Daniel Heimpel (pictured), a 2007 M.A. Print Journalism graduate, recently won a first-place LA Press Club award in the political coverage category for his work at LA Weekly.
"Mr. Heimpel’s thoughtful columns dare to challenge political correctness and the status quo, making him an essential voice in Southern California’s political scene," the LA Press Club judges said.
When asked what drives him to cover politics, Heimpel gave credit to his editor, Jill Stewart.
"But moreover City Hall is rife with in-your-face blunders and an overt disregard of Angelinos," he said. "What I have had the luck to write about is a local government that has consolidated power. Now that the power is consolidated, the leading politicians of our city — with the mayor at the helm — are running roughshod over the wishes of the citizens. Happily, hubris breeds dissent, and Angelinos fired up by the November 2008 elections are demanding a new level of city hall scrutiny, making it a great time to be a scrutinizer of City Hall."
Journalism professor Judy Muller's report on gold prospecting in California on SoCal Connected story was awarded a second place honor in the TV feature category. Communication professor Robert Scheer won third place in the online journalist category for his work at Truthdig.com. Adjunct journalism professor Bill Boyarsky earned second place in the online column/commentary/criticism category for "The End of an Institution" in Truthdig and an honorable mention award in the political coverage category for his 2008 campaign coverage.
