2026 Writing Award Winners

Our annual awards program highlights stellar nonfiction articles, essays, books, and content marketing writing in a variety of categories. 

2026 Award Winners

The Arlenes: Articles That Make a Difference 

Winner: “The Native-Led Forensics Lab Dedicated to Solving Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Cases” by Kate Nelson in Atmos

Judges comments: Kate Nelson shines a spotlight on the horrifying Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) rates in Montana and other parts of the United States. Avoiding the inaccurate and offensive “poverty porn” angle that portrays First Nation communities and individuals as victims, with strong, tight writing, Nelson describes the tireless work of Haley Omeasoo (Hopi/Blackfeet) in creating Ohkomi Forensics, the first Indigenous-owned organization dedicated to addressing the MMIP epidemic. In a year with many beautifully written entries about important issues, Nelson wins the 2026 The Arlenes: Articles That Make a Difference award due to the skillful way she displays Omeasoo’s fortitude while covering a grisly topic. 

Artificial Intelligence (2026 Special Category)

Winner: “Chasing Every Cure” by JoAnn Greco in The Pennsylvania Gazette

Judges comments: JoAnn Greco started by zooming in on the remarkable story of a Penn physician with a rare disease who saved his own life by “unlocking” a repurposed treatment that had received approval for use in a different disease. Based on that success, he set his sights on bringing hope to millions by using AI to identify FDA-approved medications that can possibly be used to treat other, rarer conditions. Greco goes along for the ride with sparkling prose and careful attention to detail, alternatively narrowing and widening the story’s lens for maximum impact.

Honorable Mention: AI and Judaism series, The Perils and Promise of AI (“Where is AI taking us? The path to Eden, or the road to Armageddon?,” “As AI charges ahead, Jewish thinkers are falling behind” and “Jewish institutions slowly incorporate AI but risk falling behind”) by Dan Friedman in The Jewish News of Northern California

Judges comments: The Perils and Promise of Artificial Intelligence series addressed multiple aspects of an important and timely topic. The author’s thorough reporting and research, clear structure, and solid writing demonstrated their understanding of the issues and significance of those issues for the publication’s audience of Jewish residents of Northern California’s Bay Area. The fact that the writing was solid and jargon free was all the more impressive due to the subject matter’s technological nature.

B2B Content 

Winner: “Hope and History in Verse” by Adrienne Samuels Gibbs in Council Chronicle

Judges comments:  The judges unanimously chose Hope and History in Verse as the winner. The subject—how poetry can enchant and captivate children—profiles two award-winning poets, including a former U.S. Poet Laureate. Great lede, great anecdotes, great topic!

B2C Content 

Winner: “Prioritizing Women’s Health” by Christina Hernandez Sherwood in the Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health publication

Judges comments: Christina made what could have been a dry, scientific story about the three M’s of women’s health—menstruation, maternity and menopause—into a consumer-friendly and fascinating read. The findings in the piece are significant and show the impact of Columbia’s research on healthy aging. 

Honorable Mention: “Craft Whiskey Comes Home to the Rockies” by Daliah Singer in Aprés

Judges comments: Let’s drink to Daliah! She skillfully weaves history into a thoroughly modern story so that even people who don’t care about liquor or have ties to the city of Denver can still be fascinated and delighted by this piece.

Business Writing 

Winner: “Inside the Ludwig Drums Factory” by Andrea Cooper in Oxford American

Judges comments: Andrea Cooper’s Inside the Ludwig Drums Factory offers an insider view that combines history, a touch of celebrity (Ringo Starr loved their drums) and a literal factory tour that elevates business storytelling through scenes and details that pull the reader inside a unique world.

Honorable Mention: “Automation in Retail Is Even Worse Than You Thought” by Ann Larson co-published by Economic Hardship Reporting Project and The Nation

Judges comments: Ann Larson’s “Automation in Retail Is Even Worse Than You Thought” moves deftly between the shop floor and the Senate floor to build a rigorous, multidimensional case against unchecked retail automation. Her reporting connects labor conditions to consumer harm while meeting the evidentiary standards of serious economic reporting.

