{"id":1374,"date":"2022-11-16T11:05:36","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T16:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resources.newhouse.syr.edu\/awards\/?post_type=newhouse_award&p=1374"},"modified":"2023-02-08T09:40:04","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T14:40:04","slug":"toner-prize-2023","status":"publish","type":"newhouse_award","link":"https:\/\/resources.newhouse.syr.edu\/awards\/awards-submission\/toner-prize-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Toner Prize 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Toner Prizes honor the legacy of the late Robin Toner, the first woman to be national political correspondent for The New York Times and a Syracuse University alumna.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":184,"template":"","meta":{"award_name":"Toner Prize 2023 ","award_organizer":["2"],"award_year":["9"],"award_administrator":["16"],"award_organizer_email":"rcoope01@syr.edu ","award_form":["1433"],"start_date":"1667304000000","end_date":"1673888340000","submission_end_date":"1674081000000","submission_reply_template":["182"],"submission_notification_template":["182"],"entry_category_key":"Toner Category","entry_filters":["News Organization","Toner Category","Reporters First Name","Reporters Last Name","Team Members","Submitter Email"],"preliminary_judging_pools":13,"judging_preview_fields":["News Organization","Entry Title","Reporters Last Name","Reporters First Name"],"judging_full_fields":["Toner Category","News Organization","description","Paywall Username","Paywall 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interactive"],"judges_emails":["rebecca.blatt@asu.edu","mike.stanton@uconn.edu","carrollj@umd.edu","jmmuller@usc.edu","patricia.gaston@ku.edu","rsgutter@syr.edu","jolmste@american.edu","vince.gonzales@usc.edu","clickmc@mailbox.sc.edu","mcoffee@umd.edu","abbottjm@missouri.edu","jrosman@syr.edu","ywilson@sfsu.edu","fbayles@bu.edu","tbridis@ufl.edu","christina.leonard@asu.edu","cdrew2@lsu.edu","aegallag@syr.edu","sbedingf@umn.edu","turnerm4@ohio.edu","sarah.h.cohen@asu.edu","cochranb@missouri.edu","Rick.Rodriguez@asu.edu","cummingd@wlu.edu","seidenbe@usc.edu","abdallah@ohio.edu","Steve.Crane@asu.edu","raulreis@unc.edu","teri.finneman@ku.edu","mquinlan2@unl.edu","Lee.Banville@mso.umt.edu","smithms@olemiss.edu","chris.graves@unl.edu","plp22@psu.edu","J.Brown5@tcu.edu","lydiat@udel.edu","horvitm@missouri.edu","caesara@unr.edu","ginas@uark.edu","maralee.schwartz@gmail.com","ann.w.compton@gmail.com","treaster@miami.edu","christina.bellantoni@usc.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","rcoope01@syr.edu","jgfobesm@syr.edu","cgrimes@syr.edu","algri100@syr.edu","tmstarme@syr.edu","joeduke4@gmail.com","Gary.Ghioto@unt.edu"],"final_judges_emails":["tmstarme@syr.edu","tmstarme@syr.edu","maralee.schwartz@gmail.com","maralee.schwartz@gmail.com","ann.w.compton@gmail.com","ann.w.compton@gmail.com","treaster@miami.edu","treaster@miami.edu","christina.bellantoni@usc.edu","christina.bellantoni@usc.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","mlodato@syr.edu","mlodato@syr.edu","rcoope01@syr.edu","rcoope01@syr.edu"],"judging_criteria":[{"label":"Overall Score","description":"0 is ineligible 5 is the highest","scale":5}],"final_judging_criteria":[{"label":"Overall Score","description":"0 is ineligible 5 is the highest","scale":5}],"vote_submission_template":["182"],"judging":{"jury1":{"entries":["2056","2060","2077","1707","1969","1894","1699","1900","2131","1930"],"judges":["jmmuller@usc.edu","rsgutter@syr.edu","patricia.gaston@ku.edu","tmstarme@syr.edu"]},"jury2":{"entries":["2001","1975","1981","1543","1948","1842","1697","1750","1754","1671"],"judges":["rebecca.blatt@asu.edu","carrollj@umd.edu","mike.stanton@uconn.edu"]},"jury3":{"entries":["1854","1864","1954","1886","1940","2123","1708","1861","1758","1709"],"judges":["mcoffee@umd.edu","abbottjm@missouri.edu","jrosman@syr.edu"]},"jury4":{"entries":["1848","1519","1804","1528","1825","1798","2020","1760","1639","1705"],"judges":["jolmste@american.edu","clickmc@mailbox.sc.edu","vince.gonzales@usc.edu"]},"jury5":{"entries":["1989","1829","2003","1687","1784","1877","1653","1570","1640"],"judges":["christina.leonard@asu.edu","cdrew2@lsu.edu","aegallag@syr.edu"]},"jury6":{"entries":["1860","2086","1834","1756","1711","1657","1782","2080","1510"],"judges":["ywilson@sfsu.edu","tbridis@ufl.edu","fbayles@bu.edu"]},"jury7":{"entries":["1730","2104","1762","2087","2017","1819","1905","2141","2050","1602"],"judges":["Rick.Rodriguez@asu.edu","cummingd@wlu.edu","cochranb@missouri.edu"]},"jury8":{"entries":["1787","1776","1518","1911","1792","1836","1890","1934","1691","1596"],"judges":["sbedingf@umn.edu","sarah.h.cohen@asu.edu","turnerm4@ohio.edu"]},"jury9":{"entries":["1770","1764","1554","1995","2098","2116","2110","2009","2011","1695","1626"],"judges":["raulreis@unc.edu","teri.finneman@ku.edu","mquinlan2@unl.edu"]},"jury10":{"entries":["1512","1611","1718","1963","2059","1733","1751","1871","1644","1692","1923"],"judges":["Steve.Crane@asu.edu","seidenbe@usc.edu","abdallah@ohio.edu"]},"jury11":{"entries":["1722","1984","1721","2044","2038","1917","1738","1659","1929","1810","1744"],"judges":["J.Brown5@tcu.edu","lydiat@udel.edu","plp22@psu.edu"]},"jury12":{"entries":["2066","1693","1575","2032","2072","1726","1622","2026","2093","1537","2122"],"judges":["horvitm@missouri.edu","ginas@uark.edu","caesara@unr.edu"]},"jury13":{"entries":["1728","1627","2075","1957","1585","2125","1633","1534","1863","1617"],"judges":["Lee.Banville@mso.umt.edu","chris.graves@unl.edu","smithms@olemiss.edu","rcoope01@syr.edu","jgfobesm@syr.edu","cgrimes@syr.edu"]},"unassigned":{"entries":[],"judges":["maralee.schwartz@gmail.com","ann.w.compton@gmail.com","treaster@miami.edu","christina.bellantoni@usc.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","algri100@syr.edu","joeduke4@gmail.com","Gary.Ghioto@unt.edu","stodghillr@missouri.edu"]}},"final_judging":{"national":{"entries":["2077","2001","2020","1886","1711","2003"],"judges":["maralee.schwartz@gmail.com","ann.w.compton@gmail.com","treaster@miami.edu","christina.bellantoni@usc.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","tmstarme@syr.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","rcoope01@syr.edu"]},"local":{"entries":["1611","2017","1934","1626","2044","2026","1633"],"judges":["maralee.schwartz@gmail.com","ann.w.compton@gmail.com","treaster@miami.edu","christina.bellantoni@usc.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","tmstarme@syr.edu","bkkirk@syr.edu","rcoope01@syr.edu"]},"unassigned":{"entries":[],"judges":["mlodato@syr.edu","mlodato@syr.edu"]}},"mirror_judging":[],"mirror_judging_final":[],"preliminary_voting":{"jury1":{"tmstarme@syr.edu":{"314":{"comments":"","scores":[]},"410":{"comments":"","scores":[]},"417":{"comments":"(brac","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"470":{"comments":"","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"545":{"comments":"","scores":[]},"596":{"comments":"next","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"660":{"comments":"","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"677":{"comments":"the ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"745":{"comments":"(brackets on Unscored)","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"857":{"comments":"","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"870":{"comments":"","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"save"},"rebecca.blatt@asu.edu":{"314":{"comments":"This is a tour de force of investigative, political and breaking news reporting, exposing dynamics that were hidden in plain view during the 2020 election cycle and continue well into the future. In addition, the findings are displayed clearly and the storytelling includes rich multimedia: photo, video, audio. It is a very immersive experience with intuitive navigation and opportunities for engagement.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"410":{"comments":"This is good reporting but does not have a crisp focus on elections. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"417":{"comments":"Deep reporting and well written --- gives much deeper analysis of the state of election laws than I've seen.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"470":{"comments":"Meticulous research in parsing many different false or questionable claims related to elections and the January 6th breach of the U.S. Capitol. While the reporting it strong and meaningful, the storytelling is lacking. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"545":{"comments":"Solid reporting on the California recall election race.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"596":{"comments":"Well reported and well written with a quick turnaround -- gives insight into Jan 6 and also statewide politics, also serving as a great setup to the 2024 race. This is the full package - covering candidates, campaigns and elections at a high level.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"660":{"comments":"Strong investigative reporting, adding deep insight into arguably one of the most important members of Congress.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"677":{"comments":"Tenacious reporting about elections, but the tone is inflammatory rather than nuanced or empathetic. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"745":{"comments":"Wonderful writing and thoughtful, thorough reporting. These are among the best profiles I've read, and the journalist takes on very complex subjects. The drawback is that this is not truly campaign or election coverage. While these are political figures, the focus of the reporting is not about elections.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"857":{"comments":"Very good reporting - not exactly aligned with the mission of this contest.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"870":{"comments":"Does not focus on elections, campaigns or candidates ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"status":"submit"},"stodghillr@missouri.edu":{"314":{"comments":"Excellent work all around on the biggest story of the year.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"410":{"comments":"Well done. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"417":{"comments":"Impressive New Yorker deep dive, analysis and yarn. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"470":{"comments":"Solid, but narrower than riot coverage.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"545":{"comments":"Well done.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"596":{"comments":"Richly reported profile work in an important new player on national scene.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"660":{"comments":"Well done. Solid, important enterprise reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"677":{"comments":"Good work, but doesn't stack up to most of the others. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"745":{"comments":"The most impressive reporting and writing of the bunch!","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"857":{"comments":"Solid but doesn't stack up to the others.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"870":{"comments":"Rich yet narrow compared to other entires.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"carrollj@umd.edu":{"314":{"comments":"This is a tour de force, with an army of reporters doing what journalists do best: putting the readers in places they never could go to tell an incredible story. Deeply researched (with footnotes!) and thoughtfully reported, the stories in this package provide an insightful and alarming profile of one of the most important events in our democracy. Personal note: I know one of the reporters who participated in this project: Carol Leonnig.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"410":{"comments":"Impressive access to each subject in these profiles.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"417":{"comments":"An impressively researched story connects disparate dots to reveal the assault on our election system. It is a complex and sophisticated story that is written clearly. Personal note: I know Jane Mayer.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"470":{"comments":"FactCheck.org remains the gold standard for fair and accurate reporting. Each entry is a careful dissection of claims and events that have been the subjects of misinformation campaigns. Superb work.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"545":{"comments":"Solid reporting and analysis, but the competition is this category is tough.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"596":{"comments":"The stories explaining Hawley's background and rise and the man behind his success are insightful and full of surprises. The breaking story of Danforth disavowing Hawley was also quite compelling. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"660":{"comments":"A revealing dive into Joe Manchin's personal economic interests. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"677":{"comments":"Incisive, fact-based reporting here. The trip to Florida to discover the non-existent offices of the Cyber Ninjas was particularly compelling.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"745":{"comments":"These are master classes in political profile-writing.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"857":{"comments":"Good question to Putin, an excellent personal story around abortion. Other stories are rather routine.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"870":{"comments":"It's best to avoid using family members as news sources - there are other people out there with equally compelling stories. And the profile was routine. Nothing exceptional in this package.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"status":"submit"},"jmmuller@usc.edu":{"1699":{"comments":"This story had the potential to look at deeper issues, such as the limitations facing US Embassies when it comes to helping Americans imprisoned in foreign prisons. Instead, it meandered in telling the plight of one woman, without a larger purpose or insight.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1707":{"comments":"This detailed, disturbing account of the child separation (zero tolerance) policy of the Trump Administration is a contender for a winner in this category. Wish I could award two 5's.\nThe report made me cry, made me angry, made me ashamed. Outstanding work. If other judges vote to give this entry a 5, I would be persuaded to change my score.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1894":{"comments":"This is a terrific multi-media story about what's at stake in places where election deniers have authority over elections. Easy to follow and scary to contemplate.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1900":{"comments":"Well-written series on the impact of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe - delving into how it could lead to other rights dissolving. Not especially ground-breaking.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1930":{"comments":"This deep dive investigation by the Washington Post into \"the virus of election denialism\" in Arizona is outstanding. It is also a terrifying glimpse at the power of lies to overwhelm evidence, meticulously reported, that voter fraud is a chimera. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1969":{"comments":"Elie Mystal is a terrific commentator. That said, these pieces feel more like commentary than breakout, game-changing reporting. But I sure enjoyed reading them!","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2056":{"comments":"Bloomberg's deep-dive reporting into ballot initiatives in each state and the massive amounts of money spent on them is important, detailed, and extremely helpful to voters wanting to navigate this confusing terrain. Manages to cover both detailed state ballot info and the larger national impacts at the same time. Commendable work.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2060":{"comments":"This issue of the Gateway Journalism Review is an outstanding review of the Supreme Court's transition over the years, ending with the decision to overturn Roe and what that rightward tilt portends. But it feels more academic than journalistic. Love the sketches and illustrations. An important contribution to the historical understanding of the high court. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2077":{"comments":"The leaked draft opinion overturning Roe was Politico's exclusive, and the reporters produced a game-changing series of reports that had a huge impact on the midterm elections, on the lives of a whole generation of women, for many years to come. \"Game-changer\" is an understatement. Not only did the reporting team do an outstanding job analyzing the opinion, but their additional reporting on the attempts to influence the justices with \"wining and dining\" and expensive vacations provided by right wing evangelical groups is shocking. Ditto the revelations about the spouses of justices engaging in conflict-of-interest activities, in a Supreme Court lacking strong ethical codes.\nStunning, every word.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2131":{"comments":"Excellent analysis of Orban's authoritarian appeal to the right wing of the GOP, and a frightening, convincing argument that the United States could easily adopt Hungary's \"Goulash Authoritarianism\"\n(changing laws to suit your prejudices and needs). I felt as though Marantz could be writing history, before it actually happens. A cautionary tale.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"patricia.gaston@ku.edu":{"1699":{"comments":"Fascinating tale. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1707":{"comments":"Well-done and a piece that explains the nuts and bolts of a program that sends shivers through most Americans. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1894":{"comments":"Such an important topic but it is hard to see what is new about the topic given that all of the bigger papers\/websites\/broadcast entities have covered the story. Agree that this will remain top of mind heading into 2024 presidential cycle.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1900":{"comments":"I am a huge fan of the 19th and how they break down stories that affect women. While the 19th may be considered a niche publication, the package of stories on Dobbs -- what happened, how women are faring 100 days after the ruling, how women of color are setting an agenda for the fight against Dobbs, how women made history during the midterms -- was important to the nationwide discussion. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1930":{"comments":"I recuse myself because of a conflict of interest -- I worked for the Post for 21 years. ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1969":{"comments":"Nobody writes it (or says it on television) like Elie Mystal! He takes on any topic be it Justice, Supreme Court, race, gerrymandering. His hard-hitting prose is a breath of fresh air during these chaotic times. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2056":{"comments":"All politics is local -- appreciate the statehouse looks at issues (abortion, voting, wages, inflation, et al) that ultimately decided the 2022 elections. These issues have not all been resolved but at least public has a better sense about what it is at stake. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2060":{"comments":"Hard-hitting analysis of the Court...public desperately needs to know as much as it can given the sway the justices have over most aspects of our daily lives. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2077":{"comments":"This Roe v. Wade coverage shook the country, the 2022 election! And it will reverberate for years to come. This is what good journalism is all about -- so grateful that the public knew that a right was about to be taken away before the final decision was revealed. The country will never be the same...","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2131":{"comments":"An enlightening, bold look at how authoritarianism reigns in Hungary and what it means for American conservatives. I appreciate the history lessons throughout as well as learning more about the key players in real time as this story is moving fast. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"rsgutter@syr.edu":{"1699":{"comments":"Nice deviation for People, but falls short in comparison.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1707":{"comments":"Deep but more investigative than political.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1894":{"comments":"Solid and important.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1900":{"comments":"Interesting but not as strong as others. I feel like I\u2019ve read a lot of this before.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1930":{"comments":"Strong. Which Arizona entry is the best?","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1969":{"comments":"I like the entries but they\u2019re more legal opinion and analysis than pure politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2056":{"comments":"Ambitious series.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2060":{"comments":"Ok.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2077":{"comments":"Huge story. A once in a lifetime leak.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2131":{"comments":"Prescient.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"}},"jury7":{"sarah.h.cohen@asu.edu":{"243":{"comments":"Important stories about political culture, but I'm not sure it's the right fit for this prize. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"399":{"comments":"This is a great story for any statehouse to undertake, and Pennsylvania makes it particularly hard. IBut I'm not sure it rose to the level of a story that could make a difference, because they didn't really show why a reader would care -- I didn't see evidence of wrongdoing, or anything that suggests problems with the legislative records. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"448":{"comments":"I have to recuse myself from this entry - Charlotte said that she would use the scores from the other two jurors, so I just put a \"3\" here as a placeholder. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"452":{"comments":"This is a great example of the power of voting and its effect on local life, as well as the expression of cultural differences. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"528":{"comments":"This is a remarkable story about an injustice that should not have happened. My reason for the score of three (as it is in several other entries) is that it doesn't fit the criteria of the contest very well. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"537":{"comments":"I wish the author had better outlined this story in an application letter - it left it to me to figure out what the most important revelations were. That said, the stories are an important chronicling of the abuse of power of one of the country's most powerful and high-profile governors, using public records and dogged reporting. It's hard for me to discern which of these stories was originally from the Times Union, and which were published simultaneously or after others with the same stories. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"543":{"comments":"This is a great story, but not a great fit for the criteria of the Toner prize. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"761":{"comments":"The Buffalo election presented voters with an unusual and difficult choice: An unpopular long-term mayor against a democratic socialist in a relatively conservative area. Zremski's stories -- designed to uncover illuminate the newcomer -- did just that. They lack a little depth in research and public records, which is the reason for the score. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"768":{"comments":"Although this isn't a traditional politic story, it takes on one of the toughest issues facing residents during the pandemic: The connection between crime and the failure of schools. The depth of the reporting makes it clear that this stories help readers understand their government and force the government to address them. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"824":{"comments":"This is solid political reporting, covering a wide mayoral race with a candidate that the public knew little about. It's got on-the-ground reporting along with some more in-depth public records work. The application suggests that the stories help voters handle ranked-choice voting, but there isn't much in the stories that does that. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"sbedingf@umn.edu":{"243":{"comments":"Strong sourcing and compelling storytelling brings this all-to-common horror show to life. A very close competitor for the top prize, in my mind. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"399":{"comments":"Same above. A fine piece of accountability journalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"448":{"comments":"A story that should be reported out in many other states that allow politicians to keep unspent campaign donations. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"452":{"comments":"Compelling long-form reporting. Welcome home, Nick Kristof.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"528":{"comments":"Powerful story that was unlikely to receive attention without the dogged reporting of these particular journalists. This sort of small-town racial injustice and discrimination is prevalent nationwide but rarely receives the journalistic attention it deserves. That is never more true than now, when local journalism is withering. A thorough, thoughtful, well-written, and -- I believe -- an award-winning piece of journalism.\n ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"537":{"comments":"High-level, professional journalism on an important series of stories -- but they are stories that would have received attention from other news outlets as well. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"543":{"comments":"Also a close runner-up. Deeply reported investigation into policies that contributed to the wildfire disasters in California. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"761":{"comments":"Excellent coverage of an interesting political story. Solid, professional journalism. But does not rise to the level of award-winning, in my mind. Not a knock, just not as revelatory at the Tennessee investigation.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"768":{"comments":"This one comes closest to matching the Tennessee story, in my view. Intelligent enterprise work that digs beneath the surface to reveal hidden impacts of the pandemic. Revelatory.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"824":{"comments":"Solid work on a heavily covered story.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"smithms@olemiss.edu":{"243":{"comments":"Interesting storytelling in this series of stories. And, I appreciated this organizations approach sharing the stories of the women's experiences. Lansing is not only the capital of Michigan but it seems to be an epicenter with an intersection for sexual misconduct intertwined with politics. Women being sexualized at their place of employment, having to deal with more pressure from work along with unwanted advances from people they call \u201cco-workers\u201d although a figurative glass ceiling already separates them -- the descriptions and frames were solid. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"399":{"comments":"While Americans were struggling to not only pay bills but to maintain their health, legislative bodies were cashing in on luxuries and non-essential pleasures seemed like a quick explanatory piece. While I appreciated the data analysis involved I didn't feel like it rose to the level of an investigative series. Still, this report brought to light the extreme spending of law makers and their staff, shedding light on this hidden agenda. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"448":{"comments":"Are donations actually being used correctly for election campaigns? According to this report and their analysis of the State Legislature campaign finances over the last few years, they discovered that funds are not being used properly and the expenses are not tied to their campaigns. It was a solid effort and a good service to local readers.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"452":{"comments":"This was an interesting read, but perhaps did have a broad enough scope or impact. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"528":{"comments":"The reporting on this campaign about the rising number of African -American children being imprisoned at a higher rate in Rutherford County was an interesting story. This story was masterful in setting the agenda for readers and helping them to think about what's impacting young children. The narrative shifted a bit when attaching this uptick in arrests to a particular re-election campaign and term of the judge was insightful.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"537":{"comments":"This entry took a holistic approach in discussing the term of Gov. Cuomo and his wronging toward the people of NY. Reporting on the cover ups and broken beginnings of Gov. Cuomo\u2019s term in NY, the stories ranged from faulty bridges to moral failures. The in-depth reporting of these circumstances was a solid reminder of the role of state reporters in explaining simple and complex issues to the public. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"543":{"comments":"For a single entry, this was an important piece of work. I am not sure how they aired the hour-long piece. But it certainly brought together the facts. (I had some concerns about the language use at times, it felt at times like commentary. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"761":{"comments":"A socialist and surprise, Bernie Sanders and his impact on democracy. Running on the idea of bridging socialism and capitalism in his state, encouraging entrepreneurism and influencing the economy from individual to corporations from all fronts. From the Mayor\u2019s office to the Presidential run, keeping his values at the forefront, reform that help people.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"768":{"comments":"School is keeping Connecticut\u2019s youth from choosing crime by stealing cars. This report helps highlight the connection between school and crime in their communities. However, there were no surprises or wow factors really in this presentation. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"824":{"comments":"Good old shoe leather reporting. This reporter covered a lot of ground and followed the impact of facts on public opinion. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"cummingd@wlu.edu":{"1602":{"comments":"I had trouble following the explanatory journalism on this look at a county that failed to redistrict. This seems to be about Voting Rights violations, but it's hard to tell. Figures aren't identified as Black or white, which is one reason I was confused.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1730":{"comments":"Although I was a bit put off by the emotional tone throughout, the dramatic background music and making PG&G the murderous, profit-enslaved bad guys supported by darkly compromised state politicians, there\u2019s a practical message to the package \u2013 the culture can only change when incentives change, which means the laws protecting PG&G from criminal and costly fines to the company (NOT to ratepayers) need to change . . .In the end, this was a powerful and tireless investigation that worked. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1762":{"comments":"The \"gotcha\" here is small -- the governor said he had no connection with Saudi money and the newspaper found an email that showed he did. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1819":{"comments":"I followed these campaigns closely being in Georgia. Bluestein's analysis in each of these is clear, solid and a great public service. Final entry is excerpt from his 2022 book, Flipped. Not that it should influence our judgment, but he was in a team of AJC writers that won the top local Toner award last year -- on Georgia's fraught recount in 2021.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1905":{"comments":"Detroit News spent some time uncovering the campaign to pressure local election officials to turn over tabulator machines. The Democratic AG pursued these as crimes, and the newspaper reported it using FOIA and interviews. Nothing too surprising. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2017":{"comments":"Strong, patient investigation of the fatal effects of a conservative state\u2019s vaccine hesitancy, individual \u201cliberty\u201d tradition and anti-science politics on how a hospital, St. Peter\u2019s in Helena, mal-functioned during the Delta variant surge.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2050":{"comments":"The series is a bit rough in editing, but informative. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2087":{"comments":"Solid reporting by various reporters on several local races. I checked outcomes and they all proved that the analyses here were quite accurate, as well as interesting. Writing is a little uneven, maybe because each is by a different reporter in a different place.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2104":{"comments":"The fact that the harassment of \u201cvoter fraud\u201d campaign spilled over into threats and form letters in blue-state Illinois is hardly surprising, or a problem. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2141":{"comments":"Good audio storytelling about the little NH town where newcomer libertarians almost destroyed the local schools by simply showing up. The details are dramatic and clear. But the NYT told this same story first and with better framing as part of larger threats to democracy.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"Rick.Rodriguez@asu.edu":{"1602":{"comments":"This is a really nicely researched and story about local ramifications of the impact of changes to the Voting Rights Act. It isn't easy to make stories about redistricting interesting and easy to understand but the writer did just that.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1730":{"comments":"This was an extraordinary commitment by a local television news organization to pursue the story behind a series of devastating wildfires in Northern California caused by equipment from a giant power company. I am a former longtime editor of the Sacramento Bee and while these fires did not occur during my tenure, I am very aware of their impact. Never did I expect that a local television station would be the media outlet to doggedly pursue the stories behind stories. The effort really was unprecedented and impressive.