Star Tribune photographers honored

Star Tribune photographers swept the top three spots in the annual Minnesota News Photographers Association contest, judged over the weekend at the University of Minnesota. Jim Gehrz was named Photographer of the Year, with David Joles placing second and Brian Peterson receiving an honorable mention. Gehrz has won numerous photographer of the year awards in Minnesota -- with the Star Tribune and, previously, with the St. Paul Pioneer Press -- and in Wisconsin while with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In 2005, he was named National Press Photographer of the Year and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. First place for sports portfolio went to Brian Peterson, and Star Tribune photographer Renee Jones Schneider won Best in Show for her video marking the 20th anniversary of Jacob Wetterling's disappearance.

To see the full list of winners, go to www.mnpa.org. STAFF REPORT