Carolina Journal’s award-winning journalism, Online Division, 2019 N.C. Press Association Editorial and Advertising Contest, with judges’ comments when offered.

• First Place, Duke University/Green-Rossiter Award for Distinguished Newspaper Work in Higher Education Reporting, Assistant Managing Editor Kari Travis and Associate Editor Lindsay Marchello: UNC System experiences year of turmoil amid ambitions of growth
Judges’ comment: Very smart, innovative coverage of higher education. Its articles from the classroom are comprehensive and well-written, with compelling anecdotes and an engaging tone. Its coverage of the UNC system was also hard-hitting, aggressive and extremely well-sourced.
• First Place, Editorials, Editor-In-Chief Rick Henderson: “Editorials take on controversies in the courtroom and the boardroom”
Judges’ comment: Our editorialist knows a lot about politics in North Carolina — including the revolving door of presidents and chancellors in the university system — and uses that knowledge to advocate clearly for sensible solutions. First-rate thinking and writing.
https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion-article/the-university-of-the-people/
https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion-article/budget-standoff-highlights-policy-differences/
• Second Place, Serious Columns, Managing Editor John Trump: “Political debates in N.C. affect real people”
Judges’ comment: A refreshing collection of reporter-based observations on relevant community/state issues. These columns discuss and enlighten readers via personal narration, hard facts, and collection of human sources.
https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion-article/control-for-n-c-abc-business-is-booming/
• Second Place, Education Reporting, Lindsay Marchello: “Leandro lawsuit, now 25 years old, continues to vex educators”
Judges’ comment: This story does a nice job of contextualizing current politics within the scope of previous court decisions.
https://www.carolinajournal.com/news-article/leandro-lawsuit-now-25-years-old-continues/
• Second Place, Beat News Reporting, Associate Editor Julie Havlak: “Regulations keep North Carolinians from getting Medicaid benefits they’ve deserved”
Judges’ comment: The reporter puts a real face on a numbers game being played in statehouses throughout the country. Solid, consistent reporting on a difficult issue.
https://www.carolinajournal.com/news-article/stuck-disabled-adults-struggle-to-get-care/
• Second Place, General News Reporting, Lindsay Marchello: “House overrides budget veto in surprise morning vote”
Judges’ comment: A strong story in a solid field of contenders.
https://www.carolinajournal.com/news-article/house-overrides-budget-veto-in-a-surprise-morning-vote/
• Second Place, News Feature Writing, Kari Travis, Lindsay Marchello: “A cloudy state of transparency”
https://www.carolinajournal.com/news-article/a-cloudy-state-of-transparency/