2026 Sunshine State Award winners

Awards were presented in Fort Lauderdale on Aug. 29. Send corrections to SPJFlorida@gmail.com.

SPECIAL AWARDS

A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism

First Place: Miami Herald & WLRN News | Investigative Team | Brightline, Florida’s Killer Train
Second Place: Suncoast Searchlight & Florida Trident | Michael Barfield & Derek Gilliam | Sarasota County Stormwater Investigation
Third Place: The Florida Trib | Nichole Manna & Casey Frank | “Cold-Blooded”: How a Florida prosecutor fixed a ‘weak’ case using a liar and 3 jailhouse snitches to send a man to Death Row

NABJ South Florida Diversity Award

First Place: WTSP-TV | Emerald Morrow | Collection
Finalist: WUSF | Nancy Guan | Collection

Barbara A. Petersen Freedom of Information Award

First Place: Orlando Sentinel | Jeffrey Schweers & the Editorial Board | The state told us to “cease and desist”
Finalist: Daytona Beach News-Journal | John Dunbar, Frank Fernandez & Patricio Balona | News-Journal holds sheriff accountable despite intimidation tactics and unequal treatment
Finalist: Prism Reports | Alexandra Martinez | Alligator Alcatraz

Journalist of the Year

First Place: The Coastal Star, Key Biscayne Independent and South Florida Business & Wealth | John Pacenti | A micro-local showcase by John Pacenti
Finalist: Spectrum News 13 | Asher Wildman | Asher Wildman Journalist Of the Year Entry
Finalist: WUSF | Kerry Sheridan | Kerry Sheridan

Anchor of the Year

First Place: WUSF | Sky Lebron | Sky Lebron

Photojournalist of the Year

First Place: Tallahassee Democrat | Alicia Devine | Behind the Lens with Alicia Devine
Finalist: Creative Loafing Tampa Bay | Dave Decker | Dave Decker
Finalist: Miami Herald | Matias J. Ocner | Collection

Outstanding New Journalist

First Place: TCPalm / Treasure Coast Newspapers | Jack Lemnus | Collection
Finalist: Bisnow | Chloe Gallivan | Chloe Gallivan
Finalist: Florida Phoenix | Jackie Llanos | Collection

Editor of the Year

First Place: Noticias Telemundo | Eulimar Núñez | Eulimar Núñez Collection

Social Justice Reporting

First Place: Grist | Ayurella Horn-Muller | Collection
Finalist: Orlando Sentinel | Natalia Jaramillo & Ryan Gillespie | Central Florida immigrants weather the turmoil
Finalist: The Florida Trib | Nichole Manna | “Cold-Blooded”: How a Florida prosecutor fixed a ‘weak’ case using a liar and 3 jailhouse snitches to send a man to Death Row

PRINT & DIGITAL WRITING

Breaking News Reporting

First Place: Tallahassee Democrat | Staff | A Mass Shooting at FSU
Finalist: Orlando Sentinel | Ryan Gillespie, staff | Painting over the rainbow crosswalk
Finalist: Oviedo Community News | Isaac Benjamin Babcock | Surprise vote ends fluoride in Seminole County

Investigative Reporting – Local & Community

First Place: Suncoast Searchlight & Florida Trident | Michael Barfield & Derek Gilliam | Sarasota County Stormwater Investigation
Finalist: Suncoast Searchlight & Bradenton Herald | Carter Weinhofer, Kara Newhouse & Josh Salman | Manatee County Schools Misconduct
Finalist: The Florida Trib | Nichole Manna | “Cold-Blooded”: How a Florida prosecutor fixed a ‘weak’ case using a liar and 3 jailhouse snitches to send a man to Death Row

Investigative Reporting – Regional & Statewide

First Place: Miami Herald | Denise Hruby & Susan Merriam | Built on Sand
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Shira Moolten | He beat and terrorized the women he said he loved. Florida’s justice system nearly failed them.
Finalist: Suncoast Searchlight & Bradenton Herald | Josh Salman, Derek Gilliam & Michael Moore Jr. | Illegal Arcades

Non-Deadline News Reporting – Local & Community

First Place: Tallahassee Democrat | Alicia Devine | Blood, Bullets and Heartbreak: Inside the ER
Finalist: Florida Trident | Laura Cassels | Severe Weather: As budget cuts hit, AI tools could fill gaps but data they need is at risk
Finalist: Tampa Bay Times | Lane DeGregory | She spent 50 years in a perfect pink house. Then came Hurricane Helene.

Non-Deadline News Reporting – County & Regional

First Place: Miami Herald | Max Klaver | More than half of Miamians can barely make ends meet
Finalist: Florida Weekly | Mary Wozniak | The crisis we can’t ignore: Suicide now a leading cause of death for children
Finalist: Key Biscayne Independent | Tony Winton, Jessica DeLeon & John Pacenti | Key Biscayne Nature Center fight Miami-Dade

Non-Deadline News Reporting – State & National

First Place: Suncoast Searchlight | Kara Newhouse & Alice Herman | Jail-to-Deportation Pipeline
Finalist: The Associated Press | Bianca Vázquez Toness | For these incarcerated students, online school has been a disaster
Finalist: VoxPopuli | Andrea Charur | Tuan Le’s restaurant chain left trail of evictions, unpaid bills, tax liens, health code violations

Serious Feature Reporting – Local & Community

First Place: Oxford American | Jordan Blumetti | The Machine in the Garden
Finalist: Miami Herald | Amanda Rosa | Around Alligator Alcatraz
Finalist: Sarasota Magazine | Kim Doleatto | Sea Change

