New York News Publishers Association

Awards for Excellence

2024 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2024 Awards for Excellence competition. The annual contest recognizes journalistic and advertising excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

Newspapers competed against one another in five circulation classes:
Under 10,000; 10,000-24,999; 25,000-49,999; 50,000-75,000 and Over 75,000. Contest judges selected winners from 365 entries submitted by 19 New York State publications.

EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM

The judges were:

Rob Brill, retired editor of the Times Union, Albany
Diana Bean, retired editor of Binghamton University Magazine
Teresa Buckley, retired senior editor of the Times Union, Albany
Mike Spain, former Associate Editor of the Times Union, Albany
James M. Odato, investigative reporter; former editor of the Adirondack Explorer.

Awards were presented in up to twenty-three news categories (see full category descriptions below). Click here for a copy of the press release announcing the winners.

Following is the list of winners:


	Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Distinguished Beat Reporting	Aaron Marbone, Sydney Emerson, Elizabeth Izzo, Parker O’Brien
Under 10,000	Distinguished Sports Writing	Parker O’Brien
Under 10,000	Distinguished State Government Coverage	Sydney Emerson

	Finger Lakes Times, Geneva
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Distinguished Live Sports Coverage	Pete Lambos
Under 10,000	Distinguished Headline Writing	Louise Hoffman Broach
Under 10,000	Distinguished Sports Photography	Spencer Tulis
Under 10,000	Distinguished News Supplement	Steve Buchiere, Louise Hoffman Broach, Tahlia Fischer, David Shaw, Pete Lambos, Alan Brignall, Mike Cutillo, Anne Allis, Mary Beth Thorpe, Susan Clark Porter
Under 10,000	Distinguished Sports Supplement	Pete Lambos, Nick Felice, Alan Brignall, Anne Allis, Mary Beth Thorpe

	Highlands Current, Cold Spring
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Distinguished Feature Writing	Joey Asher
Under 10,000	Distinguished Business Reporting	Leonard Sparks
Under 10,000	Distinguished Investigative Reporting	Richard Kreitner
Under 10,000	Distinguished Column Writing	Brian PJ Cronin
Under 10,000	Distinguished Sports Column Writing	Joey Asher
Under 10,000	Distinguished Community Service	Brian PJ Cronin
Under 10,000	Distinguished Page Design/Presentation	Pierce Strudler
Under 10,000	Distinguished Feature Photography	Ross Corsair

	The Citizen, Auburn
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Distinguished News Photography	Kevin Rivoli
Under 10,000	Distinguished Online Blog	Robert Harding
Under 10,000	Distinguished Online Photo Gallery	Kevin Rivoli

	The Cortland Standard
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Distinguished Editorial Writing	Todd R. McAdams

	The Daily Catch, Red Hook
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Distinguished Breaking News Coverage	Emily Sachar. Grace Molenda
Under 10,000	Distinguished Multi-Media Presentation	Peyton Pusey, Annie Kacin, Theresa Klemm


	The Daily News, Batavia
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Distinguished Feature Supplement	Staff


	City Limits, NYC
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Features Writing	Emma Whitford, Patrick Spauster, Chris Janaro
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Beat Reporting	Tatyana Turner

	Democrat & Chronicle, Rochester
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Sports Writing	Emily Barnes
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Business Reporting	Robert Bell
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Column Writing	Justice Marbury
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished State Government Coverage	Thomas Zambito
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Page Design Presentation	Mick Hangland-Skill
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Multi-Media Presentation	Staff

	Poughkeepsie Journal
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Online Photo Gallery	Patrick Oehler

	Press-Republican, Plattsburgh
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Editorial Writing	Staff
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished News Photography	Ben Rowe

	The Journal News, White Plains
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Investigative Reporting	Thomas Zambito, Noah Ram
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Live Sports Coverage	Eugene Rapay
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Breaking News Coverage	Gary Stern, Phil Strum, Seth Harrison, Alexandra Rivera
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Community Service	Peter Kramer
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Feature Photography	Frank Becerra Jr.
10,000 – 24,999	Distinguished Sports Photography	Frank Becerra Jr.


