Carolina Journal wins 15 awards in annual NC Press Association contest

Carolina Journal took home an impressive haul in the 2025 North Carolina Press Association (NCPA) Awards, earning 15 accolades across multiple categories for its excellence in investigative journalism, editorial commentary, multimedia storytelling, and innovative digital strategy.

The awards are judged by members of press associations in other states, with the Nebraska Press Association judging North Carolina entries this year. The selections reflect Carolina Journal’s continued leadership in watchdog journalism and its evolving digital strategy. The honors were announced in advance of the NCPA’s annual convention, scheduled for Sept. 18 at the Embassy Suites in Cary.

Carolina Journal’s journalists earned five First Place, eight Second Place, and two Third Place awards. The publication’s performance underscored both its journalistic depth and its capacity for engaging, impactful storytelling across platforms. Notable among the honors, Carolina Journal earned first and second place in the Investigative Reporting category, was recognized for the mini-documentary “Come Hell or Helene,” and won the Duke University/Green-Rossiter Award for exceptional coverage of higher education.

First Place:

• Investigative Reporting: “NCInnovation: Public Trust, Private Hands” by Jeff Moore and Donna King earned top honors for exposing complexities in the public-private partnerships shaping North Carolina’s research funding ecosystem.
• Editorial Writing: Mitch Kokai was recognized for “Inside the Process”, a standout editorial series that examined legislative transparency and policy accountability.
• Newspaper Promotion: Sydney Cook received First Place for “The Debrief with Carolina Journal,” ad highlighting innovative promotional efforts to expand the Journal’s YouTube audience.
• Use of Social Media: “News in Motion: CJ’s Multi-Platform Strategy for Real-Time Engagement,” crafted by Brenee Goforth Swanzy, took the top prize for its successful engagement strategy across Twitter, YouTube, and other social media platforms.
• Illustration/Graphics: Designer Melanie Aycock and Managing Editor David Larson won First Place for their 2024 election visual package, showcasing illustrative storytelling excellence.

Second PlacE:

• Breaking News Coverage: “Crisis at the Top: Breaking Coverage of the Robinson Scandal” by Donna King and the entire CJ Staff demonstrated timely reporting and editorial clarity.
• Investigative Reporting: Katie Zehnder’s deep dive series into state budget writers use of reserve funds —“Behind the Budget”— earned high praise.
• News Enterprise Reporting: Theresa Opeka was awarded for “Storms and Slow Recovery”, a long-form piece chronicling infrastructure delays post-hurricanes.
• City/County Government Reporting: Brianna Kraemer’s work on “DEI tug-of-war in Wake County Schools” illuminated contentious education policy debates.
• Video Journalism: The emotionally charged mini-documentary “Come Hell or Helene” by Rene Olmos and Donna King was recognized for its compelling visual narrative in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
• Serious Columns: David Larson received honors for “The Case for Clarity,” a thoughtful commentary on free expression and public discourse.
• Illustration/Caricature: A Second Place win also went to JEB for sharp political cartoons.

Third PlacE:

• Profile Feature: “Edenton Couple Uplifts Tea and the American Spirit” by Brainna Kraemer and Katie Zehnder brought readers an inspiring look at small-town entrepreneurship.
• Editorial Writing: David Larson was also honored for “Threats to Liberty and Free Speech,” a powerful reflection on First Amendment challenges.

The Carolina Journal team will join industry colleagues at the NCPA Annual Convention in September for a week of informational workshops and celebration of the new industry in North Carolina. These accolades solidify its role as one of North Carolina’s leading sources of principled, investigative journalism, committed to transparency, freedom, and governmental accountability.

The North Carolina Press Association (NCPA) is a nonprofit organization founded in May 1873 in Goldsboro by newspaper editors. It exists to support and promote newspapers of all types across North Carolina — daily, community, specialty, and digital — by defending First Amendment freedoms, advocating for open government, and maintaining high journalistic standards. With more than 150 member publications, the NCPA also provides legal support, legislative lobbying, professional development, training resources, and hosts annual contests to recognize excellence in reporting, advertising, photography, and editorial work.

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