Four New England journalists will receive the prestigious Yankee Quill Award this spring for their contributions to the betterment of journalism in the six-state region.

In addition, the Academy of New England Journalists posthumously honors historical figures Henry and Benjamin Lindsey of New Bedford, Mass. of the Whalemen’s Shipping List and Merchants’ Transcript. 

“The journalists will be honored with the award on March 29, 2025”, said Richard Lodge, chair of the sponsoring Academy of New England Journalists.

This year’s Yankee Quill awards will be presented during the annual convention of the New England Newspaper and Press Association on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at The Portland (ME) Regency Hotel. Tickets can be purchased at this link.

The 2025 honorees are:

Mike Bello will receive the award for his unwavering commitment to quality journalism and his lasting impact on colleagues and the newsroom. A respected figure in the Boston journalism community, Mike’s nearly 50-year career has shaped the lives of countless journalists, from budding reporters to Pulitzer Prize winners. Starting at just 14, he built an impressive career in radio, TV, and print journalism, earning accolades such as a Pulitzer Prize for his work on the Globe’s coverage of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Mike has not only excelled in breaking news situations, but also nurtured the careers of many, providing mentorship and guidance with compassion, integrity, and respect. Known for his steady leadership, Mike’s career spans both major national stories and local coverage, earning him admiration for his professionalism and deep influence on the field.

Randy Capitani is honored for his wide contributions to journalism. He is the co-publisher of the Deerfield Valley News in southern Vermont and has spent more than 30 years serving his community and the newspaper industry. As a versatile editor, reporter, photographer, and graphic designer, Randy has become a central figure in the Deerfield Valley, covering local news and sports with passion and dedication. He has served on numerous boards, including the New England Press Association and the Vermont Press Association, and is the long-time president of the Journalism Education Foundation of New England. Randy’s deep commitment to his community extends beyond journalism—he has been involved in various local initiatives, from youth sports to economic development, and even helped shape the River Valley Unified Union School District. His hands-on approach to both publishing and community service has earned him widespread respect, and his work continues to inspire others in both the field of journalism and beyond.

Gloria Negri was a one-of-a-kind, groundbreaking woman journalist who arguably was the first to crack the Globe’s glass ceiling. She was relentless in her reporting over 53 years and was distinctive because she gave a voice to people who are seldom heard in our society. And she left a durable legacy for those in need and for the journalism business itself. Negri, who died in 2017 at 91, gave almost half of her estate — a bequest of $1 million — to Globe Santa, which has given holiday packages to more than 3 million children of all backgrounds. The New England First Amendment Coalition received a bequest of $818,125, and the coalition named its annual multi-day journalism training program the Gloria Negri First Amendment Institute. The Tom Winship Journalism Fund at Northeastern University, named for the Globe’s former editor, received $50,000 — money that provides opportunities for students who might not be able to pursue a journalism education without help. The Scituate Library Foundation received $157,192.

Jacqueline Smith, a distinguished journalist and educator, receives the prestigious Yankee Quill Award for her profound impact on journalism, both in practice and education, and her steadfast advocacy for press rights. With a career spanning more than four decades, Jacky began as a small-town stringer at the Hartford Courant before covering education and defense at The Day of New London and then rose through the ranks at Hearst Connecticut Media. She is currently serving as the ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, where she defends the First Amendment and advocates for press freedom within the military. Throughout her career, she has worked at several prominent newspapers, earned multiple awards for investigative reporting, and inspired countless students through her teaching at Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford. Known for her calm yet authoritative voice, Jacky has been a champion for the free press, guiding her newsroom through significant moments like the Sandy Hook school tragedy and pushing for reforms to improve journalism standards.

Henry and Benjamin Lindsey will posthumously receive the Yankee Quill Award for historical figures. The brothers were pivotal figures in the history of New Bedford, Mass. and American whaling. In 1843, Henry Lindsey founded the Whalemen’s Shipping List and Merchants’ Transcript, a weekly newspaper dedicated to tracking the voyages and operations of whaling ships, offering critical information about vessels, cargo, and the often perilous journeys of sailors. The newspaper became a vital source for whalers, their families, and the commercial community, reporting on everything from whale oil quantities to crew fatalities and shipwrecks. Henry published the paper until his untimely death in 1853, after which his brother Benjamin, who was publishing the general interest daily newspaper the New Bedford Mercury, took over and continued its publication until 1889. The paper remained an essential resource through the golden age of American whaling, documenting the rise and eventual decline of the industry, and concluding its 71-year run in 1914.

