Voice of OC’s consistent coverage of local issues was recognized at the state level with six first place awards from the California News Publishers Association and four second place awards from the LA Press Club last month. 

From our coverage of Angels Stadium to E-bike crackdowns, Voice of OC was recognized for its coverage of local government, homelessness, labor and transportation reporting and more. 

For the third consecutive year, Hosam Elattar was recognized for his coverage of religion with a first and second place finish for his stories, Orange County Welcomes a Season of Renewal and Orange County Gears up to Celebrate Winter Holidays.

Our photography took center stage with Voice of OC winning first through fifth place in the Photojournalism category. Photography Director Julie Leopo’s work was honored with first, third, fourth and fifth place, with second place going to student journalist Maximo Santana.

In the photo essay category, four of Leopo’s essays won second through fifth place. Her work included coverage of the impact of the ICE raids in Orange County, a thoughtful look at the Cambodian community in Santa Ana and Orange County Welcomes a Season of Renewal.

At the Southern California Journalism Awards from the LA Press Club, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Norberto Santana, Jr., won second place in Political Commentary for his column, Santana: Anaheim Can’t Afford to Play With the Angels

Leopo won second place for New Photo for Orange Backs Off Trying to Unmask ICE. She was also recognized for Business Reporting, along with Hosam Elattar and former interns Gigi Gradillas and Hugo Rios for their story, Will ICE Raids be the Death of Local Swap Meets in Orange County? And student journalist, Maximo Santana received a second place award in News Feature for Orange County’s Biggest Fossil Can Only Be Seen in LA.

See the complete list of winners below:

CNPA Awards

1st Place

Coverage of Local Government

Homelessness Reporting

Labor Reporting

Photojournalism

Religion and Faith Writing

Transportation Reporting

E-Bike Crackdowns, 1st Place

2nd Place

Columns

Orange County Confronts ICE

Coverage of Business and the Economy

Coverage of Local Government

Health Reporting

Food Insecurity Orange County

Housing and Land-Use Reporting

Photo Story/Essay

Photojournalism

Profile Story

Religion and Faith Writing

3rd Place

Breaking News

Coverage of Business and the Economy 

Environment Reporting

San Clemente’s Struggle With the Coast

Health Reporting

Homelessness Reporting

Are Motels Becoming the New Emergency Shelter? 

News Photo

Photo Story/Essay

Photojournalism

4th Place

News Photo

Photo Story/Essay

Photojournalism

Public Service Journalism

OC Kneecaps Hate Incident Reporting

Transportation Reporting

Writing

5th Place

Coverage of Business and the Economy 

Coverage of Local Government

Enterprise News Story or Series

 A Charter City’s Rights

Environment Reporting

Photo Story/Essay

Photojournalism

Profile Story

Southern California Journalism Awards

2nd Place

Political Commentary, Local – Online

Business Reporting, Online

News Photo, Art/Photography

News Feature, Music/ Culture/ Performing Arts – Online

3rd Place

Environmental Reporting, Climate Change/ Society – Online

Photo Essay, News/News Feature – Art/Photography

Medical Reporting, Healthcare Issues, Print/Online

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