2025 Award winners

Thank you to all the journalists and news organizations who entered this year’s contests.

The 2025 JANY Awards celebrate the best journalism published in New York state during 2024. Winners were honored on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Below are this year’s first- and second-place winners.

Special award winners

  • The award recognizes the work and potential of a New York journalist.

    Winner: Marnie Eisenstadt, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

  • Recognizes masterful achievement in all aspects of print journalism, celebrating not only compelling reporting and editorial content, but also excellence in visual presentation

    Winner: The Highlands Current

Newspaper award winners

  • Interview Podcast

    • First Place: "The Eagle: A Times Union Podcast," Jessica Marshall, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "Rick Pitino on Jim Boeheim: 'I always see Jim in a different light' (Inside Syracuse Basketball)," Mike Waters, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Narrative Podcast

    • First Place: "Catastrophic Failure," Jessica Marshall, Larry Rulison, (Albany) Times Union

    Social Media: Overall Presence

    • First Place: "Syracuse.com social media," Syracuse.com staff, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Staten Island's community center," Staff, Staten Island Advance

  • Newspapers with an assessed weekly circulation of less than 75,000.

    Arts/Entertainment Reporting

    • First Place: "My Fair Lady' is Unfortunately Relevant," Lily Byrne, Cortland Standard

    Business Reporting

    • First Place: "Who Will Watch the Kids?," Leonard Sparks, The Highlands Current

    Column Writing

    • First Place: "Reporter's Notebook," Joey Asher, The Highlands Current

    Digital Presence

    • First Place: "Highlands Current," Staff, The Highlands Current

    Editorial Writing

    • First Place: "Solutions," Todd Raymond McAdam, Cortland Standard

    Enterprise Reporting

    • First Place: "Talking Trash," Brian PJ Cronin, The Highlands Current

    • Second Place: "Wildfires: What Are the Risks?," Richard Kreitner, The Highlands Current

    Feature Photo

    • First Place: "Martial Art," Ross Corsair, The Highlands Current

    Feature Story

    • First Place: "America's senior care crisis hits 153-year-old home in New York," Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal

    Full Page Design - News

    • First Place: "All Politics is Theater," Matt Bernat, Cortland Standard

    Public Service

    • First Place: "Home is Someplace," Cortland Standard

    Sports Photo

    • First Place: "Along for the Ride," Cadence Heeter, The Highlands Current

    • Second Place: "Flying Quarterback," Cadence Heeter, The Highlands Current

    Video

    • First Place: "A Mother's Fight for Bridge Barriers," Erin Holton, Facundo Martinez, Sofia Milojevic, The Highlands Current

  • Newspapers with an assessed weekly circulation of 75,000 to 249,999.

    Enterprise Reporting

    • First Place: "Police shooting, killing of Nyah Mway," Casey Pritchard, (Utica) Observer-Dispatch

    • Second Place: "How a NY shopping mall rebranded, defied the odds and bounced back," Riccardo Monico, (Binghamton) Press & Sun-Bulletin

    Feature Photo

    • First Place: "Andrey with his prize winning tiger," Emily Kenny, Spectrum News 1 Syracuse

    Photo Story or Online Gallery

    • First Place: "Funeral of Syracuse police officer Michael Jensen draws hundreds to Rome," Emily Kenny, Spectrum News 1 Syracuse

  • Newspapers with an assessed weekly circulation of 250,000 to 999,999.

    Arts/Entertainment Reporting

    • First Place: "Lake Luzerne, other libraries inspire new musical 'Drag Queen Story Hour'," Katherine Kiessling, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "How a rock singer risked death and became immortal," Geoff Herbert, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Business Reporting

    • First Place: "America's oldest nuclear plants are in Upstate NY. We have some big decisions to make," Tim Knauss, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "The true cost of Micron's epic subsidy revealed," Glenn Coin, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Column Writing

    • First Place: Chris Churchill, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: Casey Seiler, (Albany) Times Union

    Digital Storytelling

    • First Place: "Elections," Erica Smith, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "The Essential Guide to Syracuse's I-81 Project," Michelle Breidenbach, N. Scott Trimble, Michael Dupras, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Editorial Writing

    • First Place: Jay Jochnowitz, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "Just say no: City of Yes," Brian Laline, Tom Wrobleski, Staten Island Advance

