Several OPB journalists were recently honored with Northwest Excellence in Journalism awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for their reporting on a broad range of subjects.
OPB’s team of reporters, editors and producers are embedded across the region from southern Washington to southern Oregon, and deliver fact-based, in-depth news about politics, the environment, science, arts, culture, history, business, education and more – on digital, radio and TV. OPB’s journalism and programs are made possible by the generous support of OPB members.
The Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest spans SPJ Region 10, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. It is one of the largest contests of its kind in the nation and it recognizes the best in professional journalism in categories covering print/online, audio, television, and more.
In the “Large Newsroom” division, OPB journalists were recognized with first and second place awards across a range of categories in audio, writing and photo and design:
Audio: Feature, Soft News
First Place: “With pandemic especially challenging to seniors with Alzheimer’s, one Portland group helps people connect by walking” (Amelia Templeton)
Audio: Health Reporting
First Place: “Inside an Oregon hospital, here’s what it takes to provide care through the chaos” (Amelia Templeton, Kristyna Wentz-Graff, Jane Greenhalgh, Dave Miller)
Audio: Investigative Reporting
First Place: “Race to the Bottom” (Emily Cureton Cook)
Audio: LGBTQ+ Equity Reporting
- First Place: “Queer, Latinx and deaf-owned: Inside Portland’s Pah! Restaurant” (Crystal Ligori)
- Second Place: “Template for attack on LGBTQ books replicated in Central Oregon” (Joni Auden Land)
Audio: Racial Equity Reporting
Second Place: “Keanon Lowe, who embraced armed Parkrose High School student, writes about Oregon life in “Hometown Victory” (Paul Marshall)
Audio: Technology & Science Reporting
Second Place: “Why transforming the grid is critical to Oregon’s clean-energy future” (Monica Samayoa)
Audio: Feature, Hard News
Second Place: “In Oregon-Idaho border town, planned abortion clinic receives little welcome from locals” (Amelia Templeton & Lillian Mongeau Hughes)
Audio: Government & Politics Reporting
Second Place: “Betsy Johnson sizes up her audience” (Dirk Vanderhart)
Writing: Environment & Natural Disaster Reporting
First Place: “Race to the Bottom” (Emily Cureton Cook)
Writing: Investigative Reporting
First Place: “Race to the Bottom” (Emily Cureton Cook)
Writing: Health Reporting
Second Place: OPB’s reporting on St. Charles Health System (Joni Auden Land & Amelia Templeton)
Writing: Education Reporting
Second Place: “Oregon Tribal Student grant helps Native American students afford college – and stick with it” (Meerah Powell)
Photo & Design: Photo Essay
First Place: “Broken Promises” (Kristyna Wentz-Graff)
Photo & Design: Feature Photography
First Place: “A kiss for good luck” (Kristyna Wentz-Graff)
Photo & Design: General News Photography
Second Place: “Dancer” (Kristyna Wentz-Graff)
Winners of the SPJ Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest were announced June 1, 2023.