Every newsroom produces stories that stand out above the rest. The Publick Occurrences Award is NENPA’s opportunity to recognize those exceptional examples of journalism and photojournalism from across New England.
Editors are invited to enter what they consider their publication’s very best work from the past year—whether it is an individual story, a team project, a series, spot news coverage, a column, or outstanding photojournalism published in print or online between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.
Named for Publick Occurrences, the first newspaper published in America, the award was established in 1990 to mark the 300th anniversary of that historic publication. Although Publick Occurrences was suppressed by the royal governor just four days after it appeared in Boston in 1690, it remains an enduring symbol of journalism’s role in informing the public and serving the common good.
Each year, NENPA presents up to 16 Publick Occurrences Awards to member newspapers. Up to eight awards are presented to daily newspapers, and up to eight are awarded to community weekly and specialty publications.
In addition, all Publick Occurrences entries are automatically considered for the A-Mark Prizes, which offer up to $90,000 in cash awards for outstanding journalism across New England.
If your newsroom produced reporting, commentary, photography, or coverage that represents your finest work of the year, we encourage you to enter.
The competition is open to all NENPA member publications. The entry fee is $125 per submission.
Recipients will be recognized during the Fall Awards Luncheon at NENPA’s Fall Leadership Conference on October 9, 2026, at the historic Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
Entry deadline: July 10, 2026.