Cultural Criticism

Winner: “20 Years Later: Little Brother, ‘The Minstrel Show,” “30 Years Later: Groove Theory, ‘Groove Theory’” and “40 Years Later: Sade, ‘Promise’” by Hanif Abdurraqib in Longreads

Judges comments: These three cultural criticism articles are tied together by talking about albums decades after they were issued. What puts them over the top is the quality of the writing, which was absolutely incredible. Said one judge: “I could read this writer all day, every day.” The other judges agreed.

Donald Robinson Memorial Award for Investigative Journalism 

Winner: “Nowhere to Go: Inside the Texas Board Home System, Where Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Are Widespread” by Ottavia Spaggiari in In These Times with Type Investigations

Judges comments: Ottavia Spaggiari weaves an incredible range of experiences together, getting to the bottom of this crisis of people with disabilities living in largely unregulated border homes where abuse and predatory owners of the facilities are common. With deep reporting and vulnerable story subjects at its center, Spaggiari vividly highlights how this system has failed so many people. This narrative is crafted with an acknowledgement of the human cost associated with massive healthcare cuts, and the dire consequences our society faces when we fail to address such deprivation.

Honorable Mention: “How Hotels, Once a Last Resort, Became New York’s Answer to Homelessness” by Spencer Norris in New York Focus with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and ProPublica

Judges comments: Norris tackles the systemic problem of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in New York State when hotels are used as a substitute for well-run shelters and, ultimately, a permanent roof over people’s heads. In a sensitive and powerful way, he places the Stradford family at the center of his expose to show how exhausting and desperate it can get for folks living on the very edge of existence, while shoddy hotels take in exorbitant amounts of money from the state. 

Environment/Climate/Sustainability 

Winner: “The Fish That Climbed a Mountain” by Alex Brown in Longreads

Judges comments: A master class in narrative journalism, this article is deeply reported and elegantly crafted as the writer knits his own memories of fishing with contemporary efforts to replenish trout in a national park. The piece is rich in history, science, color and detail. From the opening sentences, it makes the reader care about 130 baby fish whose fate is uncertain and destiny controversial, as well as the human beings involved in their journey. 

Honorable Mention: “Can Mussels Save Philadelphia’s Waterways?” by Cari Shane in Philadelphia magazine

Judges comments: The writer weaves in observational details that draw in the reader and turn a fairly technical topic into a riveting read while staying true to the science. The story highlights a promising, innovative solution to a common environmental problem but also explores the tensions around its scalability, resulting in a comprehensive and balanced piece of environmental journalism.

Excellence in Reporting  

Winner: “There Will Be No Mercy” by Drew Philp in The Atavist

Judges comments: In “There Will Be No Mercy,” Drew Philp highlights the horrors of the Ethiopian government’s two-year war in its Tigray region. Philp expertly juxtaposes vivid eyewitness narratives as the war begins and unfolds, which leave the reader with no doubt that war crimes occurred, against the documented whitewashing and failings of the international community to acknowledge or stop what many experts call a genocide. 

Winner: “Is This the Hardest Physical Contest in the World?” by Kevin Maurer in The Atlantic

Judges comments: In “Is This the Hardest Physical Contest in the World?” Kevin Maurer puts the reader in the trenches and through the paces of the U.S. Army’s Best Ranger Competition. Maurer also uses a deft hand to underscore that the grueling competition attracts and celebrates the “best of the best,” irrespective of politics. He also subtly and factually covered the role of women competitors without trying to steer readers into what his opinion might be.

Honorable Mention: “Holly Hill Under Scrutiny Again” and “Despite Years of Safety Violations, Holly Hill Hospital Looks to Treat More Patients” by Taylor Knopf in North Carolina Health News

Judges comments: These stories were exceptional because the reporter combed through 700 pages of government documents to clearly demonstrate massive financial fraud at a regional hospital which not only cheated taxpayers but horrendously impacted patients. The journalist also covered how the avaricious culprits were partnering with local police, which had been trying to stem some of the problems the hospital caused over many years. Because of the shoe leather expended in researching empirical evidence and analyzing those facts for the big picture, the articles were standouts.  