	Staten Island Advance
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
25,000 – 49,999	Distinguished Editorial Writing	Brian Laline, Tom Wrobleski
25,000 – 49,999	Distinguished Community Service	Paul Liotta, Erik Bascome, Jessica Jones-Gorman, Tracey Porpora, Tom Wrobleski, Jillian Delaney

	Buffalo News
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Sports Writing	Lance Lysowski
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Feature Writing	Samantha Christmann
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Business Reporting	Matt Glynn, Stephen T. Watson
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Column Writing	Sean Kirst
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Sports Column Writing	Mike Harrington
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Government Coverage	Robert Gavin
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Feature Photography	Joshua Bessex
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Sports Photography	Joshua Bessex

The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Beat Reporting	Marnie Eisenstadt
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Investigative Reporting	Michelle Breidenbach, Rylee Kirk, Jesus Feliciano-Batista, Fernando Alba
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Live Sports Coverage	Mike Waters, Scott Trimble, Donna Ditota, Chris Carlson, Brent Axe
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Breaking News Coverage	Tim Knauss, Marnie Eisenstadt, Rylee Kirk, Jon Moss, Timia Cobb, Christa Lemczak, Doug Dowty, Steve Billmyer, Michelle Breidenbach, Don Cazentre
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Headline Writing	Don Cazentre
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished News Photography	Dennis Nett
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Online Photo Gallery	Dennis Nett
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Online Blog	Katrina Tulloch
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Multi-Media Presentation	Michelle Breidenbach, N. Scott Trimble, Michael Dupras
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Feature Supplement	Sonja Duntley, Kimberly Worner, Steve Featherstone

	Times Union, Albany
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
50,000 – 75,000	Distinguished Page Design/Presentation	Gregory Dayton


	Newsday, Long Island
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Feature Writing	David Olson
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Beat Reporting	Alfonso A. Castillo
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Investigative Reporting	Sandra Peddie, Alejandra Villa Loarca
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Sports Writing	Jim Baumbach
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Sports Column Writing	Laura Albanese
75,000 - and over	Distinguished State Government Coverage	Paul LaRocco
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Page Design/Presentation	Neville Harvey, Andrew Wong
75,000 - and over	Distinguished News Photography	J. Conrad Williams Jr.
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Feature Photography	Alejandra Villa Loarca
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Sports Photography	Thomas A. Ferrara
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Online Photo Gallery	J. Conrad Williams Jr.
75,000 - and over	Distinguished Feature Supplement	Tracy M. Brown, Robert Shields, Andrew Wong, Newsday Staff

EXCELLENCE IN ADVERTISING

The judges were:

Ethan Fogg, Assistant Executive Director of the Geneva Family YMCA, former Regional Director of Circulation and Marketing, Community Media Group
Jeff Weigand, former Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer, Oswego Media Group
Pam Lego, Director of Operations, Hoosier State Press Association, Indiana
Rob Schoenbacher, former President of Newhouse National Sales Co., former President of NY Ad Managers and former President of Albany Ad Cub.
Charmaine Ushkow, former Community Relations Manager, Times Union, Albany

Awards were presented in up to fifteen advertising categories (see full category descriptions below)

Following is the list of winners:


	Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Best Multi Advertiser Page	Susan Moore

	Finger Lakes Times, Geneva
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Best Black and White Ad	Annie Allis
Under 10,000	Best Color Ad	Annie Allis
Under 10,000	Most Effective Use of Paid Small Space	Annie Allis
Under 10,000	Most Effective Use of Paid Large Space	Annie Allis
Under 10,000	Best House/Newspaper Promotion Ad, Series or Section	Annie Allis
Under 10,000	Best Custom Sponsored Content Piece	Anne Allis, Spencer Tulis
Under 10,000	Best Special Section Non-Newsprint Distribution in Paper	Anne Allis

	The Daily Catch, Red Hook
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
Under 10,000	Best Innovative Idea (Shared via Video Platform for Entrants)	Rebekah Hendricks, Elena Gastaldo, Emily Sachar, Kathryn Wheeler, Andrew Checchia, Walter Mullin


