Story on stadium experiences for the deaf wins 1st in California Journalism Awards

Reporter Ben Hensley was a first-place winner in the 2023 California Journalism Awards for his story about a Fresno native’s technology that promises to change the stadium sports experience for the those with hearing loss.

The annual awards program is hosted by the California News Publishers Association . The Business Journal competes in Division 6, with weekly newspapers across the state with a print circulation of 4,301-11,000.

Hensley’s award is in the category of Writing. The piece tells the story of Ethan Castro , a hearing-impaired Fresno State grad whose company, Edge Sound Research, developed a system with chairs to be used at stadium lounges that allows deaf people to experience the game through vibrations. The technology debuted on opening day 2022 with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

“The reporter writes about his subject’s accomplishments, priorities and interests alike with a frankness, respect, precision and humor that are welcome (and too rare!) in reporting about people whose disabilities inform their work,” according to one judge’s comment about the story. “He also writes in refreshingly accessible lay language about what could be difficult-to-describe aspects of sound and hearing.”

The Business Journal also took third place in the General Excellence category, with one judge commenting on the print edition’s appeal to business owners as well as consumers.

“The Business Journal has a split personality that works just fine,” according to the judge. “Its data packages aim at businesses. Executive profiles and leads aim at consumers as well as businesses. The leads compilations uses Google images to show where change is coming. Smart thinking. Pickleball peril combines business with pleasure from a doctors’ point of view and includes tips on readying your body to play. Another great idea.”

Another third-place award came in the Print Special Section category for “Made in the Central Valley,” The Business Journal’s annual manufacturing-focused supplement.

Reporter Frank Lopez took fourth place in the Coverage of Business and the Economy category for his story about the Heartland Compass program that gives employers ways to help their employees through life’s challenges.

“Humane take about one avenue toward enlightened boss/worker relations. Inviting and conversational lead draws readers in,” according to a judge. “Clever art; solid story.”

The Business Journal also took fifth place in the Print Special Section Cover and Home Page Layout & Design categories.

Other local news organizations won California Journalism Awards honors.

Fresnoland won several awards. Reporter Gregory Weaver won first in Transportation Reporting for his story about highway expansion in America’s most polluted city. Weaver also won first in Agricultural Reporting for his story about the legal conflict between the Assemi and Resnick families. Fresnoland also won first in Enterprise News Story or Series for its coverage of agencies’ response to flooding in the South Valley.

The Fresno Bee also won several awards , including first place for Investigative Reporting and Coverage of Local Government.

SJV Water won first in Video Journalism for its series “Rooted in the Valley” featuring profiles of small farmers.

GV Wire reporter Edward Smith won second in the Coverage of Local Government category for his stories about the Reedley biolab. David Taub won third in In-Depth Reporting for his coverage of the unraveling of Bitwise. Nancy Price of GV Wire also won third in Coverage of Business and the Economy for her story “Power Politics: The California Public Utilities Commission.”

The Hanford Sentinel took second in the Enterprise News Story or Series category for Parker Bowman and Jesse Stone’s coverage of Tulare Lake.

The Sun-Gazette in Tulare County won fourth in Public Service Journalism for Karis Caddell’s story headlined, “Terra Bella community stands against unwell mental health facility.”

Visalia Times-Delta won fourth in the Coverage of Youth and Education for its Character Counts Week feature by Meade Trueworthy.

Valley Voice won fourth in Labor Reporting for the story, “Hanford man leaves employees, vendors hungry for pay.”