The Desert Sun staff won 30 awards, including eight first-place laurels, in the 2021 California Journalism Awards, the state’s largest and most prestigious contest for print and digital newsrooms.
Coverage of local government and the environment, plus photography, were standout areas for the newsroom last year in the prizes announced this week by the California News Publishers Association.
Environment reporters Janet Wilson and Mark Olalde and photojournalist Jay Calderon were recognized with the first-place award in the in-depth reporting category for their articles, photos and videos about the Salton Sea.
Reporters Maria Sestito and Brian Blueskye and photojournalist Jay Calderon won first-place honors in the profile category for their article on a group of older gay men from the Coachella Valley who have taken TikTok by storm. Said the judges: “Excellent, sharp writing that helps the reader get to know the ‘Old Gays’ and pulls us into their world in a colorful, engaging way.”
Business reporter James Cutchin and Jay Calderon received top honors in the agricultural reporting category for their look at how changing tastes and changing economics are remaking the Coachella Valley’s farmland.
Jay Calderon also received three first-place solo awards: For sports action photo, feature photo and artistic photo. Photographer Andy Abeyta won first place in the sports feature photo category, and second in sports action.
Sports reporter Andrew John shared first-place honors with Victorville Daily Press reporters Jose Quintero and Jason Reed for their story on a new high school football league.
In the general excellence category, The Desert Sun placed third. “Amazing newspaper. Tons of local news and various sections for all sorts of tastes,” said the judges. “The readers get quite a gem in this journalistic masterpiece.”
Environment reporting stands out
Mark Olalde, who now works for ProPublica, received two awards in the enterprise reporting category on environment topics. He received second place honors for his in-depth look at whether imported water could “save” the Salton Sea. “A comprehensive and compelling look at the latest efforts to ‘fix’ the Salton Sea,” the judges said. “Excellent photography and graphics deliver the much-needed sense of the area for those unfamiliar with it. Making a science story about people when possible is key to getting readers interested and keeping them interested.”
And he received the third-place award for his reporting on how oil bankruptcies leave taxpayers holding the bag. Janet Wilson’s coverage of the oil industry, meanwhile, netted her a third-place win in the in-depth reporting category for her articles on how California regulators order oil companies to fix environmental problems, but can’t keep track of whether the firms comply.
Jay Calderon and Wilson, meanwhile, won third-place honors for the five-part photo essay “Witness to a Vanishing Sea.”
Local government coverage recognized
The newsroom received two awards in the coverage of local government category. Erin Rode, Paul Albani-Burgio and Amanda Ulrich won second-place honors for their coverage of Palm Springs’ reckoning with issues of racial injustices of the past, including the Section 14 evictions, calls for reparations, and the controversy over the Frank Bogert statue. Said the judges: “This series exemplifies solid local government reporting. The reporting on the past injustice was excellent and moving and required a great deal of historical research. Also, the examination of both sides of the issue of the statue removal of the former mayor was exemplary.”
Receiving fourth-place honors in the local government category were Jonathan Horowitz, Maria Sestito, Eliana Perez and Paul Albani-Burgio for their coverage of College of the Desert.
“This reporting represents the very best in beat reporting. The fact that the newspaper recognized the importance of the issue and deployed so many resources is to be applauded,” said the judges. “How bond money is spent and the influence of politics are complicated issues. The depth of this reporting is remarkable and the controversy over the college system leadership was reported with both sides represented, sensitively and fairly.”
Public service award for bounty hunter reporting
Chris Damien received third-place honors in the public service journalism category for his reporting on the lack of oversight of bounty hunters following the killing of a Palm Springs man in his home by a twice-convicted felon operating illegally as a bounty hunter. And he was recognized with a second-place award in the writing category for his story on a deadly love triangle involving a sheriff’s deputy.
Reporter Amanda Ulrich and photojournalist Vickie Connor received third-place honors in a category for coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judges said their report on efforts to vaccinate residents of Slab City was an “impressive solo story delving into a hyperlocal topic while featuring textbook balance. … So many standout quotes, indicative of strong interviews.” They also praised Connor’s “engaging visuals.”
Maria Sestito won third-place honors for her columns focusing on seniors and aging. “Terrific writing,” said the judges. “Young columnist whose skill belies her age.”
A team of reporters including Tom Coulter, Janet Wilson, James Ward and Mark Olalde received the third-place award in the category of Newsom recall election coverage.
Sports reporter Shad Powers and photojournalist Jay Calderon were recognized with a third-place award in the sports feature category for their profile of a local physical education teacher instructing students remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Said the judges: “This teacher clearly goes above and beyond to connect with students. This delivered a behind-the-scenes look at the videos that captivated students.”
Other winners included:
- 3rd place, feature photography: Jay Calderon for his photo of a U.S. citizenship ceremony at Joshua Tree National Park
- 4th place, photojournalism: Jay Calderon, Andy Abeyta and Taya Gray.
- 4th place, land-use reporting: Erin Rode for her coverage of Desert Hot Springs and its effort to reclaim its heritage as a spa destination
- 4th place, business reporting: James Cutchin’s coverage of fractional-ownership real estate company Pacaso and its controversial entry into the Palm Springs market
- 5th place, business reporting: The Desert Sun staff, for broad coverage of short-term vacation rental issues
- 5th place, editorial writing: Opinion editor Eric Hartley for his “clear and direct” editorial on the Newsom recall.
