{"id":246289,"date":"2026-07-18T00:11:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T00:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/246289\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T00:11:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T00:11:17","slug":"public-source-wins-pennsylvanias-top-investigative-journalism-prize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/246289\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Source wins Pennsylvania’s top investigative journalism prize"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pittsburgh\u2019s Public Source has won first place in the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Pennsylvania, which recognizes the resource-intensive work of in-depth investigative reporting across the state. The prize went to \u201cAlcoa Mines Australia\u2019s Forest<\/a>,\u201d a three-part investigation by Jamie Wiggan and Quinn Glabicki into the ecological toll of bauxite mining on a unique Australian forest by a Pittsburgh-based global metals company. It\u2019s awarded by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation and the A-Mark Foundation.<\/p>\n

The win adds to a range of recognition Public Source has received so far this year, reflecting the spectrum of work we produce for the Pittsburgh region. From accountability journalism to enterprising local storytelling to visuals that reflect the communities we serve, judges from local, state and national contests have taken note.<\/p>\n

Our neighborhood zines project stood out in particular, drawing recognition for its revenue model, its visual design and its strength as a product overall.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re grateful to the organizations that review submissions and choose among many worthy entries, and to the judges who give their time to that work.<\/p>\n

The list below reflects recognition Public Source received so far in 2026 and will be updated periodically.<\/p>\n

A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

Winner: First Place \u2014 Jamie Wiggan and Quinn Glabicki, for \u201cAlcoa Mines Australia\u2019s Forest<\/a>.\u201d The prize includes $5,000 for the reporters and $2,500 for Public Source.<\/p>\n

The investigation, which involved a multi-week reporting trip to Australia, was made possible by the Pulitzer Center\u2019s 2025 Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A-Mark is a nonprofit that funds journalism organizations and grants awards for outstanding reporting, and this prize is part of its national program recognizing the best investigative work in each state. Eligible entries surface information that the people or institutions involved would rather keep out of public view, and judges weigh factors including the depth of research, the reporters\u2019 persistence in the face of obstacles, use of public records and documents, breadth of sourcing, and the story\u2019s impact on public policy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Neighborhood zines earn recognition across contests<\/p>\n

Our neighborhood zines project \u2014 pairing print storytelling with community-based reporting \u2014 has been recognized for its revenue model, its craft and its overall strength as a product:<\/p>\n

Winner, New Revenue Stream Award (under 250,000 unique monthly visitors), Local Media Association Digital Innovation Awards<\/p>\n

Finalist, Product of the Year (medium\/large revenue tier), LION Awards<\/a> \u2014 winners announced in September 2026<\/p>\n

Finalist, Excellence in Visual Achievement, Multimedia, Golden Quill Awards<\/p>\n

Explore our zines here: North Side<\/a> | Brookline, Carrick & Overbrook<\/a> | Oakland<\/a> | Bloomfield, Garfield & Friendship<\/a> | Homewood & Larimer<\/a><\/p>\n

Golden Quill Awards, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

Public Source had a strong showing at this year\u2019s Golden Quill Awards, with three wins and finalist recognition across nine additional categories.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Winner: Excellence in Collaboration \u2014 \u201cPittsburgh at Work<\/a>,\u201d a partnership between Public Source and Technical.ly.<\/p>\n

Winner: Excellence in Visual Achievement, Spot News, Feature, Sports Video or Video Essay \u2014 \u201cLeaving Pittsburgh<\/a>,\u201d by Dean Bog and Public Source staff.<\/p>\n

Winner: Excellence in Written Journalism, Traditional Feature \u2014 Bill Zlatos for \u201cDeath of an \u2018elder orphan\u2019 warns that aging alone may become more dangerous<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finalists:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Homeownership Wall<\/a>\u201d by Charlie Wolfson, Excellence in Written Journalism, News Feature Division I<\/p>\n

\u201cThousands counter Trump\u2019s military parade in No Kings protests in Pittsburgh<\/a>\u201d by Stephanie Strasburg and Quinn Glabicki, Excellence in Visual Achievement \u2013 Photo Essay<\/p>\n

