Tag: journalism awards

Christian Chronicle

Faithful mobilize shelters for Harvey flooding victims

‘The church was just so overwhelmingly warm and friendly,’ one evacuee says. ‘It just made me cry.’ First Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BELTON, Texas — In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, strangers became like family. Christians motivated by their love for Jesus opened their hearts — and their church buildings — to men, women and … Continue reading Faithful mobilize shelters for Harvey flooding victims

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

South Carolina church battles opioid ‘emergency’

Addicts find love, hope — and Jesus — through ministries focused on recovery and discipleship. First Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. — Opioids, meet Jesus. The drugs behind a crisis that President Donald Trump characterizes as a “national emergency” are no match for the savior of the world. That’s the … Continue reading South Carolina church battles opioid ‘emergency’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

No more ‘us and them’: At 50th anniversary of Detroit riot, churches model unity

Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Third Place, Diversity Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DETROIT — The boys — one black, one white — were 10 years old. Ive Edwards lived close to where the chaos started. Smoke filled his nostrils as arsonists set his hometown ablaze. Looters ran by his window. Army … Continue reading No more ‘us and them’: At 50th anniversary of Detroit riot, churches model unity

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Amid partisan din, Sen. James Lankford walks a fine line: Pastor and politician

Second Place, Election Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — As music plays softly and the Quail Springs Baptist Church prepares to sing “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling,” the guest speaker urges the crowd to bow and pray. “Here’s my very simple invitation,” the fill-in preacher tells the congregation. “There’s a God who loves you … Continue reading Amid partisan din, Sen. James Lankford walks a fine line: Pastor and politician

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service, USA Today

As major cities crack down on panhandling, many wrestle with their consciences

In a number of cities, the ordinances are sparking legal battles with civil liberties advocates, who accuse communities of treating the homeless as ‘human blight.’ Third Place, Government Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Driving to his downtown clothing business, Hans Herman Thun finds it impossible to ignore the beggars. They catch his … Continue reading As major cities crack down on panhandling, many wrestle with their consciences

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws

The Oklahoma Death Penalty Review Commission recommends that the moratorium on the death penalty be extended. Third Place, Criminal Justice Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Most Oklahomans believe the devil is real. State Rep. Mike Ritze thinks that’s why they overwhelmingly support capital punishment, despite highly publicized problems with lethal-injection drugs that prompted state … Continue reading Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A baptism, then a murder confession

Texas woman gave her life to Christ, owned up to a slaying — and got a life sentence. Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GATESVILLE, Texas — Lucinda Wilson might have gotten away with murder. Except that she became a Christian and confessed to her crime. Now 48, Wilson has served 20-plus years … Continue reading A baptism, then a murder confession

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, The Ross News

For third year in a row, Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press

My Christian Chronicle colleague Chellie Ison reports: CHICAGO — For the third year in a row, The Christian Chronicle has earned top honors in the “Best of the Christian Press” contest, sponsored by the Associated Church Press. The Chronicle was awarded the first-place “Award of Excellence” in the prestigious “Best in Class” category for national and international newspapers. “The Christian Chronicle is consistently well planned, written, … Continue reading For third year in a row, Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, The Ross News

Trump coverage wins first-place SPJ award for election reporting

My stories on Donald Trump and other Republican candidates campaigning in Oklahoma City last year earned a first-place award for election reporting. I received the honor in the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists’ 2017 contest. The winning package included the main story “In the GOP primaries, do politics Trump values and character?” along with a column “GOP presidential politics, professional wrestling style” and a related story “Elephant in the pews: Is the … Continue reading Trump coverage wins first-place SPJ award for election reporting

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.