The Times-Tribune has been recognized for outstanding journalism at the 2026 Keystone Media Awards by earning 10 awards that span breaking news, investigative reporting, photography, and design.
Across its broader family of Northeast Pennsylvania newspapers, the media cluster owned by MediaNews Group secured 18 awards, underscoring a commitment to high-quality local news coverage throughout the region, said Larry Holeva, executive editor of the group who praised the team’s dedication to readers.
“These awards are a direct reflection of the work you do every day to keep our communities informed,” he told the staff. “Whether you are diving into complex local issues, capturing the perfect photograph at a breaking news scene, designing compelling front pages, or highlighting the people who make Northeast Pennsylvania unique, your dedication to your craft shines through.”
Journalists from the Alabama Media Association judged the annual contest.
Highlighting the Scranton newsroom’s haul is a Specialty Award in Public Notices earned by reporter Frank Lesnefsky. Holeva gave a special shout-out to Lesnefsky for his “relentless, multi-part coverage of local data centers, solar farms, and landfill developments.”
In addition to the specialty honor, The Times-Tribune took home three first-place finishes, five second-place finishes, and an honorable mention.
“When we compare this year’s results to the 2025 Keystone Awards, the trajectory of our journalism is clear,” Holeva said, noting the growing collaborative strength of the newsrooms. “We are winning categories that require both immediate grit for breaking news and long-term vision for investigative and enterprise reporting.”
Sister publications The Citizens’ Voice, Republican-Herald, and Standard-Speaker captured the remaining eight awards.
Here is the full list of the 2026 Keystone Media Award winners from The Times-Tribune:
Specialty award
Public notices: Frank Lesnefsky
First place
Second place
Honorable mention
Investigative reporting: Frank Lesnefsky for “Data Centers.”