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The Berkeley Daily Planet won three awards in the California Newspaper Publishers Association's 2009 Better Newspapers Contest.  

Riya Bhattacharjee took second place in the Local Breaking News category for her March 5, 2009 story about the death of a LeConte kindergarten student.  

Justin DeFreitas, a frequent winner, won a second place award in the Editorial Cartoon category for his July 3, 2008 cartoon , "The George W. Bush Presidential Library."  

DeFreitas' May 29, 2008 cartoon, "Upon Further Reflection," was named as a blue-ribbon finalist.  

The contest period spanned 18 months, covering much of 2008 and 2009. The association received nearly 4,000 entries and gave out 480 awards in 28 categories and nine circulation divisions. The Daily Planet competed in the weekly newspaper division.