
2017 Finalists
2017 SPJ Sunshine State Awards Finalists in each category are presented in alphabetical order by organization. First-, second- and third-place finishers will be announced at the Sunshine State Awards ceremony on July 22 in Miami. Buy tickets here.
To correct errors or omissions, please contact Tim Dodson, tim@timdodson.com
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
James Batten Award for Public Service
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Maggie Clark, Medicaid
- Tampa Bay Times – Laura Reiley, Farm to fable
- WUFT.org – Staff, Project: Blue
Gene Miller Award for Investigative Reporting
- Fusion – Staff of Fusion, Dirty Little Secrets
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Josh Salman, Emily Le Coz, Elizabeth Johnson, Bias on the bench
- Tampa Bay Times – William R. Levesque, Nathaniel Lash, Anthony Cormier, Breakdown of Oversight
Diversity Award
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Lola Gomez, Living in the Shadows – Lola Gomez
- The Florida Times-Union – Tia Mitchell, Tia Mitchell Diversity Award
- WTSP-TV – Emerald Morrow, Diversity Matters
First Amendment Foundation Freedom of Information Award
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Josh Salman, Emily Le Coz, Elizabeth Johnson, Bias on the bench
- The Villages Daily Sun – Staff, Redefining Justice
- WLRN News – Rowan Moore Gerety, Rowan Moore Gerety: Say My Name, School Suspensions and Pulse 911 Records
Integrity Florida Award for Public Corruption Reporting
- Miami Herald – Michael Sallah, Jay Weaver, Opa-locka: City for Sale
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Lee Williams, Prosecutor Pub Crawl
- The Florida Times-Union – Christopher Hong, Nate Monroe, Steve Patterson, Corrine Brown Connections
Journalist of the Year
- The Palm Beach Post – Pat Beall, Pat Beall
- WLRN News – Sammy Mack, Sammy Mack
- WPBF 25 News – Terri Parker, Terri Parker Reports
Anchor of the Year
- Marla Weech – News 13 – Marla Weech, Marla Weech 2016
- WLRN News – Christine DiMattei, Christine DiMattei, WLRN News Anchor
- WUSF Public Media – Lisa Peakes, Lisa Peakes – WUSF
NEWSPAPERS
Breaking News Reporting
- Orlando Sentinel – Staff, Pulse Nightclub Massacre
- The Miami Herald – Staff, Fidel Castro’s death, breaking news entry
- The Palm Beach Post – Staff, Tiger mauls zookeeper
Non-Deadline News Reporting (Large)
- Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald – Staff, The Panama Papers: Florida stories
- Sun Sentinel – Sally Kestin, Taimy Alvarez, The Gulf’s Deadly Harvest
- Sun Sentinel – Staff, Forsaken: Florida’s Broken Mental Health System
Non-Deadline News Reporting (Small)
- Bradenton Herald – Hannah Morse, Manatee County: Heroin capital of Florida
- Miami New Times – Jessica Lipscomb, Lost at Sea: Kids Drown in Cruise Ship Pools With No Lifeguards on Duty
- The News-Press – Cody Dulaney, Task Force
Feature Reporting (Large)
- Orlando Sentinel – Christal Hayes, The Forgotten Story of Grimmie’s Death
- Orlando Sentinel – Kate Santich, Gal Tziperman Lotan and Elyssa Cherney, Their Last Day
- Tampa Bay Times – Lane DeGregory, The long fall of Phoebe Jonchuck
Feature Reporting (Small)
- Florida Weekly – Roger Williams, The Disconnect
- Miami New Times – Tim Elfrink, Sucker Punch: A South Florida Boxing Rivalry Leads to Cold-Blooded Murder
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Chris Anderson, Mason
Series
- Miami Herald – Jacqueline Charles, Kevin Hall, New migration: Haitians carve a dangerous 7,000-mile path to the U.S.
