The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Florida chapter recently announced the winners of its annual Sunshine State Awards, recognizing exceptional journalistic work from 2024. The awards ceremony took place at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.
This year marked the inaugural presentation of the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting. This new top honor, funded by the A-Mark Foundation, highlights the critical role investigative journalism plays in government accountability and public awareness. A total of $15,000 in cash prizes was distributed among the winners.
Trevor Aaronson and Eleanor Knight secured first place for their Audible podcast series. Kylie McGivern, Randy Wright, and Melanie Payne of WFTS-TV Tampa Bay earned second place. Caroline Braucher and Jennifer Hunt Murty of the Ocala Gazette received third place.
The awards encompassed various journalistic categories, including print, digital, photography, design, television, video, radio, audio, Spanish language, and student work. The competition welcomed entries from professional journalists in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as those outside the state who covered Florida-based news. A dedicated category existed for high school and college students in Florida.
The SPJ Florida chapter collaborated with the South Florida chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists to present the awards. Since 1994, the competition has celebrated journalistic excellence, with judges from outside Florida evaluating submissions. All proceeds from the event support journalist training and advocacy initiatives.
The Sunshine State Awards will reopen for submissions in January 2026. The awards continue to serve as a significant platform for recognizing and rewarding exceptional journalism in the state and beyond.
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