Charlotte Observer staff captures 34 NC Press Association awards, including top honor
The Charlotte Observer won 34 awards, including for Overall General Excellence for the second straight year, in the annual N.C. Press Association competition Thursday.
The Observer earned 16 first-place awards, eight second-place awards and 10 third-place awards.
“It’s a tribute to our great journalism and a reflection of the passion our journalists have for writing stories that have impact and resonate with our readers,” Observer Executive Editor Rana Cash said.
Other top awards earned by Observer staff members included:
▪ Ames Alexander, Gavin Off, David Raynor: Public Service Award, for “Death in the Fast Lane,” which examined how often extreme speeding was happening on North Carolina’s roads — and whether the COVID-19 pandemic made highways deadlier. The Observer found that nearly 92% of extreme speeders get breaks in the courts that allow them to avoid the full penalties.
▪ Khadejeh Nikouyeh: Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year, for a collection of photograph, marking the first time an Observer staffer has won the award.
▪ Michael Gordon: Media and the Law Awards of Excellence, for “Inmates seeking release from COVID-hit prisons have next to no chance in this NC district.” That marked the second time Gordon won the award given by the N.C. Bar Association.
The NCPA announced the awards at a ceremony in Raleigh.
Other awards won by Observer staffers included:
First place
Mike Quick, Jason Smith, Justin Moore: Advertising Campaign, “Top Workplaces Charlotte Promo Campaign.”
Scott Fowler: General sports reporting, “’Such a freaky, terrible thing’: Galen Young, former Charlotte 49er basketball star, has died.”
Staff: Sports Coverage.
Scott Fowler: Collection of Sports Columns.
Théoden Janes: Religion & Faith Reporting, “She felt called by God to give a stranger her kidney. Then came a match made in Heaven.”
Jeff Siner: Photography, General News, “A chronic speeder and a boy who died too soon.”
Théoden Janes: News Feature Writing, “She taught piano to kids in NC for years. Then her daughter accused her of sex crimes.”
CharlotteFive Staff: Multi Media Project, “9/11: 20 voices, 20 years later.”
Théoden Janes: Feature Writing, “NICU nurse pops the question to a tiny former patient: ‘Will you be my flower girl?’”
Kristen Kornbluth: Email Newsletter, Afternoon newsletter.
Paige Masten: Collection of Editorials.
Michael Gordon, Joe Marusak: Breaking News Coverage, “NC jailer charged with multiple sex crimes. Sources say victim is a transgender inmate.”
Second place
Staff: General Excellence for Websites.
Khadejeh Nikouyeh: Video, “Dyanie Bermeo says she was sexually assaulted. She didn’t expect to be charged.”
Alex Andrejev: Sports Feature Writing, “A NASCAR fan was bullied for being LGBTQ+ ally. Then he designed Jimmie Johnson’s car.”
Scott Fowler: Sports Enterprise Reporting: “Rae Carruth wanted to kill his unborn son. Now the ‘miracle boy’ turns 21.”
Will Wright, Lauren Lindstrom: Religion & Faith Reporting, “Broken promise: After fleeing Taliban, Afghan families feel neglected by Charlotte agency.”
Scott Fowler: Collection of Ledes.
Théoden Janes: Feature Writing, “Thousands prayed for a miracle that never came. Where does her NC family go from here?”
Staff, Charlotte Five: Email Newsletter.
Third place
Sara Coello, Carli Brosseau: Investigative Reporting, “A UNC campus is accused of ignoring sex abuse. Records show little action after last scandal.”
Maddie Ellis: Profile Feature, “Truck driver, TikToker, mama — Charlotte’s Clarissa Rankin does it all.”
Théoden Janes: Sports Enterprise Reporting, “NC event named for Trump is trying to come back from the dead. It’s not going well.”
Khadejeh Nikouyeh: Photography, Spot, “Barrage of gunfire kills 3 year old boy at Charlotte home.”
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez: Photography, Sports Feature, “Men in the Arena.”
Khadejeh Nikouyeh: Photography, Feature, “Charlotte mother, daughter celebrate Black history in photos.”
Théoden Janes: Lighter Columns, Collection of Lighter Columns.
Staff: Editorial Page.
Will Wright: City, County Government Reporting: “Hidden Valley has something nobody can take — but redrawing maps may risk it.”
Staff: Appearance and Design.
This story was originally published August 26, 2022 at 12:45 PM.