The Poughkeepsie Journal has won 27 awards, including 12 first-place honors, in the annual New York State Associated Press Association's contest.
The Journal took the second-most awards in the state for editorials, photos, graphics, headlines, online content and writing.
"Our news staff never ceases to impress me with the quality of the work it does," Publisher Barry Rothfeld said. "But 27 awards and 12 first-place awards are beyond expectation."
This year the Journal swept two categories, placing in first, second and third in the sports reporting and news presentation spot news categories.
Winners will be recognized at the annual state AP seminar and awards banquet, scheduled for Sept. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. Top awards including Newspapers of Distinction, Mike Hendricks Young Journalist of the Year, and the Cromie and Kolenberg awards for photography will be announced the night of the banquet.
The Journal competed against newspapers with circulations between 25,000 and 50,000 in the writing categories and those with circulation less than 50,000 in graphics and photography.
"The entire staff should be very proud of this showing as it is a true representation of the high level of journalism that exists day in and day out at the Poughkeepsie Journal," Rothfeld said.
The first-place awards:
• Spot news reporting: John Falcone shooting coverage, staff. Coverage over several days, examining the death and funeral of City of Poughkeepsie Police Detective John Falcone.
• Beat reporting: "The Public Pays," by Mary Beth Pfeiffer, Mary Huber. A two-part series on public-sector salaries, which ranked 108 government entities in two counties by salary.
• Sports reporting: "Newburgh boxing club is fighting, but on the ropes financially," by Mike Benischek. A story on the struggling boxing club that has become a refuge to many inner-city youths.
• Sports columns: A selection by reporter/columnist Mike Benischek.
• Editorials: "Domestic violence: Break the silence," by John Penney. An editorial series revealing the domestic violence crisis through victims' stories.