The Coeur d’Alene Press took first place and third place in this year’s Associated Press journalism competition open to newspapers in Utah, Idaho and Spokane.

First place in the general reporting category was awarded to City Editor Maureen Dolan and former Press reporter Jeff Selle for their reporting on Rachel Dolezal in the story “Black like me?”

“Broke a huge story. Props to these reporters,” said the judge’s comment on the award.

Devin Heilman was awarded third place for her work on the series “Touched by Alzheimer’s.” The judge commented that Heilman’s stories, which featured local Alzheimer’s patients and their families dealing with various stages of the disease, were touching.

“The work on the Dolezal story by Maureen and Jeff was as good as any journalism ever produced by the Coeur d’Alene Press,” said Mike Patrick, the newspaper’s managing editor. “And as a feature writer, Devin is simply outstanding. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

The Press competed in Division II against newspapers with a weekly circulation of 100,000 to 299,999.