..... 3
Work that is revelatory and requires numerous sources, including interviews, documents, data and, often, the culmination of coverage over time.
...........................4
Work that demonstrates a commitment to informing readers on happenings in the community, however big or small. The proverbial “bread and butter” of our journalism portfolio.
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Compelling storytelling that is celebratory or reflective, introducing new local places, people or ideas, giving the reader a sense of place and a chance to better realize what’s unique about their community.
LOCAL ENTERPRISE ............... 8
Issue-based coverage that adds context, perspective, explanation and, sometimes, analysis around local news. This work should help readers understand what’s at stake and why they should care about the issue in focus.
......... 10
Beat coverage, features, profiles and enterprise on sports topics, from Little League to professional play.
In Florida, even as their own homes were destroyed, powerless or roofless, our journalists helped the community figure out FEMA when Hurricane Ian tore through town.
In North Carolina, we were there on an international stage as the community played host to the Little League Softball World Series.
In Wyoming, we explained why the average person should care about the federal infrastructure bill.
For some of our communities, there were celebrations of state high school championships, and news about new places to eat and shop.
For others, we just invited readers to settle in with a compelling story: Meet the elephant seal pup in Anacortes, Washington. Hear from the Ukrainian family in Boone, N.C. And, gather ‘round in Idaho to learn about the oldest registered Angus herd continuously kept by the same family west of the Rocky Mountains (103 years!)
These were among the nearly 150 stories that answered the call for what APG editors were most proud of in 2022. And they were proud for various reasons. The hard work that went into reporting, the service to the community, the unique way the story was told, the collaboration with other newsrooms.
We published two network-wide enterprise initiatives in 2022: One a series on school safety as students were returning to the classroom following the Uvalde, Texas, tragedy. The other on inflation, a yearlong look at how consumers in 10 of our communities were affected by painfully high grocery prices.
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Content initiatives that are introduced outside of the daily journalism portfolio. This work generally is planned as a standalone and ad hoc initiative around a topic of high importance in the community.
.......................... 12
The news organization’s official voice on community issues and happenings. The best editorials are of local relevance, state the position clearly, concisely and assertively, and are related to issues the local team has covered so that readers go into the piece with context and facts.
....... 13
APG combined forces and resources in 2022 and reported on issues that all of our communities share.
MORE...................................... 14
Additional noteworthy stories from 2022
We introduced new product initiatives in an effort to increase and engage more readers. One of the most impressive was a new special Sunday e-edition in Klamath Falls that gave readers four pages of exclusive sports content on a day when the newspaper doesn’t have a print edition.
We welcomed new colleagues in 2022 as journalists in the Yellowstone group in Montana joined our team. You’ll find a wonderful story from the Lewistown, Montana, News-Argus about Jeanne Erlandson, who lost her home of 70 years in a wildfire in 2021 and was moving into her new home eight months later.
Behind all the voices and faces, facts and perspectives in this showcase, are journalists who are a valued part of our company and our industry. We’re in a time when community news organizations are reshaping for survival, and it’s difficult not to let that get in the way of a good story.
So here’s the 2022 Best of Adams showcase, a testament to how essential local journalists are in our communities. A reason to be proud, indeed.
Traci Bauer APG Vice President of ContentTO VIEW ALL STORIES, VISIT ADAMSPG.COM/BestOf2022.
