Pulitzer Prize winners announced

Fourteen winners of journalism’s most prestigious annual prize were named by Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

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Breaking news photography

Afghan Shia Muslim Tarana Akbari, 12, cries near dead and injured people after explosions during a religious ceremony at the Abul Fazel shrine in the center of Kabul where Shia Muslims were marking the Day of Ashura. Agence France-Presse photographer Massoud Hossaini won the agency's first Pulitzer Prize for the picture "for his heartbreaking image of a girl crying in fear after a suicide bomber's attack at a crowded shrine in Kabul," the committee announced.

Massoud Hossaini / AFP/Getty Images

Breaking news photography

Massoud Hossaini, of Agence France-Presse, won for his photo of the aftermath of a suicide bomber’s attack in Kabul.

/ AFP/Getty Images

Feature photography

Brian Scott Ostrom looks over his military service records and weeps after being told his apartment application had been turned down. The leasing manager said he could not allow Ostrom to move in because of an assault charge on his background check. This image is part of Denver Post photographer Craig F. Walker's photo story about an honorably discharged veteran, home from Iraq and struggling with a severe case of post-traumatic stress.

/ The Denver Post via Reuters

Feature photography

Brian Scott Ostrom cups his hand over his mouth as he tries to calm a panic attack at his apartment in Boulder, Colo. This image is part of Denver Post photographer Craig F. Walker's photo story that won the Pulitzer.

/ The Denver Post via Reuters

Feature photography

Denver Post staff photographer Craig F. Walker reacts to winning his second Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography.

Kathryn Scott Osler / The Denver Post via AP

Feature photography

Denver Post staff photographer Craig F. Walker hugs his son, Quinn, in Denver as he tells his mother he won his second Pulitzer Prize. His story on veteran Scott Ostrom's battle with PTSD has been widely regarded since its publication on the Denver Post's Media Center in December 2011.

Aaron Ontiveroz / The Denver Post via AP

Local reporting

Sara Ganim and members of the Patriot-News staff won for their coverage of Jerry Sandusky and the Penn State football scandal.

Pat Little / Reuters

Local Reporting

Patriot-News Editor David Newhouse, center right, congratulates Patriot-News reporter Sara Ganim, 24, center left, as Assistant Managing Editor Mike Feeley, left, Executive Editor Cate Barron, right, and other staff react after winning the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting at the paper's offices in Harrisburg, Pa.

Christine Baker / The Patriot News via AP

Local Reporting

Patriot-News reporter Sara Ganim, 24, left, calls her sister while hugging Patriot-News reporter Jan Murphy after winning the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting at the paper's offices in Harrisburg, Pa. Ganim broke the news of the grand jury investigation into allegations against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, and she also was first to report his indictment on charges of molesting several boys involved in a charity he ran. Sandusky has denied the allegations.

Christine Baker / The Patriot News via AP

Investigative Reporting

Former Associated Press reporter Chris Hawley, second from left, shakes hands with Tom Curley, president and CEO of the news cooperative, after the AP won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in New York. A team of four reporters revealed a secret New York Police Department program that spied on Muslim neighborhoods. Joining Hawley are Eileen Sullivan, left, Matt Apuzzo, third from left, and Adam Goldman, right. Joining them is their editor Ted Bridis, second from right.

Mark Lennihan / AP

Investigative reporting

Associated Press Executive Editor Kathleen Carroll, left, applauds as Associated Press reporter Adam Goldman, center, is hugged. He and three of his colleagues, Matt Apuzzo, Eileen Sullivan and Chris Hawley, revealed a secret New York Police Department program that spied on Muslim neighborhoods.

Mark Lennihan / AP

Breaking news reporting

The Tuscaloosa News won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the April 27, 2011, tornado that destroyed much of Tuscaloosa. Last year,the Pulitzer judges found no entry worthy of the prize for breaking news.

Dusty Compton / The Tuscaloosa News via AP

Breaking news reporting

Tuscaloosa News' former executive editor Doug Ray, left, congratulates city editor Katherine Lee in Tuscaloosa, Ala., after the paper won a prize for its coverage of the April 27, 2011, tornado that destroyed much of Tuscaloosa. Ray was the executive editor at the time the story broke.

Robert Sutton / The Tuscaloosa News via AP

National reporting

Huffington Post reporter David Wood won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for his look at the suffering endured by U.S. veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Michelle Frankfurter / Huffington Post via AP

Explanatory reporting

New York Times reporter David Kocieniewski, center, receives applause from his colleagues, friends and family. Shown in the New York Times newsroom are, from left, his girlfriend Audrey Gray and his daughters Devin Barricklow and Katia Barricklow. Kocieniewski won for his reporting on how the nation's wealthiest avoided paying taxes.

Richard Perry / New York Times via AP

Investigative reporting

Michael J. Berens of the Seattle Times and colleague Ken Armstrong won for a story on a governmental body in Washington that moved vulnerable patients to a cheaper but more dangerous medication.

/ Pulitzer Prize Board via AP

Investigative reporting

Ken Armstrong of the Seattle Times was honored with his colleague Michael J. Berens. The Associated Press was also honored in this category.

/ The Seattle Times via AP

International reporting

Reporter Jeffrey Gettleman addresses his colleagues at the New York Times headquarters in New York after winning the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. At left is Gettleman's editor, Greg Winter. Gettleman won for his reports on famine and conflict in East Africa.

Richard Perry / New York Times via AP

Public service

Members of the Philadelphia Inquirer staff react after learning of their Pulitzer Prize for public service from their series on school violence in Philadelphia. They are, front row left to right, reporter John Sullivan, reporter Sue Snyder, reporter Kristen Graham and editor Rose Ciotta. Reporter Jeff Gammage, background left, and reporter Dylan Purcell, background center, photographer David Swanson and and photographer Ron Tarver, right, are also part of the project.

