Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Detroit Free Press Entry Title: Resisting and race: Black residents are disproportionately accused of obstructing police Entry Credit: Gina Kaufman, Kristi Tanner Judge Comment: An important, eye-opening investigation into the trends around charges for resisting/obstructing police. This package clearly required dogged reporting and tenacious pursuit of public records. Great use of data, personal anecdotes, video and potential solutions.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Grand Rapids Press Entry Title: ‘A sexual predator’s paradise.’ Investigation of Faster Horses music festival uncovers 30 reported sexual assaults Entry Credit: Grand Rapids Press staff Judge Comment: A timely, important investigation into the many serious problems at the Faster Horses music festival and a well-rounded package. We couldn't stop reading. It was a tough decision between this and the first-place winner.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Detroit Free Press Entry Title: Rape investigation at Eastern Michigan University Entry Credit: Darcie Moran Judge Comment: A thorough look at a university's mishandling of distressing sexual assault crimes. This package showed the complex and troubling nature of sexual assaults on campus and demonstrated serious trust between the reporter and sources.