Honorable Mention: “A School District Singled Out By Trump Says It Teaches ‘Whole Truth History’” by Steven Yoder in The Hechinger Report

Judges comments: Steven Yoder’s article reports on a school system in Charlottesville, Virginia that set out to combat racism by teaching about discrimination, resistance and resilience. It is compelling, well-written, well sourced throughout, and timely. It tackles so much of what teachers, administrators, parents and — most of all  —students are dealing with now.

First-Person Essays 

Winner: “Beloved Bother” by Heather Engler Harvey in Longreads

Judges comments: “Beloved Bother” is a jewel of a piece. With her precise descriptions of her great-uncle’s fashion designs and drawings, her dry wit, and her unsentimental search to find out more about a dead relative, Hannah Engler Harvey draws the reader along with her on a quest that, though impossible, never feels futile.

Honorable Mention: “Men Where Have You Gone? Please Come Back,” by Rachel Drucker in The New York Times

Judges comments: A very emotionally nuanced and well-executed piece – the writer was attentive to language, careful and energetic with each sentence, and observed what it means to be a three-dimensional human being. The ending was also spot-on.

Honorable Mention: “At the Knee” by Tod Goldberg in Alta

Judges comments: The author immediately draws readers in with an intriguing opening anecdote that frames the narrative. Through concise and vivid scenes, the specific tale becomes a universal remembrance of realizing revered mentors are only human. 

Food & Drink 

Winner: “At This Harlem Chef’s Table, the Rosh Hashana Menu is Full of Ethiopian Spices,” by Andrea Cooper in Smithsonian Magazine

Judges comments: Andrea Cooper infuses her fascinating Smithsonian food piece with history and research, also weaving in a buoyant restaurant and book review, colorful profile and recipes that honor and illuminate her multicultural subject.

Honorable Mention: “Cutting back on ultra-processed foods sounds easy. The truth is much more complicated.” by Tara Haelle in Men’s Health

Judges comments: The judges thought Tara’s story was a really interesting demonstration of just how complex nutrition science can be. They also appreciated that she empowers readers with science and practical tools to make healthier choices.

Health 

Winner:  “Sex Hormones Are Brain Hormones.  What Does That Mean for Treating Brain Diseases?” by Rachel E. Gross in The New York Times

Judges comments: The author deftly and thoroughly explains the role of estrogen and, in particular, its previously unexplained/unexplored effects on brain development and neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s. The article weaves in history, debunks prior assumptions and explores the nuances with balance and clarity. 

Honorable Mention: “We Are All Genetic Mosaics” by Amber Dance in Knowable Magazine

Judges comments: The writer explains a complicated topic in a compelling and illuminating way, juggling a slew of sources to tell an important story of genetic mutations and their effects on human development.

How-To/Service 

Winner: “Your Disaster Preparation Toolkit” by Kimberly Lankford in Kiplinger magazine

Judges comments: This two-part feature delivered strong explanatory and anecdotal lenses on an emerging threat to homeowners: the increasing likelihood that their major asset will be affected by natural disaster. The advice in part 1 was clear, practical, and thorough, arming readers to prepare for the three major types of disaster, decode insurance, and create a disaster plan. What lifted this piece to the next level was part 2, the accounts of four families who lost their homes. Nothing compels action like a story, especially where being prepared is the difference between averting or enduring catastrophe, and the effort involved in finding these characters and getting them on the record must have been immense. 

Honorable Mention: “How to support pet pantries — and why it’s so important right now” by Jen Reeder in AAHA (the American Animal Hospital Association site)

Judges comments: The many personal anecdotes made this story so compelling and the data on why people give up their pets as well as the jump in pet food prices made the case for what’s at stake. Another statistic on people foregoing food themselves to feed their pets makes the call to action even more persuasive. An important story on a side of homelessness that doesn’t get much coverage. Nicely done. 

