The Fredericksburg Free Press received a total of 13 awards in the Virginia Press Association’s annual contest, the results of which were announced on Saturday in Lynchburg.
The Free Press podcast, “The Tribe,” was a winner of the inaugural A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism. The award “recognizes excellence in investigative journalism that uncovers issues previously unknown to the public and reinforces the essential role of watchdog reporting across Virginia.”
“This complicated and still-unfolding story proves to be an ideal subject for a podcast,” read the judge’s comments. “Inventive, entertaining, and well-reported storytelling takes the listener down the path of forgotten history.”
Photographer Jeff Kearney won best in show in online photography for this image from the University of Mary Washington graduation ceremonies.
University of Mary Washington Commencement Ceremony Saturday May 10, 2025. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
The newsroom was honored in the following categories:
Award name/category
- First Place: General News Photo by Jeff Kearney
- First Place: Public Notice Story by Jonathan Hunley
- First Place: Breaking News Writing by Joey LoMonaco
- First Place: General News Writing by Taft Coghill Jr.
- First Place: Health, Science and Environmental Writing by Taft Coghill Jr.
- First Place: Sports Writing Portfolio by Joey LoMonaco
- First Place: Best Lede by Joey LoMonaco
- Second Place: Podcast “The Tribe” by Joey LoMonaco, Taft Coghill Jr., Kendall Perkinson, Lindley Estes, Kathy Knotts
- Third Place: General News Photo by Joey LoMonaco
- Third Place: Government Writing by Jonathan Hunley
- Third Place: Headline Writing by Joey LoMonaco
The Free Press is an online member of VPA, a statewide journalism organization. This is the first year that the nonprofit publication was eligible to compete in the annual contest. Read the judges’ comments here.
“This showing — which pitted our journalism against that of long-established publications with significant outside investment — affirms the Free Press’s standing as the news leader in the Fredericksburg region,” managing editor Joey LoMonaco said. “I’m really proud of our people.”
Added Free Press board co-chair Seth Silber: “When we launched the Free Press just over two years ago, we strove to deliver the highest quality local news to our community. What our reporters have delivered for our community, however, far exceeds even our highest expectations. We are incredibly appreciative of their hard work and talents, and the recognition the VPA has bestowed upon them.”
The Fredericksburg Free Press launched in February 2024 and has more than 14,000 subscribers.
