The 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners have recently been announced. The Prize celebrates excellence in American journalism, literature, and the arts. Governed by Columbia University, these awards are considered a pinnacle of achievement in their respective fields.

The New York Times and The Washington Post each received three prizes on Monday for their exceptional work in 2023. These awards recognized their coverage of significant events, such as the conflict in Gaza and gun violence. The Associated Press won the feature photography category.

Recognizing Outstanding Works in Journalism

Among the notable achievements, Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 and its aftermath led to two prizes and a special citation. The New York Times received an award for its comprehensive text coverage, described by the Pulitzer board as 'wide-ranging and revelatory.' The Reuters news service was recognized for its exceptional photography that captured events. A special citation was awarded to journalists and other writers covering the war in Gaza.

The prestigious public service award was granted to ProPublica for their investigative reporting that exposed secrecy around the U.S. Supreme Court. The reporting revealed how billionaires gifted expensive presents to justices and funded luxurious travel. Reporters Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski, and Kirsten Berg were honored for their outstanding work.

The Associated Press won the feature photography category with its entry, which comprised 15 photos taken across Latin America and along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and California. These captivating images documented the migrant journey during a significant year for immigration globally. AP staff members and freelance photographers took the photos, highlighting the emotional and intense moments of migrants' perilous travels.

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Despite the recent controversies, The New York Times received awards for its investigative reporting and feature writing. Hannah Dreier won a Pulitzer Prize for her investigation regarding migrant child labor in the U.S., while contributing writer Katie Engelhart earned the newspaper's third Pulitzer for her moving portrayal of a family dealing with a matriarch's dementia. Joe Kahn, the Times' executive editor, commended the winners and finalists for their dedication to uncovering important stories across various genres of journalism.

Lookout Santa Cruz, Calif., was awarded for breaking news reporting for their sustained coverage of catastrophic flooding and mudslides.

Prize Winners in Books and Poetry

In the books category, Nathan Thrall received the general nonfiction prize for his work "A Day In The Life Of Abed Salama," delving into the experiences of a Palestinian father in Jerusalem coping with the loss of his 5-year-old son. Thrall aimed to evoke empathy for Jews and Palestinians living in the region. The fiction prize went to Jayne Anne Phillips' novel "Night Watch," depicting the struggles of a girl and her mother in an asylum in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Brandon Som's "Tripas: Poems" bagged the Prize in the poetry category. Som's collection of poems draws inspiration from his diverse upbringing in a multicultural and multigenerational household. The Pulitzer committee commended "Tripas" for its deep exploration of the poet's dual Mexican and Chinese heritage, emphasizing the dignity of his family's work and fostering a sense of community rather than discord.

The Pulitzers acknowledged excellence in journalism across 15 categories and eight arts categories, focusing on books, music, and theater. The recipient of the public service award received a gold medal, while all other winners received $15,000.

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