	Staten Island Advance
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
24,999 – 49,999	Best Color Ad	David Cohen, Dan Ryan, Harry Johnson, SI Media Group Creative Team, Rachel Ellison-Conaway, Matt Fleming
24,999 – 49,999	Most Effective Use of Paid Small Space	Alaa Selim, Dan Ryan, Robert King
24,999 – 49,999	Most Effective Use of Paid Large Space	Alaa Selim, Dan Ryan, Kara Scandaglia
24,999 – 49,999	Best Online Ad (Static)	Hilary Embrey, Dan Ryan, Kara Scandaglia, Rachel Ellison-Conaway, Matt Fleming
24,999 – 49,999	Best Online Ad (Animated)	Dan Ryan, David Cohen, SI Media Group Creative Team, Rachel Ellison-Conaway, Matt Fleming
24,999 – 49,999	Best Use of Video	David Cohen, Dan Ryan, Rachel Ellison-Conaway, Matt Fleming
24,999 – 49,999	Best Custom Sponsored Content Piece	David Cohen, Dan Ryan, Robert King, Ana Gonzalez, John Saccenti
24,999 – 49,999	Best Innovative Idea (Shared via Video Platform for Entrants)	Dan Ryan, Chris Scott, Robert King, SI Live Studios
24,999 – 49,999	The Charmaine Ushkow Award for Advertising Excellence	Staff


	Newsday, Long Island
Circulation Class	Category	Winners
75,000 – and over	Special Section Newsprint Distribution in Paper	Nannette Fevola, James Rosenfeld, Janine McQuillan
75,000 – and over	Best Use of Video	Nannette Fevola, Adrian Debattista, Donna Saladino-Schaefer
75,000 – and over	Best Custom Sponsored Content Piece	Nannette Fevola, Donna Saladino-Schaefer, Adrian Debattista, Janine McQuillan
75,000 – and over	Best Special Section Non-Newsprint Distribution in Paper	Nannette Fevola, James Rosenfeld, Marcia Thompson
75,000 – and over	Best Innovative Idea (Shared via Video Platform for Entrants)	Nannette Fevola, Donna Saladino-Schaefer, Adrian Debattista, Janine McQuillan

