Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Wins 2010 Pulitzer Prize

Local News Reporter Raquel Rutledge of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has received a 2010 Pulitzer Prize in the category of Local Reporting for "Cashing in on Kids” an exposé on fraud in Wisconsin’s child care subsidy system. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is published by Journal Sentinel Inc., a Journal Communications’ (NYSE:JRN) company.

Reporter Dan Egan, also of the Journal Sentinel staff, was named a finalist in the category of explanatory reporting for his path-breaking coverage of how invasive aquatic creatures have disrupted the ecosystem of the Great Lakes and other bodies of water.

This is the second Pulitzer Prize awarded in just three years to a member of the staff of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In 2008, Dave Umhoefer received the award for his investigation into the Milwaukee County pension system. It is the seventh Pulitzer overall in the company’s long history. In 2009, the newspaper’s series, "Chemical Fallout” was honored as a finalist in the category of investigative reporting. The Pulitzer is widely considered the most prestigious award in American journalism.

Journal Sentinel Editor Martin Kaiser commented, "This national recognition for the most important prize in journalism shows our commitment to our local community and our readers."

"Our highest calling as a regional newspaper is to serve as the ‘watchdog’ for our readers. We’re here to protect their safety, their interests and their tax dollars,” said Elizabeth (Betsy) Brenner, publisher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and president and chief operating officer of Journal Communications’ publishing group. "Raquel’s work in ‘Cashing in on Kids’ was an exceptional example of how great journalism protects our communities every day. We are so grateful to the Pulitzer Board for recognizing The Journal Sentinel’s local commitment once again.”

Rutledge exposed poor oversight of the state’s taxpayer-subsidized child care system and resulting fraud and other criminal activity. Her stories led to criminal indictments and legislation aimed at eliminating fraud and keeping criminals out of the day care business.

Rutledge, 42, is a Shorewood, WI, native and a member of the Journal Sentinel’s watchdog team. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Rutledge joined the Journal Sentinel staff in 2004 from the Colorado Springs Gazette, where she spent nearly seven years covering education, the military and city hall. In 2010, Rutledge also received the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative reporting, the Worth Bingham Prize for Investigative Journalism and a George Polk Award.

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Journal Sentinel Inc. publishes the flagship Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper as well as a range of other print and electronic products, primarily serving southeast Wisconsin people and businesses. Journal Sentinel is committed to producing a newspaper that reflects the ever-changing world and fulfills the needs of readers and advertisers both in print and online.

About Journal Communications

Journal Communications, Inc., headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was founded in 1882. We are a diversified media company with operations in publishing, radio and television broadcasting, interactive media and printing services. We publish the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which serves as the only major daily newspaper for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, and several community newspapers and shoppers in Wisconsin and Florida. We own and operate 33 radio stations and 13 television stations in 12 states and operate an additional television station under a local marketing agreement. Our interactive media assets build on our strong publishing and broadcasting brands. We also provide a wide range of commercial printing services – including printing of publications, professional journals and documentation material.

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