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Maggie Clark, Medicaid
- Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Josh Salman, Emily Le Coz, Elizabeth Johnson, Bias on the Bench
Commentary & Criticism – General
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Maggie Mederski, Maggie Menderski
- Tampa Bay Times – John Romano, John Romano on Florida
- The Miami Herald – Fabiola Santiago, Fabiola Santiago columns for Commentary
Commentary & Criticism – Arts
- Miami Herald – Rene Rodriguez, Film criticism
- Miami New Times – Ciara LaVelle, Arts criticism by Ciara LaVelle
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – carrie seidman, Carrie Seidman
Profile Reporting
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Chris Anderson, Mason
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Suzanne Hirt, Profile Reporting Suzanne Hirt
- The Palm Beach Post – Joe Capozzi, Joe Capozzi
State and Local Election Reporting
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Zac Anderson, Zac Anderson
- The Florida Times-Union – Andrew Pantazi, Public Defender Politics
- Treasure Coast Newspapers/TCPalm.com – Staff, Body of Work
Presidential Election Reporting
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Zac Anderson, Zac Anderson
- The Florida Times-Union – Andrew Pantazi, History, civility and strategy
- The Miami Herald – Patricia Mazzei, Presidential election reporting by Patricia Mazzei
Data Reporting
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Shelby Webb, Expulsions
- Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Josh Salman, Emily Le Coz, Elizabeth Johnson, Bias on the Bench
- The Villages Daily Sun – Staff, Redefining Justice
Editorial Writing
- Florida Weekly – Bill Cornwell, Editorials by Bill Cornwell
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Scott Kent, Editorial Writing Scott Kent
- The Minaret – Tess Sheets, Bianca Lopez, Selene San Felice, The Minaret Responds to Students Trashing Sexual Assault Articles
Editorial Cartoon
- Baker County Press – Ed Hall, Portfolio of cartoons created in 2016
- King Features Syndicate – Ed Gamble, editorial cartoons
Headline Writing
- Sun Sentinel – David Hayes, David Hayes news headlines
- Sun Sentinel – Lillian Mayor, Lillian Mayor news headline
- Sun Sentinel – Murray Miles, Murray Miles news headline
Beat Reporting – Arts
- Florida Weekly – Nancy Stetson, Arts Beat Nancy Stetson
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Jay Handelman, Jay Handelman
- The Palm Beach Daily News – Jan Sjostrom, Jan Sjostrom – Beat/Arts
Beat Reporting – Business
- Florida Weekly – Roger Williams, work of Roger Williams
- Miami Herald – Nicholas Nehamas, Nicholas Nehamas: Business Portfolio
- South Florida Business Journal – Brian Bandell, Condo sellers target domestic buyers
Beat Reporting – Community
- Miami Herald – Michael Sallah, Jay Weaver, Opa-locka: City for Sale
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Zach Murdock, Zach Murdock
- The Palm Beach Post – Alexandra Seltzer, Boynton Beach coverage
Beat Reporting – Consumer Issues
- Tampa Bay Times – Laura Reiley, Farm to fable
- Tampa Bay Times – William R. Levesque, William R. Levesque on Allegiant Airlines
- The Miami Herald – Daniel Chang, Cosmetic surgery
Beat Reporting – Crime & Courts
- Daily Business Review/ALM – Samantha Joseph, See You In Court
- Sun Sentinel – Rebeca Piccardo, Portfolio
- The Florida Times-Union – Tessa Duvall, Covering youth justice, trafficking in Jacksonville
Beat Reporting – Education
- Orlando Sentinel – Gabrielle Russon, Higher Education coverage
- Orlando Sentinel – Leslie Postal, Charles Minshew, education reporter
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Shelby Webb, Expulsions
Beat Reporting – Environment, Health & Science
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Barbara Peters Smith, HealthBeat
- Tampa Bay Times – Kathleen McGrory, Kathleen McGrory on Health and Medicine
- The Associated Press – Jennifer Kay, Zika, And Other Mosquito Problems
Beat Reporting – Food & Travel
- Miami Herald – Mimi Whitefield, Opening the Cuban Travel Market
- Orlando Business Journal – Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal tourism reporting
- The Palm Beach Post – Liz Balmaseda, Liz Balmaseda – Food
Beat Reporting – Government & Politics