Serious Feature Reporting – Regional, State & National

First Place: Switchboard Magazine | Uma Raja | The Holy Thursday Massacre
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Uma Raja | Everglades therapy: Veterans combat PTSD by wrangling invasive Burmese pythons
Finalist: Stateline | Nada Hassanein | Glaucoma-related vision loss is often preventable, but many can’t afford treatment

Light Feature Reporting – Local & Community

First Place: The Palm Beach Post | James Coleman | Why are gas prices so high here? A year in the life of one gas station
Finalist: Florida Today | Jim Waymer & Tim Shortt | Florida Cowboys
Finalist: Orlando Magazine | Jennifer McKee | Want a Greener Planet? Consider Donating to Goodwill

Light Feature Reporting – Regional, State & National

First Place: Orlando Sentinel | Stephen Hudak | Meet Orlando’s dinkiest diva: Pearl, the world’s shortest dog
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Ron Hurtibise | Life aboard a cruise ship
Finalist: Tampa Bay Times | Lane DeGregory | At Parrot Kindergarten, bird moms look to a famous Florida cockatoo

Series

First Place: Miami Herald & Tampa Bay Times | Alexandra Glorioso, Lawrence Mower & Justin Garcia | Hope Florida package
Finalist: Suncoast Searchlight | Josh Salman, Derek Gilliam & Kara Newhouse | Power and Profit
Finalist: The Naples Press | Aisling Swift | Permit fraud investigation series

General Commentary & Criticism

First Place: The Palm Beach Post | Antonio Fins | An Immigrant Speaks Out
Finalist: Orlando Sentinel | Scott Maxwell | Collection
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Pat Beall | Pat Beall Columns

Arts & Culture Commentary & Criticism

First Place: Winter Park Magazine | Randy Noles | Reel Life
Finalist: Artburst Miami & Miami Herald | Michelle F. Solomon | Collection
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Rod Stafford Hagwood | Collection

Sports Commentary

First Place: Tallahassee Democrat | Jim Henry | The columns of Jim Henry
Finalist: Miami Herald | Noah White | Noah White Collection

Profile Reporting

First Place: Miami Herald | Tess Riski | Being mayor was good for Francis Suarez. Was it good for Miami?
Finalist: Miami Herald | Max Klaver | Get with him or get out of his way: Ron Book’s on a mission from God to end homelessness
Finalist: Miami Herald | Michelle Marchante & David Goodhue | “I’m a fighter.” Survivor of fatal boat crash honored at Nicklaus Children’s ball

Obituary Reporting

First Place: Miami Herald | Howard Cohen | Connie Francis obituary and obituary collection
Finalist: Florida Politics | Andrew Meacham | Louis Betz, lobbyist and leader for many, dies
Finalist: Tallahassee Democrat | James Call | The Political Life and Death of Ruth Chase

Election Reporting

First Place: Miami Herald | Tess Riski | Collection
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Abigail Hasebroock | Boca Raton’s Special Election Series
Finalist: VoxPopuli | Norine Dworkin & Andrea Charur | Randolph Bracy III Special Election Collection

Data Reporting

First Place: Miami Herald | Alex Harris & Susan Merriam | Floods of Trouble
Finalist: Suncoast Searchlight | Josh Salman & Kara Newhouse | Rent-a-Cow
Finalist: The Palm Beach Post | Michael Diamond | PBSO deputies racking up thousands of OT hours, massive paychecks for Trump duty

Editorial Writing

First Place: South Florida Business Journal | Mel Meléndez | Mel Meléndez – Columns
Finalist: FAU University Press | Mikai Datilus | From FAU to LSU, Lane Kiffin has always struggled with loyalty
Finalist: The Miami Hurricane | Staff | The storm around student journalism won’t stop The Hurricane

Editorial Cartooning

No winner

Small Town & Rural Reporting

First Place: Suncoast Searchlight | Staff | DeSoto County
Finalist: Florida Politics | Mike Wright | Citrus County won’t play Sandman for Suncoast Parkway
Finalist: Florida Trend | Brittney J. Miller | Timber’s Tipping Point

Human Interest Story

First Place: Sarasota Magazine | Carrie Seidman | A Family’s Leap
Finalist: Miami Herald | Michelle Marchante & David Goodhue | “I’m a fighter.” Survivor of fatal boat crash honored at Nicklaus Children’s ball
Finalist: Suncoast Searchlight | Clinton Engelberger | Queens of Domestic Violence

Blog, Newsletter & Digital-First Writing

First Place: Tropic Press | Hermina Hermelinda Obregon, a.k.a. Miss Mingo | Miss Mingo Columns
Finalist: Florida Politics | Jacob Ogles | Delegation
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Tom Bayles | Tom Bayles’ Water Quality Report

Special Publication or Section

First Place: Winter Park Magazine | Randy Noles | Living in Winter Park
Finalist: Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa & South Florida Business Journals | Staff | Florida’s Wealth Transfer
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Cortney Danielle Moore, Brian Bandell, Ashley Portero & Mark Dovich | Marine Industry Special Section

Trade, Niche or Special Interest Publication

First Place: Winter Park Magazine | Randy Noles | ArtsLife
Finalist: Lynn University – iPulse News | Michael Crary, Scott LeBlanc, Timea Varga-Milyomi & Amanda Topple | LYNKD Magazine – 2nd Edition
Finalist: The Real Deal | Staff | Head in the Sand

Beat Reporting – Arts & Culture

First Place: Miami Herald | Andres Viglucci | Collection
Finalist: Artburst Miami & Miami Herald | Michelle F. Solomon | Collection
Finalist: The Art Newspaper & Artburst Miami | Douglas Markowitz | Collection

Beat Reporting – Business & Consumer Affairs

First Place: South Florida Business Journal | Cortney Danielle Moore | Collection
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Ashley Portero | Collection
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Eman Elshahawy | Eman Elshahawy – Business Writing