Reporter Neil Johnson worked several angles as he dug into this story after someone sent him a photo of the front of this house. Over the course of a week, he met multiple times with the tenant, interviewed the landlord, attended an eviction hearing, spoke with city and circuit court officials, and dug up data on evictions and the local waiting list for affordable housing. He covered every base, from the human aspect to the data, in this great story. More at The Gazette
The Herald and News published a series of stories on a hazing and assault accusation involving high school age baseball players against a younger 15-year-old teammate at a hotel during a tournament in Washington state. The allegation stirred plenty of emotion locally including for the school district’s response. The incident led to criminal charges, including on the school district’s handling of the situation. The victim and his assailants are all students in the same district and school. More at Herald News
When the Ohio University Board of Trustees approved a 2 percent raise pool in June for its employees, the Athens News team decided to ask how much the school pays some of its top people. The News used this piece as an anchor for a series on what public officials are paid. This story details what the university’s president makes, but he is not the highest-paid employee. That honor goes to the men’s basketball coach. The News also discovered that a past president is the highest-paid professor in the geography department. More at Athens News
Greenville, N.C., went after and landed a contract to host the Little League Softball World Series starting in 2020. The pandemic forced the league to cancel the first year and play a restricted tournament in 2021. In 2022, the city was able to host a full-scale event with 12 teams including four international squads and a local group. The Daily Reflector mobilized to provide start-to-finish coverage. The team developed feature ideas and mapped out daily centerpiece possibilities as well as game coverage for print and web. Talk about rising to the occasion! More at The Daily Reflector
A Boise homeowner took down his LGBTQ-pride light display after his homeowner’s association declared the lights a violation of the HOA rules. Reporter Carolyn Komatsoulis received this tip from a source and went after it. She broke the story before any other news media. It was well read online, ranking top-15 on the Idaho Press’ big board this year. It also led to some good follow stories that helped daily lineups and drove further traffic to IdahoPress. com. More at Idaho
An Edina-based non-profit was one of several Twin Cities area non-profits implicated in what may be the nation’s largest rip-off of a federal food nutrition program intended for children in need. Mind Foundry Foundation was part of the alleged scheme that siphoned off an estimated $250 million across the Twin Cities. Those benefiting from the Feeding our Future funds purchased things such as cars, property and homes, according to the FBI. More at Edina Sun Current
An HOA Said a Boise Homeowner’s Pride Lights Were a Violation. He Took Them Down, But MayPress Harper Bradley, 13, and Clara Allen, 13, do a secret handshake in the dugout during practice at Sarah Law Softball Complex
The suicide of Eau Claire County’s sheriff caught everyone off guard. The Leader-Telegram received word just a couple hours before deadline. Chris Vetter did an outstanding job turning around a strong story, with quotes from fellow LE officers. This is his followup, a textbook example of how to expand on events and go beyond the press conference to give people important context. More at LeaderTelegram
In December of 2021, one of the most horrific wildfires in the region’s history tore through the tiny community of Denton. Dozens of homes were lost and families were left with no place to live. One of the victims was Jeanne Erlandson who had lived in her home for 70 years. Eight months after the fire, Erlandson and the entire community were finally able to celebrate as she moved into her new home. Reporter Will Briggs was on the scene for the emotional homecoming. More from Lewistown News-Argus
Here’s a widely read story about a controversial rezoning permit to put a rock quarry next to an elementary school. Reporter Kitsey Burns Harrison brings us compelling voices and faces behind the government process, reminding us why local news organizations are so important. More at Yadkinville Ripple
This story is just a lot of fun. It’s about a pastry shop owner with impeccable standards who opened her dream shop in a town of 2,000 people. This shop would fit right in somewhere in Europe, and it’s delightful to find it in such an unexpected place. More at Idaho State Journal
“Misha didn’t know why, but he had a feeling. He had to ensure his car was fueled up and ready to go. It was approximately 1 a.m. on Feb. 24. Only four hours later, at 5:07 a.m., an explosion rocked the apartment. Misha, his wife and two children woke as windows shattered and car alarms blared.” This story is about a Ukrainian refugee family who ended up in Boone after Russia invaded Ukraine. Their journey wasn’t clear cut and how they ended up in Boone is a story they won’t soon forget. More at Watauga Democrat
A compelling story by John O’Connell about the oldest registered Angus herd continuously kept by the same family west of the Rocky Mountains, now in its 103rd year. More at Farm and Ranch, Post Register
This is a charming column with a personal touch, by long-time Tribune writer Doug Clifford, whose voice is perfectly pitched to the local readership. More at Perry Tribune
This story features a local family that created a foundation to help recover the bodies of missing people. The family experienced their own personal tragedy, losing a son in a mountain climbing accident in Idaho. After that tragedy, they decided to help other families keep hope when searching for loved ones. More at Stillwater Gazette
A new elephant seal pup made quite a stir in this local community. Reporter Briana Alzola interviewed the volunteers that helped watch over him during his first few months of life as a way to cap off months of reporting on his arrival. M ore at Anacortes American
Hurricane Ian aftermath has dominated APG Florida’s focus since late September. The team has served its communities with exceptional explanatory journalism, helping residents navigate FEMA’s laws and procedures. Here are a couple of examples of strong enterprise.
