Berkeley Scanner a finalist for 5 California Journalism Awards

The Berkeley Scanner is a finalist for five California Journalism Awards, with the winners to be announced at a gala in Los Angeles in July.

"These finalists have been selected by our esteemed panel of judges, who carefully evaluated numerous entries based on criteria such as excellence in writing, reporting, visual storytelling, editing, design, and innovation," said the California News Publishers Association. "Their outstanding work has earned them the distinction of being recognized as the best of the best in their respective fields."

The Scanner falls into Division 7, which includes news outlets with fewer than three full-time staffers. It's the smallest division in the contest.

Three of the five award categories focus on news coverage.

• BREAKING NEWS: "After Toyota shooting in Albany, suspect and woman dead"
• PROFILE STORY: "A year after brothers' deaths at party, their mother asks: 'Why?'"
• COVERAGE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: "Oakland crime reached a fever pitch in 2023"

The judges recognized five finalists in each of these categories.

Other Division 7 finalists across these three coverage areas include Mission Local, Capital & Main, Half Moon Bay Review, Sonoma County Gazette, Santa Clara Weekly, The Pajaronian, Claremont Courier, Fresnoland and The Ark, which is based in Tiburon.

After Toyota shooting in Albany, suspect and woman dead

Witnesses at the scene said the man delivered coffee to the woman Thursday morning and then returned to the business and killed her.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Remembering Angel and Jazy: ‘Why my two boys?’ mother asks

She said she hopes the community will help support a scholarship fund that was created by BHS classmates to honor the boys.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Rising Oakland crime draws fervent pleas for city action

Violence against women was a recurrent theme throughout the night: “Women are being assaulted. Let’s not sugarcoat this,” one woman said.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Critics, fans of DA Pamela Price clash at Oakland crime meeting

Thursday night’s public safety meeting with DA Pamela Price showed a divide in the community but also common ground.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Oakland crime concerns prompt community rally, church forum

Officials spoke candidly Saturday about the need to address lawless behavior in the city.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

The Scanner is also a finalist for the Sustainability Award, which recognizes innovation and excellence "in developing new lines of revenue or other financial support that help ensure the viability of a newsroom."

Just three finalists were named across all divisions, regardless of size.

In addition to The Berkeley Scanner, they are The Press Democrat and The Sacramento Bee.

The Scanner is also a finalist for its online story presentation, in terms of layout and design.

The Berkeley Scanner website was built using Ghost's Headline theme, with customization by members of the team behind The Browser.

Five online page design finalists were named in the division, also regardless of size.

The others were Coachella Valley Independent, EdSource, The Press Democrat and The San Francisco Standard.

Read more about the California Journalism Awards on the California News Publishers Association website.