Beat Reporting – Community

First Place: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Abigail Hasebroock | Ag Reserve Collection
Finalist: OutSFL | Jason Parsley | Fegenbush, Queer Centers & Attack on Run Club
Finalist: Stet News | Joel Engelhardt, Holly Baltz & Mary Rasura | Covering Palm Beach County

Beat Reporting – Crime & Courts

First Place: The Florida Trib | Nichole Manna | A death at the Duval County jail
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Angie DiMichele & Shira Moolten | Domestic Violence Murders Collection
Finalist: Stet News | Jane Musgrave | The Powerful in Court

Beat Reporting – Education

First Place: Suncoast Searchlight | Alice Herman | New College of Florida
Finalist: Miami Herald | Clara-Sophia Daly | Clara-Sophia Daly Collection
Finalist: Orlando Sentinel | Steven Walker | Collection

Beat Reporting – Environment, Science & Technology

First Place: Miami Herald | Alex Harris & Susan Merriam | Floods of Trouble
Finalist: Inside Climate News | Amy Green & Peter Aldhous | Florida Environmental Threats Collection
Finalist: Miami Herald | Denise Hruby & Susan Merriam | Built on Sand

Beat Reporting – Food & Travel

First Place: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Phillip Valys | Collection
Finalist: Miami Herald | Connie Ogle | Collection
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Cortney Danielle Moore | Collection

Beat Reporting – Lifestyle, Culture & Trends

First Place: South Florida Business Journal | Cortney Danielle Moore | Collection
Finalist: Jacksonville Business Journal | Matt Denis | The Business of Jacksonville’s Lifestyle & Culture

Beat Reporting – Government & Politics

First Place: Grist | Ayurella Horn-Muller | Collection
Finalist: Florida Trident | Michael Barfield | Backroom Development Deals
Finalist: The USA TODAY Network – Florida | John Kennedy | The John Kennedy Collection

Beat Reporting – Health

First Place: Noticias Telemundo | Jorge Carrasco, Anagilmara Vílchez, José Osuna & Staff | Children with autism increasingly depend on a booming, largely unregulated therapy industry
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Cindy Goodman | Health Beat Reporting
Finalist: Stateline | Nada Hassanein | Independent pharmacies know their communities. But many are struggling to stay open.

Beat Reporting – Housing & Real Estate

First Place: South Florida Business Journal | Brian Bandell | Collection
Finalist: Orlando Sentinel | Laura Kinsler | Collection
Finalist: The Real Deal | Katherine Kallergis | Real estate chaos rocks South Florida communities

Beat Reporting – Sports

First Place: The Palm Beach Post | Tom D’Angelo | Collection
Finalist: FAU University Press | Angelina Martell | Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair reunites with Nick Caley, the coach who never got to coach him
Finalist: The Palm Beach Post | Hal Habib | Collection

Beat Reporting – Underrepresented Communities

First Place: The Palm Beach Post | Valentina Palm | Collection
Finalist: Stateline | Nada Hassanein | Tribes, long shut out from their own health data, fight for access and sovereignty
Finalist: Stet News | Carolyn DiPaolo, Liz Capozzi & Holly Baltz | Community Voices

PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN

Breaking News Photography

First Place: Miami Herald | Matias J. Ocner | Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park Development
Finalist: Tallahassee Democrat | Alicia Devine | Terror and Tears at FSU
Finalist: TCPalm | Kaila Jones | Law enforcement officer killed during eviction

General News Photo

First Place: Miami Herald | Matias J. Ocner | Terminal and Undocumented
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Jock Fistick | General News Photos – Jock Fistick
Finalist: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Amy Beth Bennett | Critics worry Swimming Hall of Fame tower will steal limelight from dive tower

Feature Photography

First Place: South Florida Business Journal | Jock Fistick | Feature Photography – Jock Fistick
Finalist: Florida Today | Craig Bailey | Lightning at the VAB
Finalist: Miami Herald | Matias J. Ocner | Aquaplex is open for business

Portrait/Personality

First Place: Miami Herald | Al Diaz | Miami Herald’s 2025 Football Season Preview
Finalist: Miami Herald | Matias J. Ocner | Miami suits up for Florida Supercon 2025
Finalist: TCPalm | Crystal Vander Weit | One year later

Photography Story

First Place: Miami Herald | Al Diaz, Pedro Portal & Matias J. Ocner | Alligator Alcatraz
Finalist: Florida Today | Tim Shortt | Viera Cowboys
Finalist: TCPalm | Kaila Jones | Funeral

Sports Photography

First Place: Miami Herald | David Santiago | Inter Miami makes a run for the MLS Cup
Finalist: Miami Herald | Al Diaz | Malachi Toney Scores
Finalist: The News-Press & Naples Daily News | Jonah Hinebaugh | Swim

Art/Photo Illustration

First Place: Tallahassee Democrat | Alicia Devine | Sportstraits by Alicia Devine
Finalist: Miami New Times | Kristin Bjornsen | Collection
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Stephanie Redding & Branden Barker | Art/Photo Illustration (Redding & Barker)

Infographics & Data Visualization

First Place: Distraction Magazine | Lizzie Kristal | Eating for the Seasons
Finalist: Distraction Magazine | Anna Mondschein, Julia Campbell, Jay Moyer & Valentina Mena | Steal Her Look: The Miami Girl
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Branden Barker | Stem Cell Story Infographic – Branden Barker

Newspaper Front Page Design

First Place: South Florida Business Journal | Stephanie Redding & Branden Barker | Front Page Design

Magazine Cover Design

First Place: The Real Deal | Paul Dilakian | Head in the Sand
Finalist: Edible South Florida | Miguel Mendoza, Dave Lavernia & Pangea Kali Virga | Edible South Florida covers

