Tribune named best in class at California Journalism Awards for second straight year
The Tribune was again named best in class at this year’s California Journalism Awards, winning first place for general excellence Saturday night at a gala in Los Angeles.
It’s the second straight year that The Tribune has won the top award in Division 3, and the fourth time in six years. It also won the top award in 2018, 2019 and 2022. The news organization won 12 first-place awards out of 39 total.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work Tribune journalists do day in and day out,” editor Joe Tarica said. “These awards recognize the efforts of every single member of our staff. Not one person wasn’t recognized, and the honors span a wide range of topics and specialties. They are a testament to the commitment this newsroom has to telling the stories of San Luis Obispo County and keeping our readers informed.”
Aside from the general excellence honor, The Tribune also won first place for public service reporting, for Mackenzie Shuman’s groundbreaking series on lingering pollution from thousands of dry cleaners across the state.
It was also the second straight year that the newspaper took the top honor in that prestigious category, which represents the most influential reporting of the year.
Here’s a look at the complete list:
First place
General excellence: Tribune staff
Public service journalism: Mackenzie Shuman, “How pollution from dry cleaners left California sitting on cancer-linked ‘time bombs’”
Enterprise news story: Chloe Jones and Laura Dickinson, “Exclusive: Kristin Smart’s family ‘beyond grateful’ after guilty verdict in murder case”
Editorial comment: Stephanie Finucane and Joe Tarica, “In SLO County, adults are still obsessing over school bathrooms. Get over it | Opinion”
Profile story: John Lynch and David Middlecamp, “How an iconic SLO County guitar store became a destination for musicians across California”
Coverage of youth and education: Mackenzie Shuman, “Cal Poly jazz director resigned after sexual harassment allegations. It’s not the first time”
Feature story: Stephanie Zappelli and Laura Dickinson, “Step inside and hear the stories of Bull’s Tavern, a fixture in downtown SLO for 90 years”
Environment reporting: Mackenzie Shuman, Joana Tavares and David Middlecamp, “Climate change in SLO County, a 4-part series”
Health reporting: Sara Kassabian and John Lynch, “Future of SLO County veteran treatment program in jeopardy: ‘This can’t get drowned out’”
Writing: Chloe Jones, “‘What are we going to do?’ Jurors in Kristin Smart murder trial speak out for first time”
News photo: David Middlecamp, tranquilized bear falls out of tree
Video, other: Laura Dickinson, “Sensorio in Paso Robles reveals two new exhibits”
Second place
In-depth reporting: Chloe Jones, Stephanie Zappelli and Laura Dickinson, “Kristin Smart: Paul Flores’ sentencing and the aftermath”
Investigative reporting: Mackenzie Shuman, “Cal Poly jazz director resigned after sexual harassment allegations. It’s not the first time”
Food writing: Kathe Tanner and David Middlecamp, “Chinese restaurant has served downtown SLO for nearly a century: ‘The food is always good’”
Video: David Middlecamp, “See Aerial Video of Wildflower-covered Hills Near the Carrizo Plain”
News photo: David Middlecamp, gunman arrested
Third place
Investigative reporting: Chloe Jones, “Exclusive: Mentally ill man was armed with 6 guns in ambush that killed SLO detective”
Enterprise news story: John Lynch, Sara Kassabian and Laura Dickinson, “Future of SLO County veteran treatment program in jeopardy: ‘This can’t get drowned out’”
Health reporting: Sara Kassabian, “How SLO mom beat breast cancer and became an advocate for Latinas: ‘I can give them hope’”
Coverage of local government: Stephanie Zappelli, “Exclusive: Why was SLO County’s top administrator fired? For touching and messages”
Coverage of business and the economy: Kaytlyn Leslie, “Doc Burnstein’s ice cream shops suddenly close. What happened to the SLO County favorite?”
Food writing: Kathe Tanner and David Middlecamp, “How High Street Deli went from historic market to SLO staple - thanks to canceled surfing trip”
Video, other: Laura Dickinson, “Watch Tribune reporters shriek and cower through 2 SLO County’s haunted houses”
Artistic photo: Laura Dickinson, horses walking at Morro Rock
Feature photo: David Middlecamp, back-to-school hug
Fourth place
Coverage of business and the economy: Kaytlyn Leslie, “Ex-Mindbody CEO ‘greased the wheels’ for sale, judge says, ordering $48 million in penalties”
Housing and land use: John Lynch, “What’s a renoviction? How a loophole is forcing SLO County renters to lose their homes”
Coverage of local government: Kaytlyn Leslie and David Middlecamp, “SLO residents and businesses are irate about downtown parking. What can be done about it?”
Sports feature: Matthew Ho, “Scary concussion left her unable to walk. Now, Nipomo basketball star is thriving again”
Photo story: David Middlecamp, Carrizo Plain wildflowers
Fifth place
In-depth reporting: Mackenzie Shuman, Joana Tavares and David Middlecamp, “Climate change in SLO County, 4-part series”
Food writing: Kathe Tanner and David Middlecamp, “How Cafe Roma turned a tiny bistro by the train tracks into a SLO institution”
Agriculture reporting: Mackenzie Shuman and David Middlecamp, “SLO County farms suffer millions in losses from storms. But the real toll is unknown”
Housing and land use: John Lynch, “Newsom wants to take on key environmental law. How would it change housing in SLO County?”
Editorial comment: Stephanie Finucane and Joe Tarica, “Neo-Nazis have arrived. Is it time to ban free speech on SLO County overpass? | Opinion”
Homelessness reporting: John Lynch and Stephanie Zappelli, “Flooding leaves SLO County homeless residents with nowhere to go: ‘I’m so distraught’”
Audience, community engagement: Mackenzie Shuman, offshore wind forum in Morro Bay
Feature photo: David Middlecamp, cooling the chickens at the Mid-State Fair
