A series of news pictures that depicts a story line or single theme. 12 photos maximum per story. A picture story depicting the President of the United States, other U.S. politicians, or U.S. politics is NOT eligible in this category.
First Place
David Butow, Independent
Battleground Hong Kong: Since the Spring of 2019, thousands of Hong Kong citizens have clashed violently with police during public demonstrations that seek to secure and expand long-standing rights now under threat from the central Chinese government.
Second Place
Cheryl Diaz Meyer, Freelance
Hurricane Dorian Devastates Bahamas: The 185 mph winds tore up the town of Marsh Harbour, where days later bodies were being excavated from the debris. Scientists agree that climate change is causing storms to form more quickly and more powerfully, with unprecedented damage, greater rainfall and flooding, and increased fatalities. On Abaco island, thousands of undocumented Haitian immigrants work and live. Their shanty town was the epicenter of damage as water surged 10 feet taking all in its wake. Evacuees found a warm welcome from fellow Haitians like China Laguerre, who housed, fed and assisted 10 evacuees for several weeks after the storm.
Third Place
Carol Guzy, Independent
Syria Weeps: Fierce fighting with Turkey waged with the insurgency into NE Syria after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew troops, which was widely viewed as a betrayal of Kurdish allies. Turkey’s intent was to establish a safe zone using sophisticated drones and air artillery, but a proclaimed ceasefire did not hold as wounded were rushed to hospitals and civilians fled besieged cities.
Award of Excellence
Jahi Chikwendiu, The Washington Post
Mass Shooting in Dayton, Ohio: A Continuing Epidemic: Mass shootings happen in the United States with such regularity that most don’t manage to break into national headlines. On August 4, 2019, Connor Betts killed nine, including his sister, and wounded 27 in Dayton, Ohio’s popular entertainment district. The rampage of terror lasted 30 seconds before Betts was gunned down as he attempted to enter a crowded bar with an “AR-15” military style high powered rifle. In that half a minute, Betts fired at least 41 rounds. The cops fired 65 times. The attack happened a little more than 12 hours after a young man shot and killed 22 people and injured 24 others in El Paso, Texas, and a week after a gunman killed three people and wounded 12 in Gilroy, California. The sadly predictable rituals of mourning, impromptu memorials, funerals, and protests that follow mass shootings played out over 400 times in the United States in 2019. Communities all across the nation are left torn, mourning, and wondering which place will be next to be remembered for such tragedy or, sadly, forgotten.
Award of Excellence
M. Scott Mahaskey, Politico
Broken Harvest: Extreme weather events have rocked the American Midwest in recent years and hit particularly hard in 2019, drowning crops and livelihoods while washing away the topsoil that makes land fertile. Of all the things that threaten those who plow the fields of America — dwindling commodity prices, a painful trade war — the most enduring is the change to the landscape itself.