The Yankee Quill, which began in 1959, is bestowed annually by the Academy of New England  Journalists through the auspices of the New England Society of News Editors. It is considered the highest individual honor awarded to newspaper, TV, radio, magazine, and other journalists in the six-state region. Winners are selected based on a history of lifetime achievement showing a broad impact in New England Journalism.

We are thrilled to announce that the annual New England Newspaper Convention will take place on March 28-29, 2025, and this year we’re making an exciting change by moving to a new location at the historic Portland Regency Hotel & Spa, located at 20 Milk St, Portland, ME 04101.

Hotel Rooms Are Selling Fast—Reserve Now!

A limited number of deluxe rooms are available at the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa for the exclusive event rate of $229 per night. Due to the limited number of rooms, this rate is only available by calling the front desk at (207) 774-4200. Secure yours before they’re gone!

We have an alternate hotel location if the Portland Regency is full.

Hyatt Place Portland-Old Port
(just a 3-minute walk to the Convention and Awards Banquet)
$199 per night
Address: 433 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Booking Link
(207) 775-1000

Join us for two days of engaging workshops, panel discussions, and keynote presentations covering the latest trends and challenges in journalism, advertising, audience development, and more. The full program will be released soon, so stay tuned for details!

We’re also excited to continue our tradition of celebrating excellence in the industry. Throughout the convention, we will honor the best in New England journalism with our ticketed award programs, including, March 28 – New England Newspaper Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, March 29 – Yankee Quill Award Luncheon, and our largest event of the year on March 29 – Better Newspaper Competition Awards Banquet.

If you have any questions about the event, feel free to reach out to NENPA Executive Director, Linda Conway, at L.Conway@nenpa.com.

We look forward to welcoming you to Portland in March! Let’s make this convention unforgettable.

Interested in sponsoring the event?

Schedule a meeting now to discuss our sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. Promote your product or service to publishers, editors, and top advertising, production, and circulation executives at the daily, weekly, specialty, and online newspapers serving Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

Contact Tara Cleary at t.cleary@nenpa.com or (617) 520-4585 to learn more about our sponsorship packages.

The Brodsky Prize was established seven years ago by the late Jeffrey Brodsky and his father, Howard, to encourage innovation by student journalists. The $5000 Prize is open to all high school students attending public, charter, or parochial schools in New Hampshire.

Judging criteria include a student’s journalistic initiative and enterprise, as well as what the late Jeffrey Brodsky called “a contrarian nature and out-of-the-box thinking.” 

The deadline for applications is April 28, 2025.

Jeffrey Brodsky said of student journalism, “Working on the school newspaper was the most formative and meaningful high school experience for me — more than any classroom. It’s more important than ever for young journalists to push boundaries and to challenge authority, and they can start by using the power of their school paper just like the press in the professional world.” 

The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications, helps oversee the award program and provides one of the judges, Executive Director Laura Simoes. Longtime judges are Howard Brodsky, Jeffrey’s father, and Co-founder & Chairman of CCA Global Partners; Misbah Tahir, former Little Green co-editor, now a biotechnology finance executive; former NH Union Leader and Sunday News president and publisher Joseph McQuaid, and Leah Todd Lin, VP of Audience Strategy for NH Public Radio.

More information on The Brodsky Prize, including past winners and application, is available at thebrodskyprize.org.

The nonprofit Poynter Institute, which works to strengthen journalism in service to truth and democracy, has launched a new membership program for those allied with Poynter’s mission.

The program offers annual, tax-deductible membership levels that support Poynter’s journalism training, ethics programs, media literacy, fact-checking, convenings and coverage of the news media industry. It launches this month, as Poynter embarks on a yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2025.

Poynter members will enjoy special opportunities to hear from experts on important issues facing the news industry, as well as receive exclusive communications, discounts, preferred access to Poynter events and more.

The membership program can be accessed here. All donors to Poynter will be recognized as members of Poynter’s First Amendment Society.

