1995 Finalists

Public Service

The Charlotte (NC) Observer

For examining the city's declining inner-city neighborhoods, proposing improvements and helping to organize citizens to ward off further deterioration.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

For disclosing fraudulent practices in a local election, bringing about the overturn of the election and the reform of many of the city's electoral practices.

Spot News Reporting

Staff of The New York Times

For its coverage of the city's police department as it was rocked by charges of corruption in a Harlem precinct.

Staff of Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO

For its coverage of a deadly wildfire that killed 14 firefighters, the worst disaster of its kind in Colorado's history.

Investigative Reporting

Dave Davis and Joan Mazzolini of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH

For their series of stories exposing abuses by Ohio doctors and hospitals, which resulted in significant reforms in the state's regulatory system.

Keith A. Harriston and Mary Pat Flaherty of The Washington Post

For a series of articles that disclosed careless hiring, training and disciplinary procedures within the District of Columbia police department

Explanatory Journalism

Ron Suskind of The Wall Street Journal

For his stories about inner-city honor students in Washington, D.C. and their determination to survive and prosper.

Staff of Montgomery (AL) Advertiser

For its probe of questionable management practices and self-interest at the Southern Poverty Law Center, the nation's best-endowed civil rights charity.

Beat Reporting

Michael J. Berens of The Columbus (OH) Dispatch

For a series revealing inequities in the county municipal court system, including the widespread jailing of individuals too poor to pay fines for minor offenses and the release of other, more serious offenders who were able to pay.

Tom Hallman Jr. of The Oregonian, Portland, OR

For the series "Extreme Indifference," on the prosecution of a drunken driver convicted of killing four pedestrians, and for his reporting on public safety.

Jason DeParle of The New York Times

For Washington D.C. welfare and social policy coverage that focused on the condition of the poor and Federal Government actions affecting them.

National Reporting

David Shribman of The Boston Globe

For his analytical reporting on Washington developments and the national scene.

David Zucchino, Stephen Seplow and John Woestendiek of The Philadelphia Inquirer

For their stories about the origins and impact of violence in America.

International Reporting

Barbara Demick of The Philadelphia Inquirer

For her reporting from Sarajevo, in which she describes the effects of war on a neighborhood.

Lewis M. Simons and Michael Zielenziger of The Mercury News, San Jose, CA

For their series of stories on the growing economic and political influence of overseas Chinese on Asia.

Feature Writing

David Finkel of The Washington Post

For his story examining middle class flight from the District of Columbia, and for two profiles: of a family that watches television 17 hours a day, and of a Rush Limbaugh fan.

Anne V. Hull of The St. Petersburg (FL) Times

For her account of a local businessman's secret life of drug addiction and consorting with prostitutes.

Fen Montaigne of The Philadelphia Inquirer

For stories about people who enjoy the outdoors, especially those with a passion for fishing.

Commentary

Paul Gigot of The Wall Street Journal

For his insightful columns on Washington politics.

Carl T. Rowan of Chicago Sun-Times

For his columns disclosing corruption and mismanagement at the NAACP, which prompted reforms at the civil rights organization.

Criticism

Stephen Hunter of The Baltimore Sun

For his film criticism.

Dorothy Rabinowitz of The Wall Street Journal

For her writing about television.

Editorial Writing

Bailey Thomson, Carol McPhail and David Thomasson of Mobile (AL) Press Register

For their series of editorials advocating the revision of Alabama's 1901 constitution.

Editorial Staff of The Des Moines (Iowa) Register

For its elegantly written series, "What's Right About Iowa?"

Editorial Cartooning

Robert L. Arail of The State, Columbia, SC

Jim Borgman of The Cincinnati Enquirer

Spot News Photography

Denis Farrell of Associated Press

For his aerial-view photograph of hundreds of South Africans lined up to vote in the country's first all-race elections.

David Leeson of The Dallas Morning News

For his photograph of a Texas family moving through chest-high flood waters, a group he ultimately led to safety.

Feature Photography

Carl Bower, a free-lance photographer of Newhouse News Service

For his series of photographs, published by Newhouse News Service, of a woman's fight against breast cancer.

Staff of Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram

For its collection of life-affirming images, drawn from the daily activities of local residents.