The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists announced the winners of its 2026 Page One Awards during a ceremony held June 16 at The Lowlands in St. Paul.
MNSPJ named Georgia Fort as the recipient of the 2026 Peter S. Popovich Award for courageously and tirelessly advocating for press freedom. Even while facing federal charges for her coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a St. Paul church, she has continued to report and speak out in defense of both a free press and the public’s right to know. The award is MNSPJ’s most prestigious honor. It recognizes a person or organization that exemplifies the fight to uphold First Amendment rights and is named for Peter Popovich, a legislator, judge and advocate for open government.
Joe Spear of the Mankato Free Press was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Spear retired this fall after more than 40 years as a journalist. His tenure as editor of the Mankato Free Press held the powerful accountable and helped shape important public policy discussions. A steadfast defender of the First Amendment, Spear helped make the justice system more transparent and open by fighting to get cameras in courtrooms.
Below is a full list of the honorees. Click here to read about the winners of the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Minnesota.
Special Awards
Journalist of the Year: Reid Forgrave of the Minnesota Star Tribune
Judge’s comments: Whether covering a tragic shooting, chronicling the realities of addiction or illuminating the experiences of immigrant communities, Reid Forgrave brought empathy, careful observation, and exceptional craft to every story. The judges praised his deeply immersive narrative journalism, made possible by his ability to earn the trust of sources over months of reporting and transform those relationships into stories of remarkable depth, humanity, and impact. Reid’s writing captures the complexities and contradictions of human experience with rare clarity, helping readers understand not only what happened, but what it felt like to live through it. Across stories of grief and resilience, violence and courage, loss and renewal, Reid consistently revealed the humanity at the heart of the news.
Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Flores of the Minnesota Star Tribune
Judge’s comments: Through extraordinary trust-building, cultural competency, and visual storytelling, Elizabeth Flores gained access to moments that few journalists could witness and even fewer could capture with such humanity. Her photographs brought people into the lives of families navigating immigration uncertainty, young people finding community amid hostility, and loved ones supporting one another through social, political, and personal challenges. The judges praised her ability to document both the profound and the everyday—capturing resilience, fear, sorrow, joy, and love with remarkable intimacy.
Young Journalist of the Year: Madison McVan of the Minnesota Reformer
Judge’s comments: A whipsmart reporter with a nose for injustices, Madison McVan tackled some of the most consequential issues affecting Minnesotans in 2025. From revealing the complex relationship between homeowners associations, insurance companies, and rising costs, to tracing the human impact of immigration enforcement policies, she consistently delivered reporting that was revelatory, insightful, and grounded in the experiences of everyday people. The judges praised her rare combination of curiosity, analytical rigor, and compassion.
Honorable Mention: Mary Murphy of Forum News Service
Judge’s comments: Mary Murphy’s work covering Minnesota’s state government demonstrates exceptional skill, judgment, and range. The judges praised her ability to navigate topics with fairness, while ensuring that her coverage serves the greater Minnesota audience relying on her capitol coverage. Mary’s reporting reflects a level of maturity and confidence that stands out among journalists early in their careers.
Student Journalist of the Year: Anshu Patel of the Minnesota Daily
Judge’s comments: Anshu Patel’s work demonstrates exceptional courage, curiosity, and impact. The judges praised her willingness to tackle complex, consequential stories and noted that she displayed “all the right instincts of an investigative reporter.” Beyond this standout work, Anshu has distinguished herself through breaking news coverage, accountability reporting, and a relentless commitment to serving the public interest. One judge summed up her promise simply: “If I needed to hire a journalist tomorrow, I would hire Anshu—a ready-made journalist.”
Honorable Mention: Alexandra DeYoe of the Hubbard School
Judge’s comments: Alexandra DeYoe is a journalist whose reporting combines thoughtful rigor with exceptional storytelling. Judges were struck by the humanity and sophistication evident throughout her work, noting that her writing stood apart for its depth, clarity, and emotional resonance. Faculty and editors alike praise Alexandra’s curiosity, dedication, and commitment to mastering every aspect of the craft.
Best Beat Reporting: Jeff Day of the Minnesota Star Tribune
Judge’s comments: Jeff Day has a remarkable ability to uncover the human stories beneath the headlines. He consistently went beyond standard beat coverage of the criminal justice system. His unforgettable reporting from Hennepin County’s Courtroom 141 pulled back the curtain on a critical but little-understood corner of the justice system, capturing the tensions, anxieties and complexities that play out there every day. The judges praised his vivid writing, extra reporting effort and talent for revealing the unexpected. Time and again, Jeff looked underneath, beyond and around the obvious story to find something more meaningful. The result: narrative depth, original thinking and exceptional journalism.
Honorable Mention: Walker Orenstein of the Minnesota Star Tribune
Judge’s comments: Walker Orentstein has established himself as a leading authority on one of the state’s most significant emerging issues. His work on data center development in Minnesota stood out not only for its depth and expertise, but also for its nuance. The judges praised his tenacity, subtlety, and commitment to following this story as it evolved.
Best Use of Public Records: Walker Orenstein, Jana Hollingsworth and Eva Herscowitz of the Minnesota Star Tribune for The Data Center Juggernaut
Judge’s comments: The judges praised the project as an outstanding example of investigative reporting built on exceptional use of public records. They noted the significant effort required to obtain key emails and documents, emphasizing that the work exemplifies the challenging, often unseen reporting labor that this award is designed to recognize. The investigation stood out for moving beyond the hype surrounding data centers and artificial intelligence to uncover the questionable judgment of local leaders and decision-makers.