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1762":{"comments":"A solid investigative piece that forced a gubernatorial candidate to come clean on his links to the Saudi government. Good job of following documents, emails and money to force the candidate to be transparent, which obviously benefits voters.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1819":{"comments":"Some of the most insightful individual political reporting that I've read this year. While several of this year's entries covering local and statewide races are quite good as well, I found Bluestein's individual body of work the most impressive.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1905":{"comments":"The last two stories were the strongest of this group, showing initiative and original reporting in the public interest. Still, it seemed like there were too many moving parts, too many characters that made it difficult to understand for an outsider reading the pieces.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2017":{"comments":"Riveting reporting and writing on the local impact of statewide policies driven by political beliefs unsupported by scientific evidence. It is a stark, troubling local account of the impact of a divided nation's response to a pandemic. Terrific writing. Would have liked more comment from those who supported the policies and families who lost loved ones. Very close to my top choice as I switched back and forth.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2050":{"comments":"A very comprehensive job of what news organizations used to do -- breakdown local elections so voters can make informed choices. There was solid reporting on trends, Democrats and Republicans, campaign contributions and more but nothing really earth-shattering other than the commitment to provide the information in an age of declining resources.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2087":{"comments":"A nice team effort gauging the pulse of different segments of California. I particularly liked the piece on the newly created 3rd congressional district which is close to the one in which I live. It did a very nice job of pointing out the differences in the long narrow district that really magnifies the difficulties in drawing good district lines.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2104":{"comments":"A well-written and solid job of looking at the records of gubernatorial candidates, election deniers and providing a crib sheet on a variety of election races. This kind of reporting was standard in more affluent times so the effort today was notable.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2141":{"comments":"A very different kind of entry that captured small town news as it occurred, divisions and all. It was an interesting listen.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"cochranb@missouri.edu":{"1602":{"comments":"This Mobile, Alabama, television reporter describes how a county in Mississippi declined to redistrict after the 2020 census rather than lose its majority-minority district. The report raises questions about whether this is happening elsewhere in states affected by the Supreme Court's decision to abolish the \"preclearance\" provision of the Voting Rights Act. Unfortunately, that question wasn't answered and the story lacked the background and context needed to fully understand the implications.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1730":{"comments":"For four years, this Sacramento television reporter has investigated the role of California's power company, Pacific Gas and Electric, in sparking wildfires that have devastated communities in the state. This story exposes connections between the governor and the power company and its law firm. The use of accusatory language and the lack of response from the governor or PG&E raised questions about the fairness of the story.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1762":{"comments":"In this story, the Republican candidate for governor of Connecticut acknowledges his work as a consultant on a project in Saudi Arabia. The reporters did not describe the source of the documents they obtained, including an email about a meeting with a representative of a Saudi state-run investment fund. The story seemed to have little impact.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1819":{"comments":"These stories about the Georgia governor and Senate races analyzed the outcome in a readable fashion, but broke no new ground.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1905":{"comments":"This series of stories tracked an investigation of efforts by a small group of Republican activists to gain access to voting equipment after the 2020 election. While thorough, the stories were sometimes difficult to follow and the consequences for the ordinary citizen were unclear.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2017":{"comments":"Shortly after a new Republican governor took office during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Montana state legislature passed the broadest anti-vaccination law in the country. The governor and his administration abolished mask mandates and other restrictions. As the Delta variant took hold, the impact on patients and medical personnel was severe. Officials even intervened in a patient's case, attempting to overrule the judgments of medical professionals. This deep and probing investigation shows in excruciating detail how politics can have a major impact on citizens in one of the most crucial aspects of their lives -- their health care. Elections have consequences.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2050":{"comments":"Voice of OC sought out every candidate for every office in Orange County, CA, and obtained answers to a questionnaire about issues and governing. The granular detail was available to any voter and produced stories that compared responses of candidates in down-ballot races that ordinarily don't get much coverage. This painstaking effort performed a public service for the citizens of Orange County.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2087":{"comments":"This is an ambitious series that probes the attitudes of California voters during the months before the 2022 election. The most interesting piece looks at voters in a 450 mile-long Congressional District that mixes urban centers and rural enclaves who don't see eye-to-eye.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2104":{"comments":"The coverage of the Illinois governor's race was thorough and provided historic context on each candidate, but broke no new ground.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2141":{"comments":"Citizens in a small New Hampshire town learn the consequences of nonparticipation when a small number of committed activists attend an annual town meeting and enact draconian cuts in the school budget. The reporter takes us along on the journey as parents of students mobilize their neighbors to restore education funds. This engaging story shows in a microcosm what happens when citizens neglect and forgo their democratic right to a say in government policy. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"}},"jury12":{"lydiat@udel.edu":{"215":{"comments":"impressive scope of work. good and succinct explanations of the issues and problems facing the council and the mayor.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"368":{"comments":"this is what local news should do--find out the details of local government's action, inactions and mistakes. The challenges inherent in getting information from a closed system show the doggedness of the reporter.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"464":{"comments":"fascinating story, lots of research on an interesting situation.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"494":{"comments":"good work tracking down a small thing that turned out to be a major issue. most citizens (and journalists!) often overlook the exact wording of bills and laws. great catch!","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"496":{"comments":"Accessible writing and explanation of the many issues facing voters and citizens.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"531":{"comments":"well written, explained with detail and depth the history of the man, as well as what led to his downfall.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"564":{"comments":"what a great way to question candidates and really get to the heart of what the voters want to know, and what they want officials to do when elected!","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"590":{"comments":"while not a traditional political story, the political implications of this series and the entire investigation are clear.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"708":{"comments":"Excellent series that helps to explain where misinformation starts and spreads. by looking at a state that has seen a big swing in voters, it allows the reader to understand and have context about how people think.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"818":{"comments":"clearly one of the top political reporters on the east coast. his depth of knowledge about jersey politics helps to make stories that are soundly sourced and explained.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"836":{"comments":"great resource for voters and residents of the area, clearly lays out issues and what people can do.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"seidenbe@usc.edu":{"215":{"comments":"The first story in this bunch about an alderwoman whose committee spent close to $200K yet only met three times during the year and did not advance any legislation or policies was good. The story didn\u2019t reveal the genesis of the story, i.e. whether they found it by looking through records or if it was revealed by other sources. The video accompanying the post is a Q&A between an anchor and the reporter had one section where the reporter was talking about the alderwoman but it was showing video of the mayor (both of whom are Black women). Another story was about the fact that a plan touted by the mayor to go after gang profits has stalled. The others were fairly run-of-the-mill.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"368":{"comments":"This was a confusing set of articles, especially the first two. They featured a lot of details, names, quotes and actions but it was presented in a roundabout way with little to no context. The later articles dealt with allegations of a meeting on salaries that may have violated the state\u2019s open meeting law. It was definitely important to cover these issues, but they came from an allegation made public by an official, not from any digging by the news outlet.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"464":{"comments":"I felt cheated by this story. I thought it was going to give me insight into Kevin Greeson\u2019s evolution from a progressive Democrat to a diehard Trumper, but it only offered some surface suggestions about the economy and media consumption. And, it ended quite abruptly.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"494":{"comments":"This was a great catch by the reporters on the Enquirer. The paper did several stories about the mistake, who was responsible and what people on both sides said about it. However, the reporting could have and should have gone further. The reporters pointed out the difference between household and family incomes, but did not go into details on the rationale behind using household vs. family, or any outside experts to give perspective about why one should be used over the other. I would have also liked to see whether cities of comparable size have full or part-time city councils and get an outsider\u2019s perspective on whether the charter amendment would do anything to tackle corruption.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"496":{"comments":"These are detailed and thorough reports on election races and city governance. The reporting and writing is top-notch and quite comprehensive. Again, as above it doesn\u2019t go toward anything innovative or new in its reporting, but they are great examples of the way politics and political power should be covered. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"531":{"comments":"WBEZ\u2019s reporting on Michael Madigan features a series of stories about the end of a political era in Illinois and really across the nation. While WBEZ is commended for keeping the story alive in its web pages, the coverage represents basic, though thorough, spot news reporting on the downfall of a politically powerful politician. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"564":{"comments":"This entry features a website that asked voters what kinds of questions they wanted a city council candidate to address. It features comments from people interviewed, some of whom are not eligible to vote. They came up with a good list of questions to pose to the candidates and featured the candidates' answers to the questions, but most of the entry was fairly routine reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"590":{"comments":"This is a well-reported series about a rape allegation against a developer, up for appointment to the Milwaukee Police Foundation, exposed corruption and \u201cfavor-dealing\u201d within the Police Department and Fire and Police Commission whose members are appointed by the Mayor. It\u2019s a story about power brokers and the police department and I don't know if it fits as well into the award's emphasis on political reporting on campaigns, elections or candidates. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"708":{"comments":"This is a vitally important set of stories about the GOP effort to undermine elections. The reporting shows how Trump\u2019s voter fraud myths are playing out in Pennsylvania with a candidate for US Senate, a local township\u2019s resolution on election integrity and state efforts at voting audit and restrictive voting laws. The reporters gather comments from conservative and moderate Republicans, Democrats and outside observers including researchers from Stanford and NYU. This reporting shows how on a regional and local level, citizens are being duped by phony claims of election fraud that follow the national effort led by Trump. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"818":{"comments":"This is a good solid political reporting. It does not break any new ground and is not necessarily innovative in its coverage, but it is thorough and provides context that shows the factors at play in the recent elections in New Jersey.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"836":{"comments":"There is a wide breadth of reporting, though much of it is in the spot news vein \u2013 a rally on redistricting, someone deciding not to run again, as well as practical stories about the process, i.e. here\u2019s what you need to know about the recall election. But the site presents all of the stories in a blog type fashion, and that means there is no way for users to easily find the kind of information they are looking for. Having sections on the side would have helped.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"J.Brown5@tcu.edu":{"215":{"comments":"A good look at how Chicago works","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"368":{"comments":"Good work ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"464":{"comments":"Good work","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"494":{"comments":"Good work and good catch!","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"496":{"comments":"The depth and breadth of this entry is outstanding. The stories frame ongoing national issues through a local frame. It's clear Schwartzman works his beat. He writes with a voice of authority which isn't cluttered with bias and opinion.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"531":{"comments":"Thoughtful look at the final day of a political boss. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"564":{"comments":"Very helpful tool and information","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"590":{"comments":"This series lives up to the adage, \"comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.\" Excellent reporting","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"708":{"comments":"An important explainer on a topic that will take years to fully untangle.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"818":{"comments":"A good primer on NJ politics","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"836":{"comments":"Wonderful tool for audience engagement","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"caesara@unr.edu":{"1537":{"comments":"Basic coverage shows firm grasp of local political candidates, issues.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1575":{"comments":"Well-reported basic stories. , including emphasis on fact-checking in county commission race. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1622":{"comments":"Compelling potential. Underdeveloped.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1693":{"comments":"Routine background on gubernatorial candidate. Shows some resourcefulness in gathering material despite subject's refusal to grant interview.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1726":{"comments":"Impressive examination of Turning Point's vast influence in the remaking of Arizona Republican Party. At times, coverage dwells extensively on insider machinations. The dominant narrative on the melding of religion and right-wing politics is compelling.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2026":{"comments":"Thorough reporting, incisiveness writing. Excellent insight on Texas' most notable politicians. Stories demonstrate command of context and analysis illuminated by ample stats and other facts. Overall coverage is authoritative, almost fully transparent on sourcing, and highly effective.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2032":{"comments":"Well-reported stories overall. Over-use of anonymous sources in one. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2066":{"comments":"Commendable fact-checking. Explanatory journalism serves an important public service.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2072":{"comments":"Effective watchdog coverage of a new mayor on matters of transparency, conflicts of interest and status of campaign promises, particularly regarding crime.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2093":{"comments":"Robust coverage of important topic. Some text is heavy on insider angles. But overall package explaining politicized twists and turns of redistricting serves a public service.\n\n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2122":{"comments":"Solid story. Provides basic background on School Board candidates and key issues.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"ginas@uark.edu":{"1537":{"comments":"Easy to see why Chris Potter is a trusted source with his accessible political reports.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1575":{"comments":"Thorough and unbiased reporting on Nevada politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1622":{"comments":"Colorful reporting from Montana.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1693":{"comments":"Solid profile of an inaccessible politician. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1726":{"comments":"Colorful and unique reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2026":{"comments":"Illuminates the massive spending in Texas politics and connects the dots to political appointments and powerful allies. Exemplary explanation of fundraising, rural Texas sentiments, behind-the-scenes intrigue.\nCongratulations to The Texas Tribute political team for helping readers with accessible graphics and an explainer embedded in stories about their elections coverage.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2032":{"comments":"Extensive coverage of the Wisconsin Senate race and the financial dealings of the incumbent. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel readers are fortunate to have this political team.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2066":{"comments":"Non-partisan coverage of a divisive issue, with timely details that informed Michigan residents. Captured the color of local reaction to the end of Roe v. Wade without sensationalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2072":{"comments":"Revealing reporting in a city that is saturated in media. Interesting details, compelling storytelling.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2093":{"comments":"Excellent reporting on something critically important to democracy, but also complex.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2122":{"comments":"School board reporting is more relevant than ever. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"horvitm@missouri.edu":{"1537":{"comments":"Basic election coverage.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1575":{"comments":"Fine election coverage but doesn't stand out.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1622":{"comments":"Not much here and not really a good fit for this contest.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1693":{"comments":"A good profile.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1726":{"comments":"Interesting and in-depth, but ultimately pretty narrow focused and apparently missed the fact that, by and large, this wasn't working. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2026":{"comments":"Focuses on politics and only sometimes on issues, but well written, smart and insightful. Gives Texans a much deeper understanding of how the political system works and doesn't work.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2032":{"comments":"Some good coverage of issues and analysis of the race. This entry is a little light on policy in favor of more headline-grabbing topics like the Russia story.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2066":{"comments":"I am not rating this because one of the reporters is a former student who I keep in touch with. If I'm needed to break a tie I think I could judge it fairly; let me know. (I only entered the 0 because the system wouldn't let me leave it blank).","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"2072":{"comments":"The entry about the attorney's ties is strong, but several other entries promise more than they deliver or don't state why something is important. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2093":{"comments":"Some really good analysis and detailed coverage. Provides great context and background to help the public understand the forces behind the issues.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2122":{"comments":"This is good information for voters, but a very basic election round-up of the candidates.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"}},"jury2":{"jmmuller@usc.edu":{"271":{"comments":"Extraordinary reporting on the behind-the-scenes machinations and maneuverings of the Trump team leading up to the election and culminating with the January 6 insurrection. The only caveat I have about awarding this the top rating is the anonymity granted to sources in order to obtain such detail about the closed meetings at the White House. However, those officials whose actions and words were attributed by others were provided the opportunity to confirm or deny or respond, so that does help. The sheer lunacy of some of these meetings is terrifying and will clearly be part of the historical record. This series reads like dystopian fiction. The fact that it is reality serves as a terrifying warning about the fragility of democracy.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"349":{"comments":"If other jurors rate this as a \"5,\" I could be persuaded to go along. This dogged, relentless, shoe-leather reporting by Hugo Lowell at the Guardian resulted in making the connection between President Trump and the effort at overturning the results of the 2020 election at the certification on January 6th. Uncovering at least one phone call between Trump and his political allies at the Willard Hotel, Lowell's report made it clear that Trump was no idle observer of efforts to disrupt the January 6th certification. Lowell also was the first to report on the PowerPoint prepared for the President on how to overturn the election results.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"415":{"comments":"This was originally my top choice. I could be convinced to return to that decision. Simply astounding first-hand, eyewitness reporting on the siege at the Capitol on January 6th, bolstered by the reporter's own video of the action, as he followed the insurrectionists that day. His article was rich in quotes embedded in a play-by-play that also included context from his earlier reporting on white supremacist gatherings. I thought I had seen everything and read everything about this event - until I witnessed it from Mogelson's view and impactful reporting.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"654":{"comments":"Excellent writing about everything from gerrymandering in the West to possible future presidential candidates. Does not really break new ground.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"665":{"comments":"Reporter Molly O'Toole deserves kudos for ferreting out this little-known use of the public health rule - Title 42 - and its continued use by the Biden Administration to turn back immigrants from the border, superseding their constitutional due process protection- just as Trump did. She not only gets the details right in terms of the \"big picture,\" but her moving accounts of personal stories of those who were subjected to kidnappers and thieves (and worse)make for a compelling series.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"679":{"comments":"This deep-dive into the scandalous way politicians in the digital age can raise funds from unsuspecting online donors checks off all the boxes (yes, intended pun) for outstanding, impactful political reporting. Backed by irrefutable data, Reporter Shane Goldmacher humanizes the issue while also providing an impressive data base of evidence. This reporting prompted the FEC to end the practice of \"prechecked boxes\" in fundraising online. Legislation banning the practice at the federal and state levels is also pending. A public service of the highest order, especially for the senior citizens who were victimized the most. Could be a \"5\"","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"691":{"comments":"NBC news and Bellingcat have gathered an impressive amount of footage from the day of the Capitol siege. Richard Engel's narration is often overly dramatic; the tick-tock account and the video are powerful enough and do not need extra theatrics. The mini-documentary does not attempt to explore what's going on outside the capitol, in terms of the White House, Pentagon and other official sources. In light of what we know now, that seems an oversight.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"721":{"comments":"Probing look at the radical change in the GOP, post-Trump, through an examination of key players, from local towns to swing states to MyPillow guy's influence, bordering on lunacy. Excellent reporting and writing.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"770":{"comments":"Powerful interviews, back-to-back without narration, provide a compelling witness testimony from those who worked in the capital on January 6. It does not really involve deep reporting, but it is bound to be a valuable part of the historical record.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"830":{"comments":"Terrific writing, clearly outlining the ongoing threats to voting rights and, consequently, to democracy.\nIn five articles, Russell Berman covers a wide range of important issues, from the growing importance of the role of secretaries of state, the battle over a national ID, the growing number of Trump supporters who are being elected to once-obscure posts as election inspectors, the power wielded by swing voters such as Kristen Sinema. Very fair, in terms of politics: one piece takes on the difficulties posed to voting rights in Delaware.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"845":{"comments":"Something of a history lesson, basic reporting with no breakthrough insights.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"pthomps1@olemiss.edu":{"271":{"comments":"Very compelling reading, but the reliance on direct quotes troubles me. The intro explained the sourcing, but the detailed direct quotes from anonymous sources still bothered me and the explanation didn't support the writing style. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"349":{"comments":"Other entries about Jan. 6 were stronger.``","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"415":{"comments":"There were a number of entries about Jan. 6, all of them very good. I thought this was the best of the ones in our jury group. Brings the reader fully into the experience. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"654":{"comments":"Good work. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"665":{"comments":"Very good. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"679":{"comments":"Excellent investigative reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"691":{"comments":"Outstanding audio\/video. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"721":{"comments":"Solid but other entries were more original and compelling. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"770":{"comments":"Presentation of interviews was engaging. Diverse group of interviewees.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"830":{"comments":"Excellent work. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"845":{"comments":"Solid. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"rsgutter@syr.edu":{"271":{"comments":"Powerful. Excellent reporting. Entry 5 was particularly gripping. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"349":{"comments":"Strong coverage. Interesting package.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"415":{"comments":"Powerful accounts of the biggest political story in decades.\n\nI know we are only supposed to give one 5. This is a close one. I'd be just as comfortable giving this a high score.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"654":{"comments":"Different take.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"665":{"comments":"Some gripping stories.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"679":{"comments":"Important stories about campaign funding. Might skew a little to the left.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"691":{"comments":"Nice but not special.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"721":{"comments":"Fascinating look at the state of the Republican Party.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"770":{"comments":"Nothing special.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"830":{"comments":"Strong, well-researched, solid stories.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"845":{"comments":"Important historical perspective. Not sure it plows new ground.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"rebecca.blatt@asu.edu":{"1543":{"comments":"Deeply reported and written in a very engaging way that illuminates both local politics and national issues. However, the reporter takes cheap shots at at many of the people they're writing about. For example, those who question the results of 2020 elections are referred to as \"election-fraud kooks\" and \"fringe election cranks.\" A recount effort in Arizona is referred to as a \"clown show of an inquiry.\" Florida Gov. Ron DiSantis is referred to as \"a charmless, wax-statue version of Trump.\" Kari Lake is quoted as saying language like this is \"judgement, not journalism.\" I happen to agree.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1671":{"comments":"Deeply reported and compelling details and storytelling. This could only be tangentially considered reporting that illuminates the electoral process. The role of the committee certainly came in response to potential interference with the previous election's results, but it does not really focus on candidates, campaigns or elections.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1697":{"comments":"This story is reported deeply, with nuance, a critical eye and empathy for a figure who has spent decades in public life and has entered a period of her life where she seems increasingly vulnerable. While the politician this story focuses on is not currently running for office, the narrative of her career does illuminate constrasting views on the role of voters, of government bodies (primarily the U.S. Senate) and of younger, bolder candidates hungry to make change. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1750":{"comments":"These stories trace both the impact of the 2020 election aftermath on the lives of secretaries of state and the potential impact of undermining confidence in elections. The reporting is not as deep or original as others in this pool, but it does raise important questions.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1754":{"comments":"INELIGIBLE: Bias, organization has strong advocacy history: https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/tech\/tech-news\/trump-qanon-impending-judgment-day-behind-facebook-fueled-rise-epoch-n1044121","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1842":{"comments":"Fact checking is critically important work. However, it has become relatively predictable and formulaic. These particular examples did not rise to the level of the \"best political reporting\" we're looking for in this contest.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1948":{"comments":"There is deep reporting here, illuminating the state-by-state and even door-by-door efforts to advance abortion rights in a post-Roe world. The reporting sheds light into not only election results but also social and political tides that may have implications for other issues as well.\n\nHowever, the reporting is almost exclusively from the perspective of abortion-rights activists. There is an assumption throughout that abortion is a civil right that should be restored. Here is an example:\n\n\"In some states, that could mean months if not years of people being forced to carry pregnancies they don\u2019t want. Despite the clear message voters sent about their support for legal abortion, 13 states ban abortion today. In the wake of an election where democracy was said to be on the ballot, that may be the clearest indicator we have of where our democracy stands\"\n\nThis is not surprising given The Nation's self-description of itself as \"Principled. Progressive.