Portrait of musician Shyheim Banks<\/a>, who performs as Treble NLS, by Stephanie Strasburg, Excellence in Visual Achievement \u2013 Personality Profile Photo<\/p>\n

\u201cAlcoa Mines Australia\u2019s Forest<\/a>\u201d by Jamie Wiggan and Quinn Glabicki, Excellence in Written Journalism, Public Affairs\/Government and Excellence in Visual Achievement, Digital Presentation<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Care is Compulsory<\/a>\u201d by Venuri Siriwardane, Excellence in Written Journalism, Medical\/Health<\/p>\n

\u201cKnow your Pittsburgh labor history?<\/a>\u201d by Bella Markowitz and Jake Vasilias, Excellence in Written Journalism, History<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Zombies to Cabaret\u2019: How Perry High\u2019s arts scene is driving school spirit<\/a>\u201d by Lajja Mistry, Excellence in Written Journalism, Division 1 Traditional Feature<\/p>\n

\u201cICE, immigration and local response<\/a>\u201d by Quinn Glabicki, Excellence in Written Journalism, Division 1 Enterprise\/Investigative<\/p>\n

Winner: Excellence in Written Journalism \u2013 Daily Newspapers\/News Services, Public Affairs \u2014 \u201cGene Walker\u2019s career path to public education<\/a>,\u201d by Lajja Mistry.<\/p>\n

Winner: Excellence in Written Journalism \u2013 Daily Newspapers\/News Services, Health and Medical \u2014 \u201cNeither autism nor tragedy will stop Penn Hills man from saving lives<\/a>,\u201d by Rich Lord.<\/p>\n

Associated Press, Best of AP<\/p>\n

\u201cClairton After the Blast<\/a>,\u201d a joint project of Public Source and The Associated Press, received an honorable mention in the Best of AP<\/a> awards.<\/p>\n

SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something wrong under New Freeport\u201d received an honorable mention for the Kevin Carmody Award for Investigative Reporting<\/a>, Small division, from the Society of Environmental Journalists.<\/p>\n

Society for Features Journalism, Excellence in Features Journalism<\/p>\n

Gregory Laski won first place<\/a> in the Division 1, Inclusion category for \u201cBlack Sewickley residents preserve their surprising history through story and film<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

2026 Nonprofit News Awards (INNYs)<\/p>\n

\u201cAlcoa Mines Australia\u2019s Forest\u201d was a finalist for the Insight Award for Visual Journalism, Medium division.<\/p>\n

Public Source took second place, Division I, Best Recruitment or Commercial Ad.<\/p>\n

Halle Stockton is the editor-in-chief and co-executive director at Pittsburgh\u2019s Public Source. Contact her at halle@publicsource.org<\/a> with any questions or comments.<\/p>\n

\n\tMORE STORIES\n<\/p>\n

This story was made possible by donations to our independent, nonprofit newsroom. <\/p>\n

Can you help us keep going with a gift?<\/p>\n

We\u2019re Pittsburgh\u2019s Public Source. Since 2011, we\u2019ve taken pride in serving our community by delivering accurate, timely, and impactful journalism \u2014 without paywalls. We believe that everyone deserves access to information about local decisions and events that affect them.<\/p>\n

But it takes a lot of resources to produce this reporting, from compensating our staff, to the technology that brings it to you, to fact-checking every line, and much more. Reader support is crucial to our ability to keep doing this work.<\/p>\n

If you learned something new from this story, consider supporting us with a donation today. Your donation helps ensure that everyone in Allegheny County can stay informed about issues that impact their lives. Thank you for your support!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh\u2019s Public Source has won first place in the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Pennsylvania, which recognizes…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":246290,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[5466,28,30,29],"class_list":["post-246289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pennsylvania","tag-leadstorynoshow","tag-pennsylvania","tag-pennsylvania-headlines","tag-pennsylvania-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246289\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}