- South Florida Sun Sentinel – Brittany Wallman, Broward County government beat
- Tampa Bay Times – Charles Frago, Charles Frago on the city of St. Petersburg
- The Palm Beach Post – Andrew Marra, Wayne Washington, Jennifer Sorentrue, Culture of largesse
Beat Reporting – Hardship Issues
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Maggie Clark, Medicaid
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, Beat Reporting Eileen Zaffiro-Kean
- The Palm Beach Post – Joe Capozzi, Joe Capozzi – Hardship
Beat Reporting – Minority Issues
- Miami Herald – Mimi Whitefield, The new U.S.-Cuba relationship
- The Florida Times-Union – Denise Smith Amos, Denise Amos’ Diversity Issues in Education
- The Florida Times-Union – Tessa Duvall, New efforts to tackle Jacksonville’s known issues
Beat Reporting – Religion
- Bradenton Herald – Amaris Castillo, Religion in Bradenton
- Sun Sentinel – Scott Travis, Religion stories
- The Times of Israel – Dina Weinstein, Students learn about Jewish civil rights activism — in Japan
Beat Reporting – Sports
- Tampa Bay Times – Joe Smith, Joe Smith on the Tampa Bay Lightning
- Tampa Bay Times – Marc Topkin, Marc Topkin on the Tampa Bay Rays
- Tampa Bay Times – Rick Stroud, Rick Stroud on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Special Publication or Section
- Orlando Sentinel – Staff, Forever Changed
- Tampa Bay Times – Lane DeGregory, The long fall of Phoebe Jonchuck
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal – Staff, Special Section Daytona Rising
PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN
Breaking News Photography
- Breaking news – Tiffany Tompkins, Courtroom Drama
- Orlando Sentinel – Staff, Orlando Sentinel Pulse massacre coverage
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal – David Tucker, Breaking News Photography David Tucker
Feature Photography
- Tampa Bay Times – Cherie Diez, The last baby
- The Florida Times-Union – Bruce Lipsky, Bruce Lipsky Features
- The Florida Times-Union – Will Dickey, Will Dickey Features
Photography Story
- Tampa Bay Times – Eve Edelheit, Prince Vinegar’s Last Stand
- Tampa Bay Times – Loren Elliott, In the wake of Pulse
- Univision Noticias Digital – David Maris, Almudena Toral, Seeking refuge for my children
Art/Photo Illustration
- Fusion – Juana Medina, A decade in immigration purgatory: My struggle to become an American citizen
- Miami Herald – Al Diaz, Kevin Scott, John Devine, Football Preview
- The Florida Times-Union – Bob Mack, College Cover and Fab Four
Infographic
- Fort Lauderdale Magazine – Jonathan Perkinson, Making the Rent
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Jennifer Borressen, Unravel
- The Villages Daily Sun – Colin Smith, Operation Holiday Magic
Front Page Design (Large)
- Sun Sentinel – David Schutz, Gunnar Johnson, Lillian Mayor, Orlando shooting
- Sun Sentinel – David Schutz, Lillian Mayor, Catie Peterson, Florida elections
- Sun Sentinel – David Schutz, Lillian Mayor, Front pages
Front Page Design (Small)
- CENTRO Tampa – Misha Wong, Front pages CENTRO Tampa.
- Florida Weekly – Eric Raddatz, Covers by Eric Raddatz
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Ariana Torrey, Herald Tribune Front Page
MAGAZINES
Public Service Reporting
- Edible South Florida – Urmila Ramakrishnan, Alfredo Añez, Meet Your Farmworker.
- Gulfstream Media Group – Ike Crumpler, The Promise of Our Water
- Sarasota Magazine – Robert Bowden, Frankenstorm
Investigative Reporting
- Florida Trend – Jason Garcia, Tax War
- Gulfstream Media Group – Eric Barton, Lauderdale’s Troubled Namesake
- Sarasota Magazine – Tom Bayles, Sand Storm
Feature Story
- Fort Lauderdale Magazine – Ashley Harrell, The Death and Life of Coral Reefs
- Gold Coast Magazine – Eric Barton, Big Rig City
- Palm Beach Illustrated – Daphne Nikolopoulos, Fantasy Island
Profile Story
- Fort Lauderdale Magazine – Erik Petersen, Advocate for the Seas
- Sarasota Magazine – Tony D’Souza, Sunshine & Darkness
- The Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma – Kristen Desmond LeFevre, Engineered Justice
Commentary & Criticism
- City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel – Mark Gauert, First Words, the Editor & Publisher’s letter: “When You Are Up to Your Sawgrass in Alligators,” “An Orange Letter Day” and “The Difference a Dad Makes.”