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Subject Categories - NEWS
(Note: Print and digital content is eligible for entry in all categories, except in categories 18-20, which are reserved for online-only content, and categories 21-23, which are reserved for newspaper supplement and/or specialty publication content.)
1. Distinguished Breaking News Coverage
  Submissions should demonstrate effective newspaper response to deadline demands. Submissions may consist of a single story or a group of stories by one or more reporters relating to the same event. Submissions should demonstrate clarity, thoroughness, balance, and aggressiveness in the coverage of local spot news.
2. Distinguished Live Sports Coverage
  Submissions should demonstrate effective newspaper response to deadline demands as related to live sporting events. Submissions may consist of a single story or a group of stories by one or more reporters relating to the same event. Submissions should demonstrate clarity, thoroughness, balance, and aggressiveness in the coverage of local live sports.
3. Distinguished Investigative Reporting
  Submissions should demonstrate thorough, thoughtful, fair, and resourceful reporting of local stories that reveal corruption or malfeasance or inherent flaws in the functioning of society's institutions, and/or stories that effectively measure the performance of those institutions against their stated missions. Submissions may consist of a single story or a group of stories by one or more reporters relating to the same event.
4. Distinguished Business Reporting
  Submissions should demonstrate effective newspaper coverage of business and the economy, skillful investigative reporting and excellence in writing style, editing, display and other pertinent criteria. The subject matter should deal primarily with how business and economic events relate to individuals and the newspaper's community. In this category, a submission may be one or more articles from the same edition relating to the same story, or a series of articles on a common subject running on different days.
5. Distinguished Beat Reporting
  Submissions should demonstrate sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity of local interest. Submissions should be a series of no more than five reports on the same subject or activity by the same writer.
6. Distinguished Editorial Writing
  Submissions should demonstrate a genuine concern for local community problems; courage in taking a position regardless of the popular view and/or against own self-interest; originality of viewpoint and style; and other pertinent criteria. Each submission must be a local editorial. One or more editorials by the same writer on the same subject may be submitted to this category.
7. Distinguished Feature Writing
  Submissions should showcase good writing in non-deadline situations. Submissions may include personality profiles, trend stories, narratives and general features. Submissions should demonstrate style, originality and the ability to make readers laugh, cry or feel. Submissions may consist of a single story or a series of stories from one or more editions relating to the same subject.
8. Distinguished Sports Writing
  Submissions should demonstrate effective coverage of the people, institutions or trends in the local sports community employing thorough, thoughtful, fair, and resourceful reporting as well as quality writing. Submissions may consist of a single story or a group of stories by one or more reporters relating to the same topic.
9. Distinguished Column Writing
  Submissions should demonstrate originality, insight, wit, the capacity to illuminate character, and the capacity to enhance the reader's understanding of persons and events in the community served by the newspaper. Submissions may be a single column or a body of work by the same writer up to a maximum of five columns.
10. Distinguished Sports Column Writing
  Submissions should demonstrate originality, insight, wit, the capacity to illuminate character, and the capacity to enhance the reader’s understanding of persons and events in local or national sports. Submissions may be a single body of work by the same writer up to a maximum of five columns.
11. Distinguished Headline Writing
  Submissions should demonstrate clarity, creativity, and the capacity to distill and capture the essence of the story. Single submissions only will be accepted in this category.
12. Distinguished Community Service
  Submissions (in this category a submission may be a series of articles and/or editorials on a common subject) should demonstrate effort and effect on the part of the local newspaper toward the improvement of the community served, as well as an effort on the newspaper’s part to engage the community through both traditional and new media.
13. Distinguished State Government Coverage
  Submissions should demonstrate effective newspaper coverage of state government as manifested in service to the community; skillful investigative reporting and excellence in writing style, editing, display, and other pertinent criteria. The subject matter should deal primarily with an aspect of state government - the legislature, executive branch, a specific state agency, etc. - and how it relates to the community. In this category, a submission may be one or more articles from the same edition relating to the same story, or a series of articles on a common subject running on different days.
14. Distinguished Page Design/Presentation
  Submissions should demonstrate strong visual appeal, style and originality; and should enhance the written content, making it easy to understand or navigate. Submissions may be a single page or a body of work designed by the same person, up to a maximum of three examples. If submitting a series, up to three days' editions may be included.
15. Distinguished News Photography
  Submissions should demonstrate news value, timeliness, communicative effectiveness, and skill as shown in composition and technical quality. A submission may be one or more photographs from one or more editions relating to the same news event.
16. Distinguished Feature Photography
  Submissions should demonstrate imagination in the handling of feature subjects; communicative effectiveness; appeal to reader interest; and skill in composition, technical quality, and cropping. A submission may be one or more photographs from one or more editions relating to the same feature subject.
17. Distinguished Sports Photography
  Submissions should sharply capture the drama inherent in human athletic competition and draw the reader's eye to peak action, capturing the moment and communicating it on an emotional level with a high degree of technical skill, composition and quality. A submission may be one or more photographs from one or more editions relating to the same subject.
18. Distinguished Online Photo Gallery
  Submissions should consist of a series of photographs which appeared on a newspaper’s website in a single gallery. Submissions should enhance the story to which the gallery is attached, while demonstrating the highest standards of photojournalism.
19. Distinguished Online Blog
  Submissions should demonstrate timeliness, originality, insight, reader interaction and the capacity to enhance the reader's understanding of persons and events in the community served by the newspaper. Submissions may be a single day's blog entry or entries, or a series of blog entries over the course of the year by the same writer, with a maximum of ten entries.
20. Distinguished Multi-Media Presentation
  Submissions should demonstrate work that incorporates distinguished journalistic storytelling via media other than the print format. Submissions may consist of web-based interactive graphics and displays, videos, photo galleries and audio slideshows, or any combination of all of these elements. Creativity, ease-of-use for the website visitor, impact on the community and overall technical execution will be among factors considered by the judges.
21. Distinguished News Supplement
  Submissions should demonstrate imaginative layout and design; creative use of headlines; solid, staff-written articles; and high-quality photos relating to a breaking news event. Submissions should also demonstrate knowledge of and connection with the newspaper’s community, and must contain primarily locally-produced content. Submissions may be one example of a regularly-produced weekly supplement, or a one-time supplement or publication.
