The Akron Beacon Journal took home several top honors in the 2026 All-Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards competition, presented by the Press Club of Cleveland.
Beacon Journal Executive Editor Cheryl Powell was named the Best in Ohio Opinion Writer for a series of editorials she wrote in 2025 outlining the impact of federal budget cuts and policy changes on the region.
“These editorials rely on facts to make a strong case against federal spending cuts and other Trump administration policies affecting Ohio’s only National Park, housing and food assistance for needy state residents, Akron’s schools, and the public’s confidence in vaccines,” the judges noted in their comments.
Beacon Journal Opinion and Community Engagement Editor Theresa Bennett placed third in the category.
Powell also placed second in the Editorial category for a piece calling out delays by Akron Public Schools in investigating a sexual harassment complaint by an employee.
Courts and criminal judge reporter Bryce Buyakie finished first in the Analysis category his story digging into the background of an Akron police officer who fatally shot a teen.
“Clear reporting, context and analysis here,” the judges noted. “An Akron police officer killed a teen and the reporter found that same officer had at least 36 use of force reports to his name and alarming video of his behavior. Important accountability work and good marriage of writing and multimedia. Well done.”
Photographer Jeff Lange won first place in the Sports Photograph category his “Touchdown” photograph.
In their comments, the judges said the photo “perfects the touchdown shot in motion, with an added touch of the snow.”
Lange also took home third place honors in the Feature Photograph category for his PorchRokr photo.
USA TODAY Co. Ohio state bureau reporter Jessie Balmert placed first in Government & Politics category and second in the Education category.
Beacon Journal enterprise reporter Stephanie Warsmith and Ohio politics and state bureau reporter Laura Bischoff won second place honors in the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Ohio competition for “Vicious: An investigation into how Ohio laws fail thousands of dog attack victims.” Their series led to the most sweeping changes to Ohio’s dog law in more than a decade.
The judges said “strong reporting with vivid writing made this an impactful series.”
Warsmith also finished second in the Best in Ohio News Reporter category.
Sports reporter and columnist Nate Ulrich took home five awards, including second place for Profile and Best Column or Blog: Sports; and third place in the Lifestyle Featur, Sports Feature and Sports News categories.
Other staff members who were honored include:
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Beacon Journal earns top honors in state journalism competition
Reporting by Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