/ Philadelphia Inquirer via Reuters

Public service

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Susan Snyder, left, has a drink poured on her in celebration by Carolyn Davis after the paper won the Pulitzer Prize for public service. The Philadelphia Inquirer won for its exploration of pervasive violence in the city's schools, using powerful print narratives and videos to illuminate crimes committed by children against children and to stir reforms to improve safety for teachers and students.

Matt Slocum / AP

Editorial Cartooning

Politico cartoonist Matt Wuerker speaks after an announcement of winning the 2012 Pulitzer for editorial cartooning at the company's headquarters in Arlington.

John Shinkle / Politico via AP

Editorial cartooning

This cartoon by Matt Wuerker of Politico won in its category.

Matt Wuerker / Politico via AP

Feature Writing

Eli Sanders of the Stranger, a Seattle weekly, was awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing.

/ Columbia University via AP

Commentary writing

Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich acknowledges editor Gerould Kern after she enters the newsroom to find out she won the Pulitzer Prize in commentary writing.

Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune via AP

Criticism

Wesley Morris of the Boston Globe was awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for criticism.

/ Columbia University via AP

Biography

Author John Lewis Gaddis won for "George F. Kennan: An American Life."

Michael Marsland / The Penguin Press via AP

Biography

"George F. Kennan: An American Life," by John Lewis Gaddis.

/ The Penguin Press via AP

Music

Composer Kevin Puts was awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for music, for his "Silent Night: Opera in Two Acts."

/ Columbia University via AP

Poetry

Poet Tracy K. Smith was awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for poetry for "Life on Mars."

/ Columbia University via AP

Drama

Playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes was honored for "Water by the Spoonful."

/ Columbia University via AP

History

The late Manning Marable, author of "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention," was awarded the prize for history.

/ Columbia University via AP

History

In this book cover image released by Viking, "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention" by Manning Marable, is shown. Marable, who died in 2011, was awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for history.

/ Viking via AP

General nonfiction

Author Stephen Greenblatt won for his book, "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern."

Rose Lincoln / Harvard University via AP

General nonfiction

"The Swerve: How the World Became Modern," by Stephen Greenblatt, was honored.

/ Harvard University via AP

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Eager to minister, but not from the pulpit

An increasing number of divinity students who don’t plan to become pastors envision using their degrees to “minister” in a...

ARLINGTON, VA- MAY 17: Thousands of bike enthusiasts took to the streets Friday, May 17, 2013 in celebration of Bike to Work day. Bikers leave the Rosslyn Gateway Park pit stop on Friday morning. Commuter Connections and The Washington Area Bicyclist Association hosted cyclists at 70 pit stops across the metropolitan region. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

Thousands participate in Bike to Work Day

More than 14,000 people registered for the area's annual celebration of commuting on two wheels.

epa03704474 A Muslim woman at the ThetKalPyin temporary relief camp near Sittwe in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, 17 May 2013. A total of 13 people were confirmed dead in neighboring Bangladesh as people began to return home from shelters, a day after Cyclone Mahasen hit the coast, officials said 17 May. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

Photos of the day

Cyclone Mahasen, Texas tornadoes, puffin census, melting Swiss glacier and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: American Idol Season 12 Winner Candice Glover (C) is seen onstage during Fox's 'American Idol 2013' Finale Results Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Candice Glover wins 12th season of ‘American Idol’

The 23-year-old vocal powerhouse from St. Helena Island, S.C., tops competition in her third try.

US actress Claire Julien smiles on May 16, 2013 while posing during a photocall for the film 'The Bling Ring' at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Cannes, one of the world's top film festivals, opened on May 15 and will climax on May 26 with awards selected by a jury headed this year by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Claire Julien, David Hasselhoff, Freida Pinto, Candice Glover, Martin Short and more.

**LOC IMAGE** Geo. Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent, Cambria Iron Mills house, Johnstown Flood, May 31st, 1889. (Photo by Ernest Walter Histed / Library of Congress)

The Johnstown Flood of 1889

On May 31, 1889, the South Fork dam that held Lake Conemaugh failed, and 20 million tons of water descended upon Johnstown, Pa. The flood claimed the lives of 2,209 people and spurred...

HACIPASA, TURKEY - MAY 5: Syrian refugee Hala ponders her life on the run on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Hacipasa, Turkey. Three times this morning, the sounds of aircrafts were followed by explosions that shook the ground. Hacipasa, which sits just across the river border from Syria, is home of several hundred Syrian refugees who have been displaced by their home country's conflict. For a year, Hala and her family have been displaced from their home village in Syria because of violent conflict. After bouncing from village to village, fleeing bombings that seemed to follow them, the family crossed into Turkey six weeks ago. Initially, the family was deported back into Syria, where they lived in camps for internally displaced Syrians. But when the camps were bombed, the family was allowed to cross into Turkey. Hala said, 'The blood of the people who died in Syria, the martyrs, is our sad song, but nobody is listening.' (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Turkey faces a refugee crisis

More than 400,000 Syrians have crossed into Turkey seeking refuge from the conflict at home. Finding its resources stretched, Turkey is urgently appealing for international aid and...

(FILES) In this file picture taken on January 31, 2013 British football player David Beckham poses presenting his new jersey after a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. David Beckham is to retire from professional football at the end of the season, his representative announced on May 16, 2013. The 38-year-old midfielder has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan, as well as winning 115 caps for England, and recently won the French Ligue 1 championship with Paris Saint-Germain. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFEFRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

David Beckham announces his retirement

The 38-year-old British soccer superstar says he will retire when his French team’s season ends May 26.

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