Magazine Inside Design

First Place: Lynn University – iPulse News | Michael Crary, Scott LeBlanc, Timea Varga-Milyomi & Nicole Garzon | LYNKD Magazine – 2nd Edition Inside Design
Finalist: Winter Park Magazine | Carolyn Edmonds | Inside Design

Magazine Single Issue

First Place: Lynn University – iPulse News | Michael Crary, Scott LeBlanc, Timea Varga-Milyomi & Trinity Miller | LYNKD Magazine – 2nd Edition – Single Issue
Finalist: Winter Park Magazine | Randy Noles | Best Single Issue

Magazine Special Issue

First Place: The Real Deal | Paul Dilakian & Victoria Tuturice | Head in the Sand

TELEVISION & VIDEO

TV Or Video Newscast

First Place: Spectrum News 13 | Staff | Pulse Remembrance PM
Finalist: Spectrum News 13 | Staff | August 29th Midday
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Sandra Viktorova, Jennifer Crawford, Teddy Byrne & Pamela James | The Legal & Environmental Concerns of Alligator Alcatraz

Investigative Reporting – Single Report

First Place: WTSP-TV | Emerald Morrow & Kyle Porter | $PENT
Finalist: Because Miami | Billy Corben | “My Hero, My Daddy”: Investigation Reveals Miami Beach Candidate Is Daughter of Hitler-Loving Serial Killer
Finalist: WPTV | Dave Bohman, Jim Sitton | “They took my money”

Investigative Reporting – Series

First Place: WPBF 25 News | Terri Parker | Left to drown – City’s lack of water training uncovered
Finalist: WFTS/Tampa Bay 28 | Adam Walser, Matt McGlashen, Allison Shaw & Lisa Blegen Chudzik | “They failed my dad”… Assisted Living Facility Freezer Death
Finalist: WFTS/Tampa Bay 28 | Kylie McGivern, Matt McGlashen, Matt Apthorp & Lisa Blegen | MacDill Mold Series

Spot News Reporting

No winner

Breaking News

First Place: WESH 2 | News Staff | Rider Dies on Universal Epic Universe Roller Coaster
Finalist: Spectrum News 13 | Staff | Marcos Lopez arrested

General Assignment Report

First Place: WTVJ NBC 6 | Kim Wynne & Brandon Bryant | There Is No Justice
Finalist: WFLA | Linnie Supall | 50% Rule = Total Loss

Continuing Coverage or Series

First Place: WTVJ NBC 6 | Constance Jones, Connie Fossi & Zahira Collazo | From Prison to Freedom
Finalist: WFTS/Tampa Bay 28 | Adam Walser, Matt McGlashen, Randy Wright & Lisa Blegen Chudzik | Home Sweet HOA
Finalist: WFTS/Tampa Bay 28 | Kylie McGivern, Randy Wright & Lisa Blegen | Mom fights for answers after school employee slaps son with special needs

Special Reporting

First Place: WTSP-TV | Emerald Morrow, Amanda Cordero, Kyle Porter & Gregory Nowell | The Price of Progress
Finalist: Spectrum News 13 | Maureen McCann | From Food to Flying: The Impacts of Florida’s Changing Climate
Finalist: Spectrum News Florida | Staff | Political Connections: Alligator Alcatraz

Government, Politics & Election Reporting

First Place: Spectrum News 13 | Asher Wildman | 2025 Orlando City Commission Races
Finalist: WPLG | Christina Boomer Vazquez | Executive Orders

Environment, Science & Technology Reporting

First Place: WTSP-TV | Emerald Morrow & Kyle Porter | Tallevast’s Well
Finalist: Action News Jax | Tenikka Smith Hughes & Diar Gilyana | Who’s Guiding Your Mind?
Finalist: Action News Jax | Tenikka Smith Hughes, Diar Gilyana & Steve Berrios | The Future of Biometric Security

Health Reporting

First Place: Spectrum News 13 | Asher Wildman | Vets Try New Methods To Cope With PTSD
Finalist: Action News Jax | Tenikka Smith Hughes & Diar Gilyana | The Buzz Behind THC Beverages

Light Feature Reporting

First Place: CBS Miami | Tania Francois | Families evicted from Railroad Shop community in Miami share history of displacement
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Mike Walcher & Kevin Smith | Harlem Heights Music
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Jennifer Crawford & Amanda Inscore-Whittamore | Inspiring the Next Generation of Miccosukee Tribe

Serious Feature Reporting

First Place: WFTS/Tampa Bay 28 | Kylie McGivern, Randy Wright & Lisa Blegen | Father of deputy murdered in officer-involved domestic violence pushes for change
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Amanda Inscore-Whittamore | Pine Island Recovers while preparing for hurricane season
Finalist: WUCF-TV | Krystel Knowles | Lives Pushed to The Edge: A Venezuelan Violin Student Faces Deportation

Sports Reporting

First Place: WGCU Public Media | Amanda Inscore-Whittamore | Building Better Sportsmanship Through Understanding
Finalist: Spectrum News 13 | Asher Wildman | Evolution of NIL For College Football
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Mike Walcher & Amanda Inscore-Whittamore | An Ageless Love for the Game of Baseball

Weather Reporting

First Place: Spectrum News 13 | Asher Wildman | EF-2 Tornado Hits Seminole County

Non-Newscast Program

First Place: WESH 2 | Nancy Alvarez, Marcie Golgoski, Jacob Wiklund & Torrey Barnett | Saving Our Streets: Her Last Word was Mom
Finalist: WFTS/Tampa Bay 28 | Staff | Patient No More
Finalist: WTSP-TV | Emerald Morrow, Amanda Cordero, Kyle Porter & Gregory Nowell | The Price of Progress

