Trish Merelo says the barrier on the Natchez Trace Bridge — where her son took his own life by jumping — is “precariously low.” “This we can change,” she said.
Nashville Tennessean
The Tennessean won 22 awards in all, including eight first-place awards in categories such as public service, news reporting and editorials.
The Tennessean won eight first-place awards at the 2020 Tennessee Press Association Contests on Thursday.
The event was held via Zoom because of COVID-19. In 2019, the annual event was held in Chattanooga.
The TPA Awards are sponsored by the University of Tennessee and President Randy Boyd delivered opening remarks before the announcements were made.
Subscribe: Support local journalism by subscribing to The Tennessean today
In total, The Tennessean won 22 awards, but the publication swept nearly every major first-place award category, including public service, best news reporting and editorials.
Public Service
For Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge coverage, reporting by Emily West and photography by Shelley Mays plus editorial by The Tennessean Editorial Board. The reporting showed that the bridge had become a “suicide magnet” and successfully swayed local, state and federal officials to make public safety in that spot a priority. The editorial board named the “Natchez Trace heroes” the People of the Year for 2019.
Survivors of suicide loss, Trish Merelo, Steve Hinesley and Sarah Elmer stand on the Natchez Trace Bridge where family members jumped to their deaths. They have formed the Natchez Trace Bridge Barrier Coalition, a group created to obtain bridge barriers to prevent the further loss of life. The group is asking the National Park Service and lawmakers to raise the railing on the bridge. (Photo: Shelley Mays/The Tennessean)
More: ‘You are not invisible’: 12-year-olds leave messages of hope on Natchez Trace Bridge in light of suicides
More: We honor Natchez Trace Bridge Heroes as The Tennessean’s People of the Year of 2019 | Editorial
Best News Reporting
For “Dismissed,” a yearlong education project examining inequities in the Nashville’s public education system, led by Content Strategist Duane Gang with reporters Adam Tamburin, Jason Gonzales, Mike Reicher, Anita Wadhwani and Jessica Bliss; multimedia producer Ayrika Whitney; digital producer Karen Grigsby; photographers George Walker and Andrew Nelles; and leadership support from Executive Editor Maria De Varenne, Digital Director JJ Hensley, Planner Madalyn Hoerr and Social Media Strategist Dustin Barnes.
Buena Vista Elementary School parent Lita Salinas gives her son Michael a kiss at their home July 24, 2019, in Nashville. (Photo: George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
More: For some students, Nashville isn’t the ‘it city.’ It’s the ‘inequity city’
More: How Nashville schools are being punished for city’s explosive growth
More: In a district already facing deep divides, one Nashville school’s PTO raised $218,000, one $150
Business coverage
Selection of Reporter Brett Kelman’s writing including a pain cream scam investigation involving two Tennessee doctors who swindled the military out of $65 million and a story (co-byline: Cassandra Stephenson) about Jeffrey Young, known as the “Rock Doc,” a nurse practitioner who was indicted on charges of trading opioids for sex and fame.
Nurse practitioner Jeffrey Young smells a woman’s underwear to determine her age and attractiveness during the pilot episode of “Rock Doc TV,” a reality show about his clinic in Jackson. The Department of Health was aware of this video in 2016 but did not investigate. (Photo: Screenshot from “Rock Doc TV” pilot)
More: A Tennessee clinic swindled the military out of $65M. This is how it got caught
More: Tennessee ‘RockDoc’ a ‘sexual predator’ who should not have kept his nursing license, feds say
More: After a patient was killed by the wrong drug, Vanderbilt didn’t record fatal error in four ways
Best special issue
“Country Mile” led by Content Strategist Ben Goad with reporters Cindy Watts, Dave Paulson, Matt Leimkuehler, Storytelling Coach Marcia Prouse and Digital Producer Karen Grigsby: A special series on country music and conversations with its stars. Reporters also selected their picks for the 100 best country songs.
Photo taken on the set of the Country Mile podcast with Marty Stuart and Chris Scruggs at RCA Studio B Friday, August 9, 2019. (Photo: Alan Poizner)
More: Country Mile Episode 8: Garth Brooks and Ashley McBryde take us to songwriting school
More: What are the all-time greatest country songs? These 100 top our list
Feature photo
For Photographer Courtney Pedroza’s photo of Beth Wehmeyer holding her son at her home near Lebanon.
Beth Wehmeyer holds her son Henry Hudson for the first time after giving birth at their home Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, outside Lebanon city limits. She was still in pain while trying to deliver the placenta. (Photo: Courtney Pedroza / The Tennessean )
More: Rural Tennessee family chooses home birth for sixth child
Single Editorial
For the front-page editorial as an open letter to incoming Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Jeff Lyash to fix past TVA messes, written by Editor & VP Michael A. Anastasi on behalf of the USA TODAY Network Tennessee editors
More: An open letter to TVA’s new CEO: You need to be the leader your predecessor was not, here’s how
Editorials
For a selection of editorials written by Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas on behalf of The Tennessean Editorial Board, including one calling on the state House Republican Caucus members to oust former Speaker Glenn Casada.
Speaker of the House Glen Casada speaks with Representative Karen Camper during session in Nashville on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (Photo: Shelley Mays / The Tennessean )
More: Editorial: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee should veto backward voter registration bill | Opinion
More: Glen Casada not worthy to be Tennessee Speaker of the House | Editorial
More: Tennessee should not let $732 million sit idle while low-income families need help | Editorial
Personal Column
For Plazas on his experience reading to the Buena Vista Elementary kindergartner as a PENCIL Foundation volunteer and as part of the “Dismissed” education project.
More: How reading with a Nashville kindergartner changed and transformed me | Plazas
Other citations
Second place awards
- Best Breaking News Coverage: Yihyun Jeong, Adam Tamburin, Mariah Timms (Juvenile Justice Center Escape)
- Best Feature Photograph: Andrew Nelles (Masked fan enjoys concert at Bonnaroo)
Third place awards
Read or Share this story: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2020/09/25/tennessean-wins-major-awards-tennessee-press-association-contest/3524689001/
