For a distinguished example of local reporting of breaking news, Five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Awarded to The Denver Post Staff for its clear and balanced coverage of the student massacre at Columbine High School.

Columbia University President George Rupp (right) presents Pete Chronis, of The Denver Post, with The 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: The Staff of The Oregonian, Portland, for its comprehensive coverage of an environmental disaster created when a cargo ship carrying heavy fuels ran aground and broke apart, and how fumbling efforts of official agencies failed to contain the far-reaching damage, and The Raleigh (NC) News & Observer Staff for its comprehensive coverage of the destruction in the state caused by Hurricane Floyd.