Awards Time

Staff writers Josh Harkinson and Craig Malisow have been named finalists in the five-state Katie Awards competition sponsored by the Press Club of Dallas. The Houston Pressis also a finalist in the Best Special Interest Paper/Major Markets category.

Harkinson was recognized in the Government/Political Story category for "HCCS's Gift Basket," about questionable dealings among the members of the board of trustees and top administration of the Houston Community College System.

Malisow's story "Exposed Nerve" was a finalist in the Business Feature category. It explored a company -- a manufacturer of pacemakers to control epileptic seizures -- that planned to expand into the depression market.

The contest period was from July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005. The winners of each category will be announced at a banquet in Dallas on November 5. Submitting newspapers came from the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico.