Matthew Terrell, ArtsATL
Arts Journalism
Story/Series: Disney, Pride and the Power of Song: A Magical Night with the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus
From the judges, “a joyful, well-researched piece.”
Awards & Hall of Fame
Our community takes the time to recognize top leaders within our industry. For more than 50 years we’ve fostered and awarded journalistic excellence to distinguish outstanding individuals who uphold the highest standards of the press.
Awards of Excellence Hall of FameAwards of Excellence
The Atlanta Press Club’s Awards of Excellence celebrates the best of journalism from the previous year. Awards are given within print, broadcast, and digital categories. To learn more about the Awards of Excellence and Sponsorship opportunities, please click here!
The Atlanta Press Club is excited to share expanded and new categories for the 2026 Atlanta Press Club Awards of Excellence. These updates aim to modernize the program, reflect emerging storytelling formats, and ensure our awards continue to celebrate excellence across the full breadth of journalism in Georgia. APC is also is pleased to announce that we will be continuing our partnership with the A-Mark Foundation for the 2026 Awards of Excellence. This continued collaboration enhances the club’s long-standing commitment to honoring the best in journalism by offering cash prizes for the Investigative Reporting category, a key component of the awards. Click here for more information regarding the A-Mark Foundation and submission guidelines.
2026 winners are listed below! Congratulations and thank you to all who participated!
Kim Saxon & ANF Staff, WANF Atlanta News First
Breaking News
Story/Series: Ice Storm: All Hands on Deck
From the judges “a rare snowstorm was the platform that proved the ability of this newsroom to come together as a team. Excellent details on a subject that impacted all. Well done!”
Staff Reports, The Red & Black | The University of Georgia
Collegiate News
Story/Series: One year later: A look at the legacy of Laken Riley’s murder
From the judges, “remarkable work from young journalists who covered this horrific incident with professionalism and grace. Well done!.”
Jake Shore, The Current GA
Digital Enterprise
Story/Series: Georgia DFCS relied on controversial laboratory for drug tests crucial to custody decisions
From the judges “excellent work on a disturbing topic to which a parent or guardian could easily fall victim. Great work!”
Anatassia Olmos, Luke Carter, Dimitri Lotovski, Bailey Williams, Lindsey Basye, Tim Darnell, WANF Atlanta News First
Documentary/Series
Story/Series: HOA Nightmares
As one judge commented “this is an excellent report that is so relevant to so many with nationwide implications. Great camera work, great interviews, simply excellent.”
Fiza Pirani, 285 South
Entertainment Journalism
Story/Series: 808s and heartbreaks: Atlanta rapper Phay sits down with 285 South and talks Palestine, faith, and finding joy amid grief
As one judge commented “an honest and incisive interview.”
Henri Hollis & Ligaya Figueras, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Food, Travel or Culture Journalism
Story/Series: The Atlanta 50
As one judge commented “Hollis and Figueras’ vibrant prose makes their reintroduction of the publication’s “Atlanta 50” list a real joy to read. From its methodology to its descriptiveness to the beautiful layout, this food package brings the reader into each restaurant, highlighting flavors, presentations and atmospheres in a dynamic way.”
Beau Evans, State Affairs
Investigative Reporting
Story/Series: Killed While Crossing
As one judge noted, ” excellent words, graphics and images that underscore an urgent issue in a report that got results. Remarkable work in an incredibly competitive category. Congrats!”
Lindsey Basye, Tim Darnell, Brendan Keefe, Anastassia Olmos, WANF Atlanta News First
Narrative Podcast/Series
Story/Series: Special prosecutor investigating Georgia sheriff after ANF investigation | Behind the Investigation
From the judges, “the topic and excellent coverage define the meaning of true journalism. Amazing and well done!”
Sarra Sedghi, Rough Draft Atlanta
Narrative Writing/Reporting
Story/Series: After back-to-back hurricanes, Georgia’s pecan farmers brace for the future
As one judge commented, “a compelling report that covers the emotions of an imperiled industry. This is a spectacular report.”
