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Explanatory Journalism

For a distinguished example of explanatory journalism that illuminates significant and complex issues, Five thousand dollars ($5,000).
Year
Winners
Finalists
1997

Michael Vitez, April Saul and Ron Cortes of The Philadelphia Inquirer

For a series on the choices that confronted critically-ill patients who sought to die with dignity.
Finalists:
John Crewdson of Chicago Tribune
Gregory Kane and Gilbert Lewthwaite of The Baltimore Sun
John Crewdson of Chicago Tribune

Gregory Kane and Gilbert Lewthwaite of The Baltimore Sun

1996

Laurie Garrett of Newsday, Long Island, NY

For her courageous reporting from Zaire on the Ebola virus outbreak there. (The winner was entered and nominated in the International Reporting category and was moved by the Pulitzer Prize Board to Explanatory Journalism.)
Finalists:
Michael A. Hiltzik, David R. Olmos and Barbara Marsh of Los Angeles Times
Chris Lester and Jeffrey Spivak of The Kansas City Star
Adam Bryant, Stephen Engelberg and Matthew L. Wald of The New York Times
Michael A. Hiltzik, David R. Olmos and Barbara Marsh of Los Angeles Times

Chris Lester and Jeffrey Spivak of The Kansas City Star

Adam Bryant, Stephen Engelberg and Matthew L. Wald of The New York Times

1995

Leon Dash and Lucian Perkins of The Washington Post

For their profile of a District of Columbia family's struggle with destructive cycles of poverty, illiteracy, crime and drug abuse.
Finalists:
Ron Suskind of The Wall Street Journal
Staff of Montgomery (AL) Advertiser
Ron Suskind of The Wall Street Journal

Staff of Montgomery (AL) Advertiser

1994

Ronald Kotulak of Chicago Tribune

For his lucid coverage of current developments in neurological science.
Finalists:
Dallas Morning News Team of The Dallas Morning News
Staff of Newsday, Long Island, NY
Dallas Morning News Team of The Dallas Morning News

Staff of Newsday, Long Island, NY

1993

Mike Toner of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For "When Bugs Fight Back," a series that explored the diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics and pesticides.
Finalists:
Dennis Farney of The Wall Street Journal
Staff of Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY
Dennis Farney of The Wall Street Journal

Staff of Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY

James O'Byrne, Mark Schleifstein and G. Andrew Boyd of Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA

Rob Carson, Geff Hinds and Suki Dardarian of Morning News Tribune, Tacoma, WA

1991

Susan C. Faludi of The Wall Street Journal

For a report on the leveraged buy-out of Safeway Stores, Inc., that revealed the human costs of high finance.
Finalists:
Charles A. Hite of The Roanoke Times & World-News
Ronald Kotulak and Peter Gorner of Chicago Tribune
Charles A. Hite of The Roanoke Times & World-News

Ronald Kotulak and Peter Gorner of Chicago Tribune

1990

David A. Vise and Steve Coll of The Washington Post

For stories scrutinizing the Securities and Exchange Commission and the way it has been affected by the policies of its former chairman, John Shad.
Finalists:
Eric Nalder of The Seattle Times
Staff of The Dallas Morning News
Staff of Times-Advocate, Escondido, CA
Eric Nalder of The Seattle Times

Staff of The Dallas Morning News

Staff of Times-Advocate, Escondido, CA

1989

David Hanners, William Snyder, and Karen Blessen of The Dallas Morning News

For their special report on a 1986 airplane crash, the follow-up investigation, and the implications for air safety.
Finalists:
David Shaw of Los Angeles Times
Bernard Wysocki Jr. of The Wall Street Journal
David Shaw of Los Angeles Times

Bernard Wysocki Jr. of The Wall Street Journal

1988

Daniel Hertzberg and James B. Stewart of The Wall Street Journal

For their stories about an investment banker charged with insider trading and the critical day that followed the October 19, 1987, stock market crash.
Finalists:
Tim Weiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Athelia Knight of The Washington Post
Tim Weiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Athelia Knight of The Washington Post

1987

Jeff Lyon and Peter Gorner of Chicago Tribune

For their series on the promises of gene therapy, which examined the implications of this revolutionary medical treatment.
Finalists:
Leon Dash of The Washington Post
Georgia Tasker of The Miami Herald
Leon Dash of The Washington Post

Georgia Tasker of The Miami Herald

1986

Staff of The New York Times

For a six-part comprehensive series on the Strategic Defense Initiative, which explored the scientific, political and foreign policy issues involved in "Star Wars."
Finalists:
Robert L. Hotz and Robert Cooke of The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
Larry Batson of Minneapolis Star and Tribune
Robert L. Hotz and Robert Cooke of The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

Larry Batson of Minneapolis Star and Tribune

1985

Jon Franklin of The Baltimore Evening Sun

For his seven-part series "The Mind Fixers," about the new science of molecular psychiatry.
Finalists:
Pam Sprague and Rob Orcutt of Daily Herald, Wausau, WI
Staff of Greensboro (NC) News & Record
Pam Sprague and Rob Orcutt of Daily Herald, Wausau, WI

Staff of Greensboro (NC) News & Record

Correspondence
General News Reporting