PUBLIC SERVICE
The Wall Street Journal
For its creative and comprehensive probe into backdated stock options for business executives that triggered investigations, the ouster of top officials and widespread change in corporate America.
Finalists: Brett Blackledge of The Birmingham (Ala.) News; The Washington Post
BREAKING NEWS REPORTING
The Staff of The Oregonian
For its skillful and tenacious coverage of a family missing in the Oregon mountains, telling the tragic story both in print and online.
Finalists: The Staff of The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky., The Staff of The Denver Post
LOCAL REPORTING
Debbie Cenziper of The Miami Herald
For reports on waste, favoritism and lack of oversight at the Miami housing agency that resulted in dismissals, investigations and prosecutions.
Finalists: The Staff of The Boston Globe; Fred Schulte and June Arney of The Baltimore Sun
NATIONAL REPORTING
Charlie Savage of The Boston Globe
for his revelations that President Bush often used "signing statements" to assert his controversial right to bypass provisions of new laws.
Finalists: Maurice Possley and Steve Mills of the Chicago Tribune; Les Zaitz, Jeff Kosseff and Bryan Denson of The Oregonian
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Brett Blackledge of The Birmingham (Ala.) News
or his exposure of cronyism and corruption in the state's two-year college system, resulting in the dismissal of the chancellor and other corrective action.
Finalists: Ken Armstrong, Justin Mayo and Steve Miletich of The Seattle Times; Michael J. Berens, Julia Sommerfeld and Carol Ostrom of The Seattle Times; and Lisa Chedekel and Matthew Kauffman of The Hartford Courant
EXPLANATORY REPORTING
Kenneth R. Weiss, Usha Lee McFarling and Rick Loomis of the Los Angeles Times
For their richly portrayed reports on the world's distressed oceans, telling the story in print and online, and stirring reaction among readers and officials.
Finalists: Joanne Kimberlin and Bill Sizemore of The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk; The Staff of The New York Times
INTERNATIONAL REPORTING
The Staff of The Wall Street Journal
For its sharply edged reports on the adverse impact of China's booming capitalism on conditions ranging from inequality to pollution.
Finalists: The Staff of the Los Angeles Times; Anthony Shadid of The Washington Post
FEATURE WRITING
Andrea Elliott of The New York Times
For her intimate, richly textured portrait of an immigrant imam striving to find his way and serve his faithful in America.
Finalists: Christopher Goffard of the St. Petersburg Times; Inara Verzemnieks of The Oregonian
COMMENTARY
Cynthia Tucker of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For her courageous, clear-headed columns that evince a strong sense of morality and persuasive knowledge of the community.
Finalists: Ruth Marcus of The Washington Post; Joe Nocera of The New York Times
CRITICISM
Jonathan Gold of LA Weekly
For his zestful, wide ranging restaurant reviews, expressing the delight of an erudite eater.
Finalists: Christopher Knight of the Los Angeles Times; Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times
EDITORIAL WRITING
Editorial Board of the New York Daily News
For its compassionate and compelling editorials on behalf of Ground Zero workers whose health problems were neglected by the city and the nation.
Finalists: Jane Healy of The Orlando Sentinel; Sebastian Mallaby of The Washington Post
BREAKING NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
Oded Balilty of The Associated Press
For his powerful photograph of a lone Jewish woman defying Israeli security forces as they remove illegal settlers in the West Bank.
Finalists: The Staff of the Associated Press; Michael Bryant of The Philadelphia Inquirer
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Renée C. Byer of The Sacramento Bee
For her intimate portrayal of a single mother and her young son as he loses his battle with cancer.
Finalists: Mary F. Calvert of The Washington Times; Gary Coronado of The Palm Beach Post
EDITORIAL CARTOONING
Walt Handelsman of Newsday, Long Island, N.Y.
For his stark, sophisticated cartoons and his impressive use of zany animation.
Finalists: Nick Anderson of The Houston Chronicle; Mike Thompson of the Detroit Free Press
