The BJ won 6 first place honors in the annual Ohio Society of Professional Journalists judging.

Coming out on top were:

• Reporter Betty Lin-Fisher for consumer reporting.

• Reporter Doug Livingston for children’s issues reporting on Ohio’s graduation requirements.

• Sports writer Marla Ridenour for sports reporting.

• Reporter Amanda Garrett for business profile about a restaurant opened by the father whose son died of a heroin overdose.

• Copy editor Mark J. Price best headline writing.

• Reporter Malcolm X Abram for rock 'n' roll feature writing on Akron rock band Red Sun Rising.

 

Second-place went to:

• Photographer Phil Masturzo for photographers in Ohio.

• Reporter Clint O’Connor for arts profile on Copley native and actress Carrie Coon.

• Editorial Page Editor Michael Douglas for editorial campaign on payday lending and another for problems in the changing economy.