22. Distinguished Sports Supplement
  Submissions should demonstrate imaginative layout and design; creative use of headlines; solid, staff-written articles; and high-quality photos relating to a local or national sporting event. Submissions should also demonstrate knowledge of and connection with the newspaper’s community, and must contain primarily locally-produced content. Submissions may be one example of a regularly-produced weekly supplement, or a one-time supplement or publication.
23. Distinguished Feature Supplement
  Submissions should demonstrate imaginative layout and design; creative use of headlines; solid, staff-written articles; and high-quality photos relating to a common feature. Submissions should also demonstrate knowledge of and connection with the newspaper’s community, and must contain primarily locally-produced content. Submissions may be one example of a regularly-produced weekly supplement, or a one-time supplement or publication.
Subject Categories - ADVERTISING
(Note: Print and digital content is eligible for entry in all categories, except in categories 28 & 36, which are intended for print only, and 29-30 & 34, which are reserved for online-only content)
1. Best Black and White Ad
  Submissions can be any ad size. Submission may include an explanation of why entry is a winning entry.
2. Best Color Ad
  Submissions can be any ad size. Submission may include an explanation of why entry is a winning entry.
3. Most Effective Use of Paid Small Space
  Judges will consider the creativity of copy, along with originality and impact. Ad must be conceptualized and executed solely by the newspaper. All ads must be generated by the newspaper. Ads must be less than a half page.
4. Most Effective Use of Paid Large Space
  Judges will consider the creativity of copy, along with originality and impact. Ad must be conceptualized and executed solely by the newspaper. All ads must be generated by the newspaper. Ads must be a half page or larger.
5. Best Special Section Newsprint Distributed In Paper
  Multi-advertiser section involving a single theme. Ad must be produced solely by the newspaper. Judges will consider the uniqueness of idea, content both editorial and ads and overall layout. If an entry runs in multiple newspapers, it must be submitted in a circulation category matching the COMBINED CIRCULATION of those newspapers.
6. Best Online Ad (Static)
  Ad must be fixed, with no moving parts. All sizes are eligible. Ads must be generated by the newspaper (not camera-ready client produced). Can be paid or a house ad. Creativity and effectiveness of design and message will be criteria for judging.
7. Best Online Ad (Animated)
  Ad may be .jpg, .gif or Flash. Must have an animated or dynamic element. All sizes are eligible. Ads must be generated by the newspaper (not camera-ready client produced). Can be paid or a house ad. Creativity and effectiveness of design and message will be criteria for judging.
8. Best Classified Section
  Submit classified page(s) from any one issue during the contest 2023 year. Judged on organization, design, readability, and in-house promotion.
9. Best House/Newspaper Promotion Ad, Series or Section
  Ad/Series/Section produced by staff to promote an aspect of the newspaper. This may be for circulation, advertising/marketing, editorial or general image/branding. If an entry runs in multiple newspapers, it must be submitted in a circulation category matching the COMBINED CIRCULATION of those newspapers.
10. Best Multi Advertiser Page
  Multi-advertiser page or pages (not special section – no cover and minimal editorial) involving a single theme: shopping center, seasonal merchandise, specialty stores, holiday, etc. Judges will consider the uniqueness and overall layout. If an entry runs in multiple newspapers, it must be submitted in a circulation category matching the COMBINED CIRCULATION of those newspapers.
11. Best Use of Video
  Judges will consider creativity, innovation, and impact as well as how effectively the video content delivers the intended message.
12. Best Custom Sponsored Content Piece
  Entries can be a single article or a series of articles that draw the reader in with commercial sales/promotion. Delivering content that is informative, relevant, and entertaining that it is part of readers’ consumption of editorial content.
13. Best Special Section Non-Newsprint Distributed In Paper
  Any section involving a special subject or theme printed on glossy stock qualifies for this category. Judges will consider the quality of editorial content and graphic design. Special consideration will be given to locally prepared editorial and ad content, as well as particular interest or importance to the community. If an entry runs in multiple newspapers, it must be submitted in a circulation category matching the COMBINED CIRCULATION of those Newspapers.
14. Best Innovative Idea
  An innovative project or idea initiated by the newspaper’s advertising department that resulted in additional revenue for the newspaper. Entries should include a short description of the project or idea, information on revenue generated and the product itself, which may have appeared online, in print or both.
15. The Charmaine Ushkow Award for Advertising Excellence
  The Charmaine Ushkow Award will be given for the best overall newspaper advertising. The winner of this award will be the newspaper who has accumulation the greatest number of award among all categories.
Archived 2023 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2023 Awards for Excellence competition.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic and advertising excellence among the association’s member newspapers. Contest judges selected winners from 431 entries submitted by 23 New York State daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2023 contest's press release via the link below:
- 2023 Contest Press Release
Archived 2022 Contest Information
The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2022 Awards for Excellence competition.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers. Contest judges selected winners from 435 entries submitted by 29 New York State publications.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2022 contest's press release via the link below:
- 2022 Contest Press Release
Archived 2021 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2021 Awards for Excellence competition. Due to COVID-19 our traditional awards banquet was again cancelled.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers. Contest judges selected winners from m 426 entries submitted by 22 New York State daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2021 contest's press release via the link below:
- 2021 Contest Press Release
Archived 2021 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2021 Awards for Excellence competition. Due to COVID-19 our traditional awards banquet was again cancelled.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers. Contest judges selected winners from m 426 entries submitted by 22 New York State daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2021 contest's press release via the link below:
- 2021 Contest Press Release
Archived 2020 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2020 Awards for Excellence competition. Due to COVID-19 our traditional awards banquet was again cancelled.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers. Contest judges selected winners from 388 entries submitted by 20 New York State daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2020 contest's press release via the link below:
- 2020 Contest Press Release
Archived 2019 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2019 Awards for Excellence competition. Due to COVID-19 our traditional awards banquet was cancelled.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers. Contest judges selected winners from 358 entries submitted by 19 New York State daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2019 contest's press release via the link below:
- 2019 Contest Press Release
Archived 2018 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2018 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the 2019 Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, July 17 at the Hearst Media Center at 645 Albany Shaker Road, Albany.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

