WARWICK – In competition with writers representing nearly every Rhode Island daily, weekly and monthly newspaper and magazine, Rhode Island Catholic reporter Emily Donohue won second place for “short feature” reporting Friday night at the annual Rhode Island Press Association awards banquet at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick.
Journalists representing 29 publications entered a total of 560 articles in various categories. Judging was done by members of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. Donohue’s article, “St. Brendan’s honors fallen firefighter,” ran on page one in the July 26 edition of Rhode Island Catholic.
“Meaningful story,” commented the judges. “Nice quote from the son. A heartfelt way to remember the fallen firefighter.”
Earlier this year, the Rhode Island Catholic was also honored by a critique from the American Press Institute, judging on behalf of the New England Press Association, in the category General Excellence. API judges, comparing current editions with the former Providence Visitor, wrote, “The Rhode Island Catholic is light years better than its predecessor. It is still obviously a church-affiliated newspaper, but it has a professional look and feel and it looks inviting and readable. There are attractive navigational aids on page one...the news is well-organized and labeled inside.”
Referring to stories on human trafficking by Assistant Editor Brian Lowney, the judges commented, “Congratulations on tackling a serious issue with a three-part series. That’s impressive.”
The first edition of Rhode Island Catholic premiered last May 31. It has the second-largest paid circulation in the state – second only to The Providence Journal – with a subscriber list of more than 30,000 families.