• Donors between $50 and $249 per year receive an exclusive monthly member newsletter and early access to Poynter events, including Poynter’s annual Bowtie Ball.
• Donors from $250 to $999 receive the above benefits plus 20 percent off select online courses and quarterly virtual meet-and-greets with Poynter experts on current media topics.
• Donors at $1,000 and above receive those perks, a Poynter sweatshirt and will be recognized annually on Poynter’s digital donor wall and in the annual impact report.
• Donors of $25,000 or more will be invited to an appreciation dinner with Poynter’s president.

Read more

Poynter has a new course designed for journalists who want to deepen their connection with their communities and expand their audience by covering the critical issues surrounding child protection and the foster care system.

Participants have the opportunity to create a new beat in order to accurately report on the systemic challenges impacting families, such as workforce shortages, judicial failures, and the overuse of foster care in cases that could be resolved through family support. Reporter and editor teams will learn how to tell compelling, community-focused stories that resonate with readers and address the issues that matter most.

Through this series of 6 online group seminars, attendees will gain the knowledge and tools to build trust, engagement, and increase readership while driving meaningful public discourse.

Funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and delivered by the Poynter Institute and Resolve Philly, we will train 50 people (25 newsrooms) on how to responsibly cover child welfare issues over the course of six virtual webinars.

Overview

• The application deadline is Feb. 14, 2025, and newsrooms will be selected on Feb. 19, 2025.
• Teams of two will apply to participate in the program. One person should apply per newsroom and will represent the duo.
• Open to U.S.-based newsrooms.
• All participants will meet together virtually six times for up to two hours.
• This transformational program and the custom coaching would normally cost $10,000.
• Thanks to a generous grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, this course is offered for free to selected applicants.

Learn more

Report for America recently announced several new partnership and program developments designed to bring immediate and long-term solutions to the challenges facing local news.

Over 100 newsrooms will make up the 2025-2026 cohort, with three-quarters partnering with Report for America as traditional host newsrooms for corps members, and a select group taking part in a pilot accelerator program to develop sustainable business models through local philanthropy.

New Local Newsroom Partners and Accelerator Program Participants

The 66 incoming host newsroom partners represent some of the highest need areas for local news. Highlights of this cohort include the following:

• A majority (59%) are small newsrooms, with nine or fewer editorial staffers. The rest are largely midsize newsrooms of 10 to 49 editorial staffers.
• Coverage of rural communities, the environment and local government are the most requested beats of this group.
• 65% are nonprofit newsrooms; 35% are for profit.
• More than half (57%) are new newsroom partners with Report for America; the rest have had one or more corps members previously.

Find the list of incoming host newsroom partners and available journalist positions here.

Corps Member Applications Open

With host newsrooms selected, journalists are invited to apply for open positions by February 3, 2025. The Report for America model pairs the skills and passion of diverse, next generation reporters, photographers and videographers with local news organizations across the country.

Through their newsroom experience and Report for America training and mentorship, corps members create real impact in the communities they serve.

Read more

New England Incoming Host Newsrooms

HARTFORD, CT
Connecticut Public
Beat: Environment and Climate Change in Connecticut
Skills: Writing, Radio / Podcast, TV / Video, Photography

BANGOR, ME
Bangor Daily News
Beat: Rural government
Skills: Writing, TV / Video, Photography

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME
Portland Press Herald
Beat: Indigenous communities in Maine
Skills: Writing

HALLOWELL, ME
The Maine Monitor
Beat: Religion, politics, & society in Maine
Skills: Writing

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Concord Monitor/Monadnock Ledger Transcript
Beat: New Hampshire state government, politics and democracy
Skills: Data
Reporter: Charlotte Matherly

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
The Public’s Radio
Beat: Democracy and politics in Rhode Island
Skills: Bilingual Spanish, Radio/Podcast
Reporter: Paul C. Kelly Campos

BURLINGTON, VT
Seven Days
Beat: Vermont’s Immigrant and refugee communities and life along the northern border.
Skills: Writing, Photography

MONTPELIER, VERMONT
Vermont Public/VTDigger
Beat: Housing and infrastructure
Skills: Radio/Podcast, TV/Video
Reporter: Carly Berlin

MONTPELIER, VT
VTDigger
Beat: Wealth, poverty, and economic inequality
Skills: Writing