For a distinguished example of reporting on significant issues of local concern, demonstrating originality and community expertise, using any available journalistic tool, Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
Staff of The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
For a damning portrayal of the state’s discriminatory conviction system, including a Jim Crow-era law, that enabled Louisiana courts to send defendants to jail without jury consensus on the accused’s guilt.
Staff members and contributors from The Advocate of Baton Rouge, La. (from left: John Simerman, Jim Mustian, Jeff Adelson and Gordon Russell) accept the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting from Columbia University President Lee Bollinger. (Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)
Winning Work
April 1, 2018
April 8, 2018
April 22, 2018
April 22, 2018
October 18, 2018
Finalists
Nominated as finalists in Local Reporting in 2019:
Barbara Laker, Wendy Ruderman, Dylan Purcell and Jessica Griffin of The Philadelphia Inquirer
For dogged scientific investigation and evocative storytelling that exposed toxic dangers lurking in Philadelphia school buildings that sickened children in their classrooms.
Brandon Stahl, Jennifer Bjorhus, MaryJo Webster and Renée Jones Schneider of the Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minn.
For an illuminating and disturbing series that exposed breakdowns in Minnesota’s investigation and prosecution of rape cases, and how such ineptitude fails victims of sexual assault.
The Jury
The Jury
Lee Ann Colacioppo(Chair)
Editor
Terry Baquet
Director, Community Engagement/InsideOut Editor
Eric Eyre*
Statehouse Reporter
Sherrie Marshall
Retired Executive Editor
Cindy McCurry-Ross
Executive Editor, The (Fort Myers) News-Press/Regional Editor, USA Today Network
Jennifer Preston
Vice President, Journalism
Paul Pronovost
Executive Editor
Winners in Local Reporting
Staff of The Cincinnati Enquirer
For a riveting and insightful narrative and video documenting seven days of greater Cincinnati's heroin epidemic, revealing how the deadly addiction has ravaged families and communities.
The Salt Lake Tribune Staff
For a string of vivid reports revealing the perverse, punitive and cruel treatment given to sexual assault victims at Brigham Young University, one of Utah’s most powerful institutions.
Michael LaForgia, Cara Fitzpatrick and Lisa Gartner
For exposing a local school board's culpability in turning some county schools into failure factories, with tragic consequences for the community. (Moved by the Board from the Public Service category, where it was also entered.)
Rob Kuznia, Rebecca Kimitch and Frank Suraci
For their inquiry into widespread corruption in a small, cash-strapped school district, including impressive use of the paper's website.
2019 Prize Winners
South Florida Sun Sentinel
For exposing failings by school and law enforcement officials before and after the deadly shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
David Barstow, Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner of The New York Times
For an exhaustive 18-month investigation of President Donald Trump’s finances that debunked his claims of self-made wealth and revealed a business empire riddled with tax dodges. (Moved by the Board from the Investigative Reporting category, where it was also entered.)
Matt Hamilton, Harriet Ryan and Paul Pringle of the Los Angeles Times
For consequential reporting on a University of Southern California gynecologist accused of violating hundreds of young women for more than a quarter-century.
Carlos Lozada of The Washington Post
For trenchant and searching reviews and essays that joined warm emotion and careful analysis in examining a broad range of books addressing government and the American experience.