Celebrating Excellence in Journalism: Sunshine State Awards 2026 Honors Outstanding Work

Sunshine State Awards 2026: A Celebration of Journalistic Excellence

On August 29, 2026, the esteemed Sunshine State Awards recognized the outstanding achievements in journalism across Florida during a gala event at ArtServe Fort Lauderdale. This annual competition, known for its prestigious nature and wide participation, showcases the best journalistic work done in the state from the previous year, in this case, 2025.

The pinnacle of the awards is the A-Mark Award for Investigative Journalism, generously funded by the A-Mark Foundation. This significant honor acknowledges the critical role investigative journalism plays in holding those in power accountable, ensuring transparency, and empowering citizens in a democratic society.

The awards ceremony celebrated the recipients of cash prizes totaling $15,000, recognizing not just the winners but also the significance of their contributions to journalism. The top honors went to:

1. First Place: The investigative team from the Miami Herald and WLRN News for their powerful series titled "Brightline: Florida’s Train of Death."
2. Second Place: Michael Barfield and Derek Gilliam from Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident for their compelling series "Sarasota County Stormwater Investigation."
3. Third Place: Nichole Manna and Casey Frank from The Florida Trib for their gripping series "Cold-Blooded," which exposed how a Florida prosecutor manipulated a weak case using a liar and three jailhouse informants to send an innocent man to death row.

Apart from the A-Mark Award, there were numerous accolades across seven categories, which included:

- Print and Digital Reporting
- Photography and Design
- Television and Video
- Radio and Audio
- Digital Media
- Spanish Language
- Student Journalism

The Sunshine State Awards have been rewarding journalistic excellence since 1994, a collaborative effort between the SPJ Florida Pro Chapter and local chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists. The awards serve to promote the high standards of journalism while also reinvesting proceeds into training programs and advocacy for journalists in the region.

Professional journalists from print, radio, television, and digital media from Florida, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands are eligible to submit their work, along with journalists from other states who report on Florida topics. Additionally, the Student Division invites entries from college students in Florida and has a dedicated category for high school journalists.

Looking ahead, the submission window for the 2027 Sunshine State Awards will open in February, inviting new talent and seasoned journalists to showcase their best work. This ongoing initiative not only honors the past and present achievements but also nurtures the future of journalism in the region.

The dedication reflected through these awards underscores the importance of quality journalism in shaping a transparent and informed society, making the Sunshine State Awards a key event in Florida’s media landscape.