Arizona Capitol Times reporter Phil Riske has earned a first place for “Best Health Story” for an article on Prop. 203.

“Smoke And Cancers: Medical Marijuana Ballot Initiative: Is It Policy Or Veiled Effort To Legalize Drugs?” published Oct. 25, 2002, won accolades from the National Newspaper Association in the non-daily division, circulation under 6,000. Winners were announced last month. Judges’ comments about the story included “nice job of representing all sides of the story. The reader has a good understanding of a complicated issue after reading this.”

Mr. Riske covers the Senate, water and health issues for the newspaper.

The newspaper also received a first place for “Best Newspaper Promotion” for the flier “About Our Readers,” which details the newspaper’s purpose and its readership. The flier was created by the Arizona Capitol Times marketing and production staff using information culled from Behavior Research Center, Inc.

Newswriting Excellence Honor

The National Newspaper Association (NNA) was founded in 1885. It is a not-for-profit trade association and its mission is to protect, promote and enhance America’s community newspapers. It has 3,200 members, making it the largest newspaper association in the U.S.

In other award news, the editorial staff at Arizona Capitol Times received a third place for “Newswriting Excellence” in the non-daily category from the Arizona Newspaper Association. Judges for the contest called the newspaper “a good read” and “well designed.” Another judge said the weekly, which covers the Legislature and public policy issues, was “technical in some respects, but didn’t talk over my head.”

The Capitol Times editorial staff includes Mr. Riske, Grant Smith, Daniel Burnette, Don Harris and Mel Israel. Karen Fullenwider is the managing editor. Ned Creighton is the editor and publisher. —