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3 SMEDIAS 08 Judge List
BUT MAINP SM08

Newspaper of the year - Eoin McVey, The Irish Times

Editor of the year - John Walsh, The Irish Independent

Layout and design of the year - Phill Mason, The Star

Journalist of the year - Tim Vaughen, The Examiner

Peoples choice - The wonderful Oxygen.ie members!!

Sports writer of the year - Michael Scully, The Mirror

Journalist of the year (National press) - Damien Lane, The Sun

Features writer of the year (Arts and popular culture) - tbc

Features writer of the year (News and politics) - Catherine McLaughlin, The News of the World

Features writer of the year (Education) - Panel of HEA experts

Colour writer of the year - Billy Scanlon, The Star

Travel writer of the year - Colm Hanratty, Hostel World

Magazine of the year - Michael Doherty, RTE Guide

Society publication of the year - Fionnuala O'Leary, Evening Herald

Small college publication - Fionnuala O Leary, Herald AM

Film script of the year - Andrew Meehan, Irish Film Board

Short film of the year - Louise Hergarty, 98 FM

TV production of the year - Samantha Libreri, RTE

TV Journalist of the year - Joe Walsh, TV3

Léiriúcháin Teilifíse i nGaeilge Drámaíocht - Michael O Meallaigh, TG4

Léiriúcháin Teilifíse i nGaeilge - Faisnéis - Miriam Ni Neill, Udaras na Gaeltachta

Radio Production of the year (Arts/Features) - Peter Vamos, Phantom 105.2

Radio Production of the year (News) - Louise Hergarty, 98 FM

Website of the year - Katriona O'Leary, 3

Web Designer of the year - Oxygen.ie

Short Story of the year - Melissa Hill, Author and Galaxy Popular Fiction Nominee

Photographer of the year - Mark Condron, Sunday Tribune

News photographer of the year - Don Mullan, Nokia

Sports photographer of the year - Matt Browne, PPAI Winner 2006 (Sports)

Headline Award for journalism relating to suicide prevention and mental health awareness - Carl O'Brien, The Irish Times

 

Win an iPad, iPhone or free Pizza!

The generous people at Apache Pizza are giving away 5 ipads, 10 iPhones and 500 large pizzas. All you have to do is complete a 1 minute survey on... Pizza!

 Linking to http://www.apache.ie/onlinesurvey

Spanner Pics

Honest movie trailer

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Joke of the Day

What’s got 99 balls and makes women sweat? Bingo
(Ajay H)

Spanner TV

Donkey hits some high notes...

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Miami named most miserable U.S. city

(Reuters) - Warm sun, white beaches, and million-dollar mansions notwithstanding, Miami has captured the dubious distinction of being the most miserable city in the United States, according to a new poll.

The playground of the rich and famous is home to a crippling housing crisis, one of the highest crime rates in the country, and lengthy daily commutes for workers, all of which have propelled it to the No. 1 position in the Forbes.com list.

"Miami has sun and beautiful weather but other things make people miserable. You have this two-tier society: glitzy South Beach attracts celebrities, but the income inequality has skyrocketed in recent years," explained Forbes Senior Editor Kurt Badenhausen.

The rankings are based on factors including jobless rates, violent crime, foreclosures, income and property taxes, as well as considerations like weather, commute time and political corruption.

Reeling for decades from the decline of the U.S. auto industry, Michigan's troubled duo of Detroit and Flint registered at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, among the most miserable cities.

"Detroit and Flint are struggling," said Badenhausen. "Violent crime is highest in the country in Detroit; housing prices are down 55 percent. Detroit is closing schools and laying off policemen. In recent years they have been demolishing houses to change their city landscapes"

West Palm Beach, Florida and Sacramento, California rounded out the top five cities.

"We're trying to judge cities where residents have a lot of complaints. It doesn't mean that there aren't terrific things there," he said.

And for the haves Miami's charms remain undiminished.

"The one percent in Miami is doing fantastic. But for the vast majority, who make less than $75,000 (a year), Miami can be a challenging place," he said. "Forty-seven percent of homeowners sit on underwater mortgages. That's tough."