News Summary
The Business Journal celebrated its largest-ever haul of California Journalism Awards, securing 10 first-place and seven second-place awards. The publication excelled in various categories, including ‘Best Newsletter’ and ‘Agricultural Reporting,’ highlighting its commitment to quality journalism. Special recognitions were given for technology reporting and community engagement initiatives, showcasing the publication’s impact and dedication to local issues.
California witnessed a remarkable achievement for The Business Journal as the publication celebrated its largest-ever haul of California Journalism Awards during the weekend’s ceremony hosted by the California News Publishers Association. In 2024, The Business Journal secured an impressive total of 10 first-place awards and an additional seven second-place awards for various categories, showcasing its commitment to exceptional journalism.
The Business Journal, which competes amongst weekly newspapers with a circulation of 4,301 to 11,000, displayed a strong performance across multiple categories. It notably excelled in the “Best Newsletter” category, where the “Executive Dining Guide” won first place, while “Real Estate Weekly” and “Daily Update” received third and fourth places, respectively. This recognition highlights the publication’s ability to deliver engaging and informative content to its audience.
In terms of specialized reporting, The Business Journal dominated the “Agricultural Reporting” category. It earned first place for its in-depth coverage of Central Valley Meat’s acquisition and the subsequent layoffs at the Cargill beef plant in Fresno. Additionally, the publication garnered third place for its reporting on avian flu and fourth place regarding farmland selloffs, demonstrating its expertise in significant local agricultural issues.
The publication also shone in “Technology Reporting,” securing first place for a story package on artificial intelligence and second place for its report on the Black-owned tech firm, Quiq Labs. The recognition speaks to The Business Journal’s diverse coverage, which includes innovation and technology shaping the local economy.
The online presence of The Business Journal was also acknowledged, with its website, thebusinessjournal.com, receiving first place in “Home Page Layout & Design.” Lead graphic designer Cecilia Lopez earned first place recognition for her illustrations related to the Farmer’s Almanac and the INC 5000. This recognition underscores the publication’s commitment to high-quality design and visual presentation.
Further accolades were achieved in various categories, with the print design team winning second place in “Print Front Page Layout & Design.” Reporter Frank Lopez claimed first place in “Coverage of Business and the Economy” for his piece centered on employment opportunities for individuals on the spectrum. He also secured third place for a story covering the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, showcasing the publication’s focus on important community issues.
Lopez’s reporting performance continued with additional first place wins in “Labor Reporting” for a piece concerning union membership during ‘Labor Summer’ and in “Coverage of Youth and Education” for his story about collaboration between a Fresno engineering firm and Fresno State. The emphasis on education and labor reporting demonstrates The Business Journal’s commitment to covering underrepresented communities.
Estela Anahi Jaramillo, a former reporter for The Business Journal, received third place in the education category for her work on college partnerships, further highlighting the publication’s impactful legacy in local journalism. Additionally, the “Made in the Central Valley 2024” manufacturing supplement achieved first place in the “Print Special Section” category, reflecting a dedication to promoting local industry and economic development.
The publication’s success extended to categories such as “Tourism/Travel Writing/Reporting,” where reporter Ben Hensley secured second place for his article on tourism spending. Hensley also achieved second place in “Fine Arts Writing/Reporting” for a story covering local music teachers. The diverse range of topics covered illustrates the publication’s deep engagement with the community it serves.
The Business Journal received second place in the inaugural “Audience/Community Engagement Award” for its annual program “60 Ideas in 60 Minutes,” exemplifying its innovative approach to involving the community. Other notable achievements include a second place award for “Housing and Land-Use Reporting” related to the Scannell warehouse project and an impressive range of awards in various reporting categories including food writing, sports features, and breaking news.
Overall, The Business Journal’s exceptional performance at this year’s California Journalism Awards not only highlights its journalistic talents but also reflects a strong commitment to serving its audience and community through high-quality reporting and engagement in important local issues.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
