Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Argus-Press Entry Title: Josh Champlin columns Entry Credit: Josh Champlin Judge Comment: Josh Champlin exposes a self-dealing county board's scheme to use Covid relief funds to award itself pay raises. This is editorial writing informed by solid ear-to-the-ground reporting. He also offers an interesting look at the shameless county's absurdly high charge for the procurement of public documents. This is terrific community journalism.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Ludington Daily News Entry Title: On the Other Hand by Steve Begnoche Entry Credit: Steve Begnoche Judge Comment: From national politics to shipwrecks in Lake Michigan Steve Begnoche tosses a wide net. His fluent style and easygoing tone make his columns a pleasure to read.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Petoskey News-Review Entry Title: Rachel Brougham Entry Credit: Rachel Brougham Judge Comment: Personal loss is a recurring subject in Rachel Brougham's writings. Never maudlin, she can pen a deeply felt meditation on her pain and the salutary effects of sharing it with others suffering the same grief.
