Division C
David Larson
Christmas and the power of small
Mitch Koaki
Probing for truth beyond the headlines
Polls can be tricky, but you've done a nice job of laying out the information. You did a nice job of wrapping up the column. One suggestion: Inserting a reference to the tenuous nature of a swing state much higher -- possibly the third paragraph -- would have set up the premise better for your reader.
David Larson
The health care system we almost had (and still can)
Katie Zehnder, Jacob Emmons
The victims of Liberation Day
Impactful and to the point with a good interview, music track and b-roll.
Brenee Goforth Swanzy, Jacob Emmons
CJ: Real-Time Policy News and Public Accountability
This is an impressive, well thought-out strategy. You all should be proud of how you reach all audiences who tune into the different types of stories you cover.
David Larson
Religious freedom’s new foes
Theresa Opeka
Watauga County property owners in David vs Goliath battle over water rights
Carolina Journal Staff
Tariff Shock: Impact of federal tariffs on NC industry
Why this entry takes first in a tight category is because of how it really dives into first-person account of one person's business being impacted by global trade, what happens to the owner and the workers.
Sydney Cook
The Debrief: Possible Recount Coming In SD 26 + Democrats Led Statewide Turnout For NC Primaries
Well done!
David Larson
NC’s 2026 Senate race looks like Cooper vs Whatley
David Larson
Do we really need to ‘bring back manufacturing’?
Sydney Cook
Carolina Liberty Conference 2026
It works!
Melanie Murphy, David Larson
NC250 Essay Contest Spread
Daniel Ackley
Illustrating North Carolina’s Public Debates
My favorite was the echo of the tariff and the answer coming as tax. Well done to make a point with the cartoons.
Mitch Kokai
Courts, Policy, and Regulatory Impact