\" To its audience, the assumption throughout makes sense, and the reporting certainly has value. It just doesn't align with traditional journalistic values\/ethics around \"fairness.\"","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1975":{"comments":"The reporting for this project is deep and ahead of most other journalists covering this topic. The scale of the reporting is impressive ranging from deeply personal storytelling, to public records, statutory and campaign data analysis. This reporting covered business, personal, political, medical and legal consequences of the Supreme Court's decision and did so with storytelling that included text, photography and data visualization.\n\nHowever, this reporting is almost entirely from the perspective of those who support abortion rights and who, therefore, are alarmed at the forthcoming Dobbs decision. The reporter refers to this as the \"roll back a civil right that has existed for nearly half a century.\" Abortion opponents most likely wouldn't describe it that way, and some may have suggested ways that community groups or faith communities were planning to mobilize to support women as many state agencies were not. \n\nThe articles also note several corrections or clarifications. As a result, the stories fall short in terms of fairness and accuracy.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1981":{"comments":"This reporting raises interesting questions about Stacey Abrams' campaign for voting access and the relationship between political campaigns, close friends and nonprofit organizations as well as the legal status of challenges to voting access.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2001":{"comments":"Novel approach to covering a critical issue and giving readers ways to explore and understand relative risks across in the country -- using data analysis and visualization to understand both what's on ballots and the potential impact on future election integrity.\n\nThis particular project did not balance the data synthesis with on-the-ground reporting to understand how likely any of these particular outcomes would become or the extent to which these issues would influence voters at the polls, so it left me wanting to know more.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"mike.stanton@uconn.edu":{"1543":{"comments":"Nicely written, with some good observations and reporting (interviewing several of Kari Lake's former TV news colleagues), but didn't feel like it broke any significant new ground about election deniers in Arizona.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1671":{"comments":"Fascinating look behind the scenes of the Jan. 6 committee, with important revelations, particularly concerning the internal friction among committee staffers and Liz Cheney. \nBalanced, thorough reporting & clear-eyed storytelling.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1697":{"comments":"Well-written and thorough look at Feinstein's long career and what it says about aging senators clinging to power - but relies too much on second-hand reporting. \nIncredibly, though the author has access to Feinstein, she never asks her directly about the public concerns that have been raised about her age and competence and if her approach to politics is outdated. (If the ground rules for the interview limited this, story should have said so - and reporter should have persisted anyway during the interview.)","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1750":{"comments":"Nicely done stories about how election deniers have affected local elections officials and altered the landscape for once-overlooked state races for secretary of state. But doesn't feel like it breaks new ground or provides any valuable new insights.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1754":{"comments":"Partisan and biased","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1842":{"comments":"Solidly reported and objectively presented analysis that explains the reality behind divisive issues from abortion to inflation to rising gas prices to taxes. We could use more journalism like this.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1948":{"comments":"Good look at the grassroots abortion rights movement across the country following the Dobbs decision overturning Roe, including on-the-ground reporting in Kansas and Vermont, and a look at the tension between national and local abortions rights groups over funding in a post-Roe world.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1975":{"comments":"Exhaustive look at the impact of the Dobbs decision on the 13 states that had trigger laws banning abortion should Roe be overturned. Insider used sweeping FOIA requests and pored through other records to document that many states' old laws banning abortion have no exceptions except for the life of the mother and that most states had no plans in place for how to proceed in a post-Roe world. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1981":{"comments":"Solidly reported, follow-the-money story using public records to document how millions of dollars flowed from Stacey Abrams' voting rights non-profit to a lawyer-friend who also chaired her gubernatorial campaigns. The stories raised questions of conflict of interest and also the expense of a voting rights lawsuit against the state of Georgia.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2001":{"comments":"Comprehensive and data-driven look at the impact of election denial on elections across the country, which identifies which states are most vulnerable to future election interference - with a dark forecast for 2024.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"carrollj@umd.edu":{"1543":{"comments":"The injection of the reporter in the narrative is gratuitous. Maybe this is an Atlantic thing, but it is annoying. Most of the stories did not need \"I asked voters...,\" \"I sat...,\" etc. Substantively, the pieces are well-reported but not compelling. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1671":{"comments":"Outstanding detail and insights in this behind-the-scenes accounting of the Jan. 6 Committee. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1697":{"comments":"I get that magazines often give their writers license to inject their views into the subject matter. But the writer here freely editorializes about the state of the Senate and American politics. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1750":{"comments":"No problems with the reporting here, but the stories do not tell us anything that is really new.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1754":{"comments":"Not sure what this entry is doing in here. The publication is known as a far-right organization. I consider it ineligible.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1842":{"comments":"Solid research, as always. But nothing ground-breaking here.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1948":{"comments":"These are well-reported stories but, like the entry above, take a pro-choice point of view. One reporter worked for a reproductive health publication. There was gratuitous opinion in places. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1975":{"comments":"The stories take a pro-choice point of view throughout - and there are few alternative voices. The stories assume every reader shares the same perspective. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1981":{"comments":"Good investigative reporting here.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2001":{"comments":"This is the definition of in-depth analysis. I was impressed that Bloomberg developed its own measures of what constitutes secure election procedures. The sheer scope of the work - dissecting every state's election system - is mind-boggling. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"}},"jury6":{"aegallag@syr.edu":{"355":{"comments":"Good range of stories, though they are uneven in quality and depth. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"419":{"comments":"Clear explanation of the consequences of these bills and the GOP strategy behind them. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"441":{"comments":"Well written profiles but I'm not sure they are as illuminating as some of the other entries. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"495":{"comments":"Incredible footage. Confusion and fear is palpable. Opinions also a little too palpable. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"662":{"comments":"Have not seen these stories nor this angle elsewhere. Narrow approach compared to other entries. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"698":{"comments":"Tapper lays it all out for the American public. Strong range of sources.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"701":{"comments":"Unique angles. Not much depth. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"732":{"comments":"These stories are critical to our democracy. The level of reporting to investigate -actual- voter fraud is painstaking and clear. The AP goes further to identify the most quotidian threats to our democracy: Who will run our elections at the local level? ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"767":{"comments":"Love the writing. Deep reporting in this one part of Ohio. In some cases more dishy than informative. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"800":{"comments":"Coverage of candidates \/ elections is not the strong point of this entry. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"status":"submit"},"christina.leonard@asu.edu":{"355":{"comments":"This series seemed the best match for the criteria. This collection hit the mark for me in these areas: \u201cilluminates the electoral process,\u201d \u201creveals the politics of policy\u201d and \u201cengages the public in democracy.\u201d These stories put events into context, offer the reader a sense of place and give us a better understanding of the players involved. The lively writing also elevated this entry to the top for me. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"419":{"comments":"Deep reporting. Clear context. National breadth. These stories hit all the marks and were among the strongest in this pool. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"441":{"comments":"These pieces have the kind of deep reporting and context that meet the criteria for this prize. In addition, they were well written and interesting. This one would have been the top contender for me. Unfortunately, two of the stories had a corrections - so I felt I had to knock it down a point, especially since accuracy is the first criteria listed. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"495":{"comments":"MSNBC did a solid job covering the events of Jan. 6. However, this was breaking news \u2013 and as such, it offered very little context in terms of the bigger picture. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"662":{"comments":"Both stories were well researched (and interesting), but there wasn\u2019t as much breadth compared to the other entries. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"698":{"comments":"In terms of quality and production, the show is among the best. However, the Toner Prize puts a strong emphasis on fact-based reporting rather than on \u201ccommentary, opinion, polemic\u201d work. I wouldn\u2019t go so far as to say this entry is ineligible, but Jake Tapper sometimes steers into commentary by injecting his personal opinion and using loaded language.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"701":{"comments":"This entry was good. However, it did not offer as much depth or sophistication as the other stories in the pool. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"732":{"comments":"The first piece - the investigative piece - was particularly impressive. The data visualization really put the reporters\u2019 findings into perspective, and it was a well-written, well-researched piece. And while the other stories in this collection were strong, they weren\u2019t necessarily standouts. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"767":{"comments":"These stories had some of the most lively writing in this pool. As a reader, I very much enjoyed the craft of the writing. I mean, this is one sentence: \u201cNo longer roundly welcome in his native New York and all but chased from D.C., Trump jetted toward Florida, his habitual winter weekend getaway turned paramount political stomping grounds\u2014the site of some of his biggest, most important wins; the bastion of a governor he helped get elected, two Republican senators and the House member who\u2019s maybe his most fervent minion, plus a roster of media accessories and grassroots boosters; and America\u2019s notoriously fact-flouting fantasy land, a hundred-year haven for hucksters and hustlers, outsiders, refugees and retirees, a sandy, sweaty Shangri-La of second chances, where Trump is now intent on concocting a papal-like court, a coterie of officeholders and wannabes, hangers-on and aides-de-camp, ring-kissers and the wholly beholden.\u201d But as much as I admire the writing, these read more like columns to me. And for this prize, it might veer a little too much into that arena. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"800":{"comments":"These pieces were nuanced \u2013 as described in the entry description. As much as I respect the attention to detail, I felt like these stories didn\u2019t offer as much breadth as some of the others. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"cdrew2@lsu.edu":{"355":{"comments":"Very good, especially in coverage of Latinos & Trump. Probably my No. 3 or 4 pick along with the Politico entry and after the AP and the WP entries.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"419":{"comments":"Excellent, but the AP was a little quicker on some stories, and the AP's push to assess all the fraudulent ballots set the AP apart from the NYT","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"441":{"comments":"My 2nd choice overall, and I would agree to it being the winner from this group if that is the consensus. It's deeply and richly reported, and I favor it over the Politico entry mainly in that the WP delved into more important figures--Josh Hawley, Elise Stefanik, McConnell & Tucker Carlson--and found new information and insights that really helped readers understand their transformations and what is going on inside the GOP.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"495":{"comments":"Mainly breaking coverage that day","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"662":{"comments":"Good but limited scope","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"698":{"comments":"Very interesting compilation","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"701":{"comments":"Good but not the scope of other entries","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"732":{"comments":"My top pick in a group filled with great entries because of the AP's extraordinary efforts to examine all the fraudulent ballots in the swing states so that readers could see for themselves how little validity there Trump's claims that gave rise to Jan. 6 & fueled the radicalization of the GOP that so many of these contest entries explore. The AP also was able to bring that news to the heartland in ways that the NYT and WP could not, and the AP also wrote some of the other stories in its entry, like the ones on Black churches & attacks on local election officials, a little earlier than the NYT got to those topics.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"767":{"comments":"Great digging and fascinating revelations about Marjorie Taylor Green & Max Miller. Probably my No. 3 pick behind AP and WP entries with the Boston Globe a possible No. 3, too.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"800":{"comments":"Good but not the topic for his year","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"fbayles@bu.edu":{"1510":{"comments":"Brave reporting that takes the issue further with a logical step - reaching out to the people mostly hidden from the public when they make these threats.\n\nMay also took the additional step of asking why these people haven't been prosecuted for making specific threats of violence.\n\nBut the examples were sparse. We would like to know how many people Vice reached out to and how many actually responded. \n\nIt is also my feeling that the people who made the threats should be further outed; just as the election officials' personal information was published, so too should the public know more about the people who made these threats. Such a further step might make these people more accountable for their actions and persuade others that such behavior has consequences \n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1657":{"comments":"Another important story on - as it turns out - an issue that appears to be under reported.\n\nMayer digs deeper than the other media in terms of Ginni Thomas's political involvement in issues that have come before her husband's Supreme Court. It was a complicated task involving a number of sources and complex relationships. \n\nMayer was able to detail all of this with concise, readable explanations of how all the names connect.\n\nMy reasoning for bestowing a 4 instead of the 5 is that the New York Times submission did an equally excellent job on a more far-reaching topic. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1711":{"comments":"A well-researched and well-written series on a complicated topic. \nDeParles does a good job in explaining the macro then reinforcing the writing with compelling snapshots of how individual families have been affected by the government programs. He is also good at offering the nuances that straddle the border between progressive and conservative viewpoints.\n\nTo me, this is the winner in terms of scope and impact.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1756":{"comments":"This is a bad political screed masquerading as as conspiracy soft porn. ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1782":{"comments":"A well-written, balanced look at a day in the life piece. Ball offers sharp, non-judgmental observations that gives the reader a \"you are there\" perspective. \nIt is a narrative that lets readers make their own conclusions while giving good insight into Greene as a person rather than a caricature. \nBut it breaks no real new ground compared to some of the field work done by other submissions. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1834":{"comments":"Well written and documented, this entry was clear and concise, laying out its case in a way that made it easy to follow.\n\nHowever, it could have used additional voices, not only those critical of the governor's machinations, but also response from the governor and legislators who enabled the accounting magic.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1860":{"comments":"Some brave reporting, but more sensational than contextual. \n\nThe subjects were relatively low hanging fruit - extremists who are easy targets because of their point of view. But, as the midterms showed, these candidates were considered unacceptable by voters.\n\nThe series would have been stronger with a summary of what happened in the midterm votes. Nearly all the candidates spotlighted lost their races - a strong statement on their limited allure with the majority of voters.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2080":{"comments":"The project is to be commended for the exhaustive reporting, but the series could have benefited from more context of what was happening in the rest of the country (how many states awarded no-bid contracts in the rush to respond to the pandemic?) and comparison of costs and accuracy on a national average (the reports only mentioned a few examples of costs and accuracy in other states).\n\nThe issue of campaign contributions is a tricky one. Nomi said it made contributions to Democrats as well; there was no confirming data in the USA Today report. Suggestions of paying to play also need context. The donations from Nomi and its subcontractors did not go directly to the individual governors, but rather a national campaign fund.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2086":{"comments":"While Kornacki's command of the details in all the contested races was very impressive, he was essentially reporting numbers as they came in. It is analogous to a sportscaster reporting during a football or baseball game.\n\nHis predictions as the night wore on were also impressive - he knew his stuff. But stories like these are the result of largely passive reporting compared to the shoe leather efforts of many of the other contestants in this category.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"tbridis@ufl.edu":{"1510":{"comments":"Clever contrivance to confront right-wing callers who left threatening messages to election workers","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1657":{"comments":"Beautifully written, explanatory piece that relies too much on summarizing the solid reporting by the New York Times and others about Ginni Thomas and her political activities.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1711":{"comments":"Counter-intuitive explanatory journalism at its finest. Excellent reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1756":{"comments":"Glossy, high-quality production looking into China's global ambitions but ultimately fails to make a persuasive case for its sensational claims about the origins of COVID-19. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1782":{"comments":"Shallow but easy-to-read profile that includes the sins of transcription journalism and failing to report deeply on serious allegations ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1834":{"comments":"Impressive focus on what amounts to a dispute over how to pay for a highly politicized policy. The piece was undermined by the lack of U.S. government objections over how Abbott spent federal money.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1860":{"comments":"Clever, aggressive reporting on America's divisive political landscape. Episodic presentations lacked a cohesive, overarching analysis about what they meant collectively and how we might overcome such challenges.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2080":{"comments":"Uncovered outrageous practices and evidence of grift during a public health crisis at the expense of taxpayers","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2086":{"comments":"Sharp, clear-headed, easy-to-understand explanations as votes were tabulated on Election Night. Steve shows why he's one of the most effective presenters on television. His reporting displayed here lacked needed analysis of what was driving voter behaviors in many of these races; every candidate was treated merely as a name without any discussion of campaign strategies, external factors, etc.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"ywilson@sfsu.edu":{"1510":{"comments":"Nice persistence in calling people! ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1657":{"comments":"Great research!","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1711":{"comments":"Very thorough and impactful work!","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1756":{"comments":"Very dramatic storytelling technique! ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1782":{"comments":"Great anecdotes. I learned a lot!","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1834":{"comments":"Informative. Lots of great research","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1860":{"comments":"Eye-opening video. Great persistence by reporters","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2080":{"comments":"Very interesting and important story!","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2086":{"comments":"Nice play-by-play analysis ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"}},"jury8":{"lysak@chapman.edu":{"319":{"comments":"Thorough accounting of Cuomo story, including new details of the former governor's unsuccessful scramble to keep his job. Solid reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"333":{"comments":"Excellent watchdog journalism; debunking election conspiracy theories and misinformation. Outstanding reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"363":{"comments":"This entry provides interesting, fact-focused ,historical background on several relevant local and national issues. Well-researched.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"395":{"comments":"A good range of stories and good focus on the impact of policy. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"453":{"comments":"Enlightening nd rich reporting, explaining how the media and the Democratic Party have gotten it very wrong when it comes to the Tejano communities in South Texas.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"486":{"comments":"Excellent work holding mayor's office accountable for lost text messages and lack of transparency. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"551":{"comments":"Truly impressive and inspiring. This is political and investigative journalism at its best. Solid, detailed reporting. The writing style is engaging; you can't stop reading.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"616":{"comments":"High marks for clarity and presentation but this series doesn't offer much re: how voters are directly impacted; what state issues are overlooked or underfunded? There was only a passing reference to this but series would be stronger if more time was spent on making that connection.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"754":{"comments":"This is an account of what the author describes as a personal conflict\/clash; no reporting. Details lacking.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"788":{"comments":"Engaging writing is backed up by solid research and reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"806":{"comments":"Through compelling fact-based reporting, the writer successfully highlights how entrenched New York state leaders, and state and local policies, often do a disservice to the state's most vulnerable populations.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"cummingd@wlu.edu":{"319":{"comments":"Five-parts that form a straight narrative of events leading to Gov. Cuomo's fall. Engaging story well told but no original insights or deep digging.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"333":{"comments":"AZ Mirror is an independent online nonprofit news site launched in 2016 by a foundation with hidden money sources. Seems like diligent work, but sloppy writing. For example, the lede sentence in the first entry is hard to untangle.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"363":{"comments":"Four entries with explanatory reporting for disparate political subjects from history, why conspiracy theories appeal, NJ redistricting.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"395":{"comments":"A Michigan TV news reporter who covers state politics with energy and an interest in holding officials accountable. Good work, but not a competitor here.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"453":{"comments":"It took this Mexican-American reporter in Texas (with some first-person, but not opinion) to explain what elite political reporting couldn't -- the surprising surge in GOP support along the Rio Grand valley in the 2020 election. Well-paced, with well-drawn characters introduced, a few experts interviewed, and a lot of history about why so many \u201cHispanics\u201d in the area consider themselves \u201cwhite,\u201d but with ambivalence. It\u2019s lacking much demographic data, but readable.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"486":{"comments":"A bunch of the Seattle mayor\u2019s text messages were missing, covering BLM protests, so she couldn\u2019t respond to FOIA requests for those messages. It doesn\u2019t seem to be deliberate, but there was some nervous delay, big costs and covering up of the mistake. This wasn\u2019t just a Times investigation \u2013 lawyers and whistleblowers were aggressively pursuing the case. But the Times stuck with it.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"551":{"comments":"This is a long-form narrative of the whole surreal carnival of the Arizona recount, driven from a distance by the Darth Vader force of former President Trump\u2019s unhinged drive for revenge and overturning of reality. In response to Trump, Arizona Republican leaders could either go along with the insanity, betraying long-time friends and raising money for something they knew was a fiction, or stick with the plain facts and get death threats, subpoenas and contempt charges that could land them in jail. This multimedia series, running for five days in November, is read well as a podcast by the two key reporters. It isn\u2019t breaking news, but it is a well-reported and well-packaged epic of a tale from a southwestern annex of the Trump asylum.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"616":{"comments":"Not so deep, this Fox TV station looked at how many bills were introduced in the Pa Assembly and how few got passed. The problem, it finds, was lack of bipartisanship. One of the five also looked at per diem spending by Pa. legislators. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"754":{"comments":"A first-person blog about a former Chicago Tribune reporter\u2019s violent encounter with Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"788":{"comments":"A long-time veteran on Texas politics from the DC buro, Gillman\u2019s 5 offerings here cover Beto\u2019s \u201cHell yes\u201d on mandatory confiscation of assault rifles as big liability in run for governor, Abbott\u2019s using $250b of Biden money to build more of Trump\u2019s wall, and funny descriptions of gerrymandered new districts. Written with confidence, wit and insight.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"806":{"comments":"Strong writing, with what seems deep knowledge of history \u2013 local and biographical New York, as well as national. Two pieces were in the Voice, three in the Nation, veering on advocacy, but powerfully holding the powerful to account, especially Cuomo on Covid.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"Rick.Rodriguez@asu.edu":{"319":{"comments":"I teetered between a 3 and a 4. I thought it was very good beat reporting; perhaps a little too non-critical of the new governor. Overall, a solid job of covering a major political upheaval.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"333":{"comments":"Good beat coverage of the Arizona \"forensic audit.\" The reporter was able to break some news in the reporting and did a solid job of following the issue.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"363":{"comments":"more history than news. Really not competitive","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"395":{"comments":"Good, solid job of following political and legislative issues. Television reporters are not often committed to this type of reporting and this journalist showed interest and knowledge of political and legislative issues.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"453":{"comments":"This is a subject I am intensely interested in and have some knowledge on the topic. The reporting was insightful, thorough and balanced. For those unfamiliar with trend and even those who were, there was much to glean and learn here. This is one that I teetered on giving a 5. Ultimately, I thought it needed more editing, perhaps less meandering in the writing to really bring home the politics of Tejanos.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"486":{"comments":"Dogged beat reporting is what impressed me here. Although the initial report here was not broken by the paper, I give credit to what the reporter did in keeping the story alive resulting in new revelations that were important to the public.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"551":{"comments":"A very good recap of the Arizona \"forensic audit.\" As someone who followed the issue fairly closely I thought some interviews, particularly with the Speaker, provided new, interesting insight into to internal conflicts among Arizona Republicans. Very good work; didn't see any smoking gun-type revelations.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"616":{"comments":"This was a good explanatory series that likely helped people not that familiar with the legislative and political process understand how things work.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"754":{"comments":"This didn't measure up.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"788":{"comments":"Very good, solid beat reporting on local Texas political issues. I thought the reporting should have been of interest to the Dallas audience and the writing was clear and accessible.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"806":{"comments":"I found this to be the most interesting and well-written of the entries. It definitely had a point of view, bordering on commentary, which I know is not supposed to be part of this competition. But what was different was how deeply researched and reported these were giving context to important political and local government issues. Issues were laid out, politics were connected, facts, figures and historical context was presented. All of that led to sophisticated, nuanced stories.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"},"sbedingf@umn.edu":{"1518":{"comments":"Strong entry. Excellent use of public records requests, rigorous reporting, and engaging storytelling to reveal a pattern of neglect and failure across the state's mental health treatment system. Prompted the state legislature to pass reforms and, more importantly, to invest money in addressing a problem that has cost lives. A major commitment in time and resources that brought about much-needed change that should improve the lives of patients and the larger population for s for years to come. \n ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1596":{"comments":"Solid reporting, but not competitive for top prize.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1691":{"comments":"Good local reporting. But not competitive for top prize.