Pittsburgh’s 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 “Alcoa Mines Australia’s Forest,” 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’s awarded by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation and the A-Mark Foundation.

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.

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

We’re grateful to the organizations that review submissions and choose among many worthy entries, and to the judges who give their time to that work.

The list below reflects recognition Public Source received so far in 2026 and will be updated periodically.

A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Pennsylvania

Winner: First Place — Jamie Wiggan and Quinn Glabicki, for “Alcoa Mines Australia’s Forest.” The prize includes $5,000 for the reporters and $2,500 for Public Source.

The investigation, which involved a multi-week reporting trip to Australia, was made possible by the Pulitzer Center’s 2025 Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowship.

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’ persistence in the face of obstacles, use of public records and documents, breadth of sourcing, and the story’s impact on public policy.  

Neighborhood zines earn recognition across contests

Our neighborhood zines project — pairing print storytelling with community-based reporting — has been recognized for its revenue model, its craft and its overall strength as a product:

  • Winner, New Revenue Stream Award (under 250,000 unique monthly visitors), Local Media Association Digital Innovation Awards
  • Finalist, Product of the Year (medium/large revenue tier), LION Awards — winners announced in September 2026
  • Finalist, Excellence in Visual Achievement, Multimedia, Golden Quill Awards

Explore our zines here: North Side | Brookline, Carrick & Overbrook | Oakland | Bloomfield, Garfield & Friendship | Homewood & Larimer

Golden Quill Awards, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania

Public Source had a strong showing at this year’s Golden Quill Awards, with three wins and finalist recognition across nine additional categories.

Winner: Excellence in Collaboration — “Pittsburgh at Work,” a partnership between Public Source and Technical.ly.

Winner: Excellence in Visual Achievement, Spot News, Feature, Sports Video or Video Essay — “Leaving Pittsburgh,” by Dean Bog and Public Source staff.

Winner: Excellence in Written Journalism, Traditional Feature — Bill Zlatos for “Death of an ‘elder orphan’ warns that aging alone may become more dangerous.”

Finalists:

Robert L. Vann Media Awards, Pittsburgh Black Media Federation

Winner: Excellence in Written Journalism – Daily Newspapers/News Services, Public Affairs — “Gene Walker’s career path to public education,” by Lajja Mistry.

Winner: Excellence in Written Journalism – Daily Newspapers/News Services, Health and Medical — “Neither autism nor tragedy will stop Penn Hills man from saving lives,” by Rich Lord.

Associated Press, Best of AP

“Clairton After the Blast,” a joint project of Public Source and The Associated Press, received an honorable mention in the Best of AP awards.

SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment

“There’s something wrong under New Freeport” received an honorable mention for the Kevin Carmody Award for Investigative Reporting, Small division, from the Society of Environmental Journalists.

Society for Features Journalism, Excellence in Features Journalism

Gregory Laski won first place in the Division 1, Inclusion category for “Black Sewickley residents preserve their surprising history through story and film.”

2026 Nonprofit News Awards (INNYs)

“Alcoa Mines Australia’s Forest” was a finalist for the Insight Award for Visual Journalism, Medium division.

Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation Advertising Contest

Public Source took second place, Division I, Best Recruitment or Commercial Ad.

Halle Stockton is the editor-in-chief and co-executive director at Pittsburgh’s Public Source. Contact her at halle@publicsource.org with any questions or comments.

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Halle Stockton leads Pittsburgh’s Public Source as editor-in-chief and co-executive director, guiding the newsroom’s strategy to bring trusted, independent journalism closer to the communities it serves....