    Enterprise Reporting

    • First Place: "Children failed by the system," Marnie Eisenstadt, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Beyond the Scorpion Tattoo," Kyle Lawson, Shaina McLawrence, Shane DiMaio, Jason Paderon, Eddie D'Anna, Staten Island Advance

    Feature Photo

    • First Place: "Emotional farewell," Scott Schild, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Syracuse stares at the sun," Katrina Tulloch, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Feature Story

    • First Place: "A Syracuse startup high school basketball team tries to keep it together," Chris Carlson, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "A child's death and a mystery: How did Mehlaya get the fentanyl?," Rylee Kirk, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Full Page Design - Feature or Sports

    • First Place: "Empire cover design," Advance Local art directors, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Full Page Design - News

    • First Place: "Biden," Gregory Dayton, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "Trump," Gregory Dayton, (Albany) Times Union

    Headline Writing

    • First Place: "His pickup was meowing. Two hours and eight mechanics later ," Don Cazentre, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: Gregory Dayton, (Albany) Times Union

    Investigative & Watchdog Reporting

    • First Place: "Police car crashes and pursuits in New York," Emilie Munson, Brendan J. Lyons, Chris Hippensteel, Taylor Johnston, Alexandra Harris, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "They came to America to make a living. They died on a bus that was outside the law," Michelle Breidenbach, Rylee Kirk, Jesus Feliciano-Bautista, Fernando Alba, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Live Sports Coverage

    • First Place: "CBA baseball coach O'Connor remembered as someone who put others first," Michael Kelly, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "Supporters say time is right for pro soccer franchise in Albany," Mark Singelais, (Albany) Times Union

    Photo Story or Online Gallery

    • First Place: "A startup Syracuse high school basketball team tries to keep it together," Dennis Nett, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Pride of Syracuse," Dennis Nett, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Public Service

    • First Place: "New Americans," Akum Norder, (Albany) Times Union

    • Second Place: "A secret plot to betray a neighborhood," Michelle Breidenbach, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Sports Column

    • First Place: "Chris Carlson's takes," Chris Carlson, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Brent Axe on sports," Brent Axe, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Sports Photo

    • First Place: "Resilience," N. Scott Trimble, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Hold that pose," Scott Schild, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Spot News Coverage

    • First Place: "A devastating tornado," Glenn Coin, James McClendon, N. Scott Trimble, Elizabeth Doran, Teri Weaver, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Albany police review board panelist resigns in wake of past sexting allegations," Patrick Tine, (Albany) Times Union

    Spot News Photo

    • First Place: "Fallen deputy," Dennis Nett, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "Home explosion destroys everything but a family," Charlie Miller, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    Video

    • First Place: "Trouble on Syracuse Rescue Mission's doorstep reaches breaking point," N. Scott Trimble, Marnie Eisenstadt, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

    • Second Place: "A child's death and a mystery: How did Mehlaya get the fentanyl?," Katrina Tulloch, Rylee Kirk, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

  • College Feature Story

    • First Place: "Advocates say pro-refugee stance creates a thriving Syracuse community," Jolie Zenna, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

    • Second Place: "Students searching for answers in the stars," Sarah Dorval, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

    College Podcast

    • First Place: "We The Students: LGBTQ+ in America," Sophia Moore, Alejandro Rosales, Tommy DaSilva, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

    • Second Place: "Eerie Encounters," Sophia Anastasakis, Gloria Rivera, Dan Klowsowski, The NewsHouse, Syracuse University

Broadcast award winners

  • Narrative Podcast

    • First Place: "If All Else Fails, Episode 2: Constitutional Sheriffs," Emily Russell, Zach Hirsch, David Sommerstein, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    • Second Place: "LeSean McCoy talks Josh Allen & Bills Super Bowl Chances," Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes, WHAM-TV, Rochester

  • TV stations and non-commercial television stations licensed in the New York City metro area.