June Roth Memorial Award for Outstanding Medical Journalism 

Winner: “How cancer cells travel to new tissues and take hold” by Amber Dance in Knowable magazine

Judges comments: Exceptional reporting coupled with writing that skillfully wove together a plethora of sources and produced a piece that was engaging and accessible to almost any reader.

Honorable Mention 1: “What’s behind the gilded doors of Aegis senior living?” by Conor Kelley in TheStranger.com

Judges comments: The reporting here was very brave. It’s not easy to call out a prominent, charismatic character as the writer did, and getting former employees to speak on the record is next-level journalism. The writing was colorful and lively, with excellent pacing.

Honorable Mention 2: “What RFK Jr. Gets Wrong About Autism” by Emily P.G. Erickson in The Dispatch 

Judges comments: Emily P.G. Erickson’s article clearly makes the case for countering Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims about autism by using data and expert sources. The well-written article debunks myths by describing how researchers define autism spectrum disorder, consider its impact on people diagnosed with it and look at its likely cause.

Lifestyle 

Winner: “Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’ Was Partly Inspired by a Real-Life Event” by Christopher Klein in History.com

Judges comments: This insightful exploration of the true story behind the iconic 1963 Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece “The Birds” examines the mysterious sooty shearwaters that rained down on Capitola, Ca. in 1961 and the scientific evidence uncovered decades later.

Honorable Mention: “With 500 Species, Long Island Is a Birders’ Paradise” by John Hanc in Newsday

Judges’ Comments: Extremely well-written and well-sourced. There was a lot of good information shared. The “subplot” on Walt Whitman was creative and unexpected for a typical birding story. The Beginner’s Tips was a nice addition.

Long-Form Content 

Winner: “The Machine in the Garden” by Jordan Blumetti in Oxford American with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project

Judges comments: We liked the reporting style. Plus, the Erin Brockovich-style topic grabs your attention from the start and pulls you through the story.

Opinion/Op-Ed 

Winner: “EPA Staff Stand Firm as Administration Lobs Cuts, Baseless Accusations and Cruelty,” “A Cruel Tradeoff Building the ‘Amazon of Deportation’ While Tearing Down Health and Human Services” and “President Trump’s Cabinet of Polluters, Frackers and Climate Crisis Deniers Rushes to Gut Protections” by Derrick Z. Jackson in the Union of Concerned Scientists’ The Equation

Judges comments: The judges were impressed by these powerful opinion/op-ed pieces, especially the “Amazon of Deportation” one. In that column, the judges said, from the first paragraph to the last, readers are taken on a profound emotional journey, from anger to confusion, hopelessness to rage. They were struck by how much ground Jackson covers, laying out the facts and stepping back, trusting the reader to feel their full weight. He also builds the narrative in such a beautiful and easy to follow language.

Honorable Mention: “The Young Republicans Chat Echoes the Citizens Councils of the 1950s and 60s” by Michael Franklin in The Contrarian

Judges comments: This piece is a history lesson that greatly impacts present-day events. The author argues that what initially looks to be a scandal is actually a lineage that extends to today. The judges thought the piece showed a strong opinion with excellent reporting and a sense of urgency for change without just being reactive.

Honorable Mention: “The school board was the testing ground for the fall of democracy” by Nicole Carr in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Judges comments: The judges chose this piece because of the reactions they felt while reading it and how powerful the words came through. As the article progresses, the pull for change becomes stronger. 

Personal Platform 

Winner: From Art 2 Zen Substack pieces (“Doodle Your Way to a Calmer, More Present You,”  “The Art of Letting Go” and “Breaking the Fear of Creative Expression”) by Rodika Tollefson

Judges comments: The author blends text and artwork skilfully in these refreshing, whimsical meditations on creativity and confidence. She also shares advice that readers can use to overcome mental blocks and connect with their own inspiration.

Honorable Mention: Bloom Anywhere pieces on Kit.com (“What a Swimsuit Taught Me About Facing My Fears,” “This Is Going to Be Uncomfortable” and “It’s Time to Talk About the Friendship Recession”) by Gwen Moran

Judges comments: Moran writes with vulnerability and grace in these pieces, including the challenges and occasional joy of wearing one bathing suit and attending one book club meeting at a time.

Profiles 

Winner: “14,445 and Counting” by Christa Hillstrom in The Atavist

Judges comments: This engrossing but sobering long-form feature profiled one woman’s ongoing and courageous effort to document gender-based violence against women in the United States to introduce readers to a worthwhile group of volunteers and academic researchers dedicated to publicizing femicide, and changes that have happened as a result.

Honorable Mention: “Get Me to the Church on Time” by Tom Hallman Jr. in Reader’s Digest

Judges comments: This captivating profile shared a minute-by-minute account of a dedicated dad’s post-hurricane journey by car and foot to fulfill a promise to get to his daughter’s wedding in time to walk her down the aisle.

Reported Essay 

Winner: “Will Cuts in Rural Programs Leave the Same Lasting Wounds as the 2008 Financial Crisis?” by Michelle Polizzi in Barn Raiser with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project

Judges comments: Polizzi’s vulnerability through sharing her personal story offers us a window into the human cost of policies that stand to upend one of our most sacred safety nets – a home. Through vivid storytelling and deep use of supportive research and studies, Polizzi allows readers to understand how the loss of house and home can impact our families for generations, and what can happen to individuals when there is seemingly nowhere to turn for help. 

Honorable Mention: “My daughter’s health was a mystery. The answer was on the other side of the world” by Asha Dore in The Guardian

Judges comments: Dore’s fight to understand her daughter’s extremely rare health condition reminds us that the key to facing our toughest battles is found in human connection. This deeply personal essay highlights the care and compassion that we all seek in our hour of need. Dore weaves in deep research and source interviews to add an additional layer of understanding and knowledge about a rare phenomenon. Her approach guides readers to understand that no one can face life’s challenges alone, nor do they need to.  

Science 

Winner: “Grave Mistakes: The History and Future of Chile’s ‘Disappeared’” by Fletcher Reveley in Undark

Judges comments: This is an impressive and well-thought-out work of journalism that resonated with the judges. The piece is rooted in science but takes readers on a narrative journey exploring the sensitive themes of trauma and violence. Overall, the story’s emotional force, grounded in the lived experiences of relatives searching for answers, elevates the reporting beyond technical explanation into something profoundly humane.

Honorable Mention: “Mixing Is the Heartbeat of Deep Lakes. At Crater Lake, It’s Slowing Down.” by Rachel Nuwer in Quanta Magazine

Judges comments: The water in the nation’s deepest lake is super-duper clear these days, and that spells trouble. Through vivid reporting and writing, with an assist from fantastic photography, this feat of explanatory environmental journalism makes readers care about how climate change is transforming California’s magnificent Crater Lake.

Social Change 

Winner: “Who will feed Americans after Trump’s cuts? This food pantry is stepping up.” by Elaine Appleton Grant in The Guardian

Judges comments: The best vote for a piece about social change is that when we finished reading it, we wanted to donate to the cause. “Who will feed Americans after Trump’s cuts?” masterfully employs taut, precise prose, vivid characters (painted with the swoosh of a fine-haired paintbrush), measured use of supporting statistics (never dry, always amplifying the written point), and especially skillful use of the first-person narrative voice to immerse the reader in the lives of the women on the front lines of feeding their community. Appleton Grant pushes the form of a newspaper piece to its limits, successfully shining an inspiring light into a dark recess of contemporary American life. This is the human cost of policy, brought home with an unbiased and beautifully crafted voice. She makes a hard thing look very easy, and we celebrate her for it.