Video – Short Form

First Place: South Florida Sun Sentinel | Sean Pitts, Mike Stocker | First-look: Fly-through the new Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale
Finalist: Orlando Sentinel | Rich Pope | Central Floridian of the Year
Finalist: The News-Press & Naples Daily News | Andrew West | Tiara Brown

RADIO & AUDIO

Radio or Audio Newscast

First Place: Florida News Network | Wayne Roustan | Florida’s News with Wayne Roustan
Finalist: WMNF News | Seán Kinane | WMNF’s The Scoop
Finalist: WUSF | Cathy Carter | WUSF Nov. 10 newscast

Podcast

First Place: WUSF | Sky Lebron | Hanging with mermaids, and things to do for 813 Day
Finalist: Univision | Yinett Polanco Fernandez & Natalia Bravo | Plan Bebé
Finalist: WMNF News | Ben Montgomery, Mitch Perry & Ray Roa | The Skinny: Fascinating Egmont Key

General Coverage

First Place: WUSF | Nancy Guan | Owner of Asian grocery in Bradenton says tariffs, rising costs may close store for good
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Elizabeth Andarge | Fort Myers church hosts ‘Rainbow Protest in Love’ after state orders removal of street art
Finalist: WUSF | Jessica Meszaros, Steve Newborn & Kerry Sheridan | Tampa Bay region rebuilds after 2024 hurricanes

Investigative Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Mario Pedersen | Medically Unnecessary
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Molly Duerig | Drinking recycled water? In Central Florida, the day will come

Government, Politics & Election Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Rick Brunson | Holy Thursday Service Participants Express Love for Jesus and Immigrants
Finalist: WMNF News | Chris Young | Freedom concerns over Florida’s letter to a reporter
Finalist: WUSF | Douglas Soule & Meghan Bowman | Your Florida team covers state government

Serious Feature Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Nancy Guan | Immigrants in Florida pushed out by federal policies
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Byrnes | Apopka man detained at ICE appointment, despite approval for crime-victim visa
Finalist: WUSF | Jessica Meszaros | Extreme heat is increasing health risks for pregnant Floridians

Light Feature Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Marian Summerall | Cathedral in Orlando reaches out to people feeling blue at Christmas
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Luis Alfredo Garcia | Saints, sinners and saviors: a Florida cemetery in repair
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Mario Pedersen | Orlando’s esports scene levels up with bigger tournaments, and learning opportunities

Public Affairs

First Place: WMNF News | Seán Kinane | Storm Surge: the 2024 hurricane season in Tampa Bay
Finalist: WUSF | Matthew Peddie, Gracyn Doctor, Amelie Horace & Lily Belcher | Can’t find a primary care physician? And a classic story comes to TV

Environment, Science & Technology Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Jessica Meszaros & Steve Newborn | WUSF’s environmental reporting collection
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Molly Duerig | Central Florida lakes are struggling. Engineers behind this new sensor system want to help

Health Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Mario Pedersen | Health Reporting Compilation
Finalist: WUSF | Meghan Bowman & Kerry Sheridan | Florida vaccine collection

Continuing Coverage or Series

First Place: WUSF | Gabriella Paul | Government cuts to benefit programs
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Byrnes | Immigration Concerns Compilation
Finalist: WGCU Public Media, NPR & PBS for Southwest Florida | Tom Bayles | Parched

Education Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Kerry Sheridan | Schools of Hope collection
Finalist: WMNF News | Chris Young | Pinellas Job Corps students fear budget cuts

Arts Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Cathy Carter, Steve Newborn & Jessica Meszaros | Arts reporting collection
Finalist: WMNF News | Chris Young | Tampa Theatre highlights Black filmmakers

RADIO & AUDIO

Radio or Audio Newscast

First Place: Florida News Network | Wayne Roustan | Florida’s News with Wayne Roustan
Finalist: WMNF News | Seán Kinane | WMNF’s The Scoop
Finalist: WUSF | Cathy Carter | WUSF Nov. 10 newscast

Podcast

First Place: WUSF | Sky Lebron | Hanging with mermaids, and things to do for 813 Day
Finalist: Univision | Yinett Polanco Fernandez & Natalia Bravo | Plan Bebé
Finalist: WMNF News | Ben Montgomery, Mitch Perry & Ray Roa | The Skinny: Fascinating Egmont Key

General Coverage

First Place: WUSF | Nancy Guan | Owner of Asian grocery in Bradenton says tariffs, rising costs may close store for good
Finalist: WGCU Public Media | Elizabeth Andarge | Fort Myers church hosts ‘Rainbow Protest in Love’ after state orders removal of street art
Finalist: WUSF | Jessica Meszaros, Steve Newborn & Kerry Sheridan | Tampa Bay region rebuilds after 2024 hurricanes

Investigative Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Mario Pedersen | Medically Unnecessary
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Molly Duerig | Drinking recycled water? In Central Florida, the day will come

Government, Politics & Election Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Rick Brunson | Holy Thursday Service Participants Express Love for Jesus and Immigrants
Finalist: WMNF News | Chris Young | Freedom concerns over Florida’s letter to a reporter
Finalist: WUSF | Douglas Soule & Meghan Bowman | Your Florida team covers state government

Serious Feature Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Nancy Guan | Immigrants in Florida pushed out by federal policies
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Byrnes | Apopka man detained at ICE appointment, despite approval for crime-victim visa
Finalist: WUSF | Jessica Meszaros | Extreme heat is increasing health risks for pregnant Floridians

Light Feature Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Marian Summerall | Cathedral in Orlando reaches out to people feeling blue at Christmas
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Luis Alfredo Garcia | Saints, sinners and saviors: a Florida cemetery in repair
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Mario Pedersen | Orlando’s esports scene levels up with bigger tournaments, and learning opportunities

