The New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA) brought together journalists and industry leaders from across the region on September 26 for its annual New England Newspaper Awards luncheon at the Hotel Northampton. The event honored the outstanding work of daily, weekly newspapers, specialty publications, and online newsrooms, as well as the individuals who power them — from publishers and editors to reporters and educators. During the afternoon, attendees celebrated excellence in reporting, community service, and education. Reflecting on the vital role local journalism plays in keeping New England’s communities informed and connected. Watch the presentation and download the program book for more information, and see the full list of winners below.
Watch the presentation on YouTube
Download the Awards Program Book
2025 Newspapers of the Year
Each year, NENPA honors the region’s best publications through the prestigious New England Newspaper of the Year awards — the only industry competition judged by readers. Multiple newspapers are named Distinguished Newspapers, and one publication in each category receives the top honor of New England Newspaper of the Year.
Specialty Publications
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Distinguished: The New Boston Beacon (New Boston, NH), Providence Business News (Providence, RI)
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Newspaper of the Year: The North Star Monthly (Danville, VT)
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Weekly Newspapers – Small Circulation
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Distinguished: The Provincetown Independent (Provincetown, MA), The Vermont Standard (Woodstock, VT)
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Newspaper of the Year: Martha’s Vineyard Times (Vineyard Haven, MA)
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Weekly Newspapers – Large Circulation
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Distinguished: The Inquirer and Mirror (Nantucket, MA), The Bay State Banner (Roxbury, MA), Seven Days (Burlington, VT)
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Newspaper of the Year: The Ellsworth American (Ellsworth, ME)
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Daily Newspapers – Weekday, Small Circulation
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Distinguished: Gloucester Daily Times (Gloucester, MA), Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA)
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Newspaper of the Year: The Keene Sentinel (Keene, NH)
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Daily Newspapers – Weekday, Large Circulation
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Distinguished: The Republican (Springfield, MA), The Day (New London, CT)
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Newspaper of the Year: The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA)
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Sunday Newspapers – Small Circulation
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Distinguished: The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, MA), The Day (New London, CT)
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Newspaper of the Year: Sunday Monitor (Concord, NH)
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Sunday Newspapers – Large Circulation
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Distinguished: Sunday Republican (Springfield, MA), The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA)
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Newspaper of the Year: Maine Sunday Telegram (Portland, ME)
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2025 Publick Occurrences Awards
This award recognizes the best work that New England newspapers produce each year— whether it’s individual or team stories, series, spot news coverage, columns, or photojournalism published in print or online during the contest period. Established in 1990 to mark the 300th anniversary of Publick Occurrences, America’s first newspaper, these awards recognize New England’s most outstanding journalism of the year. Click on the name of each file to read this exceptional work!
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The Concord Bridge (Concord, MA) — “Milestone 250”
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Seven Days (Burlington, VT) — “Axed Out”
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The Republican (Springfield, MA) — “Hard Times”
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The Providence Journal (Providence, RI) — “Tracking Citations for Snow Scofflaws”
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Seven Days (Burlington, VT) — “Urgent Scare”
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Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME) — “Breakdown Series” (with Maine Public and PBS Frontline)
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Concord Monitor (Concord, NH) — “Rethinking Rundlett”
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VTDigger (Montpelier, VT) — “Special Education”
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Seven Days (Burlington, VT) — “From This Day Forward”
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The Republican (Springfield, MA) — “Highview Nursing Home”
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MassLive (Springfield, MA) — “Pill Presses”
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Seven Days (Burlington, VT) — “A World Away”
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The Republican (Springfield, MA) — “Robin Hood or Legalized Theft?”
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Seven Days (Burlington, VT) — “The Straw Man”
2025 A-Mark Prizes
The A-Mark Prizes, generously sponsored by the A-Mark Foundation, recognize and honor outstanding investigative journalism that reveals hidden truths, holds power to account, or drives public awareness or reform. The awards reward ambitious, well-researched reporting that may expose a wrong, hold powerful individuals accountable, or explore a complex problem, issue, or subject. In addition to professional recognition, the winning journalists and newsrooms received monetary prizes:
– 1st Place: $5,000 to journalist(s), $2,500 to the outlet
– 2nd Place: $3,000 to journalist(s), $1,500 to the outlet
– 3rd Place: $2,000 to journalist(s), $1,000 to the outlet
Connecticut
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3rd Place: Dave Altimari & Ginny Monk — The Connecticut Mirror, “On the Hook”
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2nd Place: Marc E. Fitch — CT Inside Investigator, “Power Struggle”
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1st Place: Jenna Carlesso, Dave Altimari, Katy Golvala & Andrew Brown — The Connecticut Mirror, “Priced Out”
Massachusetts
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3rd Place: Greta Jochem — The Republican, “Highview Nursing Home”
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2nd Place: Maggie Mulvihill & Journalism Class — Boston University Journalism Dept., “When House Members Travel”
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1st Place: Hadley Barndollar — MassLive, “Pill Presses”
Rhode Island
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3rd Place: Jack Perry — The Providence Journal, “Lost Jobs, Trump Cuts”
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2nd Place: Mark Reynolds — The Providence Journal, “Domestic Murder Suicide”
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1st Place: Alexander Castro — Rhode Island Current, “RI Bridges Data Breach”
Vermont
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3rd Place: Derek Brouwer — Seven Days, “Bilked and Bereft”
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2nd Place: John Flowers — Addison County Independent, “County Prosecutor“
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1st Place: Eva Vekos & Carly Berlin — VTDigger and Vermont Public, “Emergency Shelters”
Additional Honors
Please download the awards program book to learn more about each award and why this year’s recipients were chosen.
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Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award: The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA) for its leadership on Massachusetts’ consent law.
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New England First Amendment Award: Connecticut Inside Investigator and reporter Katherine Revello for extensive coverage of FOI and First Amendment issues.
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Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award: Robert Lowell, Portland Press Herald, for 25 years of service covering southern Maine communities.
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Cornerstone Award: Maile Hulihan, CEO of The Concord Bridge, for her pivotal behind-the-scenes role.
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New England Journalism Educator of the Year: Lara Salahi, Distinguished Professor of Journalism at Endicott College, for advancing journalism education and student reporting partnerships.