Cascade PBS won 10 of the 2024 Society of Professional Journalists’ Northwest Excellence in Journalism Awards. The editorial team won across a range of media types, including awards for audio, short-form video, documentary, photo and news writing. Cascade PBS competes against other “large” newsrooms in SPJ’s region 10, which encompasses Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
Here is the list of winners from Cascade PBS, including judge’s comments when provided:
- Audio Series - Large
First Place: Sara Bernard, Maleeha Syed, “Northwest Reports: First Response,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: Impactful reporting on a crisis viewed from the people treating victims of gun violence and other trauma. First-person accounts of success and failure and the personal impact to those involved make this series compelling.
- Audio - Investigative Reporting - Large
First Place: Sara Bernard, Lauren Gallup, Lizz Giordano, Maleeha Syed, “Northwest Reports: How building maintenance affects veteran care in Seattle,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: Nice reporting on a problem affecting those who’ve given part of their lives to serve their country. Good focus on trying to hold people accountable and find solutions. Good work.
- Writing - Feature (Hard News) - Large
First Place: Lizz Giordano, “‘Beyond failure’: WA teen loses legs at school-based work program,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: Incredibly tragic story. A teenage man losing both legs from an accident that could have been prevented is cause for alarm and cause for reviewing the process of using teenage labor this way. Nice work tracking down the family of the young man and getting thorough responses from all sides involved.
- Writing - Feature (Soft News) - Large
First Place: Charles R. Cross, “Why Seattle lost its mind over the Wallingford Taco Time closure,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: This is a fun first-person account of the closing of just one restaurant. The breezy style makes for a true connection with reader. Nice work.
- General News Photography - Large
First Place: Genna Martin, “Dueling Israel/Palestine protests on UW campus remain peaceful,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: The first-place winner is a wonderfully composed protest photo.
- Feature Photography – Large
Second Place: Genna Martin, “Under God: How Christianity permeates Yakima city politics,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: Color and composition combined to make this a winner.
- Video - Investigative Reporting - Large
First Place: “Priced Out: Fear and Resistance in WA Mobile Parks,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: EXCELLENT WORK! This is the best investigative piece I’ve judged in years. The focus is on the people impacted and that's what resonates with viewers. Thorough reporting. Well-produced. Nice work.
- Video Series - Large
First Place: “Mossback’s Northwest,” Cascade PBS
Judge’s comments: Absolutely, incredibly fascinating stories. Excellent use of stills, video and narration. Superb!
Second Place: “Out & Back,” Cascade PBS
- Video - General Assignment (Pre-Produced) - Large
Second Place: “THE NEWSFEED: Phone restrictions paying off at one WA school,” Cascade PBS
