Orange County Register, Santa Ana

The Orange County Register has three Pulitzer Prizes to its name, but then again, it's had plenty of time to collect them. Founded in 1905, the daily newspaper has won journalism's top honor for its photographs of the 1984 Olympics, its military-affairs coverage in 1989, and its 1995 investigative reporting on unethical practices at a UC Irvine fertility clinic. Besides incisive analysis of local and national news and thoughtful culture coverage, the paper's Knowledge Cafe connects readers directly to experts, professionals, and specialized organizations—so anyone can get investment tips from a financial institution, medical information from a hospital, or recommendation for crystal-ball maintenance from a psychic.