The aftermath of Hurricane Ian has confronted homeowners and property owners with plenty of challenges including FEMA rules on rebuilding, Florida’s broken insurance system, and concerns about climate change bringing bigger more intense storms. More at The Arcadian
After Hurricane Ian struck the area, FEMA showed up to help, kind of. What readers learned was FEMA will almost always deny claims at first. And it led to frustrations for many. Nancy J. Semon, Scott Lawson and Morgan Simpson dug into the situation and let the community know what to expect and how to respond. More at Daily Sun
When the Skagit First Step Center opened in 2021, the hope was that the homeless who stayed in the 45 small cabins would transition to more permanent housing after 90 days. But the reality has been that with a shortage of affordable housing in Skagit County, those who stay at the First Step Center only head back into homelessness. More at Skagit Valley Herald
As Hufcor, once a major local employer, went into receivership, reporter Neil Johnson tracked down the last remaining employees and got the inside story of the firm’s last days. What those employees told him, including about a sudden cutoff in promised insurance benefits, made for a sad, riveting and very human story. More at The Gazette
Reporter Liz Weber worked to reconstruct the first hours of the emergency and put together a sort of “tick-tock” story through the eyes of first responders. It’s a comprehensive look at a crazy 48 hours that turned Park County’s world upside down. More at Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Wyoming Tribune Eagle reporters Jasmine Hall and Hannah Black teamed up with APG national enterprise editor Mike Sunnucks to take a comprehensive look at the potential impact of the federal infrastructure bill on national, state and local projects. Although the details hadn’t been finalized, especially at the local level, the depth of this reporting gave WTE readers a strong sense of the impact the legislation could have, as well as the relevance of this work for the average person. More at Wyoming Tribune Eagle
BOZEMAN,
‘Now this is real’: Inside the initial response to flooding in Park County
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
Hufcor ‘In The Dirt,’ Former Worker Says, In Bankruptcy, ReceivershipHigh waters flood a forest in Yellowstone National Park on Sunday, June 19, 2022.
Wally Benton was a local legend in the Treasure Valley for his skydiving exploits. In 1970, however, he suffered a catastrophic accident when he crashed into the Boise State Football Stadium during the Broncos inaugural game at the field. Benton has suffered a life full of injuries and anguish because of that incident. His name, presence and charisma amongst friends and within the skydiving community lives on, however. This was a great piece of settle-in journalism from Idaho Press first-year BSU beat writer Jordan Kaye. More at Idaho Press
This story describes the way Idaho State receiver Xavier Guillory has transformed as a person in the wake of his father’s passing. Writer Greg Woods tells a wonderful story that transcends “Sports,” and this piece is just an easy and compelling feature to enjoy. More at Idaho State Journal
As a hometown hero, Joe Burrow’s story has inspired so many in Athens. His determination on the field is matched only be his devotion to the community off the gridiron. What made this feature, which was part of a kickoff weekend package devoted to Burrow, even more special personally was the determination the reporter put into getting the NFL superstar to agree to the feature. More at Athens Messenger
APG combined forces and resources in 2022 like never before. National enterprise editor Mike Sunnucks was at the center of two major collaborative efforts that served readers across the APG network, from Maryland to Oregon. First and foremost, our journalists are focused on local news in their communities but there are some issues that all of our communities share. In 2022, inflation and school security were among those issues.