Print/Online
1A. Breaking News Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Staff of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Assassin at the Door”
Judge’s comments: It is a challenging endeavor to write a comprehensive breaking story, especially on a murder. The reporters covered all aspects of the crime and produced a thorough piece — an engaging read.
Second Place: Staff of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Shattered Sanctuary”
Third Place: Katrina Pross of the Sahan Journal for “The Trial of Derrick Thompson”
1A. Breaking News Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Rachel Hoppe and Stuart Sudak of Eden Prairie Local News for their coverage of the Mitchell Road Hit-and-Run
Judge’s comments: The news team did what defines breaking news: They went deep and narrow on a horrible event. Readers were well informed. Bravo.
1B. Feature Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Walker Orenstein of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Two dead bodies, one remote island and a whisper network: What happened on Isle Royale?”
Judge’s comments: Honestly, this is everything modern investigative journalism should be. The team did an incredible job taking a cloud of speculation and piercing it with actual evidence and public records. They successfully audited a systemic failure in wilderness law enforcement without losing the ‘soul’ of the story. The technical execution (especially the mapping and drone footage) turned the island’s isolation into a living part of the narrative. It’s a masterclass in holding a lens up to public institutions and letting the facts speak for themselves.
Second Place: Liz Sawyer of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Heroes of Annunciation”
Third Place: Jared Kaufman of the Pioneer Press for “County Un-Fair: Inside the long-running disputes that derailed the Ramsey County Fair”
1B. Feature Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Ian Ringgenberg of Racket for “What’s the Deal With Paul Bunyan?”
Judge’s comments: The story pulls people in, especially if they are from the Midwest and are familiar with the folklore of Paul Bunyan. Even if they are not, the story gives a thoughtful history of Bunyan’s origins and the article is formatted into organized topics with subheads. The road trip stops to Paul Bunyan sites were interesting and humorous, putting the reader in the world with the reporter. It was well-researched. The ending brought the idea of a folklore figure into a broader context in today’s world where these ties to a time period or place are not nearly as popular.
Second Place: John Ramos of the Duluth Monitor for “Normanna Township Arsonist Harassed Neighbors For Years Prior to Terrifying Rampage”
Third Place: Keith Harris of Racket for “How the Eagles #34 Mixes Punk, Pulltabs, and Social Club Tradition”
1C. Profile Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Robert Timmons and Anthony Souffle of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Dogged pursuit: Emily Ford goes for the Iditarod”
Judge’s comments: A fascinating profile of both an individual and mushing. The writer was able to connect readers with Emily Ford (and her own story) while also educating readers on dog sledding. A great profile.
Second Place: Rachel Hutton of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “A St. Paul fire killed four of Pa Cheng Vang’s children. The survivors keep him going.”
Third Place: Patrick Coolican and Michelle Griffith of the Minnesota Reformer for “Reformer profile of Melissa Hortman”
1C. Profile Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Jay Boller of Racket for “Meet Minnesota’s Rocketman: Inside the Incomparable Life of Ky Michaelson”
Judge’s comments: The profile immediately drew the reader into Ky Michaelson’s life through a firsthand account of his home. The story had relevant and interesting detail and the timeline of Michaelson’s life was organized. It was well-written, well-researched and every question was answered. An impressive blend of fact and imagery. This story will stick with people long after they’ve read it.
Second Place: Katie Dohman of Super Lawyers Magazine for “Family Business”
Third Place: Shannon Granholm of Press Publications for “From White Bear Eagle Scout to ‘Night Stalker’”
1D. Enterprise/In-depth Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Randy Furst of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Who Killed Two Little Girls?”
Judge’s comments: A fascinating story with clear and concise writing. I could not stop reading. Our industry should be doing more work like this. A great bar to aim for in story telling.
Second Place: Joey Peters and Mohamed Ibrahim of the Sahan Journal for “Somali homebuyers’ dreams dashed by Nolosha Development’s failed promises, missing deposits”
Third Place: Christopher Magan of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Immigration enforcement in Minnesota under President Trump”
1D. Enterprise/In-depth Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Adam Platt of Twin Cities Business for “Under Water”
Judge’s comments: A skillful blend of data and storytelling that brings to life what could have been another routine story about commercial vacancy rates. A lot of digging done here.
Second Place: Mike Creger of the Pine Knot News for “Local deaths reflect a war that befuddled America”
Third Place: Kenzie Nguyen, Maya Betti and Ashlyn Wuench of The Olaf Messenger for “Exploring AI integration in higher education”
1E. Business News Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Victor Stefanescu of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Medtronic’s innovation reckoning”
Judge’s comments: From a basement heart lab to a boardroom to a hospital bed, Victor Stefanescu covered Medtronic from head to toe with straightforward everyday language and plenty of context and supporting data. His stories helped Minnesotans understand the health of one of their state’s biggest employers and the internal and external factors impacting the medical device company’s profitability. The heart lab article stood out as a particular highlight. As journalists, we get to be the eyes and ears for the public in places they’ll likely never experience firsthand. Stefanescu made the most of this opportunity to illustrate Medtronic’s new product pipeline.
Second Place: Dee DePass of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Small Business Beat Reporting – Impacts of Trump’s ICE and Tariff Policies”
Third Place: Walker Orenstein of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Minnesota confronts Big Tech’s data center gold rush”
1E. Business News Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Jerry Burnes of Iron Range Today for “U.S. Steel sale & the Iron Range”
Judge’s comments: Well reported news articles that are deeply reported about an industry that touches thousands of residents in the region. Clear, crisp writing.
