May 31, 2026 — Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reporters, producers and photographers received 11 Northwest Excellence in Journalism awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

SPJ is the oldest and one of the largest journalism organizations in the United States. The Northwest Excellence in Journalism awards program recognizes outstanding journalism across the Pacific Northwest, including published and broadcast work from Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon.

At an awards ceremony on May 29, OPB journalists were recognized in numerous categories in the “Large Newsroom” division. They received a total of 11 awards for their coverage of a broad range of topics, including Oregon’s Native American boarding schools, a Japanese American meal and cultural program, the unsolved death of Ranier, Ore., resident Sarah Zuber, a Portland-based Cantonese opera group, and more.

OPB’s 2026 SPJ awards include:

Video: Series (large)

“Uncovering Boarding Schools” (Kami Horton and Bruce Barrow)

Audio: Soft News Feature

“How the Pacific Northwest Is Leading a Radicchio Renaissance” (Crystal Ligori)

Audio: Investigative Reporting

“Hush” Season 2 - Love Thy Neighbor (Leah Sottile, Ryan Haas, Sage Van Wing, Anna Griffin and Steven Kray)

Audio: LGBTQ+ Equity Reporting (large)

“Is Skating Out of the Shadows for Trans Youth” (Lillian Karabaic - Billie McBride-O’Neel)

Audio: Technology & Science Reporting

“Why Do Sharks Love Willapa Bay? Northwest Scientists Have Some Ideas” (Jes Burns)

Writing: Government & Politics Reporting

“As ‘Placeholder’ Bills Surge in Oregon, What You See Isn’t Always What You Get” (Dirk VanderHart)

Writing: Arts and Culture Reporting

“A Portland Group Was Formed to Support China During Wartime. Now It Fights a Battle to Keep the Beat of Traditional Music Alive” (Winston Szeto, Jeff Kastner, Arya Surowidjojo, Jenn Chavez, and Mia Estrada)

Writing: Racial Equity Reporting

“'A Place of Rest’ Provides More Than Delicious Meals. It Preserves Japanese American Traditions and Builds Intergenerational Bonds in Portland” (Winston Szeto)

Photography: Portrait

“Shedding Light on Sub-Prime Loans” (Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Photography: General News Photography

“Searching For Sarah” (Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Photography: General News Photography

“Euthanized Whale Is Removed from Oregon Beach” (Saskia Hatvany)