- Florida Trend – Mark R. Howard, Editor’s Page
- The Public Relations Strategist – Virgil Scudder, In the C-Suite
Food and Travel Writing
- FSR Magazine – Jen Karetnick, The Cuba Factor
- OCALA MAGAZINE – Linda Marks, Kelli Fuqua Hart, Phil Dirlam, Chris Redd, Home Sweet Bonhomme, March 2016; Stay•Cation, September 2016; On the Menu: Golden Ocala, April 2016
- Sarasota Magazine – Staff, Road Trip!, Rise & Shine, Food Town, Such a Deal!
Trade or Special Interest Publication
- City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel – Mark Gauert, Anderson Greene, Elyse Ranart, City & Shore Magazine, March and August issues
- Nova Southeastern University – Oline H. Cogdill, Mara Kiffin, Susan Hayward, Brandon Hensler, Horizons Spring 2016 and Horizons Fall 2016
- The Triton – Staff, The Triton, Nautical News for Captains and Crews
Cover Design
- City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel – Anderson Greene, Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine, April, July and August
- OCALA MAGAZINE – Linda Marks, Kelli Fuqua Hart, Phil Dirlam, Chris Redd, Ocala Magazine, June 2016, September 2016, November 2016
- Sarasota Magazine – Gigi Ortwein, The Ultimate Family Fun Guide, Best Bars, Food Lovers’ Guide
Inside Design
- OCALA MAGAZINE – Linda Marks, Kelli Fuqua Hart, Phil Dirlam, Chris Redd, Person of the Year, January 2016; On the Menu, April 2016; Home Sweet Bonhomme, March 2016
- OCALA MAGAZINE – Linda Marks, Kelli Fuqua Hart, Phil Dirlam, Chris Redd, A Curious Little Vegetable, September 2016; Chester Weber, March 2016; Laura Lakey, February 2016
- Sarasota Magazine – Gigi Ortwein, Outdoor Adventures, Such a Deal!, Tastes of the Town
Best Single Issue
- City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel – Mark Gauert, Anderson Greene, City & Shore, August issue
- INFLUENCE Magazine / Extensive Enterprises Media – Peter Schorsch, INFLUENCE Magazine – Winter 2016
- The Mirror Magazine – Jason Parsley, Brendon Lies & J.W. Arnold, Fall Arts & Entertainment Guide
TELEVISION
Best Newscast
NO ENTRIES
Investigative Reporting
- Fusion – Staff, The Naked Truth: Mugged
- Telemundo Network & weather.com – Staff, Cosecha de Miseria (Harvest of Misery) & The Source
- WFTS/ABC Action News – Adam Walser, Randy Wright, Fran Gilpin, GradPoint– Gaming Graduation Rates
Spot News Reporting
NO AWARDS
Government & Politics Reporting
- Fusion – Staff, The Naked Truth: Rigged
- Fusion – Staff, The Naked Truth: Trumpland
- WTVJ NBC 6 – Dan Krauth, Dawn Clapperton, and Pedro Cancio “Turning Old Tickets Into Cash”
Continuing Coverage
- WFTS/ABC Action News – Adam Walser, Randy Wright, Fran Gilpin, Hope’s Hidden Secrets… Abuse at a Christian Children’s Home
- WPBF 25 News – Terri Parker, Playing Doctor
- WTVJ NBC 6 – Dan Krauth, Dawn Clapperton, McNelly Torres, and Pedro Cancio “Cosmetic Coverage Creates Change”
Feature Reporting
- Bay News 9 – Laurie Davison, Tim Kania, Painting for a Good Cause
- South Florida SunSentinel – Joe Cavaretta / Amy Beth Bennett, Armless Triathlon
- WTSP – Garin Flowers, Man gives away free car to grieving stranger
Public Affairs
- Florida Center for Investigative Reporting – Alexandra Clinton, Adeel Ahmed, Ashwin Gandbhir, Asad Faruqi, Unforgiven
- Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, PBS NewsHour Weekend – Lisa Desai, Yasmeen Qureshi, How Septic Tanks May Imperial This Florida Ecosystem