Jerry Grillo, Georgia Trend
Print News
Story/Series: Fighting for Farm Futures
From one judge “compelling writing, emotive images and shoe leather reporting bring this issue to life. This story should be held up as an example to newsrooms across the country. Great work!”
Marisa Mecke, WABE
Radio Reporting
Story/Series: Data center use a lot of water. Georgia counties and conservationists are looking for solutions.
As one judge noted “the reporting is so in-depth and well-crafted it rises above and beyond a mere assignment. The trend is on the rise nationally and also affects the entire U.S. Well done!”
Shane Backler, Natalie Mendenhall, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Regularly Released Podcast
Story/Series: Politically Georgia
From the judges “a compelling and unique podcast in a diversified political climate. Well done!”
Sophia Qureshi, 285 South
Reporting on Civil and Human Rights
Story/Series: Detention of reporter Mario Guevara hits Atlanta’s Hispanic community: “Nobody does what he does”
As one judge commented, “a deserved winner in a highly competitive category.”
Grant Blankenship, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Single Image
Story/Series: South Georgia ICE arrests reveal a new reality of immigration enforcement
From the judges “Blankenship’s image of a father reunited with his daughter after being detained by dhs is powerful and heart-breaking. The vivid framing and provocative perspective provides an emotional component to a timely and divisive issue.”
Ken Sugiura, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sports Journalism
Story/Series: Coordinator hiring history has shortchanged Black coaches, including at Georgia, Georgia Tech
One judge commented “an issue that gets little attention commands the full spotlight. Well-written and compelling. Congratulations!”
Dina Temple-Raston, Megan Detrie, Sean Powers, Erika Gajda, Karen Duffin, Jesse Nighswonger and Jake Cook, Click Here Podcast / Recorded Future News and PRX
Tech and Business Reporting
Story/Series: AI + Morality
From the judges “unique and well-documented reporting that shows a talent for interpreting niche subjects to “regular people.” Well done!”
WABE Staff, WABE
The News Innovation Award
Story/Series: Gold Dome Tracker
From the judges “a fantastic creation that blends journalism with technology and politics, keeping users engaged and enlightened in an unbiased fashion. Very well done!”
Tyrik Wynn, 41NBC
The Rising Star
As the judges noted “professional and poised, tyrik winn is a winner for a pleasant and enthusiastic demeanor, strong story selection and audience appeal. Congrats!”
Justin Gray, Justin Crate, Sheila Schutt, WSB-TV
TV Reporting
Story/Series: Consumer 2025
From the judges “an alarming, informative, and important segment.”
Najja Parker (Producer), Koralie Barrau (Producer), Miasarah Lai (DP), Robyn Hutson (DP), Colbie Inez (DP) Keola Racela (Video Editor), The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Use of Video
Story/Series: How an Atlanta marching band plans to dominate HBCUs in the South
From the judges “a terrific peek behind the scenes at HBCU bands and the talents featured. Produced with great care with great interviews and sound. Well done!”
Julien Virgin, WABE
Video Short
Story/Series: Librarians may be at risk
As one judge comments, “great presentation and a tremendous amount of information for a video short. Amazing!”
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame is an annual event that recognizes journalists for their lifetime achievements, whose careers represent the highest standards of journalistic integrity and ethics. They have made outstanding contributions either to journalism in Georgia, the country and the world at large, often courageously overcoming many obstacles to pursue, find and share the truth.
View our 2025 Hall of Fame Sponsor Benefits.
See the 2025 Hall of Fame Event Program.
View the 2025 Hall of Fame Photo Gallery.
Watch the 2025 Hall of Fame Broadcast.
If you have a nomination suggestion for our Hall of Fame committee, please fill out this form or contact info@atlpressclub.org.
If you would like to sponsor the Hall of Fame or other Atlanta Press Club events, please contact Paula Hovater at phovater@atlpressclub.org.
