Empire staffers who won an Alaska Press Club award take a selfie outside the Empire’s office on Channel Drive. Pictured from right, Michael Penn, Alex McCarthy, Angelo Saggiomo and Ben Hohenstatt. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Empire staffers who won an Alaska Press Club award take a selfie outside the Empire’s office on Channel Drive. Pictured from right, Michael Penn, Alex McCarthy, Angelo Saggiomo and Ben Hohenstatt. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Empire celebrates Press Club awards

See our award-winning work.

Juneau Empire newsroom staffers recently took home seven awards for its work in 2018 from the Alaska Press Club Awards contest in Anchorage.

Staff photographer Michael Penn won two first-place awards for his photographs, for best feature photo and best sports photo.

Reporter Alex McCarthy won three third-place awards, for best general news reporting, best breaking news story and best culture reporting.

Reporter Ben Hohenstatt won a second-place award for best headline writing, and Angelo Saggiomo third place for best page layout and design.

“The Empire may not be the biggest newsroom in the state, but we certainly are the hardest working. Each day, I am inspired by the talent, drive and dedication of the news team, their courage and their heart. Congratulations to them, for these well deserved awards,” Empire Editor Emily Russo Miller said.

You can read and see the award-winning work in full below.

The Juneau Empire and Capital City Weekly’s Alaska Press Club awards for 2018:

Alex McCarthy

Best General News Reporting (Print-Large), third place: “Doing the Dip: Polar Bear Dip gets 2018 off to a chilling, thrilling start

Best Breaking News Story (Print-Small, Print-Large), third place: “Pet cremator cited for leaving dead animals out, attracting bears

“Dead pets, marauding bears, and a local reporter’s serendipitous news break. This is an ‘only in Alaska’ story.” — Judge’s comment

Best Culture Reporting (Print-Large), third place: “Alaska’s petroglyphs & lessons that span an ocean: Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians learn from each other on environmental topics

Michael Penn

Best Feature Photo (Large) (Television, Radio, Print-Large), first place: “Polar Dip”

Empire celebrates Press Club awards

“A great layering of human reaction from a yearly event. Nicely done in selecting a frame with a variety of people and expressions in it.” — Judge’s comment

Best Sports Photo (Large) (Television, Radio, Print-Large), first place: “Basketball”

Empire celebrates Press Club awards

“Liked the wave of players diving for the ball. This more unusual moment sent it to the top.” — Judge’s comment

Ben Hohenstatt

Best Headline Writing (Television, Radio, Print-Large), second place: “5 Headlines by Ben Hohenstatt”

Here are the five headlines:

  1. The life of brine: Fermentation 101 spreads passion for fermented foods
  2. Gingerbread raises dough for nonprofits
  3. Hope uke like jamming too
  4. Simple as 1-2-3: 3 school board candidates fill 3 openings
  5. Train-ing day at Juneau-Douglas City Museum

Angelo Saggiomo

Best Page Layout & Design (Print-Small, Print-Large), third place: “Whale Worth the Wait”

Empire celebrates Press Club awards

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

A butter clam. Butter clams are found from the Aleutian Islands to the California coast. They are known to retain algal toxins longer than other species of shellfish. (Photo provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Among butter clams, which pose toxin dangers to Alaska harvesters, size matters, study indicates

Higher concentrations found in bigger specimens, UAS researchers find of clams on beaches near Juneau.

An aerial view of people standing near destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene flooding on Oct. 8, 2024 in Bat Cave, North Carolina. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Members of U.S. Senate back disaster aid request amid increasing storm severity

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration’s request for nearly $100 billion in natural… Continue reading

Media members and other observers gather at the Alaska Division of Elections office on Wednesday evening as the results of all ballots, including ranked choice tabulations, were announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ranked choice voting repeal fails by 0.2%, Begich defeats Peltola 51.3%-48.7% on final day of counting

Tally released Wednesday night remains unofficial until Nov. 30 certification.

Looking through the dining room and reception area to the front door. The table will be covered with holiday treats during the afternoon open house. The Stickley slide table, when several extensions are added, provides comfortable seating for 22 dinner guests. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The Governor’s House: Welcoming Alaskans for more than 100 years

Mansion has seen many updates to please occupants, but piano bought with first funds still playable.

The language of Ballot Measure 2 appears on Alaska’s 2024 absentee ballots. The measure would repeal the states open primary and ranked choice voting system. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Count tightens to 45-vote margin for repealing Alaska’s ranked choice system going into final day

State Division of Elections scheduled to conduct final tally at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The drive-through of the Mendenhall Valley branch of True North Federal Credit Union, seen on June 13, is where a man was laying down when he was fatally struck by a truck during the early morning hours of June 1. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police: Driver of CBJ truck not at fault in death of man struck in drive-through lane of bank

Victim laying on pavement during early-morning incident in June couldn’t be seen in time, JPD chief says.

Most Read