Dear Pen & Pencil Club members and Philly News Award voters:

Thank you for helping make the return of our annual commemoration of great journalism in the Philadelphia region a resounding success.

After receiving more than 285 suggestions for nominees, the P&P Board of Governors narrowed each category to five finalists, and put them up for a vote. And vote you did! There were more than 2,800 unique submissions, with most people casting a vote in the majority of categories.

We hosted a fantastic ceremony at the Club, and were thrilled to honor our winners with awards.

If you’ve never made it out to the Pen & Pencil bar in Center City, you’re missing out on some of the best value drinks in Philadelphia, with a lowkey vibe and nightly service through 3 a.m. 

Want in? All you need to do to gain access is become a member. 

Membership helps sustain the Club, which was founded in 1892 and is one of the oldest in the nation. Join us! We look forward to welcoming you.

And P&P membership is a heckuva deal: just $60/year for active journalists, and $40/year for associate members — anyone in an industry that’s “friends with journalists” or crosses over with journalism or news is eligible. Visit this page to submit your application; you can pay online or in person at the Club after you’re approved.

And now, here are the results from the vote. (You can view all the nominees and see how the voting broke down by visiting this page of fancy charts.)

Congrats to all!

2023 Philly News Award Winners

Collaborative Journalism Project of the Year

J.A.W.N (Journalism Accountability Watchdog Network) Coalition

Best Social Media Use of the Year

Michael Klein, @phillyinsider on Instagram

Education Reporting of the Year

Chanel Hill, The Philadelphia Tribune

Health Reporting of the Year

Kenny Cooper, WHYY News

Criminal Justice Reporting of the Year

Mensah Dean, The Trace

Sports Reporting of the Year

OJ Spivey, The Philadelphia Tribune

Political Reporting of the Year

Holly Otterbein, Politico

Culture Reporting of the Year

Ximena Conde, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Investigative Work of the Year

"Stop & Frisk: Revisit or Resist" — Sammy Caiola, Yvonne Latty, WHYY News and Logan Center for Investigative Reporting

Nontraditional News Provider of the Year

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting (PCGVR)

Freelance Journalist of the Year

Ernest Owens

Commentary of the Year

Patty Jackson, WDAS

Broadcast News Reporting of the Year

Jim Gardner, 6ABC

Podcast of the Year

City Cast Philly

Editor of the Year

Molly Eichel, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Newsmaker of the Year

Quinta Brunson