Coverage of Hurricane Katrina was featured in the awarding of this year's top U.S. journalism awards. Winners of the 2006 Pulitzer Prizes were announced Monday in New York City.

New Orleans' Times-Picayune newspaper and the Sun Herald newspaper of Biloxi, Mississippi, whose service areas were in the hurricane's path, share the Pulitzer for Public Service for their coverage of the storm and its aftermath.

The Times-Picayune also won the Pulitzer for breaking news reporting for its coverage of Katrina.

The Washington Post newspaper won four Pulitzers, including prizes for investigative, explanatory and beat reporting, as well as criticism.

The New York Times took prizes in international reporting, and commentary, and shared the prize in national reporting with The San Diego Union Tribune and Copley News Service.

The Rocky Mountain News of Denver, Colorado won Pulitzers for feature writing and photography.

This was the 90th year the prizes were rewarded by Columbia University, based on recommendations from a special board.

The prizes were established by Joseph Pulitzer, a famous 19th century newspaper publisher.