May 31, 2026 — Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reporters, producers and photographers received 33 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, as well as a follow up announcement on June 1, OPB journalists were recognized in numerous categories. They received a total of 33 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 received 11 first place awards, 10 second place awards and 12 third place awards in the “Large” division:
First Place Awards
Audio Category:
- At Large: Multimedia Storytelling: “People of Color Outdoors cultivates community by leading outside gatherings” (Paul Marshall II)
- Feature (Soft News): “Finding ‘Sidewalk Joy’ around Portland and beyond” (Crystal Ligori)
- Investigative Reporting: “Hush Season 2: Love Thy Neighbor” (Leah Sottile, Ryan Haas, Sage Van Wing, Anna Griffin, Steven Kray)
- Technology & Science Reporting: “Why do sharks love Willapa Bay? Northwest scientists have some ideas” (Jes Burns, Brooke Herbert)
- LGBTQ+ Equity Reporting: “Billie McBride-O’Neel is skating out of the shadows for trans youth” (Lillian Karabaic)
Photo & Design Category:
- General News Photography: “Searching for Sarah” (Kristyna Wentz-Graff)
- Portrait Photography: “Shedding light on sub-prime loans” (Kristyna Wentz-Graff)
Video Category:
- Feature (Soft News): “How the Pacific Northwest is leading a radicchio renaissance” (Crystal Ligori, Stephani Gordon, Christie Goshe)
- Video Series: “Uncovering Boarding Schools” (Kami Horton, Bruce Barrow)
Writing Category:
- Arts & 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 Chávez, Mia Estrada)
- Government & Politics Reporting: “As ‘placeholder’ bills surge in Oregon, what you see isn’t always what you get” (Dirk VanderHart)
Second Place Awards
Audio Category:
- Feature (Hard News): “‘This community is not the enemy’: Hillsboro teachers form neighborhood ICE watch” (Holly Bartholomew)
- Feature (Soft News): “‘At Work With’ Sherwood garbage collector who calls himself ‘refuse acquisition and transport specialist’” (Lillian Karabaic)
- Government & Politics Reporting: “Trump’s return brings a mix of emotions and strains relationships in the Northwest” (Emily Cureton Cook)
- Technology & Science Reporting: “New tech at Trail Blazers games helps engage blind sports fans” (Crystal Ligori)
Photo & Design Category:
- Feature Photography: “‘Honor the dead by fighting for the living:’ Central Oregon celebrates Día de Muertos” (Kathryn Styer Martínez)
- General News Photography: “Euthanized Whale is Removed From Oregon Beach” (Saskia Hatvany)
Writing Category:
- Crime & Law Enforcement Reporting: “DNA helps unlock a Washington County cold case. It could also unravel it” (Conrad Wilson, Michelle Wiley)
- Poverty & Homelessness Reporting: “‘I just wanna go home’: In aging Oregon, older and vulnerable adults struggle to get by” (Bryce Dole)
- 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, Anna Lueck, Jenn Chávez, Mia Estrada)
- Sports Reporting: “After Trail Blazers’ stunning draft, Yang Hansen lands in Portland feeling ‘beautiful connection’ to the city” (Winston Szeto, Tony Schick, Bradley Parks, Morgan Barnaby, Joey Lovato)
Third Place Awards
Audio Category:
- Feature (Hard News): “‘I just wanna go home’: In aging Oregon, older and vulnerable adults struggle to get by” (Bryce Dole)
- Feature (Soft News): “Wilsonville math teacher rides to all 95 MAX stations for world record” (Lillian Karabaic, Prakruti Bhatt)
- Federal Impact Reporting: “ICE plots an outpost on the Oregon Coast” (Dirk VanderHart)
- Government & Politics Reporting: “In East Portland, a light post offers hope for a change in City Hall representation” (Alex Zielinski)
- LGBTQ+ Equity Reporting: “‘The Evergreen’: Portland-based photographer explores what it means to be butch” (Jenn Chávez, Julie Sabatier, Emily Hamilton, Steven Kray, Nalin Silva)
- Racial Equity Reporting: “People of Color Outdoors cultivates community by leading outside gatherings” (Paul Marshall II)
- Technology & Science Reporting: “Oregon is digging deep to tap into an uncommon renewable energy source — Super Hot Rocks” (Monica Samayoa)
Video Category:
- Feature (Hard News): “In Pendleton, a tiny plane keeps people connected. But could buses do it better?” (Lillian Karabaic, Prakruti Bhatt)
- Feature (Soft News): “Wilsonville math teacher rides to all 95 MAX stations for world record” (Prakruti Bhatt, Lillian Karabaic)
Writing Category:
- Education Reporting: “‘This community is not the enemy’: Hillsboro teachers form neighborhood ICE watch” (Holly Bartholomew)
- Government & Politics Reporting: “The state of Portland’s homelessness crisis, as mayor’s critical deadline passes” (Alex Zielinski)
- Technology & Science Reporting: “Oregon is digging deep to tap into an uncommon renewable energy source — Super Hot Rocks” (Monica Samayoa)