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1776":{"comments":"Well done. This is the sort of accountability reporting that too many communities are missing these days. Nothing fancy. Just an experienced beat reporter using her deep knowledge of Ohio state government to raise the right question and dig for the answer. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1787":{"comments":"Alabama politics. I know it well. And I appreciate Sharp's clear-eyed and nuanced treatment in these reports. Excellent work. But did not have the impact of other top entries. Good reads, though.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1792":{"comments":"Good reporting from less well-known outlet that has impacted New York politics. But not my top pick.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1836":{"comments":"Solid, but not award-wnning.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1890":{"comments":"Solid, professional work, but not award-winning, in my view.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1911":{"comments":"Surfacing the tape was a public service that revealed a stunning degree of racism and cynicism among leading figures on the LA city council. The Times deserves credit. I was tempted to award it the top prize, but in the end I believe the depth of reporting and long-term impact of KARE11 investigation warrant the top spot.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1934":{"comments":"Thoughtful, in-depth coverage on a critical issue that will change lives and shape our politics for years to come. Well done, but not sure it rises to top of the pack. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"turnerm4@ohio.edu":{"1518":{"comments":"This reporting offers a comprehensive deep dive into the intersection of mental health and the Minnesota justice system. Audiences get a clear idea of how a law closing the gap came to be using personal stories of victims, other stakeholders and public records. \n\nThe coverage does not focus on the electoral process. No doubt that a bipartisan legislative vote is noteworthy and rare in the political arena. The story, however, does not explore that arena in terms of how elections and candidates impact the gap in policy. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1596":{"comments":"The coverage here is solid. From the start of the city officials in conflict to a contentious election and swearing-in, each twist and turn is noted. \n\nWhat appears to be missing, even in a local context, is an overview of how the commission works. An audience is looking to understand how political bodies work.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1691":{"comments":"The conflict and controversy in the campaign for Berkshire County district attorney is well-reported. \n\nThe coverage attempts to explain how we might relate a policing policy to an election, but falls somewhat short. I think more could have been done to explain how the policy came to be and its political history.\n\n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1776":{"comments":"This series of articles shows the value of a focused public records request and informed reporting. From outlining the hiring process for the state's education superintendent to a timeline of an official's possibly unethical actions, the coverage opens the door to the states top school board.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1787":{"comments":"The reporting does a good job of drawing clear lines around the candidates in terms of their party affiliation.\n\nI don't feel as if I know what specifically their proposed stances or policies are or would be if elected. I count that as a shortcoming in the coverage.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1792":{"comments":"The reporting on the New York Court of Appeals rose to the level needed to cover the ruling judicial body in the fourth-largest state in the U.S. and a panel of judges that seems to mirror that of America in terms of political affiliation makeup. \n\nThe moment, the conflict are clearly established and explored. I wonder how the state got here though? ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1836":{"comments":"The reporter is all over the place. And that's a good thing. The body of work is impressive. Each story takes on a different aspect of California political activity and clearly lays out all the pieces and parts.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1890":{"comments":"The reporting tries to look at the candidates from different perspectives. I'm not sure it was able to truly escape the pull of the horse race. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1911":{"comments":"The breadth of coverage here is exemplary. The reporters took another racially charged political conflict, covered it well and deftly explored the nuances of the Los Angeles' diverse and unique political ecosystem. All the while, they followed each move of the council as the story unfolded.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1934":{"comments":"This coverage of the Kansas vote on abortion rights has everything, and everything is told well. It has drama. It has political foundations and history. It has in-depth personal stories. It has unearthed campaign donations with the addition of conflict between \"church and state.\" It has political process and a \"fight for democracy.\" \n\n(Reporter is Katie Bernard?)","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"},"sarah.h.cohen@asu.edu":{"1518":{"comments":"Good stories, not really related to campaigns or elections. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1596":{"comments":"A fascinating tale, but it's unclear how much was following an existing story and how much was uncovered by WPLG. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1691":{"comments":"Good campaign coverage, but seems to follow the news rather than drive it.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1776":{"comments":"Good stories, less applicable to the Toner Prize. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1787":{"comments":"Good standard campaign coverage. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1792":{"comments":"Excellent stories, but are less related to campaigns and elections. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1836":{"comments":"Interesting stories that are less relatd to the Toner prize than other contests. It still qualifies, but not for the key elements. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1890":{"comments":"An interesting set of stories, but they never really got to why these outsiders have little chance. There is too much \"voice of god\" reporting, and less on the ground reporting, to show me why it's happening. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1911":{"comments":"This is a rather narrow issue for voters, but the coverage broke an important and counterintuitive story about campaigns in Los Angeles. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1934":{"comments":"The Star covered the range of issues around the abortion vote in Kansas with dispassionate analysis and features surrounding all of the interests in the vote. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"}},"jury13":{"fwcurrie@syr.edu":{"235":{"comments":"Typo in the sub headline \"St. Louis didn't seen a single...\" (I assume the reporter didn\u2019t write it) Some solid reporting on the failure of the civilian oversight board to encourage police reform. Sourcing felt a bit one-sided. Story focused blame on police but overlooked what many critics call inexperience and dysfunction in the circuit attorney\u2019s office.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"279":{"comments":"Informative article on an issue rarely discussed: the complexities of identifying as an Arab-American from North Africa --the politics of someone neither Black nor Hispanic, but a person of color running for Boston mayor. Just one story.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"431":{"comments":"Solid and compelling investigative series on a massive Ohio corruption scandal & the politics of a billion dollar bailout bill. However, the subject matter doesn\u2019t showcase the electoral process or focus on coverage of candidates, campaigns or elections.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"463":{"comments":"Since Matt is a broadcast reporter, I was expecting some video storytelling to accompany online web versions of the TV stories. The articles are well-sourced, but read more like brief day-of turns on a developing story. Several glaring typos in the copy.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"477":{"comments":"Insightful, original grassroots reporting on Virginia\u2019s ever-changing political landscape\u2026in the run-up to the 2021elections. Well-sourced and engaging personal candidate profiles on 1) two African American women running for governor who grew up on opposite sides of the tracks in PetersburgVa & and (2) the pro-Trump conservative statehouse candidate in Stuart,Va trying to unseat the GOP encumbent.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"507":{"comments":"Rock solid fact-based reporting on the politics of voting in a state where often a few hundred votes decide an election when millions of Floridians cast ballots. A diverse cross-section of well-sourced political stories about voter demographics, attitudes & trends influenced by Jan. 6th, the pandemic & a GOP governor trying to pave his way to the White House. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"584":{"comments":"Some good original reporting on the desperation attempts by some Wisconsin GOP leaders to overturn votes for Biden. Despite getting little cooperation from republican state lawmakers, reporters did well in detailing pro-Trump strategies for nullifying the election with false claims of fraud & unfounded conspiracies.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"738":{"comments":"Informative podcast series on critical issues surrounding the mandated once-per-decade redistricting of North Carolina's political boundaries. However, this 2-hour-length radio entry does not quite fit the Toner Award criteria of political reporting on a campaign or the candidates in a race.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"782":{"comments":"Excellent, elegantly-written profiles detailing mayoral candidates of color woven with the major issues facing Boston neighborhoods in a racially polarized environment. The four entries and interactive map adhere closely to Toner Award criteria for outstanding political journalism. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"812":{"comments":"Solid and fair in-depth look at NY State climate policies. The stories shine a light on New York style politics behind state climate\/energy policy, but the subject treatment does not by definition \"illuminate the electoral process or focus on the coverage of candidates.\"\n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"858":{"comments":"Comprehensive, fact-based job unraveling the nuts & bolts of California's gubernatorial recall process... explaining the political dynamics of the race...and illustrating reactions to Newsom's handling of the state's economy and his missteps during the pandemic via up-close voter thumbnails. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"caesara@unr.edu":{"235":{"comments":"Terrific perspective, insight on emergence of St. Louis area activists and political forces in the wake of Michael Brown's death. Extensive reporting concentrated on the transformation of a former pharmacy worker who became an influential strategist whose command of grassroots politics contributed to election of first Black female mayor in St. Louis. (Noticed typo on subhead.)","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"279":{"comments":"Single story candidly explores public image of Arab\/Polish mayoral candidate in Boston, centered on how she self-identifies and the varying ways she is perceived by others.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"431":{"comments":" Cleveland.com\/The Plain Dealer follows up on massive bribery scandal from previous year with more revealing accounts of how regulators, legislators and an energy corporation schemed to rig laws, bend policy, fashion lucrative contracts and tap taxpayer subsidies. The news organization continued to break significant stories after prosecutors launched investigations.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"463":{"comments":"Aggressive reporting on aftermath of 2020 voting. Coverage examines threats to local election officials, school board recall efforts and a state review deemed necessary by some and shady by others. Well-framed stories, characterized by direct questions of parties involved and straightforward storytelling. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"477":{"comments":"\nWell-written sketches of Virginia politics during a major election year. Stories illuminated the role of race, provided insight into various candidates, captured mixed views about the demise of Robert E. Lee statue, and assessed Virginia's evolving and complex political identities. ... (Two notes on perhaps the best written piece, on a Republican state House candidate. Story paid limited attention to Democrat opponent, though perhaps that candidate was reflected in overall campaign coverage not included in entry. Also, rigorous follow-up questions might have been in order after Republican candidate repeated unsubstantiated claims about tainted elections in 2020.)","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"507":{"comments":"Clearly, timely accounts of political machinery in Florida. Solid beat coverage on a range of topics.\n\nEntries No. 2 and No. 3 seem to be the same.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"584":{"comments":"Persistent coverage reveals conflicts of interest and suspect activities by officials and others involved in a state review into allegations of tainted election results. Reporting focuses on a former judge leading review but who was previously part of the dubious chorus claiming 2020 election was stolen.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"738":{"comments":"Impressive series explaining how redistricting works and examining the history of allegiance to gerrymandering in North Carolina by both parties. The self-described wonkish report dissects the political ritual of manipulating congressional and legislative districts.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"782":{"comments":"Richly reported stories on issues and candidates in a mayoral race described as the most diverse in Boston's history. Well-reported political profiles of six neighborhoods offered a vivid sense of place, history of evolving demographics and helpful analysis leading up to election. A post-election follow-up effectively retraced how eventual winner built multiple bases of support over the years.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"812":{"comments":"Beat coverage of New York politics that examines a mix of government accountability, environmental protections and climate change consequences. One standout story fillets Gov. Andrews Cuomo's costly and unfulfilled vanity project to mount LED light shows on state bridges.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"858":{"comments":"Excellent explanation of the two simultaneous actions involved in recall elections: Yes\/no vote on recall; selection of replacement government, just in case. Effective reporting on the meager origins of recall campaign, Gov. Gavin Newsom's accomplishments and missteps, and astute analysis of recall politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"ginas@uark.edu":{"235":{"comments":"Emotional and powerful reporting, an important followup to Ferguson and the political path for those seeking police reform.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"279":{"comments":"Important multicultural reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"431":{"comments":"Complex reporting about graft in government, unraveling a complicated scheme.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"463":{"comments":"Strong reporting on the safety of election workers, with alarming audio of threats, and other trends.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"477":{"comments":"Crisp, compelling writing with rich quotes and context.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"507":{"comments":"Interesting analysis shared in a veteran voice.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"584":{"comments":"Excellent watchdog journalism. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"738":{"comments":"This should be required listening for government students across the country. A deep, deep dive into the arcane process that affects everyone.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"782":{"comments":"Fantastic profiles of Boston's female leaders. Rich in context and history.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"812":{"comments":"In-depth and complex reporting on infrastructure and the Cuomo administration. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"858":{"comments":"Strong reporting on the California political drama that captured the nation. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"chris.graves@unl.edu":{"1534":{"comments":"I wanted to like these stories, but found them difficult to follow and I am unsure where the rest of the Oct. 20 story is. It appears to cut off without finishing. Perhaps I am missing something? Also the stories don't have bylines and so it is unclear who wrote them or how the reporting was done. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1585":{"comments":"Good topic here for a story and attempts to unfurl the law and what's at stake, but suffers a bit from lack of depth in reporting and clearly has a point of view for a news story.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1617":{"comments":"Wonderful example of public records reporting, clear writing and explanatory journalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1627":{"comments":"This skated on the lines of commentary and a review of what other media outlets did\/did not do. There is original reporting here, but I found the citing of other sources to be problematic. (From the sites Info page:\n\"Gateway Journalism Review critically analyzes the mass media in the Midwest stretching from Ohio to Oklahoma and from North Dakota to Arkansas \u2013 and beyond. The publication\u2019s goal is to regularly review journalism, new media, photojournalism, advertising, public relations and entertainment media to help ensure the public has the most credible, fair media possible.\").","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1633":{"comments":"This is what journalism does best: Go back and map out how a system breaks down systematic failures, while also paving a path toward understanding on what the US\/other states can take away from this. I like the narrative approach to what many may have blown off as a boring look back and difficult to engage with readers. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1728":{"comments":"An incredibly important told well in a year fraught with suspicions of election fraud and the public waking up to the importance of election systems. Great job on digging deep.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1863":{"comments":"Good job on providing good interviews to listeners. I wished there had been a written compliment as well that would let readers compare and contrast on key issues.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1957":{"comments":"This is a feat of dogged journalism. The author pushes and pushes to get sex assault victims on the records (a feat in and of itself) and keeps going as more and more survivors come forward; all in light of allegations and threats to the author and the media outlet. Bravo. I had a hard time not giving this entry the top score. It was razor close.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2075":{"comments":"Good connecting-the-dots story. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2125":{"comments":"A spectacular series of stories that helps readers in Georgia go beyond the headlines and dig deep to decision day. The depth of reporting is clear. Barrow's stick-with-it-ness is beyond admirable. I could have easily given this a 5, if allowed to make two awards.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"smithms@olemiss.edu":{"1534":{"comments":"Michael Izzo writes in an admirable fly-on-the-wall journalistic style. His articles about the Livingston Democratic County Committee are absent of personal opinion or commentary. While he manages to capture the important details of both scandal and public scrutiny, Izzo\u2019s work tells little about the individual candidates and the electoral process. Even though he touches on the scandal of a recording that captures the leaders in a negative light, he fails to make the connection between how these issues impact the public and their view of the candidates in question. His work is scandal centered and not election centered. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1585":{"comments":"The article reads well and is very interesting. While it mentions that Governor Greg Abbott is running for reelection, the article focuses on Plyer v. Doe and his plans to overturn the legislation protecting the education of undocumented immigrant children. Even though a description of the law is necessary for context, the entirety of the article deals with the impacts of the policy instead of the candidate himself. Though some people may be swayed in their decisions to reelect Abbott, the article gives little attention to the candidate himself and the way trends in voting might support or reject his plans for Plyer v. Doe. Marzina writes an important article that is necessary in conversation, but her piece would be better in arenas of public policy instead of candidate election or electoral processes. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1617":{"comments":"Claire Goforth\u2019s article is well crafted in a way that continually grasps the reader\u2019s attention with the use of modern day primary sources, screenshots from TikTok. While the work that she does is thorough in its investigative nature, the focus on Governor Ron DeSantis is limited because of the extensive detail that is given to the dealings of his press secretary and a well-known TikTok personality. The article also lends its focus to explaining the specifics of the \u201cDon\u2019t Say Gay\u201d bill without giving Governor DeSantis the proper accountability for signing it. Instead, Goforth focuses on how his press secretary has been effective or aggressive in responding to news outlets and citizens. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1627":{"comments":"As Wagman thoroughly explains the avenues by which rioters from Missouri achieved the insurrection on January 6th. He provides intensive details about the connections between well-known conspiracy organizations and prominent St. Louis families that have been impactful in the terrorism of January 6th. While there are several mentions of how these events can impact the future of elections, the message of governmental policies, candidates, and electoral processes are lost in the means. By continuing to follow such a specific slant of following the riot through the road of Missouri conspiracy theorists and politicians, an awareness is developed that shines a light on the woes of convergent media; however, a greater connection should be made to the electoral processes. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1633":{"comments":"With flare and style, this work shows a significant attention to both detail and trend as it dissects the ultimate demise of the Iowa Democratic Caucus. In three articles, Carol Hunter manages to continuously connect internal and external factors that affected the fall of the Iowa Democratic Caucus. She also highlights historic trends in the state that have affected elections of years past. While she explores specific slants in her coverage, she manages to make her work connect across the vast web of electoral processes. Her work brings awareness to the state\u2019s electoral processes as well as issues that have impacted the efficiency of these processes. She allows room for both criticism and support as she tells the story of Iowa\u2019s unsuccessful redemption in its Democratic caucus. Her work is objective and fair as she gives voice to the party members allowing them to tell the narrative of their short-comings in elections. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1728":{"comments":"The writers do an extensively detailed account on the elections process in Wisconsin and how its systems are struggling to find a manageable functionality in overseeing voting in the state. They are impartial in their reporting that gives Republicans a fair image in the article even though they are experiencing issues with recreating the election system in Wisconsin. Their work shines a light on the electoral process as well as policies and issues that are affecting the opinions of voters. Instead of the writers criticizing the Republican Party, they allow both support and internal criticism from members themselves. This adds to the impartiality of the article and its overall objectivity to inform rather than to persuade. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1863":{"comments":" While Patricio Robayo was very unbiased in his pursuit of journalistic excellence through his interviews with different Democratic candidates, his voice is limited due to the method of interviewing on the radio. The questions that are asked are somewhat generic in part and rarely feature follow-up questions to the answers of the interviewees. One of the episodes does not even include Robayo\u2019s voice at all.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1957":{"comments":"Sanderford dedicated time, effort, and empathy to his pieces about the allegations of sexual assault against gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster. One thing that is initially admirable about his work is his ability to let the victims that are speaking out tell their own stories. His journalistic approach is exemplified in the way that he allows both the accused and the accusers to have space to defend themselves in his work. This entry does not question the validity of either side; it simply provides the necessary information and testimonials to allow the reader to make a decision. While being objective in his writing, Sanderford still manages to provide support for the victims as well as readers that have experienced any form of sexual assault. This entry focuses on power in government, current social movements, and journalistic responsibility. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2075":{"comments":"Walker\u2019s work lacks depth as he grapples at connections between gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano. His writing dives into a superficial look at the candidate\u2019s security detail belonging to the LifeGate evangelical church. His discourse throughout the article bounces from the church\u2019s advocacy for Christian leaders to the detail carrying lethal weapons while on duty to the family of the detail belonging to militia groups. He fails to make connections between these entities, making the reader more unaware of the relevance of the content. Most of the piece shines a light on the appendages of the candidate instead of Doug Mastriano himself. It has little to do with electoral processes or conciseness in journalism. The article seems unfinished as it fails to make a pursuable cause for the information provided. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"2125":{"comments":"Barrow does an impressive job of illuminating both Warnock and Walker in a light of objective journalism instead of personal bias. In each article, he is consistent in reporting truths about both candidates while managing to avoid commentary. The five entries piece together a puzzle of the true intricacy of Georgia\u2019s 2022 Senate Race. He presents the two Black candidates to readers with an air of respectability and criticism that further displays his objectivity. Moreover, Barrow\u2019s work is void of condemnation for political parties as he allows opportunity through quotes from both Democrat and Republican representatives to support and criticize their respective candidates.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"Lee.Banville@mso.umt.edu":{"1534":{"comments":"Solid local reporting on the operations (and sketchy ones at that) by a local political party committee. The reporter deserves credit for staying on the story and bringing the recordings and dealings to light.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1585":{"comments":"Although veering into advocacy, the piece does a good job offering advocates for immigrants and their families a way to respond to the governor's work to potentially challenge an earlier court ruling that all children should have access to public education regardless of immigration status. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1617":{"comments":"A good use of records request to highlight the media strategy of DeSantis and his team around \"Don't Say Gay\" legislation. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1627":{"comments":"This investigative series was so close to being my second 5 ranking (but I'm not allowed to do that). he series does a solid job of connecting the Jan. 6 storming of the capitol with a series of political movements and personal political efforts of folks in Missouri. Well done.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1633":{"comments":"A deeply reported story that no one on the national level could tell about the birth, rise and fall of one of the great traditions of American presidential politics, the Iowa Caucuses. Carol Hunter does a first-rate job dissecting the issues and personalities that led to the caucuses and their eventual sidelining by Democrats.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1728":{"comments":"A thorough examination of where Wisconsin's electoral structure came from and how it continues to come under assault, even though it was fairly recently designed by the same Republican Party as now calls it \"rogue.\"","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1863":{"comments":"Incredibly important for a station like WJFF to do these kind of thoughtful and in-depth interviews with candidates. A true local civic service.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1957":{"comments":"Sanderford clearly took allegations of inappropriate behavior by a leading gubernatorial candidate and kept digging. Getting reluctant sources on the record. Being careful in his writing and relentless in his reporting. These are the stories that put enormous pressure on a reporter and he delivered and should be commended.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2075":{"comments":"I will set aside my personal bias (I used to deliver the Lancaster newspapers as a kid growing up), and compliment the paper on contributing important context that only local reporting could do to a story that received national coverage. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2125":{"comments":"A well-reported and thorough series on the this much-covered race. Barrow's stories add important context, history and policy implications that many of the national reports on the contest lacked. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"}},"jury11":{"chris.graves@unl.edu":{"282":{"comments":"I applaud the efforts of FingerLakes1.com in its efforts to report on the Cayuga Nation and telling the stories of the Indigenous residents. However, the coverage of the police force and related stories \u2014\u00a0while gripping \u2014\u00a0don't rise to the criteria of the Toner Prize, namely: \"Illuminates the electoral process, with a special focus on coverage of candidates, campaigns or elections.\"","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"283":{"comments":"This story does not seem to meet the Toner criteria","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"377":{"comments":"This is a strong entry and illuminates an important change in leadership in New York. The audio pieces were thorough. What the piece would have benefitted from, especially for its web site, is a transcript of the shows as well as an overarching written story that outlined the news and answered the what's next for voters. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"437":{"comments":"This is a stunner. The depth of reporting, the explanatory nature of the writing and the weaving of the tale, which most of America had a front-row seat to, is impeccable. This entry ticks all the boxes for the Toner Prize. Not only does it unravel the events from the 2020 election \u2014 setting the stage for January 6 \u2014 it does so understandably and with so many supporting elements (video, audio, documents, key players, bios). \nBravo to the AJC staff on this. Bravo. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"513":{"comments":"Every news outlet should have a reporter like Ovetta Wiggins. The breadth and depth of this body of work is to be lauded. Her writing is crisp, clear and effective. Her ability to connect with subjects is just as impressive. \nThe reason I could not award this a 5 is based on the Toner criteria; notably: \"Illuminates the electoral process, with a special focus on coverage of candidates, campaigns or elections.\"\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"523":{"comments":"I really enjoyed this piece and it is an incredible body of watchdog and revelatory work. I did not award it the highest score because of the call this year to honor Robin Toner by giving special emphasis to illuminating the electoral process, with a special focus on coverage of candidates,\ncampaigns or elections. While Newsom was the subject of a recall election, I did not see evidence this series of stories were tied to that process.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"563":{"comments":"It sure doesn't get more local than this and what a great and informative guide for the residents of Santa Cruz County. This guide is a tremendous public service and certainly \"engages the public in democracy.\" However, it doesn't go much further to win the Toner Prize. To wit: \"Illuminates the electoral process, with a special focus on coverage of candidates, campaigns or elections; or Reveals the politics of policy.\" The addition of an election guide or here's how to find my polling place and\/or with a fill-out your ballot that included stories or Q&As with the candidates\" would have really completed the package. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"578":{"comments":"Craig Gilbert knows his politics (national and state) and these pieces certainly demonstrate his command of that knowledge. If I didn't understand Wisconsin's politics, I came a lot closer after reading these pieces. Each analysis is deep in context and data. Bravo to him the JS for doing that work on behalf of the readers there. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"630":{"comments":"The deep dive in divisive politics at this level offers an up-close look at the changing nature of the political spectrum and allegiances and alliances. I enjoyed meeting people via on-the-ground reporting, which is right inline with the Toner Prize. However, at times I found the pieces moving into a bit of analysis and that was off-putting. \n(I am not a fan of using first person in such stories, for example: But when I question this optimism, Christie practically pops the party\u2019s own bubble.)","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"715":{"comments":"This is a strong entry and a stellar example of hard, deep reporting that shines a light on the underbelly of a candidate \u2014 which ultimately, it appears led to him withdrawing. The team should be proud of this work. I am not sure, however, that it reaches to \u201creveals the politics of policy or \u201cIlluminates the electoral process,\u201d per the Toner criteria. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"756":{"comments":"The provided URLs do not seem to match the provided description. ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"status":"submit"},"Lee.Banville@mso.umt.edu":{"282":{"comments":"This series does the hard work of covering indigenous communities and the balance of trying to force transparency while also respecting the tribe. Well done and thoroughly reported.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"283":{"comments":"Such an important and solid local piece of journalism. Although it was swamped by better resourced series in this competition, Gibson is to be commended for her work covering an important discussion with tact and with a lack of sensationalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"377":{"comments":"Well reported breaking news story. Does what you expect from an experienced political reporter when the day's news breaks like a tidal wave.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"437":{"comments":"The AJC team's work on this critical story is the best of political reporting. It was in the national spotlight, but the paper's digital stories kept themselves anchored in the workings of state government, the arguments of state officials and a multimedia approach that offered the news consumer an array of ways to dissect this critically important story. Well done.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"513":{"comments":"Highlights the importance of having state house reporters who truly know their beat and the key players. Wiggins produced a mix of important and effective stories.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"523":{"comments":"A well-researched take on how money finds its way into the political process in often unexpected ways and how donors may seek to influence policy after the money has flowed. Good use of data and detail to not make too sweeping a generalization but still raise important questions around transparency and accountability.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"563":{"comments":"Santa Cruz local is to be applauded for lifting the veil off of local government and taking a true consumer perspective.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"578":{"comments":"Written with a ton of experience and insight, these stories and columns mix history, politics and demographics to profile why Wisconsin remains an unpredictable electoral player. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"630":{"comments":"Really good exploration of the demise and possible resurrection of the GOP in New Jersey. With lots of sources and clear-eyed analytical writing, you really get a sense of the shifting political dynamics for Republicans in states seen as solidly Democratic.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"715":{"comments":"Handling this very personal, but politically explosive, story, the Inquirer does an excellent job staying focused on the meat of the story and not drifting into the easier he said, she said political back and forth from the campaigns. The reporting demonstrated the ability to mine court documents and official proceedings to really get at the core of the story and its effect was obvious to all monitoring national politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"756":{"comments":"A good dive into campaign finances and their effect on policy. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"francine@solutionsjournalism.org":{"282":{"comments":"Interesting story about policing and politics in the Cayuga Nation. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"283":{"comments":"The story discussed events at a council meeting related to Pride month books, but I don't really feel this is a political story that gets into any local legislation or anything like that that helps me understand the politics of that community.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"377":{"comments":"Interesting analysis from guest helped explain what was happening.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"437":{"comments":"This entry really helped explain Georgia's role in the insurrection. The in depth reporting, anecdotes and dialogue really kept the story moving and brought this all to life.. The timeline and piece on key players helped round out the package.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"513":{"comments":"The stories have good color, details and anecdotes to tell these tories. I thought all of the stories were going to focus on policing at first, but they all gave a glimpse into important local issues. I thought the black female lawmakers and Ocean City stories were particularly strong.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"523":{"comments":"This was a very thorough analysis and gave tremendous detail to explain what was happening and provide evidence through documents and data. The value of this story is demonstrated by the change in state regulations. I think this was an important series of articles that readers should take time to understand. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"563":{"comments":"This was helpful service journalism to help residents know where to go for help in their county. It didn't really help me understand anything about local politics or elections.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"578":{"comments":"These stories showed a thorough analysis of data about the political landscape in Wisconsin and how elections are affected by population in this \"purple state\".","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"630":{"comments":"These stories really helped me understand the tension in New Jersey between Democrats and Republicans trying to reclaim offices. The stories had a lot of interesting quotes from sources. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"715":{"comments":"Interesting articles showing the fall of a Senate candidate because of domestic abuse accusations. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"756":{"comments":"The description of the entry and title of story do not match the links, which both went to the same story about climate bills.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"status":"submit"},"plp22@psu.edu":{"1659":{"comments":"Solid but rather pedestrian candidate profiles.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1721":{"comments":"Good segment. Focus is election logistics, but truly political? Not so much.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1722":{"comments":"Well-written and accessible.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1738":{"comments":"Powerful series spotlighting significant questions of the exercise of political power at the local level. Very well written.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1744":{"comments":"Solid and thoughtful package of candidate primers.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1810":{"comments":"Two mediocre spot stories that provide minimal insight beyond the speech events covered.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1917":{"comments":"Solid local government coverage. Not particularly compelling regarding insight into politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1929":{"comments":"Podcasts by local journalists serves mostly as a digest of political news and opportunity to talk about the news rather than provide actual reporting. And, a local political journalist calling the governor's COVID policies \"crazy\"... A little too much armchair commentary and headline rehash here and not enough actual insight.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1984":{"comments":"Powerful collection of stories that illuminate, in an accessible way, the reality chasm between wild claims of election fraud and the actual the nuts and bolts of the election process. Offers a commanding integration of post-mortem observations of 2020 disruptions & claims with straightforward explanations of what the electoral process REALLY is. Well-written and methodical. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2038":{"comments":"Solid local\/state issue reporting. Diligent in its even-handedness and sourcing. But for this sort of granular coverage, clearer connections to broader public debates\/policymaking on economic & social values are needed to move it into a different category. Often, the focus here (not that it is a bad one) is of governmental process, rather than politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2044":{"comments":"Great dissection of Gableman's ineptitude. Would like to see more factual context of what exactly hapened in Wisconsin elections to contrast with the claims of the review.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"lydiat@udel.edu":{"1659":{"comments":"Solid reporting and explanation of the issues that voters faced in the election. Would have been interesting to hear from voters, especially in the aftermath of the election.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1721":{"comments":"Good work finding a story that may not get covered. Interesting discoveries about the real cost and the real use of video surveillance.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1722":{"comments":"Important information for citizens! Good job finding the issues that people don't know about. It was a bit dry though, lots of numbers and official voices. Even though they were pieces designed to inform, they could be more personal.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1738":{"comments":"This is one of those stories that seems so small in terms of the effect, yet proves to be very big for those who are affected. Local politics can be so confusing, but this set of stories does a good job of explaining what happened and why voters and citizens should care.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1744":{"comments":"Good work to explain to viewers the candidates and issues. The reporter asked hard questions and pushed for answers.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1810":{"comments":"Lots of basic information, presented clearly. I think there could have been more depth\/context to help listeners and readers understand the complexity of the story.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1917":{"comments":"It's great to see journalism aimed at small towns that effectively communicates the issues. As an outside reader, it can be hard to fully grasp the issues and context, but these reports must certainly be effective for the readers.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1929":{"comments":"The format and presentation are engaging, and likely to attract listeners and keep them hooked through the whole show. The presenters are comfortable with each other, and manage to make concepts accessible for listener who may not be politically savvy. But for those who are savvy--the exchanges are interesting and relevant.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1984":{"comments":"Fascinating deep-dive into the processes of an election, and how poll workers do their jobs. It was a fair portrayal of the important jobs poll workers have. I would love to see a follow-up with those people to see if after the polls closed, they thought the process was fair!","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2038":{"comments":"These stories address important issues for New Yorkers. At times the ideas were hard to follow, but as a non-resident that may be because I had no prior knowledge. Still, solid reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2044":{"comments":"This is a great example of local journalism and what it can do. The stories are fair, and offer all the context the reader needs to understand why they should care about politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"},"J.Brown5@tcu.edu":{"1659":{"comments":"good coverage","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1721":{"comments":"ok","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1722":{"comments":"ok","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1738":{"comments":"This is good local reporting. They did a good job of keeping track of local politics on a hyperlocal level.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1744":{"comments":"Great use of airtime.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1810":{"comments":"ok ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1917":{"comments":"Good local coverage","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1929":{"comments":"TBH I was disappointed in the lack of diversity in voices. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1984":{"comments":"Good effort on shedding light on what was going on behind the scenes before elections","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2038":{"comments":"This was a bit disjointed","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2044":{"comments":"Excellent of example of solid beat reporting and it's importance in watchdog journalism. This was an important topic and they did well to stay on top of it. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"}},"jury10":{"jsperez@syr.edu":{"378":{"comments":"This isn't really reporting. Rather, it's a string of sound bites edited together. As the entry title says, it 's more an oral history than journalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"425":{"comments":"This entry is by far the best reporting of all the entries. Unfortunately, it's not really about \u201ccampaigns, candidates or elections.\u201d This instead is an investigative piece that shows the failings of the political system, but doesn\u2019t really get at why that happened. Instead, just shows the process failed.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"519":{"comments":"Generally good coverage of various aspects of the recall campaign\/election. Not really all that incisive or illuminating, but maybe that\u2019s because California politics is so predictable - Democrats rule, Republicans don\u2019t have a chance. The tenor of the stories was - these people like Newsom these people don\u2019t.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"622":{"comments":"Nice job explaining simply and clearly how census data gets turned into Congressional representation. This is the role of journalism - give the audience information it can use to better understand the political process and how it affects voters.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"642":{"comments":"This entry suffers from horse race coverage, relying on polls, political insiders and person on the street interviews. It could use more of what's in story #4, where the reporter explains the history of how we got to today's recall status.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"671":{"comments":"There were lots of good angles here but the reporting fell back on similar techniques - either talking to a bunch of political playmakers to get their opinions or heading out into communities to get person on the street interviews. It feels like horse race coverage rather than research and background that helps the readers decide.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"699":{"comments":"Good reporting by attempting to talk to a lot of people and organizations. In the end, a lot of it was \u201cdid not respond,\u201d so the story feels a little empty.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"739":{"comments":"This entry fulfills the requirements of focusing on \u201ccampaigns, candidates or elections.\u201d Moreover, it does a better job of presenting facts that let the readers learn about the historical trajectory of the issues and their affect on present-day politics. Other entries relied more on opinions from political playmakers; this one let the audience decide for itself.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"752":{"comments":"The one story is fine, but that's not up to par with other entries that had multiple entries and continuing coverage.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"844":{"comments":"The focus of trying to explain the voting problems is a good one, but the explanation just didn't get there - still confused. The gotcha piece about the signatures is fine, but why not ask the politician if he minds following the rules. The issue isn't whether signatures match, it's whether the solution is onerous.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"851":{"comments":"This is so biased against one side, you\u2019d never know this was true: For about a hundred years, from after Reconstruction until the 1990s, the Democratic Party dominated Texas politics. One story accusing Republicans of racial animus didn't even quote a Republican. That's failing Journalisim 101.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"status":"submit"},"teri.finneman@ku.edu":{"378":{"comments":"Excellent project. Oral history is such a terrific way to ensure small details are captured for the future. Great, captivating project.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"425":{"comments":"Truly phenomenal work whose importance cannot be overstated. Nursing homes and licensing boards are such an overlooked reporting topic even though all of the signs of trouble are there. Exceptional, meticulous reporting. Outstanding. This work truly made a difference.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"519":{"comments":"Solid, clear writing. Great use of shoe leather to get so many sources into stories.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"622":{"comments":"Clever strategy to take advantage of podcasting to provide more in-depth explanations in focused pieces. Great use of graphics as well in the series. A much-needed project to explain the complicated process of redistricting to the public.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"642":{"comments":"Great reporting on the Utah political scene with an interesting mix of topics that are talkers to provide more context for readers.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"671":{"comments":"Strong reporting. The series illustrates strong relationships with political sources.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"699":{"comments":"Terrific data reporting. Campaign finance reports are too often ignored at the local level, and much more of this kind of work is needed.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"739":{"comments":"Solid state reporting. It's clear the reporter is well-versed in the beat.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"752":{"comments":"Solid local reporting","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"844":{"comments":"Truly phenomenal work. Just an outstanding journalist using all of the best tools to do stellar reporting: sunshine requests, meticulous sourcing, clear explanations, breakouts and subheads and timelines to help readers see data better on a critical topic surrounded by so much misinformation ... Exceptional.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"851":{"comments":"Very excellent reporting on a topic that is often invisible or confusing for the general public, yet one that has a significant impact on their lives that they don't usually realize. This project does a nice job explaining why this matters.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"judith.watson@journalism.cuny.edu":{"378":{"comments":"I don't think this qualifies as local political reporting","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"425":{"comments":"I applaud both of these investigative pieces, and particularly applaud the results they prompted. But I don't think they qualify as political reporting. I hope the Arizona Republic submits both for investigative reporting competitions.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"519":{"comments":"This sequence is well written and organized. The paper used the recall issue as a good opportunity to look at California's political divisions. The look at the agricultural community was the most effective. But overall, I found this to be more of a statewide report than local. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"622":{"comments":"This was an ambitious effort to explain the many issues and challenges involved in redistricting. Trying to do it via podcasts was particularly challenging. I admire the effort to do this in a popular format, to reach a broader audience than print, but I did find it hard to follow the thread and come away with a clear bottom line. The more dense a topic, the greater the need for simplified explanations.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"642":{"comments":"Romboy is a good political reporter and individually, these stories were good. They didn't really come together as a package, but I suspect that wasn't intended. They also were more statewide than local. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"671":{"comments":"This was a decent treatment of the recall effort, but it seemed more of a play-by-play account than a deep look at what this tells us about state politics today. It was more a statewide than local story.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"699":{"comments":"This piece was a good look at the role and legality of PBA political activities in Suffolk County. But it needed clearer organization (subtitles would have helped), and perhaps a look at how the PBA's influence has skewed certain outcomes. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"739":{"comments":"This package provides excellent insights into the shifting politics in Georgia. Each piece was strong and the cumulative impact was clear. Good combination of data presentations as well as on-the-ground consequences and local views.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"752":{"comments":"This was more of a local political story than most, but it read more like a spot story analysis than an ambitious reporting project.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"844":{"comments":"A strong entry that took a hard look at the fraud complaints issued in the wake of Michigan's election and how they were taken seriously and then resolved. It worked well as a package, suggesting the many ways the democratic process was challenged in the 2020 election. I especially liked the explanation of how canvassing boards work -- very few people understand their job, and they are likely to be pivotal players in the next presidential election. Bravo.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"851":{"comments":"While the sequence of stories did not seem planned in advance as a package (there seemed to be lots of repetition), the bottom line message of how redistricting had impacted certain communities was clear. The Tarrant County story, focusing in on one community, was the best, in my view. Solid overall impact.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"seidenbe@usc.edu":{"1512":{"comments":"Though fairly standard election reporting, the focus on LGBTQ issues made it stand out.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1611":{"comments":"Decent election reporting, though repetitive, and good writing. I would ask the reporter not to use the term \"pro-abortion,\" since it's not the opposite of anti-abortion. Pro-choice can apply even to people who are not personally in favor of having an abortion. Last article analyzing the vote was well-done.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1644":{"comments":"This article had good perspective on the demise of local news reporting and how it contributed to missed reporting on Santos. Would have liked to have seen it delve more into why it did not rise to more prominence before the election.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1692":{"comments":"Not very compelling audio reporting; mostly long soundbites, Q&As, did not ID sources appropriately.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1718":{"comments":"Good solid reporting on a local recall effort.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1733":{"comments":"Good but fairly standard reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1751":{"comments":"Nice interactive, but much of the reporting based on conjecture. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1871":{"comments":"Good reporting and perspective on a series of articles. But really sort of bread and butter election reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1923":{"comments":"A decent series of stories from a long time election reporter. Solid reporting, but nothing out of the ordinary.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1963":{"comments":"This is the kind of detailed data and analysis that voters\/citizens need to make informed decisions. While newspapers often report on polling data from universities and other outlets, you don't often find it with this level of detail. Gilbert gave an excellent presentation of the data and helped readers under what they all mean.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2059":{"comments":"The reporting on immigration, labor and inflation suffered by not getting perspective from the labor movement and organized union voices. I found some of the writing confusing.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"Steve.Crane@asu.edu":{"1512":{"comments":"Solid, comprehensive reporting over broad range of races. Serves its audience without pandering or preaching, straightforward, even-handed and thorough.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1611":{"comments":"Remarkably good story telling on an overlooked but important House race. It painted full pictures of the candidates, their histories and their positions and included enough politics and history to round out the story - but too much to make it a work of wonkiness. All-around good work.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1644":{"comments":"Solid, straightforward reporting that tells a depressing, but no longer surprising, story about media failure.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1692":{"comments":"Solid local stories on state races that give an on-the-ground sense of how one part of the state feels overlooked by the capital and its leaders.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1718":{"comments":"Solid coverage of a telling local political issue that reflects the national mood. Good job getting the story from all angles, without being biased or judgemental.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1733":{"comments":"A sober and measured analysis of an emotional and frightening trend, deeply reported and extremely well written. Demonstrates the scope of the issue with reporting from around the state and a ton of sources. Balanced, nonpartisan, well-written look at the local level of a national crisis, the sort of reporting the Toner Prize honors.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1751":{"comments":"Very fun, easy -to-use tools that draw the audience into politics, both the gaming of it and the how and where of it. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1871":{"comments":"A good look at how partisanship is reshaping the dominant party in Utah, and the back and forth between wings of the party. Clean, easy read.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1923":{"comments":"Breezy, insightful, engaging look at state and local politics through the eyes of a seasoned veteran. Very appealing and accessible story telling.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1963":{"comments":"Thoughtful, fully reported coverage that draws on deep knowledge and history of the state's politicis to explain to the audience what's happening and why, without telling them how they should think. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2059":{"comments":"A thoroughly researched, numbers heavy look at local employment issues that manages to use that lens to look at immigration, inflation, aging, the pandemic and national security concerns. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"abdallah@ohio.edu":{"1512":{"comments":"Bajko does a great service to his readers by providing important information and context about the candidates and the issues impacting the LGBTQ community, particularly at a time when hate crimes and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is on the rise. However, his writing style could use some improvement, and readers would be better served with more personal stories in his political coverage to connect readers to the politics, politicians and others within the community.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1611":{"comments":"O\u2019Sullivan provides well-written and engaging profiles on these two unorthodox candidates. He does well to steer clear of temptations to paint them as caricatures, instead providing readers with relevant and interesting biographical context to better understand their political philosophies. His matter-of-fact reporting style provides the reader with room to form his or her own opinion.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1644":{"comments":"This is a good story, but I feel it barely qualifies for this category. It\u2019s a national paper reporting on local news coverage of a local story that became national news. While the topic is worthy of local and national attention, I feel the reporter who broke these stories would have been a terrific candidate for the Toner Prize of local political reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1692":{"comments":"Pickus provides important and relevant political topics in his coverage but provides little in the way of independent facts and figures to aid the reader in fact-checking. Instead, his reporting relies mostly on official quotes.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1718":{"comments":"Shafer provides excellent, non-partisan reporting on a highly contentious issue. His reporting provides straight-forward interviews across the spectrum and includes opinions from voters. I appreciated the line he included about how the recall election \u201cwas not on the radar of many voters KQED spoke to\u201d. This was a line that struck me as important additional context to the coverage.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1733":{"comments":"Montemayor provides well-written reporting on a right-wing political movement and its reach into a community described as idyllic with \u201cneatly kept homes and churches\u201d and a \u201cclassic portrait of Americana\u201d. His stories help readers gain a better understanding of how one family and members of their own community joined the mobs that stormed the Capitol. His other entries do well to cover how political leaders are joining or grappling with election-denying, conspiracy promoters both inside and outside their communities, thereby providing an important record for voters and for historians.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1751":{"comments":"Andre utilizes the latest and among the most innovative interactive graphic tools for online readers. The redistricting story in New York state became the most impactful and important story in the mid-term political season. It would be interesting to see how the further development of these tools will further aid readers in understanding the electoral process and the impact on their communities. The coverage further illustrates the important role voter turnout has on outcome, which may further encourage civic engagement.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1871":{"comments":"Schott provides some good reporting on the shifting dynamics within Utah\u2019s GOP, but veers into opinion writing for some of his submitted pieces. At times, his writing feels partisan, and focuses a great deal on the political rhetoric. In \u201cUtah GOP primary voters pick mainstream conservatives over far-right convention winners\u201d, Schott does not include any interviews with primary voters. Instead, he strings together quotes from candidates and party officials.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1923":{"comments":"Wilkinson\u2019s articles focus more on the campaign rhetoric and little on the substance of candidate policies. There are many missed opportunities to address these questions in his published pieces. The profile pieces feel mostly biographical and are peppered with the candidate\u2019s quotes on priorities but provide very little substance or detail.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1963":{"comments":"Gilbert\u2019s articles are political analysis, rather than the type of political reporting required for eligibility and serious consideration for the Toner Prize. In any case, his analysis is interesting but does little to provide the reader with the necessary policy context of the candidates. Instead, his piece focus more on predicting elections outcomes. A great deal of political reporting focuses on the horse race, and the outlandish statements and actions of politicians. Certainly, those stories are not without merit. Gilbert\u2019s pieces would be better if he included more analysis on the policies of the candidates, and their impact on his audience. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"2059":{"comments":"These stories represent the best in political reporting. Fins did an excellent job providing much-needed context of policy decisions made at the national, state and local levels and their impact on his local community. I appreciated the way in which he weaved some personal stories into his reporting where appropriate and in a way that is engaging to the reader. I found his entries to be among the strongest of all the entries in this category. My only suggestion is that the committee or Toner Prize representative offers him a suggestion on his future submissions as the Palm Beach Post has a subscription pop-up after accessing a few articles. I prefer the PDF format included with the links.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"}},"jury5":{"ywilson@sfsu.edu":{"285":{"comments":"Excellent reporting that helped me have a deeper understanding of why things are such a mess in D.C. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"382":{"comments":"While both packages contained information vital to the public, it does not compare to some of the other entries, in terms of depth of reporting and resources offered by others. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"440":{"comments":"Really informative group of stories. Well-shaped narratives help us understand how racism disenfranchised whole communities of hard-working Black families. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"454":{"comments":"Wow! What an astounding work of journalism. I am impressed by everything about this story. I also appreciate how the team explains to readers what they believe their research revealed: \"This is the inside story of the conspiracy to save the 2020 election, based on access to the group\u2019s inner workings, never-before-seen documents and interviews with dozens of those involved from across the political spectrum. It is the story of an unprecedented, creative and determined campaign whose success also reveals how close the nation came to disaster. \u201c Good stuff! ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"456":{"comments":"While the focus on certain school boards might seem like a local issue, this series reminds us why the issue is important to all of us everywhere, not just parents or folks mentioned in these stories. Through these stories, I learned just how important local school politics is when it comes to implementing national policies. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"501":{"comments":"Very compelling package ... powerful. One question I have ... is ... I would have liked to hear from the two black women themselves. I realize there were other interviews, etc. that outlined what the women did ... but the story opening, written in narrative form, makes it feel like they are the ones telling us what happened. Otherwise, such a great package of stories. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"557":{"comments":"Stalwart daily news reporting gave us a better understanding of what's really going on inside the beltway. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"692":{"comments":"This hard-hitting package shined the light on an area of politics that's often ignored or misunderstood. I also believe that this coverage led to real change.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"750":{"comments":"Very interesting and thoughtful piece. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"771":{"comments":"Wow. Let me start by saying: What an amazing interactive graphic! It makes me want to learn more and more about individual members. I think the rating tool is a good way to move this story forward. I also applaud this team for crunching the numbers and producing very helpful graphics throughout the series. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"jrosman@syr.edu":{"285":{"comments":"The reporting here is fine. I didn't find anything that stood out and stopped me in my tracks. It had nuggets here or there that were interesting but having been a journalist in Washington some of it sounded like beltway noise. The Harris story is a good example of that. Same for the Biden and the Romney pieces. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"382":{"comments":"Lisa's reporting was so important on this day that stretched the fabric of America and was the direct aftermath of a political rally. Her reporting was brave, she used the telephone in a way that served almost like a radio report and she was compelling to listen to and reported the facts as she saw them. I think they could have done more in the reporting in the days after that would have bumped the score higher but being there and putting it out is the power of broadcast news. It was a much-needed service.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"440":{"comments":"The series of stories is exceptionally well shot and produced so much so that the production values were competing with the reporting of some of the stories. There was a lot of setup time to get to the point in a few. And I thought they were nice community profiles of parts of America. There was some exploration of policy but not deep enough. I think one of the standups where the reporter put himself in the story because he went to the University of Georgia didn't sit well because the pieces lingered too long on set up I didn't think it was wise. He didn't have the luxury and the scripting and storytelling needed better copy editing and supervision.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"454":{"comments":"This was exhaustive reporting on peeling the curtain back and revealing what was going on behind the scenes of the 2020 election. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"456":{"comments":"The podcasts I thought were interesting to listen to and certainly are topical. I didn't feel like they advanced the ball much. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"501":{"comments":"The reporting by Reuters was so exceptionally well done in illuminating the electoral process and represents the whole reason and meaning of the Toner Prize. The Georgia election workers piece was painstakingly well done, well researched, and had the goods about the terror caused. The OAN investigation tying it to AT&T had the goods, reported the background and left you wanting more simply because how well done the lengthy piece was. This was reported in the spirit of the Toner Prize and Robin Toner. Serious political reporting that makes a difference. Kudos to Reuters.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"557":{"comments":"Mr. Pager did an admirable job in reporting out stories the American public needs to read about a president in his\/her first year. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"692":{"comments":"The impact of the investigative reporting into the alleged scam PAC is what stands out. They revealed a problem DOJ rarely prosecutes, had the goods on the PAC and the reporting led to indictments. This kind of reporting is necessary in the political arena and these type of PACs are difficult to get to the bottom of what they're doing which is why I think the DOJ hasn't invested resources. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"750":{"comments":"In reading the story, I thought that you could identify any marginalized group and find a sector who voted for Donald Trump...LGBT voters for example...and explore the topic. I didn't think there was terribly too much depth to the journalism. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"771":{"comments":"The series was very good reporting on topics that major news organizations don't spend much time on...stock trades of congressional staffers, personal investments by lawmakers. I will say - though - parts of the reporting I felt that most Americans would read it and say \"those stocks are the biggest companies in America...everyday Americans also own them\". I understand the larger point of the reporting. I applaud their determination to uncover stories on the business beat that most publications wouldn't touch out of fear it wouldn't create clicks or buzz. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"Gary.Ghioto@unt.edu":{"285":{"comments":" Comprehensive reporting showcasing inside sources with analysis. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"382":{"comments":"Courage under fire and a cool head kept Lisa Desjardins on the front lines of a near catastrophe for the nation.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"440":{"comments":"Interesting, diverse views in accessible format.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"454":{"comments":"Powerful inside reporting on the 2020 election with a narrative flair chocked with good stuff.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"456":{"comments":"Disturbing trend showcased in the podcast with many voices across the political spectrum.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"501":{"comments":"Hard-hitting reporting with a chilling message about the threat to US democracy.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"557":{"comments":"Good daily coverage with focus and an analytical component.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"692":{"comments":"Important examination of political shenanigans and figures inside the dirty side of politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"750":{"comments":"Accessible, important journalism displaying a demographic of US society that does not receive enough media attention.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"771":{"comments":"Investigative journalism that shows the hypocrisy and recklessness of elected officials who have conveniently forgotten who they represent in Congress. Accessible writing style and attributed material.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"cdrew2@lsu.edu":{"1570":{"comments":"good but not big enough in scope vs other entries","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1640":{"comments":"A riveting tour de force! The Jayapal and Whitmer pieces are the kind of stories Robin would have loved. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1653":{"comments":"Detailed and eye-opening, though I don't know much about the writer or where Type stands on traditional news values since it came out of The Nation Institute.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1687":{"comments":"good but not big enough in scope vs other entries","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1784":{"comments":"Interesting twist to look at defenders more than conspiracists but not big enough in scope vs other entries","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1829":{"comments":"good but inflation didn't end up being the biggest story of the midterms","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1877":{"comments":"profile of Lake and then just regular news coverage","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1989":{"comments":"A good and comprehensive look, but I felt like others had written a lot of it earlier.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2003":{"comments":"Good expose of a disturbing practice.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"christina.leonard@asu.edu":{"1570":{"comments":"Great explainer story, but it just wasn't as strong as the others in this batch. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1640":{"comments":"All three of these stories were beautifully written, engaging and powerful. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1653":{"comments":"This collection of stories was fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the one with the Oral Roberts University example. The prose was a bit more dense, and it didn't seem to fit the criteria as well as some of the other entries. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1687":{"comments":"Strong profile, and it was well written - but some of the other work in this batch stood out more. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1784":{"comments":"One of the criteria is accuracy, and this one had a correction. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1829":{"comments":"Good explanatory reporting and excellent context, but it didn't seem to fit the criteria as closely as the other entries in this batch. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1877":{"comments":"Solid profile, excellent writing. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1989":{"comments":"Another great entry. This one had clear writing and provided excellent context. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2003":{"comments":"This series hits all the characteristics of the Toner prize: fact-based reporting, special focus on elections and engages with the public. (I liked how they asked the public to send in videos.) The series was illuminating. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"}},"jury3":{"jolmste@american.edu":{"379":{"comments":"Comprehensive coverage of the scandal that rocked New York state politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"394":{"comments":"A refreshing look at the impact of religious constituencies in American politics. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"406":{"comments":"The strongest and clearest piece was about student debt.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"447":{"comments":"A behind-the-curtain look at centrist democrats. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"520":{"comments":"The series put human faces on the national trend of nationalization of politics. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"615":{"comments":"The stories by Jonathan Martin reveal the depth of his reporting sources and knowledge on a wide variety of political topics, from the top players at the national level to those elected at state levels and the topics ring true today on stories with a byline written a year ago. \n \n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"636":{"comments":"The series puts human faces on covid statistics and helps readers understand where public policy has run into a brick wall at the national level. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"702":{"comments":"Revealing stories from across the nation on how fear and conspiracy theories are uprooting American communities. The stories are compelling reading as they put a human face on issues that are being felt by every American. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"709":{"comments":"An important series that illustrates the outsize impact one state has had on federal development on environmental initiatives, written in a lively and engaging way to educate readers. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"777":{"comments":"This well-researched series provides a comprehensive and probing look into how all politics is indeed local - putting a spotlight on how vulnerable the American political system is at the grassroots level. Readers should find the threat to democracy disturbing as it\u2019s coming from within the United States political system and not from foreign players. \n \n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"869":{"comments":"Gaynor shines a light on alleged torture by federal agents on migrants not usually covered by news media, from Cameroon and Uganda. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"clickmc@mailbox.sc.edu":{"379":{"comments":"Good, solid audio storytelling of the investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"394":{"comments":"Solid reporting on the intersection of faith and politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"406":{"comments":"A provocative view into the political thinking of a new generation. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"447":{"comments":"Intriguing look at a new pathway for Democrats.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"520":{"comments":"Masterful storytelling that brings home the loss of newspapers and civility in American life.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"615":{"comments":"Great nuanced political writing. You know this reporter has developed incredible sources as he crafts his stories.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"636":{"comments":"An intensive behind-the-scenes look at the pandemic and the Biden administration's effort to tame it. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"702":{"comments":"Compelling stories on the culture of fear and fantasy in American politics. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"709":{"comments":"Really comprehensive dive into the environmental issues that drive California's politics and climate. A massive undertaking and well done. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"777":{"comments":"This is the kind of deep, grassroots journalism that can keep you up at night. It's a ferocious quest for the truth that relies on public documents and serious interviews. Outstanding.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"869":{"comments":"An interesting look at a serious ICE complaint but I don't see how this fits within the judging criteria. ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"status":"submit"},"vince.gonzales@usc.edu":{"379":{"comments":"A very nice series of radio pieces that are often slightly deeper takes on the day's news. While these are good, I didn't hear anything that was particularly award-worthy.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"394":{"comments":"I have a concern that these pieces seem to go beyond just covering \"the intersection of politics and religion\" and stray into boosterism of religion in politics. Things that might be questioned at other news organizations appear to be taken at face value in some of the articles and there are places where more context and perspective might help give a fuller picture. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"406":{"comments":"I am not sure I see how these pieces are linked under the stated theme. They are good stories on interesting topics, but compared to other entries, I don't think they are award winners.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"447":{"comments":"An interesting piece with a closer look at a new development within the Democratic Party, but not really on par with other entries.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"520":{"comments":"As an example of national reportage, these two pieces stand out for their great writing and wonderful storytelling, but I wonder if the first piece on local newspapers meets the judging criteria? Perhaps it does under the heading \"Engages the public in democracy?\" The stronger of the two entries is the piece on Colorado (which unlike the other story does not have a personal connection to the writer), but, while both are well-written and engaging, I am not sure if they rise to the level of award-winners.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"615":{"comments":"These are deeply researched, nuanced articles on a wide-range of political figures and topics. Some offer great insights into the background and motivations of their subjects, as well as their connection to the key issues of our day. They are not as strong, though, as some of the other entries.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"636":{"comments":"Some very nice reporting on COVID-19. Except for the first two stories, though, others tend to be deeper dives into the day's main pandemic headline. Again, the reporting is good and some of the pieces are definitely worthy of recognition, but I am not sure they are award winners.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"702":{"comments":"While I don't really see how all these articles fit together under the stated theme, there is no doubt that they are deeply researched and well written. Some of them provide great context and perspective on the influence conspiracy theories and fact-free beliefs have had on the nation's political system. For me, this entry would place third out of all the entries I looked at.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"709":{"comments":"This is a wonderful series of pieces that exposes the impact some environmental regulations and policies have on the daily lives of Californians. Extensive reporting on complicated subjects, with helpful explainers, allow for nuanced and extensive discussions of issues that normally may not get this kind of attention. This is a model for how to take complex subjects and really provide the information and perspectives citizens need. Out of all the entries I reviewed, this is clear winner to me DESPITE the fact that not all of the stories have the focus on elections, campaigns or candidates that our judging criteria calls for. This series of stories, however, does an excellent job of examining the politics of policy and impacts of elections and voter initiatives. So, this would be my top choice to be an award winner.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"777":{"comments":"This excellent series is a deep dive into how the energy behind the Jan 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has been channeled into communities across the country since that day. News items and events that would be simply examples in other articles are jumping off points for entire stories here, stories that explain how the democratic process that endured on Jan. 6th could still be undermined at the local level. This is important reporting that could help citizens understand not just the jarring events at the U.S. Capitol, but also why their state and hometown politics suddenly seem so contentious. While I think the LA Times entry is better overall, this entry is excellent and clearly speaks directly to the judging criteria, which called for a focus on campaigns, candidates and elections. If I could give this entry a 4.9, I would and it is my second choice for an award.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"869":{"comments":"An interesting story about alleged abuses by ICE officers, but the story really only details the allegations. There is no real confirmation of the abuses or the use of a particular restraint device. Beyond, some discussion of policy. I also don't see much here that matches the judging criteria so I wonder if this entry is eligible for an award.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"status":"submit"},"abbottjm@missouri.edu":{"1708":{"comments":"Richly reported profiles of the congressional leaders, Kevin McCarthy and Chuck Schumer, laced with analysis and personal anecdotes.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1709":{"comments":"Excellent snapshot of a state that has become a crucible of the antidemocracy sentiment that has roiled the country since 2020.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1758":{"comments":"A solid look at ESG, a business strategy that is growing in power and influence.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1854":{"comments":"Definitely good watchdog journalism and particularly important in a state like California. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1861":{"comments":"A worthwhile, if sensitive, story about a political giant.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1864":{"comments":"Interesting mix of stories with solid reporting, good analysis and targeted questions that lend insight to the series.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1886":{"comments":"Multi-state reporting elevated this series about the attrition in election workers, giving readers a broad analysis of the problem.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1940":{"comments":"Well-conceived set of articles about the political dynamics in Georgia.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1954":{"comments":"Deeply and broadly reported profiles of political candidates who challenged the status quo in ways good and bad. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2123":{"comments":"Solid, thorough profile of a highly polarized figure, executed with ample detail and sourcing.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"jrosman@syr.edu":{"1708":{"comments":"Profiles of interest to political junkies not sure they advanced much in the reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1709":{"comments":"To some this may seem parochial but their eye is correct here that Arizona is a microcosm of what's happening national and how different factions have collided in which some people who were inclined to be with former Pres Trump went all in knowing they didn't have many options. The writing here is sharp.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1758":{"comments":"All this is from what I can tell is a trailer for a documentary and this does not at all feel like this belongs here to begin with which is why I give it a 0. ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1854":{"comments":"The reporting here is solid and focuses on a system that has needed more exploration...the \"top two\" primary system... why it was set up... and the beneficiaries of it. At times some of the writing needed a better editing eyeballs and revision but overall the reader benefits quite a bit from reading these targeted pieces. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1861":{"comments":"This story certainly has reader value and I think the reporter does present the problem and digs deeper but there isn't much to be done unless Feinstein steps down. They certainly should have spent more time on the fundraising angle that she had little money in the bank because that's the beginning, middle and end. If she does not have the funds she can not run again...put simply. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1864":{"comments":"There is no doubt it took dedication to produce these programs and much of it I thought had value and I found them informative but there are times when she veers into commentary or leading questions that made me question how much they live up to the Toner Prize's goals. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1886":{"comments":"This is top notch reporting and represents what the Toner Prize is all about. The writing and reporting are excellent. The story characters were there. They helped tell the story and this is an issue that is critical to democracy. I applaud the Globe not only for the reporting but also the editing it took to put together such a marvelous series of reports. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1940":{"comments":"Overall, she tackled topics that needed additional examination in particular the voter challenges which are so critical to so many of the tight elections we see around the country. There was a high reader value to these stories. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1954":{"comments":"These rely heavily on the cult of personality of particularly Cawthorn and Mandel... and in Cawthorn's case I still question the purpose of the publication of the photos from the cruise ship. For sure, we're in that social media age where these photos would go viral but I don't know I see the journalistic value to the audience and there is an undertone to the use of them. There is even the title about the photos that they were taken in a \"public setting\"... which felt like justification when he was on a cruise ship not in the halls of Congress. There was quite a bit of innuendo to the reporting on Cawthorn that did not sit well. It was lengthy and well documented but that was not nearly enough for me to get past the problems.\n\nThe Haberman story had some interest because of the important of her connection to Trump. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"2123":{"comments":"This is relatively well researched and interesting but I'm not sure it advanced much about Sen. Sinema. It had a ping pong effect of \"she's liked...she isn't liked\" which is said about every Senator...I would have liked to see more investigation into her time in the AZ legislature and the U-S- House...much of this was personality. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"mcoffee@umd.edu":{"1708":{"comments":"Nice profiles and insights, but the entry does not illuminate the electoral process.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1709":{"comments":"Deep, rich reporting that meets all the criteria for the prize. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1758":{"comments":"Thoughtful, insightful, comes up short on the electoral process criterion, and although the documentary shows a list of corporations that were invited to respond but did not, I think the piece needed that balance. Otherwise, good, deep reporting and presentation.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1854":{"comments":"Good use of data to make clear how money influences the political process. Some nice, deep reporting here. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1861":{"comments":"Good piece, but it fails to meet criteria for a stronger score. I also think the piece could have been more balanced as it is a damning piece on her ability to serve: there are a number of other aging lawmakers who also have come under similar scrutiny. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1864":{"comments":"These pieces are engaging in a way that invites viewers to participate in the electoral process in a way that cuts through mere headlines and analysis of them. The reporter\/interviewer does an excellent job of not only illuminating the electoral process and revealing the politics of policy, but she does it in a way that is tough, straight, and clear. Great storytelling and production. She challenges the candidates and voters in a way that is neither combative nor partisan. Truly exceptional work here. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1886":{"comments":"Beautiful, well-crafted writing and reporting and storytelling that brings the reader into the electoral process to clearly illuminate how threats challenged the process and democracy in the 2020 elections. Nice reporting. Nice job of humanizing the story without a reliance on traditional political, partisan voices ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1940":{"comments":"Nice, insightful reporting on the electoral process beyond simple facts of what it takes to win. Engages the audience to understand how the electoral process works beyond published rules and numbers.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1954":{"comments":"Beautiful writing and reporting, but the entry falls short in meeting some of the requirements: Does not illuminate the electoral process, does not reveal the politics of policy, and does not engage the public in democracy. Very nice writing and profiles, though.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2123":{"comments":"Very nice, textured writing and reporting, offering insight into a complex politician that lets readers gain a perspective beyond reporting on the political playbook. I do believe, though, the entry falls short in that it does little to engage the public in democracy, reveal the politics of policy or illuminate the electoral process. Excellent feature\/profile piece, though.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"}},"jury9":{"horvitm@missouri.edu":{"260":{"comments":"Solid reporting, especially the piece about where the petitions were signed. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"291":{"comments":"A good lawmaker to profile, but this piece takes way too long to get going and has too many tangents. Lacks focus.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"343":{"comments":"Pretty convoluted approach; and it isn't really on point for this contest. Some great digging though.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"433":{"comments":"Good ethical issue but not on point for this contest.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"457":{"comments":"Very helpful to the public and fulfills the goal of helping involve people in Democracy. Not a lot of depth on policy, but very solid and useful.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"591":{"comments":"Interesting story and good reporting, but not really on point for this contest.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"626":{"comments":"A good look at how special interests can delay or derail legislation. Not as on point for this contest as it could be, but very good work.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"648":{"comments":"Solid news coverage of the redistricting process and good explainers for the public.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"685":{"comments":"Solid coverage, but nothing really outstanding. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"757":{"comments":"Good on policy but not a great fit for this contest. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"842":{"comments":"Not really on point for this contest. One great scoop, but it mostly comes from a report they obtained.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"status":"submit"},"dashiell@ohio.edu":{"260":{"comments":"In-depth coverage of California's recall of Governor Gavin Newsom that included an analyses of fundraising and petition signatures. I found the long-form article about the transgender's distrust about Caitlyn Jenner's possible candidacy for governor particularly engaging. This coverage was more in-depth than similar coverage in another entry.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"291":{"comments":"In-depth feature story about journalists' efforts to meet with the youngest elected member of Congress, who among those speaking in support of Trump and the rally that lead to the Jan. 6 insurrection.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"343":{"comments":"Impressive investigative story that traces how the political actions of a state governor can negatively impact the state and its citizens while jumpstarting the careers of his supporters.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"433":{"comments":"This story strikes at the very heart of unbiased, independent journalism---a company's ability to highjack a newspaper's editorial page without disclosing that fact to the readers.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"457":{"comments":"Excellent use of interactive technology to educate and engage the local communities to take a more active role in the voting process.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"591":{"comments":"Excellent example of how consistent news coverage of an important issue can lead to action rather than avoidance. This reporter's coverage of alleged political interference to force a hospital to treat a COVID -19 patient with ivermectin ( a drug not approved for use against the disease) resulted in a formal legislative investigation to determined what happened. