Today, we continue our “People Behind the Pulitzer” interview series with Tamsin McMahon, Lookout’s managing editor. Despite being on staff for only three months before the storms hit, Tamsin led the team through the surge and then painstakingly assembled the work for Pulitzer consideration.
When addressing Lookout members and partners during our Pulitzer Prize celebration in May, Tamsin shared a few reasons why she believed our coverage was worthy of the honor. She highlighted the incredible efforts of the entire Lookout team during the storms, especially the powerful images captured by photojournalist Kevin Painchaud. Tamsin also noted the overwhelmingly positive response from the community, with many members reaching out to express that our work provided critical information, timely guidance, and comfort during a frightening time.
The newsroom’s “air traffic control” captain during the winter storms, Tamsin shares how Lookout’s win fits into the greater landscape of small, community newspapers.
“Wow, I mean, when I heard we won a Pulitzer, it was overwhelming. I missed the call. And I I pulled up my phone to look at the voicemail and it had transcribed the voicemail and all I saw was the word Pulitzer and I just started screaming in the house.”
Reflecting on the Pulitzer Prize, she says:
“It’s just it’s so gratifying for our work, because it was so unrelenting. Everyone was giving it their all, we were all exhausted. I think at the moment you don’t really realize the importance of the work you’re doing because you’re just in it. So it really took this prize to realize just how much we accomplished and what it means to the community and then also what it means to local journalism all around the country, and what a small team can accomplish, so it’s incredibly gratifying.”
Watch Tamsin’s full interview here.
At Lookout Santa Cruz, we believe in the power of local journalism. Our members make this work possible so we are there through the day, every day covering what matters most.
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