Honorable Mention: “Return to sender: The censorship battle playing out in Wisconsin prisons” by Jeff Oloizia in Madison magazine

Judges comments: As writers, we often take our ability to read books and articles for granted. Not so for those in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, which has banned many reading materials that it claims jeopardizes inmates’ safety, treatment, or rehabilitative goals. “Return to Sender” dives into those alleged concerns, sharing details behind the bans and the impact they have on those incarcerated—in some cases producing the opposite effect. Oloizia conducted well-rounded reporting, interviewing incarcerated readers, prison workers, book donors, and other advocates, while sharing context and background for related issues. 

Technology 

Winner: “Uncanny Testimony” by Benjamin Charles Germain Lee in Longreads

Judges comments: This article about how AI tech is helping Holocaust survivors tell their stories, seemingly into perpetuity, tells an unexpected story of AI use and is thought-provoking and very well-written.

Trade 

Winner: “‘Symptom Invalidation’ in Clinically Uncertain Diagnoses Can Leave Lasting Mental Health Harms” by Tara Haelle in Medscape Medical News

Judges comments: Gripping storytelling elevates this deeply researched article about the mental health dangers faced by those with uncertain diagnoses. The rather technical title masks an incredibly well-told narrative that’s woven in perfectly with thoughtful research and expert-led analysis. The lede and nut graf were compelling, and the writer captures the stakes perfectly—the lasting harm that patients suffer. Sparkling verbs and a well-crafted solutions section made this the winner of this category. 

Honorable Mention: “Truth, Noise, and Nonsense in Medicine” by Rita Colorito in WSMA Reports/Washington State Medical Association

Judges comments: This article and the winning entry were a near-dead heat for many of the judges. This well-researched, well-organized, easy-to-read story delivers tangible advice for doctors on how to convey critical health information to patients. The alarming statistic up front on the decline in public trust in physicians and hospitals makes the case. The many experts quoted stress the art of persuasion, urging clinicians to give people time to speak, seek first to understand, and prioritize connection, not correction. Timeless, clear guidance on effective communication that resonates beyond medicine. 

Travel 

Winner: “Final destinations: What happens when the dead go traveling” by Blane Bachelor in CNN Travel

Judges comments: This story stood out because it presents a routine and often mundane place — the airport — in a new light. It offers an interesting glimpse behind the scenes and plenty of facts, but is especially effective because the piece is sure to make readers think a little differently and look a little closer whenever they fly.

Winner: “Traveling Solo? Pair Up With an International Greeter” by Wendy Helfenbaum in Next Avenue

Judges comments: In this piece, Helfenbaum brings to life a little-known way for travelers to experience a city domestically or abroad. Weaving together history of the international greeter organization, interviews and her own personal experience with a greeter, Helfenbaum’s sharp storytelling creates a vivid picture of the movement. Memorable interviews allow readers to see that these walks go well beyond being a city tour, often leading to meaningful personal connections that endure over time.

Honorable Mention: “Indigenous tourism is thriving in Canada — here’s why” by Robin Catalano in National Geographic

Judges comments: This story takes us into the realm of the indigenous peoples of Canada with the respect and gravitas they deserve, letting the subjects describe their lives, crafts and traditions. As those voices steer the article, they help push toward their objective of “redirecting the narrative that has been written for us” and give an intriguing portrayal, while imparting enough to inspire others to explore.

Wellness, Fitness & Sports 

Winner: “In Quebec, Ice Canoeing Turns Frozen Rivers Into Adventure Playgrounds” by Sharael Kolberg in Matador Network

Judges comments: We admired how the writer balanced her first-person experience with excellent reporting on the fascinating history and cultural significance of an obscure winter sport.

Honorable Mention: “In Belize, Maya Descendants Are Reviving an Ancient, Sacred Ballgame” by Robin Catalano in Smithsonian Magazine

Judges comments: We found this to be a well-researched and well-written piece exploring the rich heritage and recent resurgence of a 3,500-year-old ceremonial game.