Charlotte Observer

Division

Staff

FULL DOCUMENTARY: SUPER MEN: The inside story of the 2015 Carolina Panthers

No stone was left unturned with this documentary. The effort, coordination and execution all came together brilliantly to create an engaging video about an interesting topic.

Zach Dennis, Emily Broyles, Tamia Boyd

The Charlotte Observer

Your strategy of using different social media for different stories and to reach audiences where they are seems wise and effective. Good work.

Langston Wertz Jr.

Football coaches plan a boycott, but CMS promises pay review

Alex Zietlow

Jalen Coker plays for a friend he lost, and a hometown that ‘loves like Adam’

Powerful, deeply human feature that pairs intimate reporting with disciplined storytelling; well-chosen quotes give emotional truth without sentimentality. If I could score this higher for its clarity, compassion, and narrative control, I would! Executed to perfection.

Staff

Iryna Zarutska killing in Charlotte

A solid section on a national issue with local ties. A very impressive section.

Scott Fowler

Selection of serious columns — Scott Fowler

Théoden Janes

ALS diminished this legendary Charlottean’s body — but not his heart or his mind

Compelling read into a tragic situation that was both sad and inspiring. Great interviewing.

Rebecca Noel

Medicaid cuts could mean financial ruin

Story of emotion and education of an issue that is likely more common than people know. Kudos for a great job!

Théoden Janes

On flight to Charlotte, toxic fumes got into cabin. Their lives changed forever.

In a large, and strong, field of entries, I kept waiting for one story to just blow me away. This was it. Outstanding reporting; excellent writing. The pacing is fantastic, an explanatory investigation that nonetheless reads with urgency.

Scott Fowler, Theoden Janes, Jeff Siner

Super Men: The Inside Story of the 2015 Carolina Panthers

Gavin Off

Solitary Suicides

Thorough with a range of sources, useful data points, graphics to help illustrate those data points.

Amber Gaudet

Amber Gaudet’s headlines

Each of the headlines is punchy and crisp, making the reader say: Wait, what happened here? That's a perfect way to get them into the story, without being sensational or silly. Superb newsy headline writing.

Julia Coin, Théoden Janes

“Roofman” – Series

I'm certain this package wins plenty of awards. Great detailed research, cool use of artwork. Long, but engaging and entertaining. Author doesn't overwrite it, lets story do the work.

Mary Ramsey

CLT Politics

Think the breaks in graphs and the graphics help with the flow of the newsletter. The little pieces of information for each, give readers just enough to have them engage or scroll past to something they want to learn about more. Solid job.

Paige Masten

Collection of editorials: Paige Masten

Writing combines facts to put national issues in perspective for readers with clear call for change.

Nick Sullivan

Charlotte city coverage

Théoden Janes

The best concert reviews are often as memorable as the performance itself. All these reviews were unique, entertaining and crafted with creativity. Whether the show was good or bad, these were engaging critiques that were the next best thing to buying a ticket. Just a good ride!

Nick Sullivan

Charlotte city coverage

Théoden Janes

Théoden Janes – Collection of Concert Reviews

The best concert reviews are often as memorable as the performance itself. All these reviews were unique, entertaining and crafted with creativity. Whether the show was good or bad, these were engaging critiques that were the next best thing to buying a ticket. Just a good ride!

CharlotteFive staff

CharlotteFive social media

Social seems perfect for this type of coverage, and you use it well.

Briah Lumpkins

The water stinks and tastes bad. Nearly a year later, why hasn’t NC town fixed it?

Diamond Vences

Change at the G: How Garinger High School broke a 48-game losing streak

Julia Coin

Julia Coin’s ledes

Amber Gaudet

Wrongful death lawsuits stacked up. But a Charlotte-area surgeon kept operating.

Very thorough, well-and broadly sourced. Would like to get a little less "according to the website of" type citations, but very nicely reported.

CharlotteFive staff

CharlotteFive

I like the fast links across the top - makes it easy for the reader to jump to which areas they want to read about without having the read everything. Though the emojis or graphics help brighten it up a little, the design is a little boring.

Peter St. Onge

Charlotte Observer editorials – Peter St. Onge

Writing is clear and points out what should be done about national issues of local significance.

Mary Ramsey

New Mecklenburg manager

Editorial

Chase Jordan

CLT parking fees on the rise

Good information. Story had a nice flow. Could use more crediting.

Melissa Oyler

Hundreds protest Border Patrol at Manolo’s Bakery in Charlotte: ‘Stronger together’

There were a number of terrific "fighting ICE" stories in this category. This one stood out: Great article and series of articles about how the community rallied to protect and help the immigrant community -- re-opening a business, delivering food and other things than just protesting. Well written.

Nora O'Neill

Charlotte drag queen mural has been painted over

A balanced and straightforward story about the destruction of mural depicting a celebrated drag queen. We may never know what really happened, but this story gives you a lot to ruminate over. Good journalism like this let's you see things in a new way.

Alex Zietlow

A return to Rockingham

Solid, in-depth look into this track with a rich tradition. Great trip down memory lane mixed with a focus on its current status.

Scott Fowler

Selection of sports columns – Scott Fowler

The columns were well-written and kept my attention span. I really liked the one about Humpy Wheeler. I was not familiar with him until after I read the column -- I thought it was informative and a nice piece on his life.

Jeff Siner

Lady Liberty in a cage

Dressing as an iconic symbol of liberty while trapped behind a cage offers a powerful, thought-provoking political/social commentary. The direct sunlight adds to the intense, dramatic mood of the photograph overall. Great job!

Scott Fowler

Selection of lighter columns — Scott Fowler

The writer does an excellent job of drawing the readers into the story and keeps them engaged.

Julia Coin

Sanrico McGill

Incredible FOIA work. There's sort of a lack of focus over the course of the series, and a more fine-tuned look at organizing the thoughts and videos could have gone a long way here.

Mary Ramsey

Charlotte train stabbing political impact

Treats a very serious story with grace and states large impact.

Staff

Charlotte Observer community coverage

The massive pic about a mall above the fold and then the car accident story below it -- at first you think it's goes with the pic -- throws you off a bit. This was the same for the second document. The pic on top followed by a story below - though there is a line, it is a confusing read. Overall, I thought the writing was strong. I would highly suggest justifying your columns.

Staff

Observer Border Patrol day one coverage

Fantastic job "writing around what you don't know," filling in the dearth of information from public officials with firsthand accounts of ICE crackdown.