ACROSS THE U.S.
Editors and reporters in 10 APG newsrooms stepped up to help tell the story of how inflation was affecting families across the U.S. at the pocketbook level. Starting in January, we sent reporters from these newsrooms out to a grocery store with a common list of items to purchase. Every month these reporters went to the same store, with the same list and bought the same brands of these items. We built a database, charted the progression across 12 months and enlisted a group of economists to help us sort out the story of inflation across the U.S. Reporter Mike Sunnucks took the lead on enterprise. Eau Claire editor Matt Milner took the lead on digital packaging and graphics. Chris Moore and Chris Kerr at the design center gave us a print design every month that we published at these 10 sites and many others across the network. In December, Stacker.com teamed up with APG to display a year’s worth of data and distribute it across their own network. More at Wyoming Tribune Eagle
A number of APG newsrooms reported on school security as students came back to classrooms following the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Working with Mike Sunnucks, who reported from a national perspective, Janesville editor Karyn Saemann took the lead on crafting a national package, and a Zoom forum with experts from across the nation. We published a series on school security and mental health. Eau Claire editor Matt Milner provided digital assets and graphics. In additional to the national packages, several newsrooms published their own local enterprise on the topic.
More at Idaho Press
Editorial warns of the dangers of allowing public education to become an election-year tool in furthering the divide that separates citizens. There is too much at stake to allow that to happen. “As politically divided as this nation is, it is becoming clear that public education is falling into the grips of election-year division. It is seen throughout the country in what is being proposed or mandated for public schools. Minnesota is no exception.” More at Morrison County Record
The United States Supreme Court operates with a stunning degree of secrecy, and in the wake of a leaked opinion draft the L-T called on the court to make significant reforms. In short, the court views itself as above such trivial concerns as allowing the same public access virtually every state does, including cameras to record hearings. That, combined with the overtly partisan tone taken by some justices, has placed the court in a genuine crisis. Transparency alone won’t solve the court’s ongoing issues with declining public trust, but it can go some distance toward slowing the decline. More at Leader-Telegram
Circleville editor gets nostalgic about how we once covered elections but admits the internet brought improvements. Plus, long live Election Night pizza! More at Circleville Herald
More at Circleville Herald
As more readers migrate from print newspapers to e-editions (digital replicas), APG newsrooms are rethinking their approach to the various platforms in their arsenal. Klamath Falls editor Gene Warnick had an outstanding idea to give readers a special e-edition Sports report on Sunday mornings. The four-page section is primarily high school and local smallcollege coverage, but also includes reports on Oregon’s two nationally ranked college football teams: Oregon and Oregon State. “I hated the idea of days-old game stories on Tuesday,” said Gene, “so (we) ran them in our weekend sports e-edition and repurposed the key elements into college and high school notebooks for Tuesday’s print edition.” Gene, who has a background in Sports, also changed his work schedule so he could be in on Saturday, often leaving the newsroom early Sunday morning. More at Herald and News
“Emporium,” an arts and entertainment publication, is “a compendium of arts, artists and events in the Treasure Valley.” These topics are Boise Weekly’s tentpoles. They are also sorely missed and often looked over or treated as “less than” story fodder in more traditional, daily papers. This publication salutes iconic venues and art institutions as well as devoting the most ink on those who keep the arts community alive: the artists. In addition to visual artist representation, the section includes music artists, a glass artist, a tattoo artist, a sculptor, a ballerina, a poet, a mural artist collective, a local, Pulitzer-prize winning author and a food artist. More at Boise Weekly
For links to all of these stories, please visit: adamspg.com/best
Kent County News
Kirwan a struggle for Kent County; 36th District delegation talks with Commissioners
Bay Times Record
Bay Views Vacation Inflation: ‘How Has the high cost of fuel and other costs made you rethink your summer vacation plans?’
