New York Journalism Proves Its Worth When Pulitzers are Announced

The 2010 Pulitzer Prizes were announced yesterday, and New York's own New York Times was honored in several categories. The Times won Pulitzers in three categories: National Reporting, Explanatory Reporting, and Investigative Reporting, for a collaboration between The New York Times Magazine and Pro Publica, a non-profit journalism service. The latter was given to Sherri Fink of Pro Publica, in collaboration with The Times, for a story that detailed the decisions made by doctors cut off by the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina. Matt Richtel and members of The New York Times staff won in the National Reporting category for their work on the dangerous use of cell phones and other devices while operating cars and trucks. (In response to the articles, a number of legislators proposed bills trying to reduce distractions while driving.) For Explanatory Reporting, Michael Moss and members of The New York Times staff won for food safety issues. The Broadway rock musical “Next to Normal” won the award for Drama. The show had previously won two Tony Awards--for best Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley)--and deals with the subject of metal illness in a suburban housewife. The Pulitzer Prize awards are given each year by the President of Columbia University, on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize board. Other winners include The Seattle Times staff for Breaking News Reporting; the novel Tinkers by Paul Harding for Fiction; and Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World by Liaquat Ahamed, which won for History. Pulitzer Prize winners receive $10,000--and of course, the right to brag to their neighbors.