The unexpected news of Lindsey Graham’s death broke in the middle of the night, but reporter Seung Min Kim and editor Chris Megerian happened to be awake. Working with the international desk, the pair rushed to publish and then arrange a comprehensive coverage plan for the following day, putting the AP at a competitive advantage by the time the sun rose.
Reporter Will Weissert explored Graham’s complicated relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, and Nicolas Riccardi wrote a sweeping obituary. Their focus then shifted to the international stage, with Weissert collaborating with Ukraine correspondent Samya Kullab for a story on the view from Ukraine, where Graham was influential, and Riccardi teaming up with Berlin reporter Geir Moulson for a look at Graham’s foreign policy legacy. Throughout, reporters Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro kept the main story humming, Dustin Weaver and Balint Szlanko were on hand to edit, and Meg Kinnard worked her sources in South Carolina and put together another story on the next steps for replacing Graham.
Meanwhile, video journalist Erik Verduzco scrambled to South Carolina to talk to voters about Graham’s death, ensuing that AP’s coverage had a strong visual component while including voices from the communities that Graham represented.
The strong and extensive coverage drew a massive audience to APNews, and Kinnard’s frequent appearances on U.S. broadcast networks to discuss developments cemented AP’s authority on the story.
The judges noted the speed, breadth, and expertise demonstrated in the coverage.
For an exceptional response to breaking news, Kim, Megerian, Kinnard, Jalonick, Riccardi, Weissert, Verduzco, Mascaro, Moulson, Kullab, Weaver and Szlanko win this week’s Best of the AP — Second Winner.
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