LA Weekly Staff Takes Home Multiple Awards At SoCal Journalism Awards

Following acquiring many nominations, the L.A. Weekly staff introduced property a full of 7 awards, which include 4 initial location awards and Journalist of the Year, through the 64th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards on Saturday, June 25.

LA Weekly news reporter Isai Rocha took dwelling the second-maximum award of the evening with “Journalist of the Year” in the underneath 50,000 circulation category. The judges commented that Rocha “delivered the goods” in his reporting on quite a few vital problems, together with homelessness in Los Angeles.

“Whether discovering troubles of variety, pandemic inequities, or homelessness, Rocha delivers the merchandise by placing into sharp reduction circumstances and difficulties several – which include metropolis officers and politicians – would somewhat dismiss or maintain in the darkish. His get the job done is commendable and deserving of recognition by the two the general public and his peers.”

In addition to getting named Journalist of the Calendar year, Rocha also acquired very first location for “Hard News Story” for reporting on a stabbing in the course of an anti-vaccination rally close to Los Angeles Town Corridor last summertime. The judges added that Rocha did an “excellent job” reporting and acquiring rates from both equally sides of the violence.

“Well-composed and included all the bases for a breaking news tale. Outstanding career of gathering details but also having the quotes from protagonists that told the tale in human conditions and dramatized the polarization driving some people to violence about a community health challenge,” the judges commented.

Also nominated for the Journalist of the Year class was fellow L.A. Weekly culture and leisure editor Lina Lecaro. In 2021, Lecaro acquired a initially put finish in the “Feature Profile” group, for a piece on legendary filmmaker Spike Lee’s daily life, films and current social challenges. Lecaro also finished 2nd in the “Journalist of the Year” group for print publications less than 50,000 in circulation.

This yr, Lecaro claimed 3rd spot for her characteristic on Licorice Pizza and an more third-spot recognition for her attribute on actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

A further 3rd location acquire for LA Weekly staff members noticed Arts Editor Shana Nys Dambrot identified for her piece titled “Tiffany Alfonesca at the Miscalculation Space,” revealed at Artillery Mag. 

New music editor Brett Callwood also assisted anchor more initial-spot achievements for the alt-weekly. This year, Callwood was regarded as the top rated on-line columnist, with the judges emphasizing the considerate and expertly written solution of Callwood’s work with his “Basslines and Protest Signs” column for idobi Radio.

Callwood also took household very first put for his LA Weekly function titled, “Can Our Stages Be Saved,” in the “Entertainment Information or Feature” class.

Focusing on the songs sector all through and put up-pandemic, Callwood investigated the battle of thousands of location workers, bartenders and other gurus influenced by the stoppage – and seemingly slow commence of the return to the stage.

For this, the judges regarded the truth that this group had been marginalized, and probably “overlooked.”

“This story was a fantastic illustration of a group of folks who have struggled as a result of the pandemic – and proceed to battle, even as the pandemic is seemingly ending,” in accordance to the judges. “While the author thinks the mentioning of this topic is regarded as frivolous to talk about, the entertainment industry employs 1000’s of individuals and generally they (like eating places, bars, some others) ended up overlooked.”