Public Affairs

First Place: WMNF News | Seán Kinane | Storm Surge: the 2024 hurricane season in Tampa Bay
Finalist: WUSF | Matthew Peddie, Gracyn Doctor, Amelie Horace & Lily Belcher | Can’t find a primary care physician? And a classic story comes to TV

Environment, Science & Technology Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Jessica Meszaros & Steve Newborn | WUSF’s environmental reporting collection
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Molly Duerig | Central Florida lakes are struggling. Engineers behind this new sensor system want to help

Health Reporting

First Place: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Mario Pedersen | Health Reporting Compilation
First Place: WUSF | Meghan Bowman & Kerry Sheridan | Florida vaccine collection

Continuing Coverage or Series

First Place: WUSF | Gabriella Paul | Government cuts to benefit programs
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Byrnes | Immigration Concerns Compilation
Finalist: WGCU Public Media, NPR & PBS for Southwest Florida | Tom Bayles | Parched

Education Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Kerry Sheridan | Schools of Hope collection
Finalist: WMNF News | Chris Young | Pinellas Job Corps students fear budget cuts

Arts Reporting

First Place: WUSF | Cathy Carter, Steve Newborn & Jessica Meszaros | Arts reporting collection
Finalist: WMNF News | Chris Young | Tampa Theatre highlights Black filmmakers

DIGITAL

News Website – Independent

First Place: Florida Politics | Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Drew Wilson & Staff | Florida Politics
Finalist: Stet News | Joel Engelhardt, Carolyn DiPaolo & Liz Capozzi | Stet News Website

News Website – Affiliated

First Place: WUSF | Carl Lisciandrello, Meleah Lyden, Daylina Miller & Rick Mayer | org
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Staff | Central Florida Public Media Website
Finalist: Noticias Telemundo | Staff | Collection

Multimedia Feature

First Place: WUSF | Meghan Bowman | Florida’s plan to end vaccine mandates elicits concerns about diagnosing polio
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Molly Duerig | Fix (slowly) coming for contaminated wells in this historically Black Osceola community
Finalist: Central Florida Public Media | Joe Mario Pedersen & Molly Duerig | More Florida communities are pulling back from fluoride. Here’s why

Online Package

First Place: Noticias Telemundo | Ronny Rojas, José Osuna, Albinson Linares & Staff | Hundreds of truckers are driving in the U.S. with fraudulent Mexican licenses. Some have caused fatal accidents
Finalist: South Florida Business Journal | Jock Fistick, Stephanie Redding & Eman Elshahawy | Online Package
Finalist: WUSF | Gabriella Paul, Octavio Jones | Not so forever home

Infographics

NO ENTRIES

Digital Newsletter

First Place: Stet News | Staff | Stet News in your inbox
Finalist: WUSF | Meleah Lyden, Carl Lisciandrello & Rick Mayer | Wake Up Call Newsletter

SPANISH LANGUAGE

Mejor trabajo de investigación en televisión/radio

First Place: Noticias Telemundo | Ronny Rojas, José Osuna, Albinson Linares & Staff | Presunta red corrupta en México permite a camioneros manejar en EE.UU. con licencias fraudulentas
Finalist: WLTV Univision 23 Miami | Doricer Alvarado & César Charles | El Cartel de los Soles: Cocaína, Poder y Revolución
Finalist: WVEA-TV N Más Univision Tampa | Ariana Colina | Una Frontera, Dos Miedos

Mejor trabajo de investigación en prensa escrita/digital

First Place: Univision Noticias Digital & The Marshall Project | Patricia Clarembaux, Federica Narancio, Christie Thompson & Geoff Hing | Desesperante: Con Trump, ICE encierra a más inmigrantes en celdas en solitario
Finalist: Univision Noticias Digital | Patricia Clarembaux | Desde las dudas sobre los tatuajes a sus operaciones en EEUU: qué es lo que el gobierno sabe realmente sobre el Tren de Aragua
Finalist: Univision Noticias Digital | Patricia Clarembaux | ICE le informó que estaba embarazada y la mantuvo detenida por meses: organizaciones reportan casos similares en números “sin precedentes”

Mejor reportaje especial en televisión/radio/video/podcast

First Place: WVEN-TV N Más Univision Orlando | Laura Bermúdez Araujo | A millas del infierno
Finalist: TelevisaUnivision | Roser Toll | Más violencia, nuevos perfiles, con agentes y autos camuflados: las nuevas detenciones de ICE
Finalist: WTMO Telemundo 31 | Arnulfo Peralta | Autodeportación, la drástica decisión de un trabajador hondureño

Mejor reportaje especial en prensa escrita/medio digital

First Place: Univision Noticias Digital | Isaías Alvarado, Javier Figueroa & Federica Narancio | ¿Dónde están los carteles en EEUU? Así avanza el narco mexicano
Finalist: Univision Noticias Digital | Patricia Vélez & Javier Figueroa | ¿Qué es el ‘expediente en la sombra’ de la Corte Suprema y cómo lo usa Trump para retar a los jueces federales?
Finalist: Univision Noticias Digital | Patricia Vélez & Javier Figueroa | En gráficos: los datos económicos dicen una cosa y la gente espera otra por las políticas de Trump

Mejor cobertura de noticias de última hora en televisión/radio/digital

First Place: WTMO Telemundo 31 | Arnulfo Peralta | En los zapatos de un exiliado
Finalist: Noticias Telemundo | Osmin Martinez, Erika Marcano, Francisco Espinosa & Geysell Cisneros | Choque de avión de AA con helicóptero militar
Finalist: Univision Noticias Digital | Redacción (equipo de breaking news) | La vuelta de Donald Trump al poder

