The Society of American Business Editors and Writers just came out with its annual Best in Business awards, and there's not a single Southern California paper on the list. That's a first, at least in my memory. The nearest winners were the San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee and Press Democrat in Santa Rosa (which I judged in the small newspaper category). Not to stir the pot among the locals, but it's worth noting that the Chicago Tribune - y'know, that also-ran daily someplace in the Midwest - picked up two SABEWS. The awards will be handed out at the group's annual convention on May 20 in Anaheim. Here's the full list.