Idaho State Journal
‘IT WASN’T JUST A STORE’: East Idaho woman restoring Swan Lake’s historic Thomas Mercantile Forest Lake Times
Neither snow, nor rain… Mail carrier, hailed neighborhood hero, retires after 38 years with USPS
Star Democrat ‘Curious about everything’ —Easton native Sharon Denny shares her wildlife photography at 51st Waterfowl Festival
Logan Daily News Couple on nationwide trek to bring books to kids
Kent County News
Vigils continue four years later
Athens Messenger Smathers benefit set for Saturday Beloit Daily News You got to keep moving - Beloit fitness instructor still feels the burn at age 94
Athens Messenger
A 15-year-old’s nonprofit provides hygiene supplies to Athens County Youths
Dakota County Tribune Best buddies fosters lifelong friendships
Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)
Former Logan High football player says coaches, team shunned him after serious injury
Osseo Maple Grove CD Press
Olympics Bound: Maple Grove’s Faber competes with U.S. men’s hockey team
Dundalk Eagle Football: Dale Martin shines as Owls advance past Dulaney
Carroll News Carroll captures first state basketball title
This story, the first in a series, is a dive into a local pharmaceutical middle man company, whose mission it is to package and deliver important medication to drug stores. It was found that the company had delivered medicine labeled as an HIV treatment drug when, in reality, the drug they actually shipped out to local pharmacies was an anti-psychotic. Through working with the company, speaking to numerous attorneys on all sides (government, drug middle man company in question and major pharma companies including Gilead) the team was able to *almost* get to the bottom of the story. Litigation is ongoing. This report took many days, multiple stories and countless hours of editing. Read more at Star Democrat
Maryville Daily Times
County commission votes to remove BMH board appointees, declines to disband nominating committee
Dundalk Eagle Local EMS and law enforcement give perspective to Dundalk’s opioid crisis
Carroll County High School Seth Atkins is a master in engineering and design. His latest creation is a masterpiece in paper - a working replica of a 1965 Chevy 454 motor. Pistons turn, valves open and close, removable spark plug “wires”… and it’s all made from cardboard, hot glue and wooden dowels. This article, written by David Broyles, was chosen to be featured by the Virginia Press Association. More at Carroll News
Athens Messenger Business is blooming for florist shop
Cecil Daily Two men save trapped driver in fiery crash near Elkton
Circleville Herald Remembering ‘Mr. Ashville’ Charlie Morrison
Sun Prairie Star Sound of Sun Prairie marching band celebrates 50 years
Stillwater Gazette Diggins readies for third Olympics
Mt. Airy News
Mission Accomplished: Granite Bears capture 1A State Championship Maryville Daily Times Alcoa claims state record eighth-straight title
Cecil Whig
Longtime North East football coach leaves legacy of inspiring others
Wyoming Tribune Eagle All-Laramie County teams: A creative approach with strong features and photos
County News Review College life suits Olympian McCallum
Idaho State Journal
Sources: Idaho State’s coaching search includes two finalists
Mt. Airy News
‘Price’ of gold doubles at state meet
Athens Messenger Turner takes leadership role seriously
Anacortes American School Safety: Police, schools have their own back-to-school preparations
Beloit Daily News Experienced cops leaving departments
Cambridge-based Safe Chain Solutions implicated in massive counterfeit HIV drug schemeHILLSVILLE, VIRGINIA Mechanical Michaelangelo
Bay Times Record Observer Centreville mom gives birth to ‘Star Baby’ in hospital parking lot
Perry Tribune Homeless advocate group keeps pressure on county for help with shelter
Price County Review Court sides with Park Falls in paper mill suit
The Logan, Utah, Herald Journal Accusatory video taken at Logan carnival goes viral
Logan (Ohio) Daily News Murder case from 2019 ends in complete acquittal
Idaho State Journal
Police captain, victim and local funeral home owner reflect on Downard
Post Register
Idaho Falls child diagnosed with dementia: ‘She’s going to un-develop before our eyes’
Edina Sun Current Lawsuit to end use of Edina Hornet logo
Excelsior-EP-Minnetonka Sun Sailor
South Lake Minnetonka Police and Excelsior Fire team-up to rescue ducklings
Brooklyn Park/Center Sun Post Brooklyn Park looks to implement police scorecard
Bear tracks: Study reveals secret lives of Red Cliff bruins
Bears are important spirit animals to the Ojibwe peoples. This story tracks the Red Cliff band’s effort to better understand the animals and their place in local ecology.