- WFV – Martie Salt, “Blindsided: The Reality of Caring for Aging Parents”
RADIO
Best Newscast
- WJCT – Michelle Corum, Morning Edition- December 2, 2016
- WLRN News – WLRN News Staff, Is Zika Here? WLRN Reports
- WUSF Public Media – Carson Cooper, Carson Cooper – WUSF
General Coverage
- WFSU – Lynn Hatter & Kate Payne, Taylor County’s Fenholloway River: A Balancing Act Between Economy And Ecology
- WFSU – Nick Evans & Kate Payne, Branch Street: The Line Between Two Districts
- WJCT – Ryan Benk, A Divide In Jacksonville After FDA Approves Opioid Addiction Treatment
Investigative Reporting
- WFSU – Nick Evans, Alan Williams: Election Supervisor Hopeful Has Spotty Attendance Record
- WLRN-Miami Herald News – Rowan Moore Gerety, School Suspensions Continue In Spite Of MiamiDade’s No-Suspension Policy
- WUFT-FM – Rebekkah Mar, Eastside Clinics
Government & Politics Reporting
- WGCU – Topher Forhecz, Election Year In Southwest Florida
- WLRN News – WLRN News, Zika In South Florida
- WUSF Tampa and WMFE Orlando – Steve Newborn, Catherine Welch, Mary Shedden, Florida Matters: The Politically Crucial I-4 Corridor
Feature Reporting
- WGCU – Topher Forhecz, Gladesmen, Everglades National Park At Odds Over Airboats
- WLRN News – Nadege Green, Norland Middle Drama Teacher Is The ‘Real Star’ To Young Moonlight Actors
- WUSF Public Media – Quincy Walters, 70 Years Later, Showman Not Slowing Down
Public Affairs
- WLRN News, WJCT – WLRN, WJCT, Decision Florida: Is Your Vote Safe?
- WUFT-FM – Staff, Pulse Nightclub Special Report
- WUSF Public Media – Staff, Florida Matters: Public Art Around Tampa Bay
ONLINE
Blog
- South Florida Sun Sentinel – Dan Sweeney, The Power Lunch
- The Palm Beach Post – Charles Elmore, Susan Salisbury, Best blog: Protecting Your Pocket, The Palm Beach Post
- Treasure Coast Newspapers/TCPalm.com – Will Greenlee, Off The Beat
News Web Site
- Univision Noticias Digital – Jose Lopez, Clemente Alvarez, Univision Noticias
- WLRN News – WLRN News Staff, Teresa Frontado-Digital Director, WLRN.org
- WUSF, WLRN and WMFE – Staff, Health News Florida
Online Breaking News
- South Florida Business Journal – Brian Bandell, Telemundo signs $400M deal for new headquarters, studios
- Treasure Coast Newspapers – Staff, Omar Mateen
- WLRN News – WLRN News Staff, Fidel Dies
Multimedia Feature
- Fusion – Staff of Fusion, Death by Fentanyl
- Treasure Coast Newspapers/TCPalm.com – Dacia Johnson, From childhood to mass shooting
- Univision Noticias Digital – Almudena Toral, Maye Primera, Luis Melgar, Damia Bonmati, Vacations in no man’s sea
Package
- Sarasota Herald Tribune – Shelby Webb, Housing in SRQ
- The Palm Beach Post – Staff, Heroin: Killer of a generation
- University of Florida/Gainesville Sun – Drea Cornejo, Family Ashes in Pipeline’s Path
User-Generated Content
NO AWARDS
Infographics & Data Visualization
NO AWARDS
Video
- South Florida Sun Sentinel – Taimy Alvarez, Sally Kestin, Doug Phillips, The Gulf’s Deadly Harvest
- Sun Sentinel – Doreen Christensen, Barbara Corbellini Duarte, Randy Vazquez, Dylan Boucher, Sun Sentinel Originals Doreen’s Deals
- Univision Noticias Digital – Laura Prieto, Anna Spelman, Almudena Toral, After Orlando, getting its pulse back
Podcast
NO AWARDS
Blog Writing
- Extensive Enterprises – Peter Schorsch, SaintPetersBlog
- SouthFlorida.com/South Florida Sun Sentinel – Michael Mayo, The Eat Beat Blog by Michael Mayo