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"626":{"comments":"Health care, domestic abuse and public access to police dashcam videos are all important issues that need consistent news coverage. However, one article about each issue meets the standard for good journalism, but this entry does not reveal in-depth, investigative journalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"648":{"comments":" Katie McKellar's series of articles help educate readers about why redistricting matters and how it can shape the outcomes of future elections. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"685":{"comments":"A collection of interesting articles about how celebrities, politics and a recall, but no clear evidence of in-depth investigative reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"757":{"comments":"Important series on climate change and the push back from energy companies, but no sense of in-depth, investigative reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"842":{"comments":"Cannot support the newspaper assertion that its coverage during the COVID pandemic has been \"an essential part of keeping those in power honest\" based one story.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"status":"submit"},"Steve.Crane@asu.edu":{"260":{"comments":"Thorough election coverage across the board: data, politics, personalities and policy. Nice job putting a face on the voters on both sides of the issue and the people driving the campaign.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"291":{"comments":"An interesting look at a freshman congressman who quickly became a political lightning rod, in Washington and at home. Shows the reader more of the man than the soundbite, and gives a sense of how he's grappling with unfolding and, at the time, unsettled events.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"343":{"comments":"An exhaustive - in every sense of the word - look at the players and pressures driving some of the biggest issues in the state over the last six years. Insanely deep sourcing and virtually all on the record, even when some uncomfortable truths were spoken. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"433":{"comments":"Good job of shining the spotlight on our own business, in a way that helps readers understand the importance of transparency and independence. And balance - reporter did a good job of letting the subject speak for an defend himself.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"457":{"comments":"Exceedingly user-friendly. The \"Meet Your Mayor\" quiz is a brilliant way to get voters interested and involved. Clean, tight reporting aimed at voters and potential voters, not politics junkies, gives readers exactly what they need to make the process work. Very good use of data and documents, as well as human sources.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"591":{"comments":"Aggressive coverage of questionable behavior by state officials that could too easily have been brushed off. Lots of good detail, nice job explaining what could be a complicated process. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"626":{"comments":"Clearly and carefully explains how the process really works, lays out the players and the pressures so that the least-savvy reader can follow the breadcrumbs. Very good job getting voices to humanize what could be dry material. Balanced and non-judgmental - no one was portrayed as a good guy or a bad guy, though readers will no doubt make their own calls.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"648":{"comments":"Almost an invitation to readers to learn about - and care about - an opaque process that reporters too often assume people understand. Good follow-up on the passion at the hearings and the politics going on in the background.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"685":{"comments":"Strong on-the-ground reporting that fulfills the Toner Prize focus on coverage of candidates, campaigns and elections. Breaking news as well as step-back political pieces and coverage of personalities. Easy to read and accessible, well-sourced and documented without being weighted down. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"757":{"comments":"Solid look at the politics behind one of the most important policy considerations of our time, pulls back the curtain on the process for readers and voters.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"842":{"comments":"Solid writing and reporting on one of the most important stories of the year, just enough politics without overlooking the human loss at the heart of the issue.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"teri.finneman@ku.edu":{"1554":{"comments":"Great political reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1626":{"comments":"A phenomenal public service. It's clear how much work went into this project. A great job getting sources to speak and significant background research. It's fantastic that a local news outlet committed to giving this much air time to such an important public investigation. More TV stations should do work like this.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1695":{"comments":"Solid reporting","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1764":{"comments":"Good topic. Solid background information.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1770":{"comments":"NA. I'm not comfortable with the reporter so heavily including himself in what is otherwise a worthwhile investigation.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1995":{"comments":"Solid accountability coverage.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2009":{"comments":"Absolutely fantastic writing. The reporter is exceptional at telling a story. Excellent research, details and storytelling.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2011":{"comments":"This is the definition of public service reporting. This is a master class in investigation. Amazing, amazing project.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2098":{"comments":"Solid coverage of the Trump post-presidency","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2110":{"comments":"A wonderful resource for readers. Easy to follow, good research.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2116":{"comments":"Absolutely phenomenal coverage and strategy. Great explanations to readers across the board. If only everyone would start doing this so political reporting would be what it should.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"mquinlan2@unl.edu":{"1554":{"comments":"A bit over-hyped, but an interesting investigation. Clearly deals with a politician and money, but not really about electoral politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1626":{"comments":"This is quite a remarkable reporting package. While it does not specifically focus on the electoral process in the way some of the other entries do, it certainly \"reveals the politics of policy,\" to cite one of the defining characteristics of the Toner competition. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1695":{"comments":"Complex subject for radio coverage, but does good job of explaining the mess so folks can understand, particularly highlighting local impact.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1764":{"comments":"detailed, analytical reporting on a highly complex issue. good work showing how something seemingly as arcane as redistricting can affect political outcomes.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1770":{"comments":"Fascinating political reading. Deeply reported, but is fundamentally commentary\/opinion pieces. Two of them are even labeled opinion pieces. It's too bad these weren't entered in a competition for political commentary because they're pretty interesting.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1995":{"comments":"Intriguing columns and definitely fact-based but also edges right up to \"commentary.\" I would think these pieces would be interesting to a highly local, politically attuned audience. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"2009":{"comments":"Fascinating piece and well done, of course. But it's political reporting only in the very broadest sense of what constitutes \"politics.\" ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"2011":{"comments":"Awesome reporting and definitely deals with political issues in the broadest sense, but no real focus on \"ongoing coverage of campaigns, candidates and\/or elections.\"","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2098":{"comments":"Interesting case of local news outlet focusing on local angles in covering national political figure. Tough to do.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2110":{"comments":"straightforward ground truthing with emphasis on local candidates. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2116":{"comments":"Classic example of what first=rate election\/political coverage should look like. Focuses on facts, thorough reporting of issues rather than handicapping horse races.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"raulreis@unc.edu":{"1554":{"comments":"n\/a","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1626":{"comments":"n\/a","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1695":{"comments":"Good series.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1764":{"comments":"n\/a","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1770":{"comments":"Good stories on Alabama GOP.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1995":{"comments":"Very good essays and columns.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2009":{"comments":"Great story. Not sure it would qualify as political reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2011":{"comments":"Excellent investigative reporting series about border security, tied to Gov. Abbott's run for re-election in Texas. WINNER","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2098":{"comments":"Good series.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2110":{"comments":"Important fact-checking of political advertising.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2116":{"comments":"Great series on the PA elections. Very informative and impartial. Very important for voter education. (RUNNER UP)","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"}},"jury4":{"abbottjm@missouri.edu":{"289":{"comments":"Definitely the most enlightening, engaging and important series within the entries, in my opinion. Well-crafted narratives with deep reporting to support them. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"307":{"comments":"Sturdy but not exceptional","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"387":{"comments":"Solid, important investigative reporting, but not as engaging as other entries. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"393":{"comments":"Good, solid reporting and writing but probably needs to take it up a level in terms of analysis and style.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"414":{"comments":"A richly reported, beautifully written series on the issues around social welfare and politics, with really powerful human stories at the center of it. I chose an entry that shows more breadth, but if this is the others' preference, fine with me. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"451":{"comments":"This is interesting and inventive, but not perhaps what we are looking for.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"466":{"comments":"Quirky writing style -- engaging on a humorous level -- but not quite at the true center of politics.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"492":{"comments":"Spectacular profile, but it doesn't seem to clearly fit the purpose of the competition -- to help promote and understanding of the political process etc.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"794":{"comments":"Digs deep into the Jan. 6 riot, but doesn't demonstrate the breadth I believe we should be looking for.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"868":{"comments":"Topics are very worthy, but the writing is lackluster.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"mcoffee@umd.edu":{"289":{"comments":"Insightful, inspiring reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"307":{"comments":"Good reporting and writing, nice job training her reporter's lens on stories that are not covered so much, but falls just shy of meeting all criteria.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"387":{"comments":"Enlightening, solid reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"393":{"comments":"Good stories. Falls shy of award criteria. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"414":{"comments":"Fantastic job of humanizing the politics of policy. Great reporting. Deep reporting. Wonderful writing.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"451":{"comments":"This felt like mockery.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"466":{"comments":"Insightful and analytical but does not illuminate electoral process nor engage the public in democracy ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"492":{"comments":"Beautiful story. Memorable. Just does not meet criteria.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"794":{"comments":"Deep, probing, solid reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"868":{"comments":"Masterful reporting. I wish it had come closer to satisfying more of the award's stipulations.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"tbridis@ufl.edu":{"289":{"comments":"Beautifully written piece on Jan. 20, although his description in the moment of a \"bipartisan lightness\" over Biden's inauguration turned out to be short-lived, if it ever existed. Leibovich masters the authoritative voice. His copy, from verbiage to sentence length to story structure, is lyrical. He is the stenographer of the storied political class but one who rarely seems to inform us in ways they wouldn't wish it.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"307":{"comments":"Insightful, well reported analysis of young voters and the challenges for Democrats to sustain their enthusiasm. Some of the content across her stories seemed redundant. Boston mayor's race coverage was ho-hum.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"387":{"comments":"Awesome display of accountability reporting over a branch of government rarely exposed to it, this series was remarkable for its breadth and impact after publication.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"393":{"comments":"Credulously deferential to Bundy in his profile of the anti-government, conspiracy theorist who would become Idaho's governor, Benson displays a style of journalism \u2013 offering a platform to inarguably dangerous voices \u2013 that puts democracy at risk. His profile of Schmidt was unremarkable in advancing our understanding of this complicated figure. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"414":{"comments":"Artfully told reporting with real voices, helping readers decipher the complicated social safety nets offered by governments as the pandemic ravaged the U.S.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"451":{"comments":"Amateurish, dumbing down of American political journalism. She apparently performs no original reporting, just aggregates what's already been reported by genuine journalists and news organizations \u2013 without attributing her information to anyone \u2013 and prepares short clips in front of a Ring light. Her content is as substantive as cotton candy. Please do not reward this parasitic repackaging of honorable, actual work by real journalists.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"466":{"comments":"Vitally important topic, suffers here from laboriously bad writing.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"492":{"comments":"Depressing but poignantly written glimpse into a family's tragedy but its nexus to politics or political journalism is insufficient.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"794":{"comments":"Powerful coverage of one of democracy's darkest days. Impressive reporting especially on the Boogaloo Bois. Compelling interviews with the Capitol defenders would have been stronger if they weren't all speaking on condition of anonymity. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"868":{"comments":"Intriguing reporting raising issues that not enough others are. The strength of her reporting suffers from story-telling that isn't compelling. She sews together paragraphs of facts without much concern for organization, narrative techniques, rich characters. Notably on one of her submissions, Sonya Ross, has told the story of her work for AP on Air Force One on 9\/11 a hundred times. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"clickmc@mailbox.sc.edu":{"1519":{"comments":"Compelling reporting with a bracing point of view that borders on commentary. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1528":{"comments":"Good comprehensive reporting that puts people at the heart of every story. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1639":{"comments":"Fascinating conversations with people across all spectrums. It is definitely not traditional reporting but does a good job of exploring divisions in the country. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1705":{"comments":"Lively storytelling about precinct watchers leavened by a second, even more effective, story on the younger generation as watchers.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1760":{"comments":"Ineligible. This seemed to promote a theory on the border crisis layered with speculation but no concrete factual underpinnings. It does not meet the criteria for the Toner Prize. ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1798":{"comments":"Good shoe leather reporting that brings the campaign home.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1804":{"comments":"Engaging and thorough reporting on the threats to democratic institutions.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1825":{"comments":"","scores":[]},"1848":{"comments":"This is important and engaging \"on the ground\" community and state journalism. He documents well the issues that people are talking bout. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2020":{"comments":"Deeply reported stories on the culture wars and their effect on schools, elections and free speech. I think these seem to me to represent the spirit of Robin Toner and her focus on accuracy, fairness, timeliness and public relevance.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"},"vince.gonzales@usc.edu":{"1519":{"comments":"Great in-depth reporting that looks at small stories across the country whose reflections, repetition and ripple effects are felt across America. Often when reporters drop into a small town and the conflict there, they leave as news tourists who never really get to the heart of the story. That is not the case here. These stories could be read by any American with concern and understanding. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1528":{"comments":"An interesting set of well-reported stories, but I am not sure they rise to the level of an award. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1639":{"comments":"Took a while to get through this entry. Definitely an in-depth podcast and the episodes truly went into great detail about certain facets of American elections. There were times though were I felt it needed an editor to pull back and to cut through what was an amazing level of detail. Some episodes felt like they were meant more for those with a deep interest in politics and less for a broader audience.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1705":{"comments":"Interesting, but I am not sure this rises to the level of an award. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1760":{"comments":"This entry is so full of unsupported allegations and sensationalistic storytelling that I don't think this is even in the same ballpark as the other entries. Great production values, but that is an example of misusing the tools of our trade. If only they had put as much effort into the reporting. The transcript did not help. I would not want to be associated with any organization that gave this an award or recognition.","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"1798":{"comments":"Serviceable regular and needed reporting on key issues for Utah voters. I am not sure this rises to the level of an award","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1804":{"comments":"Excellent reporting on complex issues, but was not an award winner for me.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1848":{"comments":".California-focused and interesting, but I am not sure this rises to the level of an award.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2020":{"comments":"Nice deep dive. More notes to come.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"jolmste@american.edu":{"1519":{"comments":"Effective local reporting with a behind-the-scenes look at how communities are battling extremism. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1528":{"comments":"A people-oriented series that helped explain the strain on the American election system. The spotlight focused on how individuals impacted the system, from a radicalized cop to a politician trying to impact gun violence. Persistent reporting. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1639":{"comments":"A behind-the-scenes look at major political parties and voters. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1705":{"comments":"A refreshing and unique look at how everyday people are participating in grassroots politics that most Americans are not familiar with, and unveiling players who are trying to manipulate the process. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1760":{"comments":"Interesting ideas.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1798":{"comments":"Good local reporting on political races outlining the money trail and candidate stands on issues that would serve voters well. \n ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1804":{"comments":"Fact-based, resourceful, and comprehensive reporting that explained the complexities of election funding in clear and accessible writing. Localized examples helped readers relate to the topic while making the point that it's part of a national trend. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1848":{"comments":"Solid local reporting and writing.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2020":{"comments":"Deeply reported coverage of a national trend and how it impacted local communities. Clear and focused writing put a spotlight not only on the money trail but explained how false accusations grew to prominence and are changing public policy that affects the lives of everyday citizens. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"}}},"final_voting":{"national":{"maralee.schwartz@gmail.com":{"314":{"comments":"This entry stands out in comparison to the other entries, it is so comprehensive and compelling --and produced with enormous skill. It pretty much has everything--the reporting, the writing, the photography, graphics and videos. Jan. 6 --why it happened, how it happened, and it's impact and implications on democracy-- is the story of the year, and the Post nailed. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"414":{"comments":"This is probably the most Robin Toner entry of the group, though she would focus more on political forces and implications.. As is his tradition, deParle does a great job of explaining how legislative decisions affect real people. As deeply reported and compelling. I wish he had brought in more politics. I just don't think this is the political story of the year., but I do think is it worth considering as the honorable mention. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"415":{"comments":"brilliant writing. He brings the reader right with him. He is a brave journalist, with amazing skills. In so me ways, the entry is a bit of an outlier.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"501":{"comments":"Despite some excellent reporting, especially the detailed story of what happened to the 2 election workers, this submission did not win me over. I found the writing flat, the structure predictable and often redundant in the other stories on intimidation. I thought the main subject was much better covered in the pro publica entry. The OAN piece was a good hit.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"732":{"comments":"The first part examining the fraud cases was a public service, very hard work. The rest of the pieces are not prize worthy--valuable topics, but I didn't really learn anything new, no depth, and subjects done much better by other organizations.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"777":{"comments":"the first piece on the Bannon effect is prize winning, remarkable reporting--had material other entries only could touch on.. Terrifying on the ground explanation of what is happening to the GOP and what that means for states, and elections. The rest of the package is very good. Together they paint a deep picture of what Trump and his allies are doing to the electoral process in this country.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1711":{"comments":"The redux Toner 2021, but with even less politics. He writes about domestic policy, especially poverty with remarkable insight and compassion. He does this every year --going out in the country and marrying policy, and statistics with the human condition. As great as the work is, this year, as last year, it does not meet the criteria of the Toner prize. There is no discussion of, reporting on politics and the electoral process. No demonstration of impact.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1886":{"comments":"This is excellent work and broadens our understanding of an issue that been covered for a while now. They do a good job of bringing home what elections workers go through, why they quit and the consequences of losing their experience. While they covered a lot ground, I came away thinking that it was pretty accessible reporting but did not go much deeper than what has been out there. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2001":{"comments":"this is off the charts with effort, research compilation of data . But not so sure about it significant political journalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2003":{"comments":"The main piece and the one on FRC are example of excellent explanatory journalism. The reporting, writing and editing are first rate. The addition of the videos really brings it all home. Limited impact.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2020":{"comments":"Super reporting, but I wanted the stories to explain more, be bigger about the causes and implications--on democracy, cultural institutions, and more on politics. I missed some analytical perspectives beyond all the good examples","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2077":{"comments":"It was the political story of the year, and the extraordinary leak reverberated nationally and locally, galvanizing women and demonstrating the degree conservatives have shaped the judiciary.. And it opened the window into how the Supreme Court operates, especially highlighting silent conflicts of interests. As the last piece clearly explains, the final decision had a huge impact on the midterm elections, and beyond. Lots of important digging and explaining in the entry. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"},"clemetly@umich.edu":{"314":{"comments":"This is fantastic reporting, and the presentation is compelling. But I am unsure how to judge such a massive group effort for a prize like this. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"414":{"comments":"Excellent reporting, illuminating beautifully how policy shifts make real change in the lives of Americans. \n\nThis is the sort of reporting Jason is known for. And it is the sort of reporting Robin did so well, too. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"415":{"comments":"Mogelson's piece is stunning, a fabulous magazine narrative. It builds on his past reporting on these issues and creates a dramatic sense of the scale of belief in the Big Lie and its consequences. If this was a storytelling award, this would be my top pick. But for the kind of meticulous, process and policy reporting that Robin perfected, Linda So's entry for Reuters is still my top pick. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"501":{"comments":"This series is quite exceptional. The reporting is focused and meticulous. The writing is compelling, consistent and well-paced. Linda So manages a careful layering of the investigative findings while still crafting a narrative with people the reader can care about. She manages to introduce several individual characters scattered across multiple states without making the narrative feel jumbled and hard to keep track of. There is also a sense that she worked hard to build and maintain trust with sources who shared many texts, emails, voicemails that were not shared elsewhere.\n\nWhile there are plenty of unsettling details, nothing feels overdone. She lets her reporting do the work without hyperbole. While much national reporting has focused primarily on the people harassing\/threatening\/rioting, So's reporting on the lack of serious investigation by law enforcement and the tension between free-speech and legitimate threats makes this series stand out. \n\nMy only small note\/question regarding this entry is that there is a correction on the sidebar in the first story : \n\nEditor\u2019s note: This sidebar story has been corrected to remove a reference to Delaware as the only state where the chief election official is not called the secretary of state. There are 10 states where the top election official has a different title.\n\nHow do corrections typically impact the judging? \n\nRobin almost never had corrections in her stories.\n\nThis package is still a standout for me. \n\n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"732":{"comments":"And extraordinary effort. This entry makes up part of a whole with the entry from Reuters and ProPublica\/Texas Tribune. \n\nReally, any of the three could reasonably selected as winner. My pick is the Reuters entry from Linda So, because it best captures the carefully developed beat expertise and care with detail that Robin's work exemplified. \n\nI expect this may be a tough deliberation. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"777":{"comments":"Excellent series. It captures with alarming detail a coordinated takeover of the Republican party. The series is most compelling in its illustration of upheaval in districts which Trump won handily. The story of Michele Carew brings to life the strategy, tactics and stakes of the Bannon-led local takeover. \n\nI believe the Reuters series by Linda So is still my top choice, but this would be a close second. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"},"christina.bellantoni@usc.edu":{"314":{"comments":"It's a terrific layout, a semester-long college course's \nworth of information, with unbelievable multimedia and depth. It also connected the dots within government and went back far enough to show the true impact of Trump's actions in great detail. \nIt was done by a huge team, which isn't a knock, but compared with the others it just seems in a different universe. I also wonder, though, if it's actually eligible \u2014 I recall we didn't consider NYT tax returns stories.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"414":{"comments":"Deeply reported, with such a sense of place, and does exactly what we try to teach student journalists to do: Humanize.\nThis line gripped me: \n\u201cIt made me feel like I was the kind of mother I wanted to be,\u201d she said.\nThis series gives readers the sense of the scope of government policies often captured with numbers and political winners and losers. Instead, DeParle delivers richly reported stories of the people helped or hurt by government's actions, with precision and powerful examples. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"415":{"comments":"This work made me continually pause to catch my breath. A few times, I wanted to vomit. Mogelson takes you inside, looking over the shoulders of madmen. \n\nWhen I compare this to my top choice, the NYT series on the social safety net, I wonder if there's two categories again. Best Jan. 6 reporting (this one) and best of the bunch (NYT, for me). \n\nI keep coming back to Robin Toner, who I never had the chance to know. Thank heavens she never had to experience covering anything like the insurrection, but if she did, I imagine this is the type of work she would do, not the data investigations, not the fancy multimedia reconstruction. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"501":{"comments":"It's powerful, chilling reporting showcasing the worst of humanity and underlining a distinct threat to our democracy. The stories are deeply reported and clearly written. \nI would love to discuss if this is really in spirit of Toner Prize \u2014\u00a0I have only had a few years doing this but it feels very different from work we've previously recognized. If it is truly in line with the prize, I could be convinced to choose this as a 5. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"732":{"comments":"This is strong investigative work and such an example of clear use of data. I didn't find it as compelling as the Reuters narratives.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"777":{"comments":"Terrific reporting in the style that ProPublica has mastered. It's a cautionary tale about how every vote matters and just how threatened local government participation is at this fraught moment in our nation. For me, it's not as strong as the Reuters work. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1711":{"comments":"This series shines a bright light on the humans behind a political debate - and with vivid writing and clear representative and non judgmental reporting it can help people understand a complicated economic issue. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1886":{"comments":"There cannot be enough reported about this topic. The depth of the stories can and should be a horrifying wakeup call about the state of our democracy. The Globe combined crisp writing, extensive interviews and beautiful photography to capture the issue.\nI could be convinced to make this a 5.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2001":{"comments":"Impressive effort to distill data and relate politics on the ground to the bigger picture. