The Source won three first-place awards in the 2024 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Northwest Excellence in Journalism competition. The northwest region includes newsrooms from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
The Source placed first in "General Excellence Writing (Small Newsroom), "Graphics & Illustrations (Small Newsroom) and "Environment & Natural Disaster Reporting.
"These awards are a meaningful acknowledgment of the work we do at the Source to deliver thoughtful, in-depth journalism to Central Oregon," Publisher Aaron Switzer said. "To be recognized in categories spanning writing, visual storytelling and investigative reporting speaks to the commitment and talent of our small but dedicated newsroom."
SPJ judges praised the Source's environmental series on prescribed fire practices for its "superb writing, in-depth research, keen historical insight, impressive photography and helpful graphics," also calling it a "fantastic read." The SPJ is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the U.S., and the NW Excellence in Journalism contest is one of the largest of its kind in the country.
The Source remains one of the last locally owned newspapers in the region offering free, independent journalism.
"Every day, the Source team sets out to do something ambitious: Produce thoughtful, informative and important work that reflects and responds to our community," said Editor in Chief Nicole Vulcan.
