Southern California News Group wins top honors at LA Press Club – Daily News

Southern California News Group newspapers won numerous awards at the 66th Southern California Journalism Awards, held Sunday, June 23, at the historic Biltmore Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles Press Club brought together hundreds of journalists to honor their colleagues from across the region.

Winners in the SCNG chain included the Los Angeles Daily News for investigative reporting, gender and social coverage, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for its hard news coverage, and the Pasadena Star-News for sports photography.

Clara Harter and Sarah Reingewirtzof the Los Angeles Daily News received the top award for investigative reporting in recognition of its comprehensive investigation of the fentanyl crisis with the headline “Fentanyl Addiction Fuels Underground Economy of Shoplifting in LA’s MacArthur Park.”

The jury said of the series by reporter Harter and photographer Reingewirtz: “Through courageous street-level investigations, these Los Angeles Daily News journalists vividly documented the underground world of addiction and theft around LA’s famous MacArthur Park. The stories and images vividly depicted the horrors wrought by the fentanyl scourge while empathetically portraying the people affected by the tragedy. It also made a commendable attempt to convey hope by pointing to possible solutions to this thorny problem.”

Second and third place for investigative reporting went to Jason Henry, also of the Los Angeles Daily News, and Scott Schwebke, also of the Southern California News Group.

Olga Grigorievnaof the Los Angeles Daily News won the top prize for reporting on gender and society for her thoughtful, memorable article, “LGBTQ+ Russians flee Kremlin’s anti-gay propaganda, seek safe haven in LA.”

The jury said of Grigoryants’ in-depth report, which won first place: “Olga Grigoryants’ story of LGBTQ+ Russians finding refuge in Los Angeles is a powerful snapshot of the impact of war, politics and ideology on vulnerable groups and the relief of starting a new life. Grigoryants writes with empathy and addresses a sensitive local story that began outside the borders of the US. It is also unlikely that this story will be uncovered, at least not on the intimate level the author has achieved. This is a moving piece about fear and joy.”

The first and second prizes for gender and society went to Variety and the Los Angeles Times.

San Gabriel Valley Tribune staff won the top prize in the Hard News category for comprehensive and humane coverage of a tragic crime as it unfolded: “Ten killed in mass shooting in Monterey Park during Chinese New Year celebrations.”

The jury commented on this mass tragedy and the problems journalists face: “Intense coverage of a mass shooting with extensive effort and thorough research; a great example of how a local newspaper can actively keep a community informed and not panic when public safety is a concern (the shooter was still at large when reports first began).”

Second place went to Scott Schwebke of the Southern California News Group and third place went to the Beverly Hills Courier.

Keith Birmingham, of the Pasadena Star-News, won first place in the sports photo category with his image “White Abarrio Wins $6 Million at the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.”

The judges said his image “of Irad Ortiz Jr. celebrating his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic is a success. Birmingham captures this key moment beautifully, using the rule of thirds to draw the viewer’s eye to the subject at the bottom right.”

Second place went to Ringo Chiu, Ringo Chiu Photography.

In addition to the first place finishes, the Southern California News Group also won several second and third place finishes.

Rich Archbold, of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, won second place columnist for his popular, long-running column. First place went to LA Downtown News/The Argonaut and third place went to the Record Gazette.

Beau Yarbrough, of the San Bernardino Sun, won second place in the national/political government reporting category for his article, “How Much Did Your Member of Congress Accomplish Last Term?” First place went to Reuters, and third place went to Blueprint Magazine.

Delilah Brumerof the Los Angeles Daily News, took third place in the Opinion category for her column, “Daniel Pearl Magnet High School’s Class of 2023 Has Something to Say.” First and second place went to the Jewish Journal, respectively.

Jeff Collinsof the Orange County Register/Southern California News Group, won third place in the news story category for his story, “Goodbye, first home: First-time buyers struggle with Southern California prices and inventory shortages.” First and second place went to the Los Angeles Times.

Kristy Hutchingsfrom the Long Beach Press-Telegram, “A World War II bride now living in Seal Beach recalls her voyage on the Queen Mary and other adventures,” won third place for personality profile. First and second place went to the Beverly Hills Courier and Redlands Community News,

Sarah Reingewirtzof the Los Angeles Daily News, won third place for a single-subject photo essay in a news story: “Photos for series on impact of fentanyl addiction on MacArthur Park.” Second and third place went to Variety and the Los Angeles Times.

Steve Scauzilloof the Los Angeles Daily News, won third place in the environmental reporting category for his article headlined “Biologists discover thousands of migrating songbirds in Angeles National Forest.” First and second place went to the Los Angeles Times.