CityBeat has been recognized as the second-best weekly newspaper in the state by the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, which last week released the results of its statewide contest for work published in 2012. CityBeat’s entries fell into the “Less than 75,000 Circulation” category even though we’re, like, half that size and NOT AT ALL BITTER that we probably came in second to a larger publication.
CityBeat Music Editor Mike Breen for the second straight year won first place in the Best Rock and Roll Commentary category, and two of CityBeat’s investigative stories were recognized with second-place honors. CityBeat also won first place for Best Website and second place in the Best Special Section category (“Best of Cincinnati,” issue of March 28).
Breen was the first place winner in this same contest last year, and his music writing also won first place in the local SPJ chapter’s annual awards announced earlier this year, making him the champion of our office.
The investigative stories recognized were CityBeat Editor Danny Cross’ detailing of how Western & Southern Financial Group could have purchased the Anna Louise Inn long before entering into a dirty legal battle that ultimately forced the nonprofit to give up its building (“Surrounded by Skycrapers,” issue of Aug. 15), which was runner-up in the Best Investigative Reporting category, and Staff Writer German Lopez’s detailing of the failures of Ohio’s prison privatization plan (“Liberty for Sale,” issue of Sept. 19), which won second place for Best Criminal Justice Reporting.
The awards will be presented at the annual Ohio SPJ ceremony at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Oct. 5.
