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Matthew Leonard Published 2:24 p.m. ET June 4, 2017 | Updated 11 hours ago

Mt. Hope Cemetery has a different type of underground tunnel, made by nuisance wildlife, groundhogs. David Andreatta and Tina MacIntyre-Yee

(Right,) USA TODAY Albany bureau chief Joe Spector and (left) correspondent Jon Campbell with their NYSAPA awards for Investigative Reporting awarded in Saratoga Springs on June 3. Spector won 1st place, Campbell won 3rd.(Photo: Karen Magnuson/ executive editor and vice president/news)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. The Democrat and Chronicle has been awarded a major New York First Amendment award; an acknowledgment of its vigilant efforts to defend the public's right to know, and to pursue legal options where necessary.

Thataccolade was one of the dozen awards that Democrat and Chronicle and its Albany bureau staff took away from theNew York State Associated Press Association's contest for stories broadcast, printed or posted online in 2016, announced Saturday night at the organization's annual banquet in Saratoga Springs.

The Democrat and Chronicle's nomination for the First Amendment Award (Newspapers) was built around its efforts to gain access to public records including a sealed complaint made against the late Assemblyman Bill Nojay and for efforts to gain access to records from the SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

The First Amendment award also acknowledges the dogged persistence of Albany Bureau correspondent Jon Campbell whose reporting resulted in media and public access to two semi-public boards overseeing the spending by SUNY Poly.

"The Democrat & Chronicle is fighting the Freedom of Information battle on many fronts," the judging panel commented. "Among the many initiatives the paper is engaged in, we were specifically impressed with the newsrooms efforts to open up semi-public board meetings. This is becoming a growing issue for many newsrooms."

The organization'sstaff also took first place in the categories of Spot News Coverage, for team reporting on the death by suicide of AssemblymanBill Nojay, two awards in the Investigative Reporting category including first place for "Why NY's School-Aid Formula is Flunking" byUSA TODAY Albany Bureau chief Joe Spector, and first place for columnist, going to David Andreatta.

The awards also recognized excellence in Business andArts/Entertainment journalism as well as the work of photography and digital staff.

"While we are excited about being recognized in several categories of coverage, the First Amendment Award is very special to our entire newsroom." said the Democrat and Chronicle's Executive Editor and Vice President/News Karen Magnuson.

"Our highest priority is being a watchdog for the community.We thank our president, Dan Norselli, for his support in going to court when necessary to gain access to information the public has a right to know.Im honored to work with journalists who wont take no for an answer and relentlessly dig for the truth. Rest assured, well continue to fight the good fight and hold public officials accountable, no matter what challenges we face!" Magnuson said Sunday.

The full list of award winners includes:

Spot News Coverage: 1, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "Assemblyman Commits Suicide."

Investigative Reporting: 1, Joe Spector, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "Why NY's School-Aid Formula is Flunking"; 3, Jon Campbell, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "The Cost of I Love NY."

Depth/Enterprise Reporting: 2, Patti Singer, Sean Lahman and Max Schulte, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "Nursing Homes: Error After Error";

Column: 1, David Andreatta, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle;

Business Writing: 2, Brian Sharp, (Rochester) I, "Silicon Valley of Food;"

Arts/Entertainment Reporting: 2, Jeff Spevak, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "WOW Factor the Wendy O. Williams We Didn't Know"

Digital Presence: 2, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle.

Feature Photo: 2, Tina MacIntyre-Yee, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "Jumping Through Fire."

Sports Photo: 3, Jamie Germano, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "Off with the Helmet."

Video: 3, Tina MacIntyre-Yee and David Andreatta, (Rochester) Democrat and Chronicle, "Groundhogs Make Mt. Hope Cemetery Holey Ground."

Other USA TODAY properties across New York also wonother major categories.

THE PHOTO: Senior Pastor John Morgan of Faith on Fire Fellowship told the crowd before he jumped through a wall of fire on his bicycle that it symbolizes a person's launch in life, the gap between ramps was the highs and lows in life and the wall of fire, the end of life. The breaking through the wall, he said, is giving your life to Jesus Christ. FROM TINA: Pretty cool to see and capture this. It happened so fast. They lit the wall and floor then after the flames got really big he was through it. It must have happened in literally less than a minute.(Photo: TINA MACINTYRE-YEE/@tyee23/staff photographer)

@mleonardmedia

This story includes reporting by the Associated Press.

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'Democrat and Chronicle' wins major First Amendment Award and other AP journalism prizes - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle