Best of the MonthMay, 2015

Congratulations to Chris Casteel, our longtime Washington, D.C., bureau chief, selected as Best Overall in May for coverage of the Southern Republican Governors Leadership Conference. Editors said Chris did an excellent job as lead reporter for the SRLC. He also paid attention to an enormous amount of details to help us plan and organize overall coverage for print and online of the three-day event that attracted some 1,500 delegates from 14 southern states.

In particular, he contacted all the GOP presidential hopefuls about interview opportunities and studio visits. He also laid the ground work for media credentials for many of our reporters and editors. Chris years of experience in covering national and state politics made it obvious that we needed to bring him here from Washington for the conference to lead our coverage.

While in Oklahoma City, Chris also found time to speak to our summer intern class about journalism as a career and profession.

Chris produced numerous print stories, blog and twitter entries, as well as stories and video about the convention for newsok.com. Heres a list of related Page 1 stories he produced for The Oklahoman:

Who are they? GOP presidential hopefuls to audition on OKC stage (5-17-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/17&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00501&ViewMode=GIFStraw poll to measure early momentum (5-17-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/17&PageLabelPrint=3A&EntityId=Ar00704&ViewMode=GIFA look at the potential candidates (5-17-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/17&PageLabelPrint=4A&EntityId=Ar00812&ViewMode=GIFSantorum, Walker and Perry set to kick off GOP event; Conference begins today in OKC (5-21-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/21&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00109&ViewMode=GIFGOP presidential hopefuls slam Obamas policies in Middle East; Fallin tells conference attendees they are in friendly territory (5-22-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/22&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00101&ViewMode=GIFWhat they said (5-22-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/22&PageLabelPrint=9A&EntityId=Ar00903&ViewMode=GIFSenate votes may prevent some speakers from getting to Republican conference (5-22-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/22&PageLabelPrint=9A&EntityId=Ar00900&ViewMode=GIFGovernors rule on 2nd day of GOP conference (5-23-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/23&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00113&ViewMode=GIFBen Carson wins GOP conference straw poll; Retired surgeon won about 25 percent of vote from conference goers (5-24-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/24&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00504&ViewMode=GIFCandidates critical of Clinton (5-24-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/24&PageLabelPrint=8A&EntityId=Ar01203&ViewMode=GIFSpeech excerpts: Carson, Fiorina, Gilmore and Everson (5-24-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/24&PageLabelPrint=9A&EntityId=Ar01307&ViewMode=GIFGOP hopefuls address defense spending (5-28-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/28&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00110&ViewMode=GIFBest Beat or Breaking News Story

From: Bryan Painter

Nominee: Tim Willert

This was not the typical end of the school year story. Tim learned of problems at Roosevelt Middle School, researched and then wrote a story about student misconduct and what was predicted by one teacher to be a 70 percent turnover in staff in the building. This story attracted a lot of attention including, 1,729 Facebook shares and 26 comments. This is an outstanding example of working a beat and going deep into an issue.

http://newsok.com/article/5423737Best Feature Story

From: Bryan Painter

Nominee: Jaclyn Cosgrove

This was a very well-written, emotional, informative feature. It took a serious health issue and put faces to it. The husband and their pet still go to visit the wife every day. And there was this quote that about brought me to tears, "Sometimes I feel like I didn't deserve Emily, but she seems to still love me the way she always has, so I'm a lucky guy."

http://newsok.com/article/5421944Best Business Story or Business Feature

From: Don Mecoy

Nominee: Steve Lackmeyer

Steve broke the news that SandRidge Energy Corp. is looking to sell its extensive downtown OKC properties, including its 30-story headquarters. He placed the news in context, noting that some firms have been selling and leasing back their properties, and that the attempt to move the properties raises questions about downtown development. Another scoop for Lackmeyer, complete with photos, video and maps.

http://newsok.com/article/5416583Best Sports Story

From: Mike Sherman

Nominee: Jason Kersey

A great profile -- Kelly Fry called it a "beautiful story" -- on the person behind the headline. Tanner Williams became the first openly gay married athlete in the NCAA. Jason told the story of who how he became this person in a compelling and engaging way.

http://newsok.com/article/5422071Best Specialty Feature

From: Ken Raymond

Nominee: Brandy McDonnell

After this story ran, Matt Price sent Brandy an email saying "Killer lede" and "EOM," or employee of the month. Whether he was right about the second thing is up to you. The first thing he said is indisputable. Try not to be hooked after reading this opening:

Sifting through twisted twigs, dead bug bodies and odd bits of metal, Holly Wilson gets her fingers on a half-spent cigar, one of several stubby remnants her capable fingers have turned into works of art over the years.

"I have a whole tray of old cigars that a friend of mine gave me that are over 20 years old, but I saved the bodies and made molds of them. So, they're all from real cigar bodies," she said, pointing to a row of small, slender bronze sculptures with spindly legs and silhouette heads displayed in her backyard workshop. "These are all the drawers of fun, interesting dead things I find ... and my kids are constantly bringing me pieces, 'Look what I found, Mom, you'll love this.'"

