The Charlotte Observer wins 20 NC Press Association awards, honors for general excellence
The Charlotte Observer on Thursday received 20 awards, including third place for General Excellence, during the annual North Carolina Press Association Awards in Raleigh.
The Observer garnered seven first-place awards, six second-place awards and six third-place awards for general reporting, investigative reporting, education, various columns, sports reporting, video, social media and newsletters.
The Charlotte Observer also shares at least one award with its sister paper, The News & Observer for investigative projects.
The newspaper was judged for work published from March 1, 2023 to March 4, 2024.
“Though we do not do this work for awards, it is heartening to be recognized for the excellence and commitment to outstanding journalism that resonates with our readers and makes a difference in the lives of the communities we serve,” Observer Executive Editor Rana Cash said. “ ... these awards reflect our mission and purpose.”
NCPA’s contest is among the largest in the country with over 3,500 entries from over 125 newspapers and news organizations.
This year, The Observer contest was judged by the Colorado Press Association, as well as other volunteers from around the nation, an NCPA spokeswoman said in an email.
Awards earned by Observer staff members included:
First Place
Adam Bell — Email newsletter “Inside Charlotte Arts”
Kallie Cox, Julia Coin — Investigative Reporting, “Series of stories on Devalos Perkins”
Théoden Janes — Lighter Columns, “Theoden Janes Collection”
Scott Fowler — Serious Columns, “Scott Fowler Serious Columns”
Staff — Charlotte Observer Sports Coverage
Staff — Social Media, CharlotteFive
Makayla Holder — Video, “Dying with purpose”
Second Place
Staff — Breaking News Coverage “Series of stories on fatal fire at construction site”
Catherine Muccigrosso, Gavin Off — Business Writing “ ‘They’re not coming’: Grocery stores abound, but Charlotte food deserts still prevalent”
Melissa Oyler, Heidi Finley, Chyna Blackmon — Email newsletter “CharlotteFive”
Ames Alexander and David Raynor — Investigative Reporting “Burdened After Death: NC’s Medical Examiner’s Office In Crisis”
Melissa Oyler, Alex Cason — Multimedia Project, “ ‘The best Ghanaian takeout food you will find in Charlotte’: What to know about Mama Gee’s”
Roderick Boone — Sports Feature Writing, “Inside look at Hugo the Hornet”
Third Place
Shane Connuck — Sports Feature Writing, “Who are Charlotte FC’s fans? Meet the groups who travel from near and far every match.”
Alex Cason — Video, “ ‘This is just wild’: James Beard nomination comes at a time of change for Jimmy Pearls”
Anna Maria Della Costa — Education Reporting, “ ‘Hard to take you seriously.’ Ardrey Kell lockdown raises tensions between CMS, activist”
Ryan Oehrli — General News Reporting, “Miles Bridges’ arrest warrant was months-old — why wasn’t it served in Charlotte?”
Théoden Janes — Profile Feature, “Panhandlers’ plight: They’ve lived at this intersection for years. Is there any way out?”
Mike Kaye — Sports Columns, Mike Kaye Columns
