Florida Weekly again named state’s top weekly newspaper

For the ninth time, the Florida Weekly secured the top award as the state’s best large weekly newspaper in an annual Florida Press Association competition.

The publication took home 29 other honors — the Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award, 10 first-place, 10 second-place and eight third-place awards — at a July 26 ceremony in Orlando.

Not only did the Florida Weekly win the highest accolade among newspapers with a circulation above 15,000, called the 2024 Better Weekly Sweepstakes Award, but the newspaper garnered more awards than it ever has in previous years. The publication, owned by the Hoffmann Media Group, received 28 last year.

“I am proud of the exceptional work our staff has done in winning such distinctive awards,” said J. Pason Gaddis, the CEO of Hoffmann Media Group. “Our team at Florida Weekly’s dedication and hard work have truly paid off, earning us these remarkable accolades.”

Florida Weekly receives 29 Florida Press Association awards, including 10 first-place wins and the top accolade, the 2024 Better Weekly Sweepstakes Award trophy. The awards on the shelves are from previous years. COURTESY PHOTO

The competition, called the Florida Press Association Better Weekly Newspaper Contest, was held following two days of journalism seminars as part of the annual Florida Media Conference. Awards are given out in three divisions, with the Florida Weekly competing in the largest newspaper group, vying against other state media outlets that have at least 15,000 readers. The other divisions are small and medium-sized publications.

WILLIAMS

Florida Weekly’s 30 awards were split between 14 staff writers, graphic designers and freelancers, with longtime reporters Roger Williams and Mary Wozniak securing the most.

Williams received seven awards, including four first-place, two second place and the Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award, named after an editor who fought for open meetings and First Amendment rights. His stories that won first place covered topics such as animal shelters facing an overcrowding crisis and fewer adoptions, scientists raising concerns about the quality of Lake Okeechobee water releases, and a proposed Florida Legislature bill that would have allowed state politicians and public officials to sue critics for defaming them without having to prove malice.

WOZNIAK

Wozniak received five, including two first-place, one second place and two third-place awards. Her articles that won first touched on issues such as how restaurants were working to rebuild and regain business following the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, and a deep dive into the beginning of the 2023 hurricane season and its potential impacts.

Other first-place awards won by the Florida Weekly included numerous captivating front-page designs by Florida Weekly’s graphic design team, a front-page article by Laura Tichy about healthcare disparities resulting in many citizens being unable to afford coverage, and a front-page article by Andrea Stetson about the future of aviation with high schools training students to fill much-needed positions.

The Florida Weekly, which started in 2007, was purchased about two years ago by the Hoffmann Family of Companies from its founders. Florida Weekly editions include newspapers in Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs, Palm Beach, Charlotte County and Key West. Other publications include the Town Chronicle, the Babcock Ranch Telegraph and the Ave Maria Sun.

The Florida Press Association’s Weekly Newspaper Contest is open to monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, semi-weekly and tri-weekly newspaper members.

The following is a list of the awards that the Florida Weekly received:

Front Page Make-Up: Florida Weekly staff – first place

Informational Graphic: Lindi Feazel – third place

Best Headline: Carlie Admire – second place; Joan Rusek – third place

Sports Column: Glenn Miller – third place

Photo Series in One Issue: Laura Tichy & Joe DiFlorio – first place

Community History: Erica Fish – third place

Agricultural & Environmental Reporting: Roger Williams – first place; Patricia Horwell – second place

Business Reporting: Andrea Stetson – third place

Local Government Reporting: Roger Williams – first place; Mary Wozniak – third place

Roads & Transportation: Nancy Theoret – second place

Faith & Family Reporting: Roger Williams – first place; Roger Williams – second place

Health, Medical & Science Reporting: Laura Tichy – first place; Roger Williams – second place; Mary Wozniak – third place

Education Feature: Andrea Stetson – first place; Andrea Stetson – second place

Hurricane Feature Story: Mary Wozniak – first place

Feature Story: Non-profile: Laura Tichy – second place; Kevin Assam – third place

Feature Story: Profile: Nancy Stetson – second place

In-Depth Reporting (Non-Investigative): Mary Wozniak – second place

General News Story (Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award): Roger Williams – overall winner and first place

Hurricane Coverage – General News Story: Mary Wozniak – first place; Laura Tichy – second place

Better Weekly Sweepstakes Award: Florida Weekly

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