This year, contest judges selected winners from 407 entries submitted by 20 New York state daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2018 contest's press release via the link below:
- 2018 Contest Press Release
- 2018 Contest Awards Presentation
Archived 2017 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2017 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the 2018 Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, July 18 at the Hearst Media Center at 645 Albany Shaker Road, Albany.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

This year, contest judges selected winners from 399 entries submitted by 24 New York state daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2017 contest's press release and presentation via the links below:
- 2017 Contest Press Release
- 2017 Contest Awards Presentation
Archived 2016 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2016 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the 2017 Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, July 19 at The State Room in Albany.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

This year, contest judges selected winners from 436 entries submitted by 23 New York State daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2016 contest's press release and presentation via the links below:
- 2016 Contest Press Release
- 2016 Contest Awards Presentation
Archived 2015 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2015 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the 2016 Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, July 20 at The State Room in Albany.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

This year, contest judges selected winners from 482 entries submitted by 26 New York State daily newspapers.

For the complete list of winners, download the 2015 contest's press release and presentation via the links below:
- 2015 Contest Press Release
- 2015 Contest Awards Presentation
Archived 2013-2014 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2013-2014 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, July 22 at The State Room in Albany.

The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

This year, contest judges selected winners from 480 entries submitted by 28 New York State daily newspapers.

Once again, the Poughkeepsie Journal was the biggest winner of the competition, taking home 14 awards in the 25,000-49,999 circulation group.

Other big winners of the contest included Newsday (12 awards in Over 175,000), the Press-Republican in Plattsburgh (11 awards in 10,000-24,999), The Post-Standard in Syracuse (8 awards in 50,000-175,000) and the Finger Lakes Times in Geneva (7 awards in 10,000-24,999).

Additionally, four people were honored with NYNPA’s John Peter Zenger Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate an unyielding dedication to freedom of the press in the state of New York. The 2015 honorees were Donna Donovan, Lisa Robert Lewis, Barbara Lombardo and Barry Rothfeld.

For the complete list of winners and bios of the John Peter Zenger Award winners, or to view the awards banquet slideshow presentation, please utilize the links below:
Archived 2012-2013 Contest Information

The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2012-2013 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, April 9 at The State Room in Albany. The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

Contest judges selected winners from 567 entries submitted by 34 New York State daily newspapers. To download the banquet's awards presentation slideshow or NYNPA's official press release announcing this year's contest winners please use the links below:
Archived 2011-2012 Contest Information
The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2011-2012 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at The State Room in Albany. The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

Contest judges selected winners from 566 entries submitted by 37 New York State daily newspapers. For a complete list of results, please download the official press release below:
Archived 2010-2011 Contest Information
The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2010-2011 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at The State Room in Albany. The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

Contest judges selected winners from 512 entries submitted by 28 New York State daily newspapers. For a complete list of results, please download either of the following documents:
Archived 2009-2010 Contest Information
The New York News Publishers Association has announced the winners of its 2009-2010 Awards for Excellence competition. This year’s winners were officially recognized at the Continuing Excellence Banquet and Reception on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at The State Room in Albany. The annual contest recognizes journalistic excellence among the association’s member newspapers.

Contest judges selected winners from 644 entries submitted by 33 New York State daily newspapers. For a complete list of results, please download any of the following documents:
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