- Tampa Bay Times – Alex Leary, Adam C. Smith, Steve Bousquet, The Buzz
Blog Writing – In Depth
- Florida Bulldog – Eric Barton, Broward medical examiner’s evidence policy worries prosecutors, defense lawyers
- Florida Bulldog – Eric Barton, Florida education on trial
- FloridaPolitics.com / Extensive Enterprises Media – Scott Powers, The Soul of Orlando to America: Give us a moment
Social Media Package
- Fusion – Staff of Fusion, Animals in the Border
- The New Tropic – Ariel Zirulnick, Roshan Nebhrajani, Riding transit with a Miami Beach commissioner for Public Transit Day
- WLRN News – WLRN News Staff, Public Transit Day
SPANISH LANGUAGE
Periodista del Año – Print/Digital/Online
- CENTRO Tampa – Myriam Silva-Warren, Adriana Ocampo: Científica universal; Brigada 2506: Soldados por convicción; La cara oculta de ba; Innovando en la educación;Jorge Pérez, el león de la construcción;Impulsando el diseño venezolano
- El Nuevo Herald – Nora Gámez Torres, Nora Gámez Torres, el Nuevo Herald
Periodista del Año –Television/Radio
- TELEMUNDO 51 – Guillermo Gonzalez, REPORTERO DE NOTICIAS
- TELEMUNDO 51 – Myrian Masihy, TELEMUNDO 51 RESPONDE
- WLTV 23 Univision Miami – Erika Carrillo, Erika Carrillo
Mejor Reportaje de Investigación – Print/Digital/Online
- el Nuevo Herald – Antonio Delgado, Johanna Alvarez, El drama de los venezolanos en el sur de la Florida
- el Nuevo Herald – Enrique Flor, Brenda Medina, Condos de Pesadilla
- Univision Noticias Digital – Ronny Rojas, Almudena Toral, Mariano Zafra, Vacaciones en aguas de nadie
Mejor Reportaje de Investigación – Television/Radio
- Telemundo Network & weather.com – Staff, Cosecha de Miseria (Harvest of Misery) & The Source
- WLTV 23 Univision Miami – Erika Carrillo, Armando Pico, Joaquin Gonzalez, Condos de Pesadilla
- WLTV 23 Univision Miami – Erika Carrillo, Armando Pico, Sexo con un Click
Mejor Cubrimiento Noticias de Última Hora (Breaking News) – Print/Digital/Online
- el Nuevo Herald – Nora Gamez Torres, Cobertura de la vista del presidente Barack Obama a Cuba
- el Nuevo Herald – Staff, La muerte de Fidel Castro
Mejor Cubrimiento Noticias de Última Hora (Breaking News) – Television/Radio
- InfoMás – Paula Machado, Con el ojo en Huracán Matthew
- TELEMUNDO 51 – Jorge Rodriguez, Berta Ruiz, Ismeraly Torres, Daylin Lugo, LLEGA 20 BALSEROS A FARO
Mejor Reportaje Especial (Features) – Print/Digital/Online
- El Nuevo Herald – Nora Gámez Torres, Cuba cambia, más para unos que para otros
- Univision – Nicolas Ibarguen, Lara Fernandez, Enrique Acevedo, Jose Cuesta, La Amazonía: un paraíso a la venta
- Univision Noticias Digital – Lorena Arroyo, Pablo Cozzaglio, Almunda Toral, Nacho Corbella, Los huérfanos del Lago Poopó
Mejor Reportaje Especial (Features) – Television/Radio
- Telemundo Tampa WRMD – Cristina Puig and Milton Lugo, José Fernández: Más Allá de la Verdad Parts 1 and 2
- WLTV 23 Univision Miami – Erika Carrillo, Armando Pico, Carlos Barquin, La Capital del Fraude
- WLTV Miami – Sandra Peebles, David Gonzalez, Trafico de Almas
Informes Electorales – Todos los Medios
NO AWARDS
Mejor Trabajo Estudiantil – All Media
- UCF Knightly Latino – 2016 Staff, Knightly Latino Especial de Politica 2016
- WUFT-FM – Clara Garcia, Krystalle Pinilla, Noticias WUFT news team, Noticias WUFT newscast for June 18, 2016
STUDENTS
College Journalist of the Year
- FAU University Press, Broward New Times, SunFest – Emily Bloch, Emily Bloch