    Arts Reporting

    • First Place: "Donna McKechnie's 'Wicked' Return To Broadway," Alexander Wallick, Natasha Verma, Brian Kartagener, WNYW-TV, New York

    • Second Place: "Hollywood on the Hudson," Tara Rosenblum, Alan Flamenhaft, Scott Cohen, Jean Salzarulo, Audrey Gruber, News 12, New York

    Continuing Coverage

    • First Place: "TURN TO TARA: The Durst Files," Tara Rosenblum, Alan Flamenhaft, Jean Salzarulo, Audrey Gruber, Lee Danuff, News 12, New York

    • Second Place: "City Hall in Crisis," Spectrum News NY1, New York

    Documentary

    • First Place: "Harlem's History: Past and Present," Spectrum News NY1, New York

    • Second Place: "CANNABIS CONTEST: The Great Licensing Adventure," Tara Rosenblum, Audrey Gruber, Alan Flamenhaft, James DeGregorio, Jean Salzarulo, News 12, New York

    Enterprise Reporting

    • First Place: "The CARES Controversy: Whistleblowers Expose Risks to NYC's Children," Spectrum News NY1, New York

    • Second Place: "The Larry Ray Tapes," Tara Rosenblum, Audrey Gruber, Alan Flamenhaft, Jean Salzarulo, Scott McGee, News 12, New York

    Feature Story

    • First Place: "Meet the Original Mrs. Met," Stef Manisero, Dan Komarinetz, Kristi Lee Neuberger, Thomas Yu, Spectrum News NY1, New York

    • Second Place: "The History of Harlem's Churches," Dean Meminger, Dan Keese, Chelsea Katz, Kristi Lee Neuberger, Dan Komarinetz, Spectrum News NY1, New York

    Investigative & Watchdog Reporting

    • First Place: "When Home Hurts," Tara Rosenblum, Audrey Gruber, Jean Salzarulo, Alan Flamenhaft, Lee Danuff, News 12, New York

    • Second Place: "A Call for Help: When a Mental Health Crisis Turns Deadly," Spectrum News NY1, New York

    News Series

    • First Place: "25 and Counting: Sen. Schumer's Path to Power," Spectrum News NY1, New York

    Public Service

    • First Place: "Tracking the House," Tara Rosenblum, Eric Landskroner, Audrey Gruber, Rich Barrabi , Scott Cohen, News 12, New York

    Reporter or Anchor Portfolio

    • First Place: Tara Rosenblum, News 12, New York

    Spot News Coverage

    • First Place: "Fox 5 10 O'Clock News NYPD Moves in on Columbia University Protesters," Alexander Wallick, Debra Cheatham, WNYW-TV, New York

    • Second Place: "FOX 5 10 O'Clock News: Mayor Eric Adams Indicted," Alexander Wallick, Debra Cheatham, Morgan McKay, WNYW-TV, New York

  • TV stations and non-commercial television stations licensed in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse or Capital District.

    Arts Reporting

    • First Place: "The Borscht Belt's Influence On Comedy," Susan Arbetter, Matt Soriano, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    • Second Place: "ENCORE at Eastman," Rachel Niemi, Todd Krupa, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Continuing Coverage

    • First Place: "District Attorney's Controversial Traffic Stop," Daniel Finkelstein, Natalie Calzetoni, Matt Molloy, Jackie Napier, WHAM-TV, Rochester

    Digital Presence

    • First Place: "13WHAM.com," Tyler Diedrich, WHAM-TV, Rochester

    • Second Place: "Spectrum News 1 NYS - Digital Presence," Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Enterprise Reporting

    • First Place: "Moving Madness," Deanna Dewberry, Todd Hayes, WHEC-TV, Rochester

    • Second Place: "Ghost Army Recognized," Brian Dwyer, Mike Kuehner, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Feature Story

    • First Place: "Striking the right chord: The man behind the Sabres' organ pipes," Kevin Hayes, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    • Second Place: "We Didn't Forget," Viktoria Hallikäär, Kurt Vogt, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Investigative & Watchdog Reporting

    • First Place: "Son in Morgue While Mom Searches For Him," Berekely Brean, WHEC-TV, Rochester

    • Second Place: "Buffalo's Water Woes: Investigating the Fluoride Failure," Charlie Specht, Sean Mickey, Charles Moore, WGRZ-TV, Buffalo

    News Series

    • First Place: "Faith & Fallout: the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo," Charlie Specht, Sean Mickey, Jim Caskie, David Szymanski, Justin Wahowski, WGRZ-TV, Buffalo

    • Second Place: "Solar Eclipse 2024," Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Newscast

    • First Place: "13WHAM News at 6," Josh Feldberg, Matt Molloy, Mark Mclean, Jenna Cottrell, WHAM-TV, Rochester

    • Second Place: "4pm: Deadly Bus Crash," Pam Smith, Berkeley Brean, Jennifer Lewke, Nikki Rudd, Stacey Pensgen, WHEC-TV, Rochester

