5:30 p.m. update » The eighth Gold medal of the 29th Edition has been awarded — to The Guardian, in the Features Section Design category, for their G2 section.

We’re past the 750 mark on overall award winners, with more than 10,000 entries judged. The sun is setting here in Syracuse, and allegedly the snow is on its way tonight. (Nice note: While typing this entry, “Heat Wave” is playing on the iPod in the entry area.)

What are the judges up to? In news, they just completed breaking news and will begin their medal discussions for that category before heading to portfolios. Long form is working through features section design; the features group is working on magazine cover stories; the graphics group is handling the always fun and challenging Miscellaneous category; and the photo/small paper group is starting to work on portfolios.

The latest Award of Excellence to cross the SNDIWD area goes to The Kansas City Star, for breaking news coverage of a local explosion and fire.