More at Ashland Daily Press
Waunakee Tribune
Amid industry shortage, Waunakee High School offers welding program
Daily Advance Rivers not sure if City Council will consider rehiring former City Manager Montpelier
Clint Goodrich of El Camino Donuts talks shop
Daily Advance State LGC ‘strongly opposed’ to city rehiring Freeman
Cambridge Deerfield Local education leaders spell out potentially grim financial future for Wisconsin public schools
Boise Weekly Annual Manual: A guide to the City of Trees
Greeneville Sun
Salute To Industry: Recognizing local businesses and industry, large and small
Daily Sun, Florida
Direct Hit: Hurricane Ian devastates region (Day One story)
Southern Maryland News
Some tobacco holdouts keep plugging along in Southern Maryland
Tremonton Leader
A step toward the moon: The role a local Northrop Grumman facility is playing in NASA’s efforts
Watauga Demcorat
Country-wide efforts help return belongings of WWI veteran back to local family
Dakota County Tribune Grandfather satisfied with intersection safety plan after granddaughter’s accident
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Gardiner, Cooke City reeling after historic flooding
Ashland Daily Press Driver in Bewley crash going 100 mph
Idaho Falls Farm and Ranch Bancroft man to open restaurant, Airbnb, trading post in tiny SE Idaho town
Forest Lake Times
Hugo re-energizes old Forest Lake schoolhouse restoration project
Skagit Valley Herald Farmer’s killing of elk sets off legal dispute
Idaho State Journal
Officers wounded by AR-15 gunfire in May shootout still serving and protecting Pocatello Elkin Tribune
Local Marine remains in hospital following birthday stabbing
A story about a violent attack against a local man who is a Marine. Lots of local interest.
Idaho Post Register
As attorneys quit, Bonneville prosecutor asks police to make fewer arrests
Excelsior-EP-Minnetonka Sun Sailor
South Lake Minnetonka Police and Excelsior Fire team-up to rescue ducklings
Brooklyn Park/Center Sun Post
Brooklyn Park looks to implement police scorecard
Monticello Times
Police chief resigns after city, federal investigations into gun purchase
The Daily Reflector
GUC leader, board minutes reveal dealings with crypto miner
Monticello Times
Police chief resigns after city, federal investigations into gun purchase
County News Review
Tips from community needed in Rindahl investigation
Crow River News
Medina firefighter’s noble cause in Ukraine
ABC Newspapers
Roll Call: Understanding of what the Columbia Heights Police department was doing to further inform residents of public safety issues.
The Courier (Waterloo and Marshall)
Creating ‘active, self regulated, reflective learners’ in Marshall, beyond Athens Messenger
Athens County honors those who served in the military with Veterans Day ceremonies
Avenue News
How Essex and Middle River are affected by the opioid crisis epidemic
Athens News
Athens celebrates Pride Week
Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie Area School District loses case to former teacher over February 2021 slavery assignment
Bay Times Record Observer
Centreville mom gives birth to ‘Star Baby’ in hospital parking lot
Waunakee Tribune
In Westport, public hearing set on Nau-Ti-Gal historic preservation application
Tremonton
Local Northrop Grumman employees see years of work come to fruition
Price County Review Couple makes mall their dream