The first sentence, in particular, is excellent. It's strong, self-assured and crafted. The whole story is a pleasure to read.

http://newsok.com/video-photos-interview-oklahoma-sculptor-photographer-holly-wilson-tells-big-stories-through-little-people/article/5422196Best Project/Enterprise/In-Depth Story

From: Robby Trammell

Nominee: Jennifer Palmer

Centerpiece I will die in prison for a nonviolent crime;: With state prisons over capacity, some are calling for reversal of harsh law (5-3-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/03&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00104&ViewMode=GIFBest Watchdog Story

From: Robby Trammell

Nominee: Andrew Knittle

Play Potawatomi tribe, city of Shawnee enmeshed in struggle for services (5-10-15)

http://archive.newsok.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=Oklahoman&BaseHref=DOK/2015/05/10&PageLabelPrint=1A&EntityId=Ar00100&ViewMode=GIFBest Column/Opinion/First-Person Story

From: Don Mecoy

Nominee: Steve Lackmeyer

Lackmeyer wrote a personal column responding to a piece penned by a Seattle Times columnist, who conceded that OKC's theft of Seattle stuff (Sonics, elephants, Boeing jobs) was giving him a complex. Steve noted that it was "just business," and countered with an offer to trade selected state Legislators for Seattle anarchists. Steve's article drew nice traffic, produced a swell business centerpiece, and prompted yet another Seattle Times columnist to write another column.

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-seattle-could-give-and-take/article/5417130Best Blog/Social Media Effort/Online Anything

From: Ken Raymond

Nominee: Brandy McDonnell

When someone suggested we create Oklahoma-related NewsOK content in honor of David Letterman's final "Late Show," BAM was one they called. Since she remembered some memorable Oklahomans' musical performances on the show, she stayed up until after 1 a.m. the night before Letterman's last show to compile her own top 10 list complete with video. She set the post to publish early the day of Letterman's finale and spent the day following up on social media, chatting with music fans about the list on Facebook, Twitter and email.

When a reader asked her about Ray Wylie Hubbard's 2013 performance, she tracked down the video and created another post. Vince Gill's publicist even contacted her to ask for tips on how to find Vince's Letterman performances online.

When local musician Dylan Stewart inquired on Facebook as to why the Tulsa-based band The Tractors, multiplatinum hitmakers of the '90s, didn't make the list, BAM let him know she couldn't find video of their Letterman performance online. Tractors frontman Steve Ripley saw the Facebook exchange, dug out the video and uploaded it to YouTube that day, to the delight of fans - and for another BAM's Blog post. Not only was BAM's top 10 list the biggest draw on NewsOK of the day, she stayed up late again to live tweet the Letterman finale.

http://newsok.com/article/5420856Best Photo

From: Doug Hoke

Nominee: Steve Sisney

George and Susan Kruger make one of three trips with their animals from their flooded house to safety on Sunday, May 24, 2015 in Purcell, Okla. Rising water from overnight rains began to rise early in the morning. The Krugers refused to leave their home and made several trips to retrieve five dogs and a baby chick. Photo by Steve Sisney The Oklahoman

Great human/dog interest shot from flooding in Purcell

Best Design/IllustrationFrom: Todd Pendleton

Nominee: Caroline Duke

Best Headline

From: Mike Sherman

Nominee: Rob Backus

HEADLINE: GATOR RAID

Off the day the Thunder introduced Billy Donovan.

Special Effort to Improve Accuracy

From: Tom Maupin

Nominee: Tom Maupin

Tom caught two history mistakes that would have made us look foolish:

1: Looking at a May 8 wire page, Tom saw a cutline stating German military commanders surrendered on May 7, 1941. Tom alerted the pages designer because the correct year was 1945.

2: The multimedia summary for a May 28 story about a Marine veteran reported: Grace Davis, 92, of Edmond, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946, at the height of World War II. Tom knew the war ended in 1945.

Tom caught a military mistake that would have upset readers: In a May 21 story about the first black member of the states National Guard, a rimmer changed the mans rank from sergeant first class to first sergeant. Tom caught the mistake and restored the sergeant first class rank, which was used in a quote about the man.

Here are some headline mistakes Tom caught:

This headline was on a May 14 news brief: Calvary Days events set. Tom was slot and saw the problem; the story was about Cavalry Day at Fort Supply Historic Site.

Outdated headline. A first-read headline for a May 13 story was: Elephants begin trek to Oklahoma City Zoo. Tom was slot and knew the new angle was the elephants had renewed their trip to OKC after a delay in California. They left Seattle on April 15. Tom changed the first-read headline to: Elephants resume trek to Oklahoma City Zoo.

3: This was the submitted headline for a May 8 business story: Seattle mayor, environmental activists seek to stop Shell oil drilling in Arctic. Tom was slot and changed the headline to: Seattle mayor joins fight to prevent Shell from docking its fleet in port. Fighting Shells Arctic drilling might be their ultimate goal, but the story was about the use of Seattles port by Shells ships.

4: Slotting a May 5 story, Tom saw this first-read headline: Lexington man dies in single-vehicle wreck. The incident was not a wreck. The Lexington man was riding on a pickups hood and slid off. Tom rewrote the suggested headline.

Special Recognition

From: Doug Hoke

Nominee: Photo staff

I want to recognize the photo department for above and beyond efforts in the month of May. May is one of the busiest months of the year with high school spring sports championships, graduations, WCWS, Memorial Day and all the things that go with that, Special Olympics, the closing of the Legislature and all the other daily, metro, feature, business and sports jobs. Throw in a tornado and bad flooding and it becomes harrowing, literally. My staff never missed a beat whether the storms were on their days off or not, everyone stepped up to work extra hours and days to make sure we had the best coverage possible with photos, video and social media. Storm chasing is not without risk, and sometimes its downright scary, but the staff pulled together. Those not chasing monitor the situation on TV and relay information to others in the cars. It is truly a team effort.

From: NIC Editors

Nominee(s): Chris Casteel, Adam Kemp, Juliana Keeping, Owen Canfield, Phillip OConnor, the Video staff, online editing team and anyone else who was involved in coverage of the SRGLC.

Special thanks to everyone involved in coverage of the Southern Republican Governors Leadership Conference. Heres what one editor said: The only people who covered the SRGLC more than us was the Oklahoma City Police.