Periodista del año en televisión/radio

First Place: WTMO Telemundo 31 | Arnulfo Peralta | Venezuela e inmigración
Finalist: WLTV Univision 23 Miami | Doricer Alvarado | Las Historias de Doricer Alvarado

Periodista del año en prensa escrita/digital

First Place: Noticias Telemundo | Celeste Rodas de Juarez | Celeste Rodas de Juarez Collection
Finalist: Noticias Telemundo | Albinson Linares | Albinson Linares Collection
Finalist: Noticias Telemundo | Marina E. Franco | Marina E. Franco Collection

Mejor infografía y/o visualización de dato

First Place: Univision Noticias Digital | Isaías Alvarado, Javier Figueroa & Federica Narancio | ¿Dónde están los carteles en EEUU? Así avanza el narco mexicano
Finalist: Univision Noticias Digital | Roser Toll, Patricia Clarembaux, Federica Narancio & Javier Figueroa | ¿Tienes TPS, ‘parole’ o asilo? Una guía para saber si estás en riesgo de deportación

Mejor cobertura de desastres naturales en televisión/radio/video

No winner

Mejor cobertura de desastres naturales en prensa escrita/digital

First Place: Noticias Telemundo | Jorge Carrasco, Alexandra Lander, Osmin Martinez & Francisco Espinosa | Cobertura de los incendios en Los Ángeles

Mejor trabajo estudiantil (todo tipo de medios)

First Place: Caplin News | Staff | Migrantes – Collection
Finalist: WUFT News | Oriana Torre & Andrea Fonseca | Artista Venezolana embellece la ciudad de Gainesville con sus murales
Finalist: WUFT News, University of Florida | Candy Fontana Verde | Del alcoholismo a la recuperación

COLLEGE

College Journalist of the Year

First Place: University of Miami TV (UMTV) | Melanie Lowe | Collection
Finalist: The New York Times, The Charge News, Central Florida Public Media, The Community Paper | Kendal Asbury | Collection
Finalist: WUFT News, American Essence Magazine & The Epoch Times | Natasha Holt | Collection

College Photojournalist of the Year

First Place: Miami Dade College – The Reporter | Lucas Duarte | The Act of Noticing
Finalist: Mako Media Network | Madison Kasper | Collection
Finalist: The Patriot Press | Amber Battillo | Collection

Adviser of the Year

First Place: Grandstand Magazine | Ryan Hunt | Ryan Hunt
Finalist: The Corsair | Marisa Mills | Adviser Submission
Finalist: University of Miami TV (UMTV) | Edward Julbe | College Adviser of the Year: UMTV’s Ed Julbe

Student Publication

First Place: Mako Media Network / The Current | Antonio Escorzon, Lila Taricco & Victoria Ruiz | The Current
Finalist: The Corsair | Staff | Corsair Issues
Finalist: The FAMUAN Newspaper | Staff | Fall 2025 FAMAUN Print Collection

Special Issue

First Place: The Miami Hurricane | Staff | The Miami Hurricane
Finalist: Caplin News | Staff | Class of 2025
Finalist: FAU University Press | Michael Cook & Sabrina Sylvester | The Immigration Issue

Student Broadcast Outlet

First Place: University of Miami TV (UMTV) | Staff | University of Miami Television
Finalist: Mako Media Network / Mako TV | Mako TV Staff | Collection
Finalist: Stingtown News | Staff | Daily Sting

Website

First Place: Grandstand Magazine | Liana Handler, Noah White & Staff | Grandstand Magazine Website
Finalist: Lynn University – iPulse News | Lisset Guillen, Guilherme De Domenico, Max Abrams & Allison Wallace | iPulse News Website
Finalist: The Miami Hurricane | Staff | The Miami Hurricane

Investigative Reporting

First Place: Fresh Take Florida at the University of Florida | Matthew Cupelli | Exclusive: Top Florida GOP official was convicted in probe into his romantic involvement with inmate during his time as jail employee
Finalist: The Miami Hurricane | Katie Karlson | Firework Incident Series
Finalist: The Oracle | Camila Gomez | USF police plan to participate in immigration enforcement program

Breaking News Story

First Place: FSView & Florida Flambeau | Sarah Cheatham, Michaela Galligan, Justice Ulrich & Cameron Glymph | Large fire at off-campus apartment The Social Seminole injures seven
Finalist: The Miami Hurricane | Katie Karlson | RSMAS shuttle driver arrested for DUI while operating shuttle
Finalist: The Minaret | Staff | Hurricane Melissa Live Coverage

News Photo

First Place: Mako Media Network | Marlee Card | News Photo: Shark pride on display: Homecoming Week brings students together
Finalist: The Patriot Press | Amber Battillo | Sugar Moon Kingdom: Baked Goods and Happy Customers

Arts & Entertainment Review

First Place: The Patriot Press | Ashley Brace | Dance of the Deadly: Ballerina Twirls into the John Wick Universe with Precision and Power
Finalist: FSView & Florida Flambeau | Raquelle Elson, Tanner Block, Justice Ulrich & Cameron Glymph | It’s Florida, Man.’ Season 2 is a love letter to the Sunshine State
Finalist: OutFAU | Staff | Lady Gaga

Arts & Entertainment News

First Place: Lynn University – iPulse News | Lisset Guillen | PBS Immersive Pharaohs’ Experience
Finalist: Caplin News | Yaelis Pena & Paige Samuels | From the Bronx to the barre: Kelly Robotham’s full-circle journey home to Armour Dance Theatre
Finalist: Stingtown News | Alessandro De Palma & Anthony Padron | Las Alfombras de Asserin: The Path Towards God

Serious Feature

First Place: OutFAU | Mary Rasura | 10 Questions
Finalist: Caplin News | Staff | History for Sale
Finalist: Fresh Take Florida at the University of Florida | Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Chasing rarity: Poachers brave dangerous Florida swamps for imperiled ghost orchid

Lifestyle Feature

First Place: “The Charge” UCF Nicholson School of Communication & Media | Jeremy Gottschalk, Justice Covert & Grace Lowell | How a UCF professor uses ‘Harry Potter’ to inspire students into learning about anthropology
Finalist: PantherNOW | Linette Garcia | You can still be stylish on a back-to-school budget
Finalist: The Reporter Magazine | Natalie Reese McCoy | Brainrot Versus the Bard: Who is Quoted More at Stetson, Internet Slang or William Shakespeare?

