Berkeley Scanner wins 4 California Journalism Awards
Hundreds of journalists, described by organizers as the best in the state, attended the awards gala Saturday night.
The Berkeley Scanner has won four first-place California Journalism Awards, for news coverage as well as business sustainability.
The winners were announced at a gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Hundreds of journalists, described by organizers as the best in the state, attended the event.
There were five finalists in most categories and nearly 3,000 entries overall.
The Scanner falls into Division 7, which includes news outlets with fewer than three full-time staffers. It's the smallest division in the contest, which is organized by the California News Publishers Association.
Breaking news: Police shooting at Toyota in Albany
The Scanner won first place in the Division 7 category for breaking news coverage of last year's fatal police shooting at the Toyota dealership in Albany, California.
"Working the scene netted this reporter compelling in-the-moment photos and details about the incident ahead of the competition," the judges wrote. "She continued working the story into the next day and was able to turn a nicely written, tight narrative that captured the drama, fear and chaos. She talked to nearby business owners and shoppers who were affected. She pointed out to her readers when official accounts varied. Great job distilling all that information."
Emilie Raguso
Emilie Raguso
Note: Ariel Nava's photography featured prominently in the stories.
Profile story: Remembering Angel and Jazy
The Scanner also won first place in the Division 7 category for a profile story focused on the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Angel and Jazy Sotelo Garcia.
The brothers, both Berkeley High students, were killed at a friend's birthday party, sending shockwaves throughout the Bay Area.
The judges described the story as a "slow build" that offered a "good window into the lives of the two victims and their family."
"The writer unleashed powerful outrage in the final section," judges said.
Emilie Raguso
Local government coverage: Oakland crime reached a fever pitch in 2023
The Scanner also won first place in Division 7 for its coverage of local government, which focused on rising Oakland crime in 2023.
"Excellent reporting, informed by great anecdotes and examples, on the growing crime issues in Oakland," the judges wrote.
Emilie Raguso
Emilie Raguso
Emilie Raguso
Other Division 7 finalists and winners across these three coverage areas included Mission Local, Capital & Main, Half Moon Bay Review, Sonoma County Gazette, Santa Clara Weekly, The Pajaronian, Claremont Courier, Fresnoland and The Ark, which is based in Tiburon.
Berkeley Scanner wins business Sustainability Award
The Scanner was deeply honored to win first place in the sustainability category, which recognizes innovation and excellence "in developing new lines of revenue or other financial support that help ensure the viability of a newsroom."
The judges were intrigued by The Scanner's unique membership model focused on public safety.
Just three finalists, regardless of size, were named across all divisions in the California Journalism Awards.
The Press Democrat and The Sacramento Bee were also finalists.
Finally, The Scanner took third place in the online story presentation category for its layout and design.
"Organized site with little clutter," the judges said. "Gives you the latest news and photos quickly."
The Berkeley Scanner website was built using Ghost's Headline theme, with customization by members of the team behind The Browser.
Read more about the California Journalism Awards winners on the California News Publishers Association website.
The California News Publishers Association was founded in 1888.
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- Berkeley Scanner wins National Headliner Award for online local news (2024)
- Berkeley Scanner wins 'Truth to Power' press freedom award (2024)
- Berkeley Scanner is a finalist for LION journalism awards (2023)
