Sticky post

Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with Supple Award for Feature Writing

The Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting showcase outstanding journalism across all media. From The Christian Chronicle: PITTSBURGH — Bobby Ross Jr., editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle, received the nation’s top award for religion feature writing at a ceremony Saturday night at the Andy Warhol Museum. The Religion News Association presented Ross with the Supple Award for Feature Writing during its 75th anniversary convention in Pittsburgh. Jodi Rudoren, editor-in-chief of The Forward, a leading … Continue reading Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with Supple Award for Feature Writing

Sticky post

From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023

By Bobby Ross Jr. I love what I do. I get paid to travel and tell interesting stories. 2023 marked my 34th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream. This year, I was blessed to report from a dozen states and four countries, including Cuba and Mexico. My stories from Australia and Vanuatu will publish early next year. Related: … Continue reading From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023

Bobby Ross Jr. honored with Religion News Association’s top award for news analysis

By Bobby Ross Jr. The Religion News Association presented its 2023 Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting during a ceremony tonight at Columbia Journalism School in New York City. I was honored to receive first place for Excellence in Religion News Analysis for stories I wrote last year for The Associated Press. This is a category won in previous years by The Washington Post, The … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. honored with Religion News Association’s top award for news analysis

Sticky post

Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eight awards

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I’ve been blessed to receive a number of awards from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists over the last 30 years. In 2021, I was surprised to win the first-place prize for best reporter. This week, I earned eight awards in the 2023 contest, for content published last year: • First place for outstanding profile: “Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president” … Continue reading Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eight awards

Father-and-son winners: Great Plains Journalism Awards presented

By Bobby Ross Jr. The Great Plains Journalism Awards, an eight-state regional honor presented by the Tulsa Press Club, were announced today. I was excited to win in the News Reporting (Outside the Region) category for my Associated Press story on churches rebuilding after a massive tornado struck Mayfield, Kentucky. The judges said of my story: “Deeply reported, very well-written, full of great voices and … Continue reading Father-and-son winners: Great Plains Journalism Awards presented

$50M shrine to honor slain priest, first US Catholic martyr

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — The birth of Stanley Francis Rother was by all accounts ordinary, aside from the weather. The Catholic farm boy came into the world during an Oklahoma dust storm. But in life — and in death — he was extraordinary. The 46-year-old priest, shot to death in Guatemala in 1981, became the first person born in … Continue reading $50M shrine to honor slain priest, first US Catholic martyr

A year later, Texas synagogue hostages cope, carry on

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press COLLEYVILLE, Texas — A year ago, Jeff Cohen and three others survived a hostage standoff at their Reform Jewish synagogue in this Fort Worth suburb. Their trauma did not disappear, though, with the FBI’s killing of the pistol-wielding captor, 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram. Healing from the Jan. 15, 2022, ordeal remains an ongoing process. “Let’s be blunt: … Continue reading A year later, Texas synagogue hostages cope, carry on

Year in review: My Top 10 stories of 2022

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I’m a journalist, so I have no choice but to do a year-end list, right? When I look back on 2022, a few special moments stand out. Crying happy tears as my son Keaton married Paige, the love of his life. Joining my granddaughter, Norah, at her first Texas Rangers game — a big deal in our family. … Continue reading Year in review: My Top 10 stories of 2022

Bison’s relocation to Native lands revives a spiritual bond

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press BULL HOLLOW, Okla. — Ryan Mackey quietly sang a sacred Cherokee verse as he pulled a handful of tobacco out of a zip-close bag. Reaching over a barbed wire fence, he scattered the leaves onto the pasture where a growing herd of bison — popularly known as American buffalo — grazed in northeastern Oklahoma. The offering represented a reverent act of thanksgiving, … Continue reading Bison’s relocation to Native lands revives a spiritual bond