Human Interest Feature

First Place: The Independent Florida Alligator | Candy Fontana Verde | The Latin American and Caribbean Collection preserves history at UF
Finalist: Caplin News | Beverly R. Muzii | Miami’s churches are changing. Will local history be lost?
Finalist: The Miami Hurricane | Samantha Rodriguez | Former UM neurologist explains post that led to resignation

Narrative Feature

First Place: Lynn University – iPulse News | Lisset Guillen | PBS Immersive Pharaohs’ Experience
Finalist: Caplin News | Giancarlo Diago Cevallos | Steve Cody: From hometown hero to tragic pariah
Finalist: Lynn University – iPulse News | Lisset Guillen | Old Florida Bookshop

Sports News Story

First Place: Fresh Take Florida at the University of Florida | Olivia Evans | New law aimed at punishing Trump protesters being used against UF fans who ran onto football field
Finalist: Miami Herald | Noah White | Last-second field goal shocks No. 13 Florida at home as USF completes upset bid
Finalist: The FAMUAN Newspaper | Autumn Haddox | FAMU rattlers defeat Alcorn State in homecoming win

Sports Feature Story

First Place: Grandstand Magazine | Jessica Garcete | Racing’s Virtual Revolution
Finalist: Grandstand Magazine | Liana Handler | More Than Words: Inside the important, unique — and sometimes random — role of MLB translators.
Finalist: The Oracle | Mithil Vyas | USF softball’s Kathy Garcia-Soto balances joy with ambition

Sports Photo

First Place: Florida Atlantic University | Bryce Walker | Zenith
Finalist: Florida Atlantic University | Bryce Walker | Churn
Finalist: Grandstand Magazine | Matthew Lewis | Jadan Baugh: Jump Man

Commentary & Criticism

First Place: The Miami Hurricane | Paulina Barnjak | Advocating for life should include more than just abortion
Finalist: The Oracle | Liv Baker | OPINION: USF students shouldn’t have to pray through hate
Finalist: The Oracle | Lily Belcher | OPINION: Getting public records at USF is too difficult

Front Page Design

First Place: The Miami Hurricane | Brendan Cafferty, Camryn Greiner & Sovannreach Po | Free Speech Edition
Finalist: The Minaret | Samantha Linares, Aleandra Austin, Isabella Alicea & Ciara Grad | Front Page design

Inside Page Design

First Place: The Miami Hurricane | Camryn Greiner | Free Speech Edition Page 2

Video

First Place: Stingtown News | Alvaro Ramirez, Mohammad Monem, Ezequiel Garcia &Rubi Ortega | The Honey Bee Tree
Finalist: University of Miami TV (UMTV) | Gavin Bicho | No King’s Day Protests in Miami
Finalist: University of Miami TV (UMTV) | Billie Brightman | High School Student in Miami Helps NICU Babies

Podcast

First Place: Florida Prison Education Project, Nicholson School of Communication & Media | Donald Sutton, Jeff Pratte & Claire Macchiarola | The Unheard Society Podcast
Finalist: The Miami Hurricane | Bella Wells | The Rawlings Experience

Multimedia Feature

First Place: Caplin News | Lucas Bogardus, Lola Rodriguez, Joanna Camargo & Dylan Teboe | Pages They Pulled
Finalist: Inside Swoop – University of North Florida | Isa Leen & Ken Thomas | Name, Image, and Likeness: the Complexities for International Student-Athletes
Finalist: The Miami Hurricane | Sophia Ibanez & Anabelle Carpenter | Freshman Influencers Series

LGBTQ+ Coverage

First Place: Caplin News | Sarah Mayorca | Petersburg residents rally for LGBTQ+ community with chalk art (includes video story)
Finalist: OutFAU | Gabriela Quintero | We Stand United’ – Individuals Share How Anti-trans Legislation Affect Them
Finalist: The Minaret | Kailey Aiken | Samantha Luque Flips the Script on Filmmaking

Race & Underrepresented Communities Coverage

First Place: Lynn University – iPulse News | Lisset Guillen | Find Your Mission
Finalist: Flagler College Gargoyle | Sophia Cardona | As Immigrants Grow Fearful Over Their Safety, Health Concerns Escalate
Finalist: Flagler College Gargoyle | Kaia Wright | Uncovering Historic Black Cemeteries in West St. Augustine

General News Story

First Place: FSView & Florida Flambeau | Gregory Rusin, Michaela Galligan & Adalyn Pickett | New legislation proposes lowering the minimum age to purchase firearms
Finalist: Fresh Take Florida at the University of Florida | Aidan Bush | Florida begins first prosecutions under controversial ‘Halo Law’
Finalist: Fresh Take Florida at the University of Florida | Sara-James Ranta | Exclusive: Man at center of landmark Florida open-carry gun ruling calls himself ‘patriot’

HIGH SCHOOL

High School Journalist of the Year

First Place: Christopher Columbus High School | Nicholas Dovales | Collection
Finalist: Our Lady of Lourdes Academy – OLLA TV | Andrea Padron | Collection