    Public Service

    • First Place: "Buffalo's Water Woes: Investigating the Fluoride Failure," Charlie Specht, Sean Mickey, Charles Moore, WGRZ-TV, Buffalo

    • Second Place: "Inside how the Syracuse Regional Market los vendors, dug a financial hole and why it must now overhaul operations," Emily Kenny, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Reporter or Anchor Portfolio

    • First Place: "Casey Bortnick's Empire Adventures," Casey Bortnick, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    • Second Place: Jackson Wang, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Sports Coverage

    • First Place: "Harley Field: A Dream Come True," Luke Moretti, Rich Ersing, Dan Holland, Kurt Murphy, WIVB-TV, Buffalo

    • Second Place: "Tylan Grable: From high school quarterback to Bills OL," Andy Young, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Spot News Coverage

    • First Place: "Tour Bus Crash," Christian Garzone, Natalie Calzetoni, Lowell Rose, Matt Molloy, WHAM-TV, Rochester

    • Second Place: "Trump Assassination Attempt," Viktoria Hallikäär, Kevin Hayes, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    Use of Photography (TV Only)

    • First Place: Viktoria Hallik, Spectrum News 1, New York State

    • Second Place: Kevin Hayes, Spectrum News 1, New York State

  • All other New York state communities.

    Continuing Coverage

    • First Place: "Debby Flash Flooding," WENY-TV, Elmira

    News Series

    • First Place: "Peanut the Squirrel," Alecia Solorzano, WENY-TV, Elmira

    Reporter or Anchor Portfolio

    • First Place: Renata Stiehl, WENY-TV, Elmira

    Sports Coverage

    • First Place: "Boilermaker 2024," WKTV-TV, Utica

    Spot News Coverage

    • First Place: "Debby Flash Flooding," WENY-TV, Elmira

    Video (Non-broadcast)

    • First Place: "The Christmas Letter Filmed in Utica," Zach Lewis, WKTV-TV, Utica

    • Second Place: "Utica's Sofronio Vasquez Wins The Voice," Zach Lewis, WKTV-TV, Utica

    Weathercast (TV Only)

    • First Place: "Katherine Schwalm Forecast - October 3, 2024," Katherine Schwalm, WENY-TV, Elmira

    • Second Place: "Connor Freidhoff Forecast - October 31, 2024," Connor Freidhoff, WENY-TV, Elmira

  • AM/FM, AM only or FM only and non-commercial radio stations licensed to cities in the Nielson Top 50 Radio Market rankings.

    Arts Reporting

    • First Place: "The Voice of Uniondale - Flutana: Nicole Camacho-Albert," Nicole Burke, WRHU-FM, Hempstead

    • Second Place: "Dominican Surrealist Artist Comes to Times Square," Lainey Nguyen, WFUV-FM, New York

    Continuing Coverage

    • First Place: "Continuing Coverage Of Healthcare CEO Shooting," Natalie Migliore, WOR-AM, New York

    Enterprise Reporting

    • First Place: "Protecting Fashion Workers: Legal Reforms In Action," Savannah Mitchell, WFUV-FM, New York

    News Series

    • First Place: "Local Opinions Collide Over Fordham Road Bus Service," Maya Sargent, WFUV-FM, New York

    Newscast

    • First Place: Christin Marks, WOR-AM, New York

    Public Service

    • First Place: "‘Strike a Chord’ Public Service Campaign: People Living Between Employment," Lainey Nguyen, Alexandra Pfau , Mia Battista, Isabel Danzis, Robin Shannon, WFUV-FM, New York

    • Second Place: "Well Said with Dr. Ira Nash," Ira Nash M.D., John Mullen, Connor Pilkington, WRHU-FM, Hempstead

  • AM/FM, AM only or FM only and non-commercial radio stations licensed outside the Radio I market.

