The Pittsburgh Union Progress came home a winner from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania’s 59th Golden Quills dinner Tuesday night.
“Three Years After Son’s Death, WTAE-TV Anchor Mike Clark Honors His Memory
With Endowed Scholarship” by Joshua Axelrod, who is back at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, won in the category of Excellence in Written Journalism, Arts/Entertainment — Division 2.
In addition, Union Progress transportation writer and striking PG writer Ed Blazina won a Quill for Excellence in Written Journalism, Public Affairs/Politics/Government — Division 1 for his pre-strike PG story “Unpaid Pa. Turnpike tolls rise nearly 48% to $155 million, but agency says that’s because of more drivers, higher fees,” while Union Progress photographer and striker Matt Freed won a Quill for Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Sports Photo, for “Pirates center fielder Greg Allen tries to beat out the throw.” Striking worker Tyler Pecyna won a Quill for Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Digital Presentation, for the PG’s “The Challenge: Feed a Family of Four Across Seven Days for $200.”
Union Progress co-editor and reporter Jon Moss was part of a team from The Pitt News and WPTS Radio that nabbed a Quill for Student Excellence in Audio Journalism — News for “The Panther Report | Pittsburgh Bridges.”
The winners of the annual journalism competition that honors professional and student excellence in print, broadcast, photography, videography and digital journalism in Western Pennsylvania and nearby counties in Ohio and West Virginia, were announced Tuesday night at Rivers Casino on the North Shore.
Four other Union Progress stories and PG work by several other striking workers were finalists in the contest.
Union Progress finalists are:
Excellence in Written Journalism — Division 2
Business/Technology/Consumer
“It’s a Holiday Miracle! Maggie’s Farm Rum Has Eggnog”
Bob Batz Jr.
Pittsburgh Union Progress
History/Culture
“Pittsburgh Union Progress Carrying Forward a Rich Tradition of Strike Papers”
Joshua Axelrod
Pittsburgh Union Progress
“Overgrown Brush on a Ross Hillside Hides the Forgotten Stones and Stories of African American Veterans”
Steve Mellon
Pittsburgh Union Progress
Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement
Photo Essay
“Election 2022: Fetterman Rallies With Thousands in Pittsburgh at Stage AE”
Alexandra Wimley
Pittsburgh Union Progress
Also during the dinner, the Press Club honored Deborah L. Acklin, former president and CEO of WQED Multimedia, with its President’s Award, and the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and Monsignor Thomas J. McSweeney, former director of the Diocese of Erie Communications Office and former executive editor of Faith magazine, with Service to Journalism awards. In addition, The Press Club recognized Penn State University rising senior Lauren Haffner of Squirrel Hill, winner of the 2023 Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship, and Shippensburg University rising senior Allyson Ritchey of Hopewell, Bedford County, winner of the 2023 Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship.
The PUP is the publication of the striking workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