- University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications – Briana Erickson, Writing Portfolio – Briana Erickson
- University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications – Drea Cornejo, Multimedia Portfolio – Drea Cornejo
Best Student Publication
- Distraction Magazine – Staff, Distraction Magazine
- The Current – Emma Cotton, Gary Furrow Jr., Sarah Raney, Brianna Spieldenner, The Current
- The Miami Hurricane – Staff, The Miami Hurricane
Best Website
- Flagler College Gargoyle – Staff, Flagler College Gargoyle
- iPulse – Staff, iPulse Website (lynnipulse.org)
- The Miami Hurricane – Staff, TheMiamiHurricane.com
Best News Story
- Journey Magazine – Kayla Parker, Lead Found in Water at Leon Elementary Schools
- The Current – Andrea Depina-Gomes, The Syrian refugee crisis through Eckerd students’ eyes
- UNF Spinnaker – Cassidy Alexander, To do the right thing
Best News Photo
- The Current – Sorella Anderson, Havana
- The Oracle – Jackie Benitez, USF, Bay area honor the victims of the Pulse shooting
- UNF Spinnaker – Lili Weinstein, President Obama Visits UNF
Best Profile
- The Independent Florida Alligator – Ethan Bauer, A Sister’s Bond
- The Independent Florida Alligator – Ethan Bauer, The Road Less Traveled: Garcia finds home at Florida
- The Oracle – Jacob Hoag, Time and baseball help USF coach overcome loss of wife
Best Review
- The Current – Dorothy-Mae Eldemire, A Seat At The Table’: For the modern black woman
- The Current – Dorothy-Mae Eldemire, Lemonade: The manifesto of the black woman
- The Miami Hurricane – Israel Aragon Bravo, ‘Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses’ features music from classic game series
Best Sports Story
- The Current – Mereysa Taylor, Analyzing mob mentality
- The Oracle – Jacob Hoag, Time and baseball help USF coach overcome loss of wife
- University Press – Florida Atlantic University – Brendan Feeney, What’s Your Excuse
Best Sports Photo
- The Current – Hannah Hamontree, Men’s soccer stands strong
- The Oracle – Jackie Benitez, Quinton Flowers wins AAC Offensive Player of the Year
Best Opinion Column
- FSView & Florida Flambeau – Emily Clemons, Abby Wambach’s apology for DUI isn’t enough
- The Miami Hurricane – Isabella Cueto, Castro’s Death Serves as Reminder of Family Suffering, Ongoing Oppression
Best Page Design
- Distraction Magazine – Valentina Escotet, Allie Pakrosnis, Asmae Fahmy, Jamie Shub, Distraction Magazine December Cover
- The FAMUAN – Meishara Jaghai and Ebony Gibbs, FAMU Brings in Cash Flow
- The Oracle – Michael (Miki) Shine, Election Preview
Best Video
- FAMU News20 Online – Javonni Hampton, Noah
- University of Florida/Gainesville Sun – Drea Cornejo, Family Ashes in Pipeline’s Path
- WUFT News – Chris Totzke, In Rural Union County, Web Designer Finds New Life As Free Range Farmer
Best Coverage of LGBT Issues
- FSView & Florida Flambeau – Emily Clemons, Emily Clemons
- The Current – Brianna Spieldenner, Campus’s attitude toward transgender ahead of nation’s
- The Oracle – Michael (Miki) Shine, Aftermath goes far beyond Pulse’s walls
Best Coverage of Race and Minorities
- Distraction Magazine – Asmae Fahmy, Finding Refuge
- FSView & Florida Flambeau – Emily Clemons, Brianna Milord, Perry Kostidakis, FSView
- University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications – Staff, The Ties that Bind – Maintaining Black Culture in Gainesville