    Arts Reporting

    • First Place: "New Mohawk superhero asks, what if the Haudenosaunee were never colonized?," Monica Sandreczki, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    • Second Place: "Ani DiFranco on Broadway, her new album, and the doc about her debuting at Tribeca," Sarah LaDuke, WAMC-FM, Albany

    Continuing Coverage

    • First Place: "Totality in Tupper Continuing Coverage," WAMC-FM, Albany

    • Second Place: "North Country adapting to climate change," Emily Russell, Amy Feiereisel, Catherine Wheeler, Cara Chapman, Monica Sandreczki, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    Digital Presence

    • First Place: NCPR Digital, Bill Haenel, Caitlin Kelly, Emily Russell, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    • Second Place: WAMC-FM, Albany

    Documentary

    • First Place: "New York Attorney General investigating Saratoga Springs' treatment of local activist," Aaron Shellow-Lavine, WAMC-FM, Albany

    Enterprise Reporting

    • First Place: "Deaf residents are suing Brighton. They say the police are discriminating against them," Brian Sharp, WXXI-AM, Rochester

    • Second Place: "A crisis in early intervention services," Amy Feiereisel, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    Feature Story

    • First Place: "How the increase in illegal border crossings is changing life in Mooers," Cara Chapman, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    • Second Place: "Don't know much about 1812? In Ogdensburg, war reenactors keep the history alive," Lucy Grindon, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    Investigative & Watchdog Reporting

    • First Place: "If All Else Fails," Emily Russell, Zach Hirsch, David Sommerstein, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    • Second Place: "Investigation into Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s carcinogen emissions," Emyle Watkins, Jim Morris, WBFO-FM, Buffalo

    News Series

    • First Place: "North Country adapting to climate change," Emily Russell, Amy Feiereisel, Catherine Wheeler, Cara Chapman, Monica Sandreczki, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    Newscast

    • First Place: "Northeast Report," WAMC-FM, Albany

    Public Service

    • First Place: "If All Else Fails," Emily Russell, Zach Hirsch, David Sommerstein, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    • Second Place: "Sex abuse scandal at private Pittsfield boarding school rocks generations," Josh Landes, WAMC-FM, Albany

    Reporter or Anchor Portfolio

    • First Place: Pat Bradley, WAMC-FM, Albany

    Sports Coverage

    • First Place: "At 17-1, Dornoch wins first Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Race Course history," Aaron Shellow-Lavine , Ian Pickus, WAMC-FM, Albany

    • Second Place: "Women's mountain biking shines at the Lake Placid World Cup races," Emily Russell, North Country Public Radio, Canton

    Spot News Coverage

    • First Place: "Conserve, conserve, conserve:' Village of Whitehall slow to recharge water tanks," Aaron Shellow-Lavine, WAMC-FM, Albany

    • Second Place: "Sudden Butternut Fire threatens Great Barrington," Josh Landes, WAMC-FM, Albany

    Use of Sound (Radio only)

    • First Place: "Go jump in a lake? A postcard from the frigid waters of Lake Ontario," Noelle Evans, WXXI-AM, Rochester

    • Second Place: "Hot dogs and cold beer celebrated in Hudson over July 4th weekend," Aarib Shellow-Lavine, WAMC-FM, Albany

    Video (Non-broadcast)

    • First Place: "Totality in Tupper," Sarah LaDuke, Ian Pickus, WAMC-FM, Albany

    • Second Place: "Midtown's Clock Of Nations returns downtown. Take a look inside the restoration," Max Schulte, Brian Sharp, WXXI-AM, Rochester

  • Best Local News Program (Bill Leaf Award) - College Radio Only

    • First Place: "Newsline December 10, 2024," Michael Dent, Alexa D'Amato , Jenny Dove, Kira Osborne, Alex Hoy, Anthony Hidalgo , Melinda Rolls, WRHU, Hofstra University

    • Second Place: "What's What Podcast: Young New Yorkers React to the 2024 Presidential Election," Lainey Nguyen, Emma Murphy, Ben Oppenheimer, WFUV-FM, Fordham University

    Best News Story (Chris Ulanowski Award) - College Radio Only

    • First Place: "How Marathon New York is providing relief for Hurricane Helene victims," Sean Tessler, Newhouse School College Radio, Syracuse University

    • Second Place: "Hofstra SVP Protest," Camryn Bowden, WRHU, Hofstra University

    Best News Story (College TV Only)

    • First Place: "The Green Black Market," Nardeen Sleep, Zach Richter, Jamie Korenblat, Josh Feldstein, NCC News, Syracuse University

    • Second Place: "Chipped Away," Lilli Iannella, John Perik, Julie Gilchrist, Finn Lincoln, NCC News, Syracuse University

    Best Regularly Scheduled Local News Program (College TV Only)

    • First Place: "Juice and Java | October 5th, 2024," Citrus TV, Syracuse University

    • Second Place: "NCC Newscast - President Biden Visit," NCC News Staff, NCC News, Syracuse University