PG journalists tapped for national, local recognition
Work by Pittsburgh PostGazette journalists in 2023 that shed light on both the religious and legal issues surrounding monthslong death penalty trial of the man who admitted killing 11 worshippers at a Squirrel Hill synagogue in 2018 is being recognized in two separate national contests.
A package of stories by reporters Anya Sostek, Megan Guza and Jonathan D. Salant that dove into the complicated religious nuances tied to the case was honored by the Religion Communicators Council with the Wilbur Award in the category of hard news in newspapers.
The Wilbur Award is presented annually to recognize the most outstanding work in the communication of religious issues, values and themes in secular media. Nineteen awards were presented April 5 in Louisville, Ky., at the Muhammad Ali Center. In addition to the Post-Gazette, other media organizations honored included the Associated Press, NPR News, the Los Angeles Times, Vox, Al Jazeera English and “CBS Sunday Morning.”
In addition, Ms. Guza has been named a finalist for the American Bar Association’s 2024 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts, which recognize outstanding work that fosters the American public’s understanding of law and the legal system.
“We are pleased to announce our finalists and extend our congratulations to the exceptional individuals and groups who produced this work,” Lisa Bail, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Gavel Awards, said in a release announcing the finalists.
Finalists for the contest’s newspaper category include work by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Bloomberg Industry Group and the Chicago Tribune. Ms. Guza’s work being recognized is a package of stories specifically addressing the legal intricacies of the synagogue shooting trial. Winners will be announced in May.
In other awards news, the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania has announced finalists for the 2024 Golden Quills with more than 30 Post-Gazette entries among thosehonored.
The annual contest recognizes excellence in print, broadcast, photography, videography and digital journalism in Western Pennsylvania and nearby counties in Ohio and West Virginia. Media organizations ranging from newspapers to TV stations to magazines and online-only publications compete in a variety of divisions (the PG competes in the largest division). All entries had to be published in calendar year 2023. Winners will be announced ata ceremony in May.
In the Excellence in Written Journalism categories, finalists from the Post-Gazette are:
Enterprise/Investigative: “The Fall of the Century,” Neena Hagen; and “With Every Breath,” Michael Sallah, Debbie Cenziper (of ProPublica), Michael Korsh and Evan Robinson-Johnson.
News Feature: “Lives Derailed: Six Months Later, an Unending Nightmare Continues in East Palestine,” Jordan Anderson.
Traditional Feature: “From Surgery ... to Soaring:
Defying the Odds, a Top Pittsburgh Ballerina Leaps Back Onstage With a New Hip,” Jeremy Reynolds.
Public Affairs/Politics/ the “How the Oath Keepers Turned Pennsylvania Into a Farright Militia Recruiting Hotbed,” Michael Korsh and Mike Wereschagin.
Medical/Health: “Black, Gold and Blue,” Abby Mackey.
History/Culture: “Understanding Gangs: Finding a Way Forward,” Laura Malt Schneiderman.
Criticism: Joshua Axelrod and Scott Mervis.
Lifestyle: “How D&D Helped a Dragonborn Sailor Escape a Real-Life Dungeon of Despair,” Josh Ewers; “Brides Travel From Near and Far to Say ‘Yes’ to a Dress at NYC’s World-Famous Kleinfeld Bridal,” Gretchen McKay; “A’s Vision Is to Help Young People Get a Driver’s License,” Mary Ann Thomas; and “80year-old Equestrian and Her 20-year-old Horse Ride Into the Century Club,” Mary Ann Thomas.
Education: “Books Targeted for Banning By Western Pa. School Board Members Are Almost Never Checked Out, Analysis Shows,” Megan Tomasic; and “Millions in Pa. Funding Meant for Pitt and Temple Isn’t Going Directly There. Even Lawmakers Don’t Know About It …,” Ford Turner.
Sports: “Turner Ward Promised He’d Run Through a Wall to Make a Catch for Pirates — and Then Actually Did,” Jason Mackey; and “I Joined Kris Letang’s Legendary Workout and Learned What It Takes to Be the NHL’s Most Relentless Player,” Matt Vensel.
Editorials: Brandon McGinley, David Mills and Adriana E. Ramirez.
In the Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, finalists from the Post-Gazettewere:
Feature Photo: “Who Brings a Crock Pot to the Airport?” Sebastian Foltz.
Feature Video: “Where Is Home,” Benjamin B. Braun.
Sports Photo: “Pitt’s Donovan McMillan, 3, Stops Cincinnati Running Back Emory Jones,” Sebastian Foltz.
Photo Essay: “Gunman Dead After Hourslong Standoff,” Benjamin B. Braun, Sebastian Foltz, Lucy Schaly and Teagan Staudenmeier.
Animation/Motion Graphics: “The Defect Inside Phillips’ Breathing Machines,” James Hilston and Ed Yozwick; and “Open-air Gun Range Causes Concerns,” Ed Yozwick.
Illustration: News or Feature: “Women’s Health Guide,” James Hilston.
Cover Design — Print: “Opening Day,” Steve Ziants.
In the Excellence in Video/Broadcast Journalism category for documentaries, “With Every Breath: The Human Toll of Philips’ CPAP Recall,” Benjamin B. Braun, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Liz Moughon , ProPublica, is a finalist.
In the Excellence in Audio Journalism section of the contest, the sports category includes two finalists from the Post-Gazette: “The North Shore Drive Podcast: Should the Steelers Trade Away Mike Tomlin This Offseason?” Chris Carter and Ray Fittipaldo; and “The North Shore Drive Podcast: Should Mason Rudolph Keep the Steelers’ Starting QB Job?” Chris Carter and Ray Fittipaldo.
In the Excellence in Collaboration, the project titled “Coughing up Black,” written by Madaleine Rubin and Claire Gardner, two students from the Medill School at Northwestern University, and two Post-Gazette journalists, Michael Korsh and Mike Wereschagin, is a