Second Place: J.D. Duggan of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for “The New Kitchen Nightmare: Finding One”
Third Place: Stuart Sudak and Mark A. Weber of the Eden Prairie Local News for “Danfoss Departs Eden Prairie”
1F. Business Feature Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Katie Galioto of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “The rise and fall of the family real estate business that dominated downtown St. Paul”
Judge’s comments: This deep dive into the collapse of one of St. Paul’s biggest commercial property owners offers a cautionary tale into what happens when too much power is held by one entity. The reporter does a commendable job using public records and interviews with elected officials and others to reconstruct what led to the downfall, and examines the impact on the Downtown region, as well as businesses and residents. The story is well-written and well-organized, with strong supporting graphics and photos.
Second Place: Frederick Melo of the Pioneer Press for “Twin Cities brace for egg prices“
Third Place: Regina Medina of MPR News for “Latino business owners say customers are staying away in wake of deportation threats”
1F. Business Feature Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Adam Platt of Twin Cities Business for “The Miracle of Matt’s”
Judge’s comments: This story flowed well and drew the reader into the restaurant world through imagery and description of the owner/s. The timeline of ownership and dates were organized. Facts and information were balanced well with the creative wording about this community staple. It was thorough without excess or irrelevant information. Overall an impressive look into a restaurant thriving in a changing world.
Second Place: Seth A. Richardson of Racket for “Goodbye to Palmer’s: A Requiem for Minneapolis’s Weirdest and Wonderfullest Bar”
Third Place: Caitlin Anderson and Nancy Kuehn of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for “Sweet Martha’s”
1G. State Politics/Government Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Politics and Government Team of the Minnesota Star Tribune for the newspaper’s coverage of the Melissa Hortman assassination
Judge’s comments: The depth and speed of the reporting shows the team is well sourced to deliver insightful coverage on a horrific event. Excellent coverage.
Second Place: Christopher Ingraham of the Minnesota Reformer for “Chris Ingraham’s Champion reporting”
Third Place: Ryan Faircloth of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Coverage of Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota politics”
1G. State Politics/Government Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Stuart Sudak and Rachel Hoppe of Eden Prairie Local News for “Legislators React to Gun Violence”
Judge’s comments: Well sourced/researched; good use of details and quotations from sources; show the impact of gun violence on real people’s lives; describes the problem and possible solutions (new and existing ones) and roadblocks to enacting safeguards with respect to gun ownership and gun violence; a timely topic and and interesting read.
1H. Local Politics/Government Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Eva Herscowitz of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Accountability coverage of Twin Cities suburbs”
Judge’s comments: Accountability reporting at its finest. The staff held true to its mission to hold power to account and inform readers. Exceptional reporting and writing.
Second Place: Deena Winter of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “How Minneapolis’ violence prevention program went off the rails”
Third Place: Jake Steinberg, Jeff Hargarten, Ellie Lin, Tom Nehil and Bryan Brussee of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “2025 Minneapolis mayor’s race data-driven storytelling”
1H. Local Politics/Government Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Em Cassel and Jay Boller of Racket for “‘Call It the Clown Car’: An Oral History of Minneapolis’s 35-Candidate 2013 Mayoral Election”
Judge’s comments: An unconventional approach to recapping an unconventional election, complete with a colorful cast of characters.
Second Place: Jerry Burnes of Iron Range Today for “Rock Ridge dance coach hiring ignites racial tensions”
Third Place: Melody Hoffmann of North News for her coverage of local politics
1I. Health/Medical News Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Yuqing Liu and C.J. Sinner of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “MMR vaccination data shows areas of vulnerability in Minnesota”
Judge’s comments: Does a great job of describing national-level issues with a local focus to humanize them, without flinching from showing the ugly parts.
Second Place: Isabella Silva-Biotti of Project Optimist for “Can community-led initiatives bridge Minnesota’s Latino mental health gap?”
Third Place: Mohamed Ibrahim of the Sahan Journal for “Impacts of Medicaid cuts by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress on Minnesotans”
1I. Health/Medical News Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Dene K. Dryden of the Rochester Post Bulletin for “Health care access in Southern Minnesota”
Judge’s comments: Highlights issues surrounding the cost of accessing health care and the dwindling availability of nearby health care services for people living in smaller cities/towns and does so through the experiences of real people; well written; good use of data maps to illustrate the geographic scope of the issues discussed.
Second Place: Em Cassel of Racket for “Meet the Volunteer Pilots Flying Patients From Red States to Reproductive Care”
Third Place: Maddie Robinson of Eden Prairie Local News for “Eden Prairie family turns rare disease battle into hope with Mayo Clinic, new nonprofit”
1J. Education News Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Becky Z. Dernbach, Shubhanjana Das and Cynthia Tu of the Sahan Journal for “How Trump’s return to office changed the University of Minnesota”
Judge’s comments: An expansive look at the myriad ways state institutions are navigating federal decision-making and the real world impact that results.
Second Place: Mara Klecker of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Minnesota schools reporting sharp increase in number of guns confiscated from students”
Third Place: Brian Arola of MinnPost for “Needed: EV mechanics”
1J. Education News Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: David Pierini of North News for “Covid at 5: The Class of 2038”
Judge’s comments: Enlightening on-the-ground look at the lingering impact of the pandemic on today’s youth.
Second Place: Kenzie Nguyen of The Olaf Messenger for “St. Olaf TRIO programs receive funding for the academic year; TRIO continues its battle nationally”
1K. Environment News Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Kristoffer Tigue, Carlos Gonzalez and Yuqing Liu of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Northern wildfires have smoked out Minnesota’s summer, but in Canada it’s been devastating”
Judge’s comments: The opening puts you right in the firefight, while the story proceeds to unpack the devastating impact on those communities. Accompanied by great visuals.
