Journalists and editors across Hagadone Communications newsrooms claimed multiple awards at a combined regional competition held in Salem, Oregon, in July 2026, with a Coeur d’Alene Press reporter taking home the contest’s most distinguished investigative reporting prize.
The Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association hosted its annual conference and Pacific Northwest News Publishing Contest in partnership with the Newspaper Association of Idaho, drawing entries from newspapers across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. More than 1,000 submissions were judged across editorial, photographic, design, and advertising categories, making it one of the largest regional newspaper competitions in the Pacific Northwest.
Investigative Prize Goes to Coeur d’Alene Reporter
Coeur d’Alene Press reporter Kaye Thornbrugh earned the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting, the contest’s top honor in that category. The award recognized her reporting on a February 2025 legislative town hall involving Teresa Borrenpohl. Thornbrugh received a $2,000 cash prize, with an additional $1,000 going to the Coeur d’Alene Press newsroom. The A-Mark Foundation distributes $15,000 annually in investigative reporting awards across participating states.
Beyond the top prize, Thornbrugh also placed third in the Baker Family Public Service Journalism category and earned third place for Best Edition for the Coeur d’Alene Press’s coverage of the Canfield Mountain tragedy. The Coeur d’Alene Press additionally captured second place for Best Section for its North Idaho LiveWell publication, May 2025 edition.
Bonner County Daily Bee Recognized for Photo and Design
Closer to home, the Bonner County Daily Bee earned two regional honors. The newsroom placed third for Best News Photo for an image documenting the blessing of a local baby box — the second such installation in Idaho. The Bee also earned third place for overall newspaper design, a recognition of the publication’s visual presentation and layout standards.
The baby box story reflects the kind of community-rooted coverage that distinguishes local newspapers from larger regional and national outlets — a story about a tangible resource serving North Idaho families, captured and presented for a local audience.
NAI President Highlights Value of Regional Competition
Clint Schroeder, who serves as both president of Hagadone Communications and president of the Newspaper Association of Idaho, emphasized the importance of putting local newsrooms up against regional peers. “When newspapers compete against the very best in the region, everyone benefits,” he said. Schroeder also noted the broader significance of the industry: “Community journalism has never been more important than it is today.”
The partnership between the Newspaper Association of Idaho and the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association created a broader competitive field than either state could offer alone, giving Idaho outlets the opportunity to benchmark their work against newspapers throughout the tri-state region.
Sandpoint-area readers who follow local journalism will recognize the Bonner County Daily Bee as one of the primary sources of news for Bonner County, covering everything from local government and public safety to community features. Award recognition at the regional level reinforces the value of that local coverage for residents of Sandpoint, Ponderay, Priest River, and communities throughout the county.
North Idaho has a history of community-minded institutions earning recognition for their impact, from journalism to nonprofits. Earlier this year, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho received a $75,000 grant to expand family support programs, while community preservation efforts have continued across the region, including a new monument honoring Clark Fork’s historic search and rescue volunteers.
What Comes Next
For Hagadone Communications newsrooms, the awards represent a benchmark heading into the remainder of 2026. The A-Mark Foundation’s continued investment in investigative reporting — $15,000 annually across participating states — provides an ongoing incentive for local journalists to pursue accountability coverage. The Newspaper Association of Idaho and Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association are expected to continue their partnership for future competitions, keeping Idaho newsrooms in a regional field that rewards high standards in reporting, photography, and design.