Newspapers in the Southern California News Group won numerous awards at the 66th Southern California Journalism Awards held on Sunday, June 23 at the historic Biltmore Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles Press Club brought together hundreds of journalists to honor their colleagues across the region.
Winners in the SCNG chain included the Los Angeles Daily News for investigative reporting as well as gender and society coverage; the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for hard news coverage; and the Pasadena Star-News for sports photography.
Clara Harter and Sarah Reingewirtz, of the Los Angeles Daily News, won the top award for investigative reporting in recognition of their extensive probe into the fentanyl crisis headlined, “Fentanyl addiction fuels underground shoplifting economy in LA’s MacArthur Park.”
The judges said of the series by reporter Harter and photographer Reingewirtz, “Through courageous, on-the-streets investigation, these Los Angeles Daily News journalists vividly documented the underground world of addiction and thievery surrounding LA’s famous MacArthur Park. The stories and pictures starkly showed the horrors the fentanyl plague had wrought while at the same time sensitively portraying the people caught up in the tragedy. A laudable attempt also was made to provide hope by pointing to possible solutions to this thorny problem.”
Second and third place for investigative reporting went to Jason Henry, also from Los Angeles Daily News; and Scott Schwebke, also from the Southern California News Group.
Olga Grigoryants, of the Los Angeles Daily News, won the top award for her reporting on gender and society in her thoughtful, memorable story, “LGBTQ+ Russians fleeing Kremlin’s anti-gay propaganda seek safe haven in LA.”
The judges said of Grigoryants’ in-depth first place report, “Olga Grigoryants’ story on LGBTQ+ Russians finding refuge in Los Angeles is a powerful snapshot on the impact of war, politics and ideology on vulnerable groups and the relief of starting a new life. Grigoryants writes with empathy, tackling a sensitive local story that began outside of U.S. borders. It is also an unlikely story to uncover, or at least at the intimate level the writer achieved. This is a moving piece on fear and joy.”
First and second awards on gender and society went to Variety and to the Los Angeles Times.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune Staff won the top award in hard news, for their extensive and humane reporting amidst an unfolding tragic crime, “10 killed in Monterey Park mass shooting as Lunar New Year is celebrated.”
The judges said of the mass tragedy and the issues facing journalists, “Strong all-hands-on-deck coverage of a mass shooting; thoroughly reported; a great example of how a community newspaper can actively keep a community informed and not panicked when public safety is an issue (the shooter was still at large when the first reporting began).”
Second place went to Scott Schwebke, Southern California News Group, and third place went to the Beverly Hills Courier.
Keith Birmingham, of the Pasadena Star-News, won first place in the sports photo category for his picture of “White Abarrio captures $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.”
The judges said his image “of Irad Ortiz Jr. celebrating his win of the Breeders’ Cup Classic is successful. Birmingham captures this key moment beautifully, using the rule of thirds to draw the viewer’s eye to the subject on the bottom right.”
Second place went to Ringo Chiu, Ringo Chiu Photography.
In addition to first place awards, Southern California News Group also won several second- and third-place honors.
Rich Archbold, of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, won second place for columnist for his popular, longstanding column. First place went to LA Downtown News/The Argonaut, and third place went to Record Gazette.
Beau Yarbrough, of the San Bernardino Sun, won second place in national/political government reporting, for his story, “How much did your member of Congress get done last term?” First place went to Reuters and third place went to Blueprint Magazine.
Delilah Brumer, of Los Angeles Daily News, won third place for opinion, for her column, “The Class of 2023 at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School has a few things to say.” First and second places both went to Jewish Journal.
Jeff Collins, of the Orange County Register/Southern California News Group, won third place in news feature for his story, “Goodbye starter home: First-time buyers struggle with Southern California prices, lack of inventory.” First and second places went to the Los Angeles Times.
Kristy Hutchings, of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, “A WWII bride, now a Seal Beach resident, recalls Queen Mary trip, other adventures,” won third place for personality profile. First and second went to the Beverly Hills Courier and Redlands Community News,
Sarah Reingewirtz, of the Los Angeles Daily News, won third place for a single-topic photo essay in a news feature: “Photos accompanying series on Fentanyl addiction taking its toll on MacArthur Park area.” Second and third place went to Variety and the Los Angeles Times.
Steve Scauzillo, of the Los Angeles Daily News, won third place in the environmental reporting category for his story headlined, “Biologists discover thousands of migrating songbirds in Angeles National Forest.” The first and second place awards went to the Los Angeles Times.
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