Second Place: Greg Stanley of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Grading Minnesota’s Lakes”
Third Place: Andrew Hazzard of the Sahan Journal for “Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe fears proposed nickel mine will foul nearby waters”
1K. Environment News Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: John Ramos of the Duluth Monitor for “Duluth Looks to Federal Partnership to Address Park Point Erosion”
Judge’s comments: Detailed, well written and well researched presentation of an environmental issue that likely will worsen if no action or inadequate action is taken to mitigate the issue; also provided a good discussion of the financial cost of mitigation and the need for a workable city and federal partnership for a successful outcome; use of photos and maps was helpful in orienting the reader to the locations discussed in the article; an interesting read.
Second Place: Frank Jossi of ENTER for “New Developments in Carbon Neutrality in Minnesota”
Third Place: Kalli Hawkins of WTIP for “Loons entangled in fishing tackle on two Gunflint Trail lakes highlight human impact”
1L. Solutions Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Andy Steiner and Ellen Schmidt of MinnPost for “School–based mental health”
Judge’s comments: This three-part series on school-based mental health treatment in Minnesota was compelling from start to finish. Backed by in-depth reporting and thorough research, the story capitalized on the reporter’s sometimes nearly lyrical writing (such as the first installment’s lead) that kept me highly engaged throughout the series. The stories were seamlessly stitched together to provide a big-picture understanding of what’s at risk and how schools are confronting the mental health crisis head on. Wonderful reporting — and so important and impactful!
Second Place: Susan Du of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Diverse perspectives on homelessness in Minneapolis”
Third Place: Jana Hollingsworth of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “As Duluth’s Park Point washes away, its residents take the reins”
1L. Solutions Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Jeff Strate and Jim Bayer of Eden Prairie Local News for “Eden Prairie’s water stewards”
Judge’s comments: Reporter Jeff Strate dug deep in this in-depth, three-part series of articles that examined worrisome environmental issues — such as salt runoff and algae blooms — that are affecting local waterways and showed how Eden Prairie’s residents, city leaders and local watershed advocates are collaborating to confront those challenges. Strate does a great job balancing explanatory reporting and narrative storytelling elements to help bring the issues to life, without sparing the informative depth needed for readers to fully understand the environmental issues and their potential impact. Substantial reporting and skilled craftsmanship in the writing approach make this an informative, lively and impactful read — while also providing hope for readers who might otherwise feel hopeless about such environmental issues affecting their local waterways. Excellent work!
1M. Best Interview [50k+]
First Place: Deena Winter of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Who is Joe Thompson, the federal prosecutor at the center of Minnesota’s fraud crisis?”
Judge’s comments: Instead of just leaning into the sensational headlines of the crime, the reporter actually audits the legal and financial mechanics behind a $250 million fraud. The discipline here is impressive; it pushes the subject to get past the talking points and provide real data on the oversight failures and shell company logistics. It’s the kind of reporting that treats the audience like they’re smart enough to understand the machinery of the justice system, not just the drama of the trial.
Second Place: Sofia Barnett of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “As shots ripped through Annunciation Church, a teacher used her body to cover child in wheelchair”
Third Place: Subhanjana Das of the Sahan Journal for “Family of man swept up in St. Paul ICE raid say agents entered house without a warrant”
1M. Best Interview [Less than 50k]
First Place: Liz Fedor of Twin Cities Business for “Former Delta CEO Assesses Risks at Reagan Airport Where Crash Occurred”
Judge’s comments: This is exactly what I look for in a technical interview. It skips the usual ‘scare’ story you see after an airport incident and actually digs into the nuts and bolts of aviation safety. The interviewer did a great job pushing a high-level expert to diagnose the real issues…things like runway logistics, controller fatigue, and the physical limitations of Reagan National. It’s a disciplined, fact-heavy piece of reporting that gives you the kind of hard, operational data that’s usually missing from the headlines. Just a superior, professional piece of work.
Second Place: J.D. Duggan of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for “Joe Berg’s ‘mullet concept’ for restaurant success”
Third Place: Jasmine McBride of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder for “Pardon opens new chapter for gang leader turned justice advocate”
1N. Columns [50k+]
First Place: Eric Roper of the Minnesota Star Tribune for his column submissions
Judge’s comments: Admirable job of explaining complex governmental issues in clear and simple terms.
Second Place: Laura Yuen of the Minnesota Star Tribune for her column submissions
Third Place: Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer for his column submissions
1N. Columns [Less than 50k]
First Place: Jay Gabler of the Duluth News Tribune for his column submissions
Judge’s comments: These are the kinds of deep dives I can appreciate. The writer uncovers some really detailed information and manages to present it in a way that grabs the interest and doesn’t let go.
Second Place: Steve Lange of Rochester Magazine for his “Oddchester” column submissions
Third Place: Linda Holstein of Twin Cities Business for her column submissions
1O. Editorials [50k+]
First Place: Ka Vang of the Minnesota Star Tribune for her editorials on Minnesota’s immigrant communities
Judge’s comments: The writer does a fantastic job of making pointed critiques and bringing the receipts. No equivocating, no trying to justify the actions of bad actors, no both-sidesing — no backing down. The second one is particularly savage.
Second Place: Sheree Curry of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Op-Eds on Women, Equity and Media”
Third Place: Elena Neuzil of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Don’t let a rough world discourage you from having kids”
1O. Editorials [Less than 50k]
First Place: Harry Colbert of the Center for Broadcast Journalism for “Violence against journalists is America’s new normal … and it’s unacceptable”
Judge’s comments: Though it’s not exactly an uncommon position in media, the publication does a good job of emphasizing the local and national implications of the campaign against journalists from the administration. It’s easy to take the position, but it’s not easy to take a unique perspective on it.
