2024 Features (Broadcast) Finalists

Howard Bryant, Nicole Noren, Jessica Foster, Rayna Banks, Jena Janovy, Chris Buckle, John Mastroberardino, Jessi Dodge & Lyndsey Armacost

ESPN

The Walkout: A Florida Baseball Team’s Battle – Against Itself

• The Walkout: A Florida baseball team’s battle – against itself
• A racial slur and a Fort Myers High baseball team torn apart

Comments From the Judges:

“This story is such a microcosm of bits and pieces of our country now. Good job finding it. This was a tough story. Y’all did some great reporting and told it well. I really appreciate how this story showed how the incident pit[s] the students against the parents. What a tough story to tell. I appreciate how you let the video and people tell the story, not a talking head.”

“This was an excellent piece on a sad and disturbing incident that brought forth a story that warranted the documentary and long-form article. The outlet did a great job gathering various elements to share the story without using reenactments, etc.” 

Wayne Carter, Mark Muller & John Stone

NBC Universal

Carter in the Classroom – Features

• Carter in the Classroom 

Comments From the Judges:

“I love it when we see profiles of teachers through the eyes of students. Great job getting in the classroom and showing us what an A-game classroom is like. Fun use of time-lapse in eclipse story. Good job keeping [the] video interesting. Also good job getting out of the routine classroom and showing [the] environmental center. And making science fun and useful. Strong work. In particular, I see the common elements to all these stories. But I also appreciate the differences.”

“Enjoyed the ‘In the Classroom’ segments and the creativity the teacher brought. Well-told super cute feel-good story of a great teacher who gets her kids to love math through basketball. Carter does a great job showing parents what students are doing in school. His work is very enjoyable and informational.”

Dylan Peers McCoy, Nicole Cohen & Janet Woojeong Lee

WFYI & NPR

He Has a Badge and a Gun — and He Investigates School Truancy

• He has a badge and a gun — and he investigates school truancy

Comments From the Judges:

“Wow, truancy is something we don’t discuss enough. Glad to see you discussing it. And there are real economic consequences when school income is tied to attendance. I appreciated how you brought in some data to make this single story part of a bigger context. Kind of makes you wonder if our truancy laws should change. Ah, another story. Strong work.”

“Chronic absenteeism is a huge, intractable problem and this day with a truant officer was a wonderful window into the infinite reasons that students aren’t coming to school. And you could appreciate the futility of this approach to getting students to come back.”