With Neglect
WLRN-Miami Herald News & The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting – Sarah Gonzalez, John O’Connor, Mc Nelly Torres & Lynn Waddell, 13th Grade (Remedial Education in Florida)
WUSF-FM – Steve Newborn, Post Office Supervisor Says Suspicious Spill Ruined His Health

Government Coverage

WFSU-FM – Sascha Cordner, Legislator looks to increase penalties for high-speed chases that result in deaths
WLRN-Miami Herald News – Gina Jordan, The Woman Behind Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law
WLRN-Miami Herald News – Rick Stone, How Bad Things Happen To Good Bills

Election Coverage

WLRN-Miami Herald News – WLRN-Miami Herald News Staff & The Florida Roundup, WLRN-Miami Herald News Election Coverage Samples

Feature Reporting

WLRN-Miami Herald News – Christine DiMattei, Remembering Jaco Pastorius
WLRN-Miami Herald News – Sammy Mack, Islandia: South Florida’s Own Little Atlantis
WUSF-FM – Bobbie O’Brien, Vets Adapative Sports: “This Is Not Your Father’s VA Anymore”

Public Affairs

WLRN-Miami Herald News – Phil Latzman, Elaine Chen, Alicia Zuckerman & Danny Rivero, The Florida Roundup: Post Election Special
WUSF-FM – WUSF Staff, The Closing and Privatizing of Florida’s Prisons

Affiliated Blog

South Florida Business Journal – Paul Brinkmann, Fraud in South Florida
Sun Sentinel – Anthony Man & Brittany Wallman, Broward Politics
Tampa Bay Times – Staff, The Buzz

Independent Blog

Shadow of the Stadium – Noah Pransky

News Web Site

Florida Center for Investigative Reporting – Staff
Tampa Bay Times – Staff, Tampabay.com
WLRN-Miami Herald News – The WLRN-Miami Herald News team, WLRN.org

Online Package

Orlando Sentinel – Staff, In The Shadow of Race
The News-Press – Staff, JetBlue Park: Ready for the Red Sox
WLRN-Miami Herald News – WLRN-Miami Herald News Team, Remembering Hurricane Andrew stories

User-Generated Content

WLRN-Miami Herald News – Terence Cantarella & WLRN Miami Herald News team, The Canoe Project
WLRN-Miami Herald News – The WLRN-Miami Herald News team, Tweet Us A Story: You Can Co-Author A Story With Junot Diaz

2013 Florida College Press Association Awards

WINNERS

College Journalist of the Year

Ryan Cortes – University Press

College Newspaper – Weekly

1. University Press – Staff, University Press

2. The Current – Elizabeth Tomaselli, Jeralyn Darling, Tracy Crow & Staff

3. The Minaret – Joshua Napier, Chelsea Daubar, Jessica Keesee & Daniel Reimold, S02 College Newspaper- Weekly

College Newspaper – Non-Weekly

1. Central Florida Future – 2012 Central Florida Future Staff, Central Florida Future

2. iPulse – iPulse Staff, Obama Meets Romney at Lynn

College Magazine

1. The Minaret – Michael Trobiano, Joshua Napier, Chelsea Daubar & Jessica Keesee, S04 College Magazine

College Media Website

1. University of Miami – Virginia Ansaldi, Patricia Borns Borns, Qin Chen & Megan Terrilli, The Audacity of Beauty

2. University of Miami – Marcos Alonso, Patricia Borns, Josh Meltzer & Megan Terrilli, Revolution Revisited

3. University Press – Staff, Upressonline

News Story – Weekly

1. University Press – Karla Bowsher & James Shackelford, Who’s in charge here?

2. The Current – Malena Carollo, One ASPEC member dies in wreck, two others injured

3. The Current – Elizabeth Tomaselli, New ECOS president to veto senate approved budget

News Story – Non-Weekly

1. Central Florida Future – Sarah Aslam, Student’s app violates policy

2. Central Florida Future – Andy Zunz, Fans fret over unfilled seats

3. The Gargoyle – Ryan Buffa, Preacher or protester? Tatter brings religious message to Flagler students

News Photo

1. Barry Buccaneer – AJ Gonzalez, Walkers continue their journey to end domestic violence

Feature Story – Weekly

1. The Current – Malena Carollo, EC student travels home to Venezuela; votes in election

2. The Minaret – Stef Crocco, S11 Feature Story – Weekly

3. Eagle News – Kalhan Rosenblatt, The Hijab Challenge

Feature Story – Non-Weekly

1. The Gargoyle – Sarah Williamson, Muslim student responds to ignorance, reacts with tolerance

Feature Photo

1. The Gargoyle – Sarah Williamson, Together again: Colombian refugees resettle in Jacksonville

2. University Press – Michelle Friswell, Mike Jarvis

Sports Story – Weekly

1. University Press – Ryan Cortes, Schnellenberger unhinged — and having the time of his life

2. The Current – Malena Carollo, Jenks serving up English after Eckerd athletic career

Sports Photo

1. University Press – Ryan Murphy, Graham Wilbert

Sports Column

1. University Press – Ryan Cortes, Commentary: FAU introduces new AD Pat Chun to thundering approval

Front Page Design – Weekly

1. University Press – Phaedra Blaize & Emily Galea, University Press Front Page Design

Front Page Design – Non-Weekly

1. iPulse – iPulse Staff, Honoring Our Own

Feature Design – Weekly

1. The Current – Carver Lee, Eckerd on politics

Feature Design – Non-Weekly

1. iPulse – iPulse Staff, Student’s Election Infection

2. Barry Buccaneer – Susan Dorta, Notable alumni share tips for landing a job after graduation

Editorial/Opinion Column

1. The Current – Will Skinner, Student shares his experience at Occupy Tampa

2. Central Florida Future – Kaley LaQuea, Hitt’s raise sends wrong message

3. The Current – Max Martinez, The Mets need a few more players