Second Place: Rick Bussler and Joni Hubred of the Steele County Times for “Parking Ban on Roadway”
Third Place: Chuck Frederick of the Duluth News Tribune for his collection of editorials
1P. Headlines [50k+]
First Place: Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer for the news outlet’s headlines
Judge’s comments: With a play on words, this headline is a sure-shot winner. Clever!
Second Place: Kevin Cusick of the Pioneer Press for “Kevin Cusick: Pioneer Press sports headlines”
Third Place: Catherine Preus of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “The three bears”
1P. Headlines [Less than 50k]
First Place: Mark Reilly of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for a collection of MSPBJ Headlines
Judge’s comments: I particularly like the “Kitchen Nightmare” reference, taking a now-well-known phrase and repurposing it for a local hook.
1Q. Arts & Entertainment Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Alex V. Cipolle of MPR News for “The art, design and archiving of resistance”
Judge’s comments: Several strong entries in this category but the winning entry featured strong stories showing how resistance is happening. An important story that needs to be told.
Second Place: Alexandra Notman Cipolle and Melissa Olson of MPR News for “Following George Morrison, the late great Ojibwe Modernist artist, and the artists he influenced”
Third Place: Jacob Aloi of MPR News for “Three Arts and Culture stories”
1Q. Arts & Entertainment Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Scott Selmer of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder for “Jellybean Johnson: A legacy of joy and genius”
Judge’s comments: This is a really fascinating, in-depth look at a musician a lot of fans wouldn’t recognize, but should. It’s got great firsthand accounts from people affected by Jellybean’s work, and clearly spells out the impact he’s had, even among those who wouldn’t know his name.
Second Place: Lily Osler of Racket for “A Chronic Hater Attempts to Enjoy the Minnesota Renaissance Festival”
Third Place: Em Cassel of Racket for “Fork Over A Few Quarters and Take Home a Mini Masterpiece From These Art Vending Machines”
1R. A&E/Culture Criticism/Reviews [50k+]
First Place: Reed Fischer of The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) for his concert reviews
Judge’s comments: The reviews strike a great balance between description of the live show and insight about the performers themselves, never letting one overtake the other while leaving the review inevitably more knowledgeable than they were when they started reading.
Second Place:Jon Bream of the Minnesota Star Tribune for his concert reviews
Third Place: Jacob Aloi of MPR News for “Three Theatre Reviews”
1R. A&E/Culture Criticism/Reviews [Less than 50k]
First Place: Azhae’la Hanson of North News for “Sol Salvation is more than a choir. It’s a conduit for Black joy”
Judge’s comments: The visuals and descriptions really help to support a story that seems like it’s meant to be felt, rather than read, which would seem to fit the subject matter of a joyous celebration.
Second Place: Keith Harris of Racket for “Racket Music Criticism”
Third Place: Jay Gabler of the Duluth News Tribune for “A&E/Culture/Criticism/Reviews”
1S. Sports News Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Gretchen Brown of MPR News for “Downtown Minneapolis is struggling. Would a new Wolves and Lynx arena help?”
Judge’s comments: Great story with solid coverage of the topic. Outstanding work!
Second Place: Jim Foster of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “The Wolves were the worst team in all of men’s sports. Now they could be our best hope for a title.”
Third Place: Heather Rule of Minnesota Hockey Magazine for “Minnesota Frost 2024-25: Back-to-back Walter Cup champions”
1S. Sports News Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Theodore Tollefson of ZoneCoverageMN for “Ryan vs. Skenes Lives Up To the Hype, Correa In ‘Good Spirits’ After 7th Inning Collision”
Judge’s comments: Solid game account of big pitching matchup.
1T. Sports Feature Reporting [50k+]
First Place: Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “The making of J.J. McCarthy”
Judge’s comments: Fascinating look at the system that goes into creating the modern NFL quarterback.
Second Place: Anika Besst of MPR News for “Calls for changes in the WNBA follow a history of advocacy in women’s sports”
Third Place: Emily Leiker and Ellie Lin of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Justin Jefferson is finding he fits in the fashion world”
1T. Sports Feature Reporting [Less than 50k]
First Place: Stuart Sudak of the Eden Prairie Local News for “Eden Prairie hoops star hits historic milestone”
Judge’s comments: Great story that tells us about the person and athlete featured. Good use of quotes and excellent reporting.
Second Place: Theodore Tollefson of ZoneCoverageMN for “Mark Hallberg Is A World Traveler Who’s Found A Home In Minnesota”
Third Place: Johnnie Phillips of the Steele County Times for “Miraculous Recovery”
1U. Best Website [Print/Online combined]
First Place: Staff of the Minnesota Star Tribune
Judge’s comments: In addition to ease of use and a clean look, the expansive visuals — both photos and graphics — gave this entry a leg up.
Second Place: Elizabeth Dunbar and Jim Bernard of MinnPost
Third Place: Jerry Burnes of Iron Range Today
1V. Best Social Media Account [Print/Online combined]
First Place: Audrey Kennedy of Axios for Axios Twin Cities’ Instagram account
Judge’s comments: Variety of interesting coverage. Engaging content. Great use of creative storytelling! Outstanding work!
Second Place: Staff of MPR News for the MPR News Instagram account
Third Place: Staff of the Duluth News Tribune for the News Tribune’s Instagram
1W. Best Newsletter [Print/Online combined]
First Place: Torey Van Oot, Nick Halter, Kyle Stokes and Audrey Kennedy of Axios for the Axios Twin Cities newsletter
Judge’s comments: The Axios Twin Cities newsletter offers a simple, attractive format with an easy-on-the-eyes template that’s ideal for today’s on-the-go readers. The mix of quick hits and longer reads is well-written, often clever and offers something for everyone, whether they just want a quick skim or a deeper dive. Though it taps the company’s corporate formula, this local version has talented staffers who produce a standout product for their local audience.