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2003":{"comments":"I love this series and the clear detail about something political reporters have heard about and attempted to pin down while covering campaigns. These are the fullest descriptions I've ever seen about the extent to which the Johnson amendment is violated from the pulpit. Powerful investigative work. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2020":{"comments":"Each piece in this series goes deep. The reporting is impeccable, the narratives compelling. This is a topic that is rapidly taking over conversations at the local level and these pieces are straightforward, clear and provide some potential for people to understand these debates happening in their school districts. \nI could be convinced to make this a 4.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2077":{"comments":"The first story is the scoop of a lifetime. The rest of the reporting is solid and important. To me it doesn't feel like it fits the spirit of this particular prize. I'm going to suggest this get special recognition for its influence on national politics. ","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"status":"submit"},"treaster@miami.edu":{"314":{"comments":"This is a powerful, comprehensive look at the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the developments that led to it, the moments of violence, the aftermath and what might lie ahead for America and Americans. The story shows many facets of a candidate who became a president and began trying to create a new form of government in America. It uses brilliantly all the tools of modern, digital journalism in a spectacular collaboration of reporters, editors, photographers and digital specialists. #\n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"414":{"comments":"The stories by Jason DeParle are excellent explorations of government and its impact on ordinary people. They don\u2019t seem to deal with electoral politics so much as with the consequences of election choices. They don\u2019t seem to be a perfect fit for the Toner Prize.#","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"415":{"comments":"Luke Mogelson takes us into the mob swarming the Capitol in a gracefully and powerfully written magazine article just days after the assault. Several reporters and news organizations have looked at segments of the insurrection, its origin and its later manifestations. This is the most powerful telling of the attack on the capital. It was a tremendous performance by one reporter. But he did not have the firepower of the small army that the Washington Post put on its Attack story. #","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"501":{"comments":"The Reuters stories on threats against election officials showed us the depth of the crisis in American democracy with a single theme as its vehicle. Great opening photo by Brian Snyder. #\n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"732":{"comments":"This is valuable reporting on a slice of the 2020 election story. #","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"777":{"comments":"Excellent work. It was chilling reading about the Republican precinct strategy, a plan, in Steve Bannon\u2019s words, \u201cto take this back, village by village\u2026precinct by precinct.\u201d Here was a plan by a segment of Americans to take back an electoral system that had not been taken from them or anyone else. \nIt was an electoral system, evidence showed, that functioned as designed and fairly handled the votes that led to the victory of Joe Biden and the defeat of Donald Trump. ProPublica and the Texas Tribune reporters and editors revealed a partisan scheme to undermine democracy. #\n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1711":{"comments":"The New York Times stories of child poverty and the impact of federal programs are deeply political. But they tell us more about life and hard-times in American and the impact of federal assistance than about the theme of the Toner Prizes -political campaigns, candidates and elections. 2 ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1886":{"comments":"The Boston Globe looked at the turmoil at local election offices. It threw three reporters and 16 editors and specialists into the project. I salute the Globe for the effort. The stories looked at an important but predictable - expected - problem. It read to me like three interesting, but fairly slow moving magazine pieces. I'd like to know what the paper's data on readership of this work shows. 2-3 ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2001":{"comments":"The Bloomberg article with many elements may be just what is wanted in our digital age. It felt like a digital puzzle or a game. It raised reviewed concerns about the integrity and outcomes of the 2022 elections and highlighted potential vulnerabilities of voting systems in 2024. But it seemed to me to have left readers to speculate on how things might turn out. I think the work would have benefitted from a strong narrative that pointed toward possible outcomes. 2 ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2003":{"comments":" Propublica and the Texas Tribune joined forces in a ground-breaking five-part series on how churches and right wing organizations representing themselves as churches violate the terms of federal tax exemption by taking sides on political candidates and issues. The churches are powerful forces in elections and,because of the exemptions, are free from requirements to identify the sources of their funding. The series focuses directly on the potential impact of these organizations on candidates and campaigns. A strong issues story. 4","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2020":{"comments":"NBC News Digital took the unorthodox approach of writing about the loser of an election rather than the winner in one of it's entries. It was another way of demonstrating the difficulties of overcoming prejudice. \nThe four other pieces in the entry read well but were less original. 3","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2077":{"comments":"Politico broke the news that the Supreme Court's justices had voted to reverse the long-standing federal policy that permitted abortions. It followed with three stories on practices by the justices that could be seen as conflicts of interest. The last of the five stories in the series showed the strong impact against Republican candidates of the Supreme Court's shift away from abortion in the 2022 elections. Great enterprise, good insights, good analysis. I don't see the series as a strong example of the hallmarks of the Toner Prizes. 3 ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"ann.w.compton@gmail.com":{"1711":{"comments":"Shines an important light into the shadows of poverty which haunt millions of families. Deeply researched and daringly scripted, these are stories of hope wrapped around a compelling look at what American policy has done, and failed to do, for generations Excellent reporting and Bravo for allowing the reporter to spend the time, and heart, to make it possible. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1886":{"comments":"Another National entry focused on the grassroots of contemporary politics - state elections and their officials. It certainly belongs on the national radar.\nThis is expansive reporting, well written, handsomely mounted in print and on line, nice interactive audio of election officials around the country.\n It should be re-read in advance of 2024. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2001":{"comments":"I am not sure what to make of this. It reads more like academic political research than a news investigation. Heavy data on indicators and factors the team created. It\u2019s a significant contribution to election history in the 2020\u2019s but I don\u2019t know how to judge it as journalism. Bravo for the good graphics. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2003":{"comments":"I get it. The law is being broken. It has political ramifications. Pro-Publica and the Texas Tribune are indeed right to focus on states and communities where the impact is most obvious and potentially the most influential. The series is well documented, handsomely presented. Perhaps it under-estimates the historic role of Black churches in politics. But doesnt the lack of enforcement by the IRS for all this time speak volumes ? The entries on non-profits registering as churches are the most compelling of the lot. However, compared to the other critical issues addressed in 2023 entries, this one does not rise to the top for me. \n","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2020":{"comments":"Their reporting casts new light on grassroots movements for local school boards and communities grappling with challenges to what's being taught in public classrooms. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2077":{"comments":"A bombshell scoop with seismic repercussions for the third branch of Govt. Cautiously written to stick to the facts. Revelatory follow ups on conservative outsiders trying to influence conservative Justices, \u201cso we\u2019ve literally had to pray our way in there each step of the way.\u201d About the potential conflicts of interest with spouses\u2019 legal careers and the political fallout in 2022 midterm elections. This reporting took courage and professionalism.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"status":"submit"},"bkkirk@syr.edu":{"1711":{"comments":"Very good to excellent body of work that explores different aspects of child poverty in the United States, how government programs help and hurt in a variety of situations. There are political elements, but it\u2019s not specifically political reporting.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1886":{"comments":"Very good examination of the exodus of elections workers following the 2020 presidential election. Great use of data and graphics to illustrate the potential impact of the departures on future elections.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2001":{"comments":"Very good deep data dive into the security of elections in all 50 states. The graphics accompanying the piece are a bit clunky but once figured out, they provide solid information about election vulnerabilities.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2003":{"comments":"Excellent body of work that explores the political activity of churches and illustrates the arc of a story from the identification of the issue to coverage of a call for action as a result of the information the story uncovered.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"2020":{"comments":"Very good examination of the efforts to limit what schools can teach regarding race and gender. The stories illustrate the impact of PACs supporting candidates who are anti-CRT or anti-woke. While much of the coverage focuses on what's happening in Texas, it shows how the blueprint is spreading to other states.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2077":{"comments":"Excellent coverage, from breaking the initial story about the draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade to the impact of the Dobbs decision on the 2022 midterm elections. The potential conflict of interest stories add deeper context to the coverage.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"}},"local":{"clemetly@umich.edu":{"437":{"comments":"A thorough reconstruction and a good read. Much was pulled from other people's reporting and other sources. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"457":{"comments":"innovative and engaging. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"528":{"comments":"This is a close second for me. And if the group chose this as top, I would join. Though different from the other finalists, this story is most certainly about elections, politics and policy. Local judges rarely get covered, certainly not with depth.This story illuminates how a lack of local accountability for this judge had tragic consequences for children in Rutherford County, Tennessee. I remember reading every word of this story when it came out. It is powerful and deserving of recognition. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"551":{"comments":"Excellent. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"708":{"comments":"Fascinating. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"739":{"comments":"This body of work from Greg Bluestein, more than any other entry in either category, represents the kind of focused, well-sourced, straight ahead political reporting that Robin did. Stories in this series illuminate many of the trends in other entries, without dramatic packaging and tone. Steady, excellent reporting that illuminates state and local politics. I learned importance nuance from this series that I did not from the others. This is definitely the winner in the local category for me. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"782":{"comments":"Really good local reporting. Some others felt like national stories, even though they were submitted for local. This is solidly local reporting, richly reported. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"maralee.schwartz@gmail.com":{"437":{"comments":"Superior work. The epic narrative, and the embedded explanatory sidebars created a powerful portrait of the shocking events in Georgia, and Washington as Trump obsessively pressured to undermine the election results in the state. They combine contemporaneous reporting with information gathered after individual events and from other sources- lots of depth.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"457":{"comments":"Kudos for this clever way to inform and engage voters. And the Adams accountability piece was well done. I think it lacks the heft of the other entries, and misses on criteria","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"528":{"comments":"This is remarkable and important story, They did a great job pulling together so much information. But found structure and times confusing---don't know when interviews took place--were they historic material or new interviews? As much as I admire the effort, I dont consider this political journalism. I don't think has much to do with the Toner award criteria, not sure it is eligible.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"551":{"comments":"they did a heroic job pulling off this narrative with so much detail without losing the reader in the weeds, and brining into sunlight what happened after the election. Very smart packaging. would have liked a bit more analysis of what it means for the future, GOP politics, and the elections. Also some lessons learned.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"708":{"comments":"they explain the state of play with voting issues post Trump, but. I did not find this a compelling entry. Depends on lots for quotes intertwined with connective explanatory material. Not a lot of depth, especially compared to the Arizona and Georgia pieces on the same subject.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"739":{"comments":"He is good, and these are good stories--model political reporting. I am disappointed there was not more done in the first story, maps, statistics and more explanation of the political shifts. The rest of the stories a nice job of explaining these changes in GOP politics from different aspects and from the ground. He does a lot of showing and not just telling. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"782":{"comments":"Smartly conceived series, combining neighborhoods, issues and voters into revealing stories. The piece on Wu's victory is terrific, and brings together issues and neighborhoods as well as describing her own path to victory.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1611":{"comments":"It is a useful and accessible look at the race for a local audience. But it never goes deep and is repetitive, including the same sources. And where are the voters, where is the on the ground reporting? I am surprised this is a finalist.","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"1626":{"comments":"Relentless reporting with significant impact. Really laid bare the influence of money and power on legislation. The power of TV and Williams' explanations made if vividly accessible to viewers. A public service to Tennessee voters. Don't often see this kind of commitment from local TV","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1633":{"comments":"this is a terrific narrative, a skillfully written explanation of why the Iowa caucuses have passed their time. As much as I enjoyed reading, I am not sure it has all the components of a prize winner.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1934":{"comments":"This election was a big moment in state and national politics, and they do an excellent job explaining what happened. The portraits and voices of the women was compelling. Good graphics. I did not think the final piece of distrust of voting was strong, and would rather have seen a November election piece--all of the Democratic judges were reelected.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2017":{"comments":"Difficult reporting about what happens when politics and political divisions impact health care, in this case Covid. The stories explain medically and politically how and why Covid devastated red states, and the consequences of politicians who are afraid to challenge misinformation. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2026":{"comments":"Outstanding reporting. The details in the Patrick and Abbot piece are jaw dropping. The entry paints a big portrait of Texas politics. It was hard for me not to give it a five","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2044":{"comments":"I found this interesting, but thin. would not call this deep reporting. Lots of good quotes threaded through a gathering of news. Important for readers to know who is managing the store here.","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"treaster@miami.edu":{"437":{"comments":"This is a fine display of local reporting. Georgia was one of the centers of controversy after the 2020 presidential election . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the story in detail. It was a news organization providing a true service to its readers.#","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"457":{"comments":"The City delivered the campaign news for Mayor of New York and the City Council through quizzes, reader feedback and original reporting. It was inventive and captivating work. It had a youthful, low-budget feel about it. I wonder what kind of impact The City is having. #","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"528":{"comments":"These stories report on the horrendous treatment of children by the police and an elected juvenile court judge in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They are valuable public service journalism, but they are more about juvenile justice than about electoral politics. They show how voters can elect and reelect incompetent and sometimes destructive officials. That is an old story worth repeating. \nThese stories deserve recognition. But I don't think they qualify for the Toner Prizes. \n\n","scores":{"Overall Score":0}},"551":{"comments":"The Arizona Republic spent four months looking into Arizona's recount of the 2020 presidential votes. It was a commendable project, a microscopic view of the Trump movement's efforts to overturn the election results in 2020 in Arizona and to reorder the election process to their benefit. The stories were detailed and well-written but, oddly, I found them difficult to follow. I think some of my problem with the work was a sometimes too-tight focus and the omission of some key guide posts. I had to go to Google, for example, to find out that the recount of the Maricopa County votes cost $5.6 million - or,. another new organization said, $7 million - and that the recount work stretched over six months. The Republic described the recount as a carnival. But I had to read elsewhere to fully grasp what the carnival was all about. #","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"708":{"comments":"These are important stories that take readers inside the sprawling, some what stumbling yet determined push by former President Trump and his supporters to undermine the American electoral process. #","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"739":{"comments":"The transformation of Georgia pieces are very readable. They were a good idea and they took a lot of work. But they don't feel as urgent as the Journal-Constitution's entry on the Republican efforts to undermine the presidential election. #","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"782":{"comments":"This is a group of stories in the true Robin Toner tradition. The Boston Globe, in it's coverage of the 2020 mayoral election, wrote about campaign strategies, neighbors and issues and introduced readers to the candidates with nicely paced profiles. \nIt's reporting was detailed. It's stories and graphics were easy to read and absorb. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1611":{"comments":"A close-up look an election in one rural Congressional district in Washington state. Well-written, comprehensive, insightful. This is exactly the kind of detailed campaign coverage that distinguished Robin Toner. 5 ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1626":{"comments":"NewsChannel 5 gives life and depth to an old political story: Money buys access. It gave us some vivid scenes. It showed some politicians contradicting themselves and the public record. It left us with the impression that corruption was a way of life for some of Tennessee's elected officials. In one case the reporting seems to have led to the failure of a cozy deal. Good work. It showed F.B.I. arrests of state officials, but the arrests did not appear to be the result of the tv station's work. 3 ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1633":{"comments":"A too-long telling of the demise of the Iowa caucus system. One of the three entries could have done the job. 2","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1934":{"comments":"Good solid look at the abortion rights and its adversaries, especially the Catholic church. Strong writing and reporting. No surprises. 3 ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2017":{"comments":"ProPublica: Republican politics and Covid in Montana. Low vaccination rate, high death rate. Good, detailed, sensitive and insightful reporting. 3","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2026":{"comments":"Well-written, insightful, detailed reports on politics in Texas. 4","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2044":{"comments":"The Milwaukee Journal reported that a Republican investigation into the 2022 election found no wrongdoing but had cost taxpayers nearly $1 million. The paper raised questions about the behavior of the leader of the investigation, a former state supreme court justice who declared a head of his investigation that Democrats had stolen the election. Good reporting. \n3 ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"status":"submit"},"christina.bellantoni@usc.edu":{"437":{"comments":"Yes, yes, yes. The reconstructed detail here shows just what happened, just what was at stake and is deeply contextual at a time when misinformation is rampant. I love the transparency about how the work came together and appreciate the rich and thoughtful prose. \n\nProposal: What if the AJC and Republic share this prize as two ends of the nation deeply illustrating the same issue that threatens to unravel our democracy. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"457":{"comments":"Superb public service journalism here. Nicely crafted, tightly written, transparent and creative in reader engagement. I really like how they used the survey data to deliver multiple platforms of information to meet the audience where they are and not presume they know best about the format. Also, they did the best with Eric Adams' lack of responses, which could not have been easy. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"528":{"comments":"Breathtaking reporting exposing an issue that's probably happening under the radar in many communities. \n\nTalk about impact! \n\nEarlier on Tuesday, ProPublica and Nashville Public Radio published a story about a move by some Tennessee lawmakers to remove Davenport from her post. About an hour after that story was published on ProPublica\u2019s website, Davenport, in an email sent by the county\u2019s spokesperson, announced that she will not be running for reelection this year.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"551":{"comments":"This reporting truly illuminates what was happening on the ground from deep inside one of the most critical states in the 2020 election. The reader is placed right in the moment with eye-popping reporting, clear and crisp writing and scene setting that makes you feel like you're reading the text messages over someone's shoulder. \n\nProposal: What if the AJC and Republic share this prize as two ends of the nation deeply illustrating the same issue that threatens to unravel our democracy. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"708":{"comments":"The first story is really strong, but overall these feel more like fairly standard beat coverage to me in comparison with the others. \n\nI do like their in-article explainers on \"why we're not calling it an audit\" \u2014\u00a0that sort of thing builds trust with the audience. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"739":{"comments":"Bluestein has a knack for crisp writing and talking with the right people on the ground to strengthen his political analysis rather than a bunch of pundits. His readers are served sharp coverage that can quickly give them an understanding of the state's political landscape. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"782":{"comments":"I love the interactivity and think this does a great service for Globe readers, but it just doesn't compare to the work showcasing our democracy in peril. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1611":{"comments":"I liked these pieces \u2014 they gave a nice window into the local race but offering national context and they were full instead of shorthand, allowing the audience to understand what the candidates stood for beyond talking points. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1626":{"comments":"It is so hard to crack into the secretive world of campaign cash and lobbying in a state capital \u2014 and nearly impossible to do it on video. But somehow Phil Williams managed to do just that in this brilliant series shining light on state lawmaker practices and crisply showing viewers exactly HOW legislation is shaped and the exact questionable practices that are difficult to put into clear journalistic examples in any medium. I\u2019m blown away by these pieces and will be using them to teach. ","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1633":{"comments":"This was a solid history of the caucuses and a nice read that I will assign my students in 2024. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1934":{"comments":"Important work, and the abortion stories are powerful. The series does not match the depth or reporting strength of the other entries. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"2017":{"comments":"This piece takes a horrifying look at how one state failed its vulnerable population, reporting with meticulous detail the clear throughline between political decisions and death. \nI could be convinced to make this a 5. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2026":{"comments":"These stories are a testament to why the Texas Tribune is so valuable to the state. Each is well-reported with meticulous data to back up the anecdotes and readers come away with inside knowledge of how the state's government works. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2044":{"comments":"Good watchdog reporting but not at the caliber of the other entries. ","scores":{"Overall Score":1}},"status":"submit"},"ann.w.compton@gmail.com":{"1611":{"comments":"Interesting take on a congressional race well below the national radar, in a predominantly rural district where the major media outlets are across the river in another state. Good effort, altho the series lacks any voices from the voters on how they viewed the candidates. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"1626":{"comments":"This is a very impressive body of work during 2022 by a local tv station which deployed its investigative correspondent and gave him ample air time to challenge the state legislature and governor on issues that hit home: charter vs. public schools, lobbyist money, and ethics - top to bottom. The final report shows the former Speaker of the House leaving the federal courthouse after being charged with 20 counts of fraud. Congratulations on impressive devotion of effort and air time.\n","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1633":{"comments":"A touching eulogy and an invaluable political autopsy of the institution of the Iowa Caucuses which died in February 2020. RIP. And thanks to the Des Moines Register which made those exciting political dramas shaping national campaigns for all of us. Beautifully done. ","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1934":{"comments":"Kansas probably did not get the national attention it deserved in its landmark referendum upholding a women's right to choose. The Star did an excellent job of tracking the issue, especially with the human stories that make this a very human issue. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2017":{"comments":"Hard to read. Painful to even imagine. St. Peters Hospital endured months of nightmare challenges and way too many patients did not survive. This is a poignant history lesson. ","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"2026":{"comments":"Every state should have a veteran journalist with the keen eye, political instincts, stamina, and institutional memory of a Patrick Svitek of Texas. His reporting is a clear beacon of understanding the political landscape. His profile of Lt. Gov Dan Patrick is a tour de force.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2044":{"comments":"A very sad story of what the Journal Sentinel describes as a lame investigation of Wisconsin's 2020 election results. They devoted a lot of time to the year long series. Interesting these chosen excerpts do not lay any blame on the Speaker of the Assembly who hired the former Supreme Court justice who was made a mockery for his incompetence. ","scores":{"Overall Score":2}},"status":"submit"},"bkkirk@syr.edu":{"1611":{"comments":"Very good series of stories on a congressional race that didn't get a lot of attention nationally until the unexpected outcome. In an attempt to summarize, the first two pieces were a bit repetitive in describing who each candidate was.","scores":{"Overall Score":3}},"1626":{"comments":"This is what a great local news investigation looks like. Documentaries like this one are not done nearly enough. It is excellent! It informs residents about what their lawmakers are doing and who has influence and power over them. It looks at the impact of money from lobbyists on a variety of issues. Stories on Hillsdale College and efforts to bring charter schools to TN seemed to force the governor to change his position.","scores":{"Overall Score":5}},"1633":{"comments":"Great three-part analysis of how the Iowa Caucus came to be first in the nation and the quirks in the system that led to its downfall and subsequent replacement by South Carolina as Democrats' first in the nation primary. The analysis is nonpartisan, but the story focuses mostly on Democrats.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"1934":{"comments":"Excellent coverage of all elements of the Kansas abortion vote, from the involvement of the Catholic Church, to personal stories from women who've had abortions, to the outcome of the vote and a comprehensive analysis of unexpected results in GOP areas of the state.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2017":{"comments":"Excellent in-depth reporting on the impact of politics on one hospital's efforts to treat Covid-19 patients.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2026":{"comments":"Very good body of work in political journalism that examines Texas Gov. Abbott's prolific fundraising, GOP congressional seat battles, and Beto O'Rourke's efforts to sway voters in rural Texas. Good overview. Story about Lt. Gov Patrick that's mentioned in the description was not submitted here. Would have liked to have read it.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"2044":{"comments":"Excellent political reporting on the review of the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin and the former state Supreme Court justice who led it. Stories track the numbers and cover how the review provided few insights and uncover issues with the justice himself.","scores":{"Overall Score":4}},"status":"submit"}}},"submission_instructions":"\n

2023 Toner Prizes Entry Form<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Syracuse University\u2019s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications<\/a> is now accepting entries for the 2023 Toner Prizes competition honoring excellence in political reporting. Two prizes will be given: One for national and one for local political reporting. Each carries a $5,000 honorarium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entry deadline is Jan. 16, 2023, by 11:59 p.m.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Toner Prizes go to the best U.S.\u202fpolitical reporting on any platform: print, broadcast or online.\u202fThey are named for late alumna Robin Toner \u201976, the first woman to serve as national political correspondent for The New York Times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entries must be fact-based reporting, not commentary.\u202fSingle articles or a body of work are eligible. Each entry is limited to five stories. A news organization may enter more than one reporter or team, but the same reporter or team can\u202fbe entered\u202fonly once.\u202fReporters may enter their own work, but can\u202fenter\u202fonly\u202fonce. There is no entry fee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work must have been reported, published, posted or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022. Books are ineligible.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entries will be judged on how well they reflect the high standards and depth of reporting that marked Robin Toner\u2019s work. In particular, the judges will look at how well the entries: <\/p>\n\n\n\n