Second Place: Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer for “Reformer newsletters”
Third Place: Nick Woltman of the Pioneer Press for “From the Archives”
1X. Audience Engagement [Print/Online combined]
First Place: Joey Peters, Cynthia Tu, Sam Rabiyah and Staff of the Sahan Journal for “Meet Your Mayor Quizzes”
Judge’s comments: This series is a true UX engagement collection of articles and stories that is interactive for the audience across multiple platforms. Interaction with site is measurable. The readers/viewers are educated with memorable tools and are given ongoing opportunities for civic learning.
Second Place: Anika Besst, Michael Olson, Anna Haecherl and Matt Mikus of MPR News for “MPR News’ Minnesota voter guide 2025”
Third Place: Jake Steinberg, Jeff Hargarten, Zoë Jackson, Tom Nehil, Jamie Hutt and Bryan Brussee of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Where is Uptown? Help us settle the debate”
TV/Video
2A. Breaking News Reporting [TV/Video]
First Place: Staff at KSTP-TV for the station’s coverage of the Annunciation Shooting
Judge’s comments: Comprehensive coverage, including interviews with the children and adults affected by the shooting incident; use of such interviews shows the real/personal aspect of such events; reporting of the event and the interviews with children and adults were handed with respect and concern for the emotions of those affected; having multiple reporters on the story allowed for a broad view of the situation unfolding; well done.
Second Place: Dymanh Chhoun and Alberto Villafan of Sahan Journal for “Protesters clash with federal, MPD officers over armed enforcement action on Lake Street”
Third Place: Paul Blume of KMSP-TV for “Real Time Capture & Arrest of a Political Assassin”
2B. General News Reporting [TV/Video]
First Place: Lewis Karpel of WCCO-TV for “Coming Together for Pride”
Judge’s comments: An energetic and colorful look at the Twin Cities Pride Festival.
2C. Feature Reporting [TV/Video]
First Place: Boyd Huppert and Chad Nelson of KARE 11 for “The Heart of Hudson”
Judge’s comments: How can you improve upon perfection? The viewer is immersed in the story immediately through excellent sound and video. The reveal midway through caps it off. Nice work.
Second Place: Joe Mazan and Jason Hanson of KSTP-TV for “The LEGO King of Minneapolis”
Third Place: Jeff Wagner and Lewis Karpel of WCCO-TV for “Supporting Women in the Trades”
2D. Enterprise/In-Depth Reporting [TV/Video]
First Place: Jennifer Mayerle and Grant Verdon of WCCO-TV for “WCCO Investigates: Grooming”
Judge’s comments: This is a thorough and thoughtful examination of difficult and complicated questions. What can be done to better protect vulnerable students from sexual predator teachers? When does creepy manipulative behavior need to be classified as a crime?
The reports humanize the issue through the compelling personal account of a victimized young woman crusading to create new laws. And testimony from a detective, prosecutor, lawmaker and education overseer shows how present laws are inadequate. Most states lack any anti-grooming law at all. Eye-opening coverage of a genuine problem that needs more attention.
Second Place: Nathan O’Neal, Casey Hooker and Joe Augustine of KMSP-TV for “Who Benefits? Inside the long-term care insurance crisis”
Third Place: Paul Blume and Vanshay Murdock of KMSP-TV for “Passcode Predators”
2E. News Special [TV/Video]
First Place: Staff of KSTP-TV for “What the Fraud?”
Judge’s comments: A comprehensive look at an evolving, hot-button issue, providing critical facts and context on the use of taxpayer funds.
Second Place: Alberto Villafan, Hannah Ihekoronye, Samantha HoangLong and Michael Tortorello of the Sahan Journal for “How is the ICE surge affecting Somali Minnesotans?”
2F. Documentary [TV/Video]
First Place: Joe Augustine, Casey Hooker and Sean A. Skinner of KMSP-TV for “Everywhere & Forever: Blood. Water. And the Politics of PFAS.”
Judge’s comments: This is an eye-opening look at how a Megabucks Corporation co-opted a regulatory agency to keep selling a ubiquitous product that damaged the environment and sickened many people. The story unfolded over decades. But this provides 20-20 hindsight by tracking down key players today and sorting through taped depositions of how 3M infiltrated the oversight process. Very effective storytelling, using “in their own words”: testimony from the heroic whistleblower, scientific researchers, government officials and victims and their families. The chemical in question was a stain repellent. But this documentary leaves a damning stain on all who enabled or allowed this.
Second Place: Vanshay Murdock, Symone Woolridge and Joe Augustine of KMSP-TV for “After George Floyd”
Third Place: Vanshay Murdock, Joe Augustine and Sean Skinner of KMSP-TV for “Gales of November: Diving the Edmund Fitzgerald”
2G. Sports News Reporting [TV/Video]
First Place: Nathan O’Neal, Casey Hooker and Joe Augustine of KMSP-TV for “Wakesurfing Wars”
Judge’s comments: Thorough examination of important issue potentially impacting thousands of lakes. Balanced reporting. Best part was the underwater camera footage of the ski boat and wakesurfing boat impact on lakes and the lake bed. Well done.
Second Place: Boyd Huppert and Chad Nelson of KARE 11 for “Welch’s Wonder: Skier, Coach, Legend”
Third Place: Kaomi Lee and Nic Ortiz of Twin Cities PBS for “Ski Jumping on Mt. Itasca”
2H. State Politics/Government Reporting [TV/Video]
First Place: Jennifer Mayerle and Grant Verdon of WCCO-TV for “Tracing Crime Guns Legislation”
Judge’s comments: In a nation where guns outnumber citizens and the Second Amendment is sacred, this may be a losing battle. But this reporting was the catalyst that led a lawmaker to sponsor and push for a state law. It’s a valuable tool to help police investigate cases, track down those supplying guns to minors or offenders and curb dangerous gun trafficking. There’s no reason all police agencies should not have to report seized guns and consult all available records that match guns, crimes, buyers and users. In Minnesota, thanks to this station’s reporting, now they do.
Second Place: Jennifer Mayerle, Grant Verdon and Lewis Karpel of WCCO-TV for “Flagging Safety Risks”
Third Place: Kaomi Lee and Nic Ortiz of Twin Cities PBS for “Net Metering for Rural Solar Projects”
2J. Best Interview [TV/Video]
First Place: Brandi Powell, Dylan Jacobson and Mark Garvey of KSTP-TV for “Justice Journeys”
Judge’s comments: Brandi Powell crafts a thoughtful, forward-looking piece in Justice Journeys, reflecting on the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. In an interview with three community and social justice leaders, she seeks perspective on the national and international movement spawned by Mr. Floyd’s death. The conversation includes lessons learned, the power of communities to effect change and the need to look at public safety and the communities served in new ways. The interview reminds us of the singular impact of this event in American history and its implications for race relations and community/police relationships.
Second Place: Jennifer Mayerle and Grant Verdon of WCCO-TV for “Stepping Through Mental Health Hurdles”
Third Place: Jill Riley of The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) for “Bon Iver interview”
2K. Social Video Storytelling [TV/Video]
First Place: Ryan Raiche, Eric Rasmussen and Kirsten Swanson of KSTP-TV for “5 INVESTIGATES on Instagram”
Judge’s comments: This is a rare example of social video with real investigative muscle. It doesn’t just report on the news; it forces the machinery of government to actually work. Seeing a reporter use a reel to show the ‘before and after’ of un-redacted city invoices is a powerful demonstration of the ‘Social ROI’ of journalism. It’s disciplined, fact-heavy, and treats the viewer like a stakeholder in their own community. This is exactly how you translate hard-hitting accountability into a modern format.
Second Place: Amanda Anderson of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Curious Minnesota”
Third Place: Georgia Fort, Brian Few , Rebecca Gilbuena and Destiny Roberts of BLCK Press for “Social Video Storytelling by BLCK Press & Georgia Fort”
Radio
3A. Breaking News Reporting [Radio]
First Place: Staff at MPR News for the station’s coverage of the Annunciation Church and School shooting
Judge’s comments: Exemplary example of a news outlet providing vital, real-time updates to a community in the grips of the unthinkable.
Second Place: Chelsey Perkins of KAXE / KBXE for “Former Sen. Justin Eichorn’s Arrest”
Third Place: Kalli Hawkins of WTIP for “Woman and dog rescued from partially submerged vehicle on Poplar Lake”
3B. General News Reporting [Radio]
First Place: Xan Holston, Victor Palomino and Grace Jacobson of Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations for “Franklin Library Incident Sparks Questions About Security”
Judge’s comments: Balanced look, using an array of sources, at a recent, troubling incident and the questions it raised.
Second Place: Regina Medina and Matthew Alvarez of MPR News for “New Latino supermarket offers pieces of home for its Richfield customers”
Third Place: Kalli Hawkins of WTIP for “After 50 years, printing of News Herald returns to Cook County with a new look”
3C. Feature Reporting [Radio]
First Place: Jon S Collins of MPR News for “‘Tinted windows and out-of-state plates’: How ICE watchers look for agents in their neighborhoods”
Judge’s comments: This breathless piece captures the fear, commitment and urgency of residents trying to protect their neighborhood and neighbors against the faceless and often brutal force of ICE. The listener feels like they are in the frontline of the story behind the tragic headlines. Compelling and urgent!
Second Place: Alex V. Cipolle and Jacob Aloi of MPR News for “Art Friend heads to the Museum of Russian Art for a journey into the world of mushrooms”
Third Place: Lukas Levin of MPR News for “One Minnesotan’s search for a violin lost during the Holocaust”
3D. Enterprise/In-depth Reporting [Radio]
First Place: Angela Davis, Chris Farrell, Alex Simpson and Feven Gerezgiher of MPR News for “MPR News with Angela Davis: Our Canada Connections”
Judge’s comments: Does President Trump’s saber-rattling and disrespectful rhetoric and treatment of friends and allies have any real impact? This series of reports shows it has harmed trade, tourism and everyday relations with our longtime close neighbor and ally Canada. Talking to ordinary Canadian residents, business people and academics show the damage in trust and the resulting anger and retaliation that has already taken place. Friendly cross-border ties are now uncomfortable. Fewer Canadians are visiting. American products are being displaced on Canadian store shelves. Angela Davis’ and her colleagues’ spontaneous interviews with Canadians show how a century of friendship is at risk.
Second Place: Kirsti Marohn, Dan Kraker, Ben Hovland and Derek Montgomery of MPR News for “Trouble by the water: Minnesota’s lakes under threat”
Third Place: Ellie Roth of MPR News for “Inspection shortfalls, political pressures leave low-income renters vulnerable in greater Minnesota”
3E. News Special [Radio]
First Place: The staff of Minnesota Now at MPR News for “24 Minnesotans reflect on how COVID-19 changed their lives”
Judge’s comments: What a well-produced program. The personal stories covered such a wide range that listeners could relate to someone speaking. Thorough. Interesting. Relevant. Nice work.
Second Place: Angela Davis, Stephen Smith and Chris Julin of MPR News for “Minneapolis to Montgomery: The Police and Black Men Project”
Third Place: Nina Moini, Brandt Williams, Aleesa Kuznetsov and Megan Burks of MPR News for “Before George Floyd: A Minneapolis legacy of protest, policing and the long road to change”
3F. News/Public Affairs [Radio]
First Place: Angela Davis, Cari Dwyer, Maja Beckstrom and Nikhil Kumaran of MPR News for “MPR News with Angela Davis: After the Annunciation Shootings, How Communities Heal”
Judge’s comments: Experts share valuable information coping with trauma and mental health after a mass casualty event. As the segment pointed out: this is often an overlooked area. Good format that included taking calls from listeners. WELL DONE!
Second Place: Staff of Minnesota Now of MPR News for “Minnesota Now: Lawmaker shootings”
Third Place: Staff of Minnesota Now of MPR News for “Memorable Conversations of 2025”
3G. Podcast [Radio]
First Place: Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom of MPR News for “MPR News with Angela Davis: Are You Sober Curious?”
Judge’s comments: Timely topic in today’s society. Nice range of speakers giving first hand advice. Good information for drinkers and non-drinkers for health and safety.
Second Place: Matthew Schneeman and Julie Censullo of KFAI for “The Long, Dark Shadow of Minnesota’s Eugenic Sterilization Program”
Third Place: Eric Roper, Melissa Townsend, MaryJo Webster and Jenni Pinkley of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Ghost of a Chance”
3I. Local Politics/Government Reporting [Radio]
First Place: Chelsey Perkins of KAXE / KBXE for “Brainerd City Council and Homelessness Policy”
Judge’s comments: Highlights an important issue that many cities are dealing with; offers the perspective of government officials and the homeless individuals, the latter who face an uncertain future.
Second Place: Chelsey Perkins of KAXE / KBXE for “Local Sheriffs Enter ICE Agreements”
3J. Best Interview [Radio]
First Place: Nina Moini and Alanna Elder of MPR News for “Four years after Daunte Wright‘s death, Brooklyn Center scales back police reform”
Judge’s comments: This interview makes clear at the outset how these two mothers, who lost their sons during encounters with police, have drawn strength from each as they push for change.
Second Place: Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov of MPR News for “Meet an Annunciation family helping move the community toward healing after tragedy”
Third Place: Mike Pengra of The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) for “Caitlin Canty Interview”
Photography/Graphics
4A. News Photography [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Ellen Schmidt of MinnPost for her portfolio of news photos
Judge’s comments: Powerful images that help to tell an impactful story. Amazing work!
Second Place: Nicole Neri of the Minnesota Reformer for her News Photography
Third Place: Alex Kormann of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Manhunt”
4B. Feature Photography [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Steve Silverman of Eden Prairie Local News for his portfolio of feature photos
Judge’s comments: Good framing. Good composition. Good job. Nice work capturing everyday people at their best.
Second Place: Tony Nelson of The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) for “Concert Photos”
Third Place: Juliet Farmer of The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) for “Lifestyle photos”
4C. Portrait Photography [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Lorie Shaull of KAXE / KBXE for “Northern Minnesota Portrait Photography”
Judge’s comments: Portraits of everyday Americans tap into the fabric of America. These shots have that energy and personality. Well done to capture these slice-of-life moments.
Second Place: Sara Fish of The Current (Minnesota Public Radio) for “Music Portraits”
Third Place: Nancy Kuehn of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for “Nancy Kuehn Portraits”
4D. Sports Photography [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Elizabeth Flores of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Eye for an Eye”
Judge’s comments: Incredible stop-action moment captured at the right instant. Good patience to keep focused on the action. Proves that only in the rule book is basketball a non-contact sport.
Second Place: Rick Olson of the Eden Prairie Local News for his sports photos
Third Place: Lorie Shaull of KAXE / KBXE for “Northern Minnesota Sports Photography”
4E. Infographic/Data Visualization [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Jake Steinberg, Bryan Brussee and Mark Boswell of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “How does 2024’s weather compare with your childhood’s?”
Judge’s comments: This is a brilliant way to take what’s otherwise a distant international issue and puts it in stark personal terms, with engaging imagery and functionality.
Second Place: Cynthia Tu of the Sahan Journal for “How the ‘Slate for Change’ strategy played out in the Minneapolis mayoral election”
Third Place: Ellie Lin and Brooks Johnson Minnesota Star Tribune for “Knee-high by Fourth of July: What grows in Minnesota and why”
4F. Illustration [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Mark Edwin Boswell and Jeff Day of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “David Lynch’s Midwest”
Judge’s comments: This is a very clever look at a topic that’s interesting, but might drag if it were expressed entirely with words and photos. You can clearly see the amount of work that went into it, not just creating the image but finding the information to make it possible.
Second Place: Cori Lin of the Sahan Journal for “They came to the U.S. to attend middle school. Then the immigration crackdown began.”
Third Place: Chandler Lannes of Project Optimist for “Firearms solutions series: Illustrated”
4G. Page Design [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Mike Novak of Twin Cities Business for “The Miracle of Matt’s,” Aug/Sept 2025
Judge’s comments: Every design choice helps tell the story, from the font and colors to the photo placements.
Second Place: Anna Boone, Tom Nehil and Jake Steinberg of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “Paddling the Twin Cities”
Third Place: Josh Jones of the Minnesota Star Tribune for “The legacy of George Floyd”
4H. Magazine Cover [Photography/Graphics]
First Place: Mike Novak and Bill Phelps of Twin Cities Business for Twin Cities Business, Feb/March 2025
Judge’s comments: Use of added design elements makes what could be a flat cover into a dynamic one. Those same elements make it easier to read the headlines, too, giving the cover even more impact.
Second Place: Mike Novak of Twin Cities Business for “Twin Cities Business, June/July 2025”