{"id":28989,"date":"2026-08-20T13:22:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T18:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/?p=28989"},"modified":"2026-08-21T13:49:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T18:49:35","slug":"2026-story-of-the-year-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/2026\/08\/20\/2026-story-of-the-year-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Story of the Year finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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August 21<\/em>, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The Associated Collegiate Press announces finalists in its 2026 Story of the Year competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winners will be announced at the ACP Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the National College Media Convention<\/a> in Kansas City, Mo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the winners are announced on Nov. 7, a gallery of the winners and honorable mentions will be shared on this website allowing student journalists and advisers to see all of the entries recognized in the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations to the finalists in the following Story of the Year contests \u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Breaking News Story<\/a>
In-Depth News Story<\/a>
Feature Story<\/a>
Sports Game Story<\/a>
Sports Feature Story<\/a>
Editorial<\/a>
Column<\/a>
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Reporting
<\/a>Local Climate Change Reporting
<\/a>Ernie Pyle Human-Interest Profile<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Individual Award finalists<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Story of the Year<\/a>
Reporter of the Year
<\/a>Multimedia Story of the Year
<\/a>Design of the Year
<\/a>Photo of the Year
<\/a>Cartoon of the Year
<\/a>Broadcast Story of the Year<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Please join us at the National College Media Convention<\/a> Nov. 4-7 in Kansas City, Mo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
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Breaking News Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carly Heltzel<\/strong>
Mustang News, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Ishan Pandhare Pleads Not Guilty to Hit-and-Run Felonies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abbie Carroll<\/strong>
Drake Mag, Drake University (IA)
Petition Appears to Include False Information<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosemarie Turay<\/strong>
The Union, El Camino College (CA)
Suspect Arrested on Charge of Setting Two Fires<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meredith McCalmon<\/strong>
The Kansas State Collegian, Kansas State University
NAACP Urges K-State to Act After Student Displayed Racial Slur<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Burkhart<\/strong>
Technician, North Carolina State University
LGBTQ Pride Center Assistant Director Fired<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer Hu, Ruixin Zhang<\/strong>
Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University (IL)
NU-Q Under Shelter-in-Place Order Following Iran\u2019s Retaliatory Strikes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayjel Mairena<\/strong>
The Corsair, Santa Monica College (CA)
Hellbomb Was a Riot<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maggie Konecky, Zimo Li<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Car Crashes Into 99 Ranch Market<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katie Karlson<\/strong>
The Miami Hurricane, University of Miami (FL)
RSMAS Shuttle Driver Arrested for DUI<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keira Faddis<\/strong>
The Miami Hurricane, University of Miami (FL)
Student Influencer Starts Antisemitic Argument<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
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In-Depth News Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chris Hutton, Sean Shanks<\/strong>
The Orion, California State University, Chico
Former Ag Dean Sues for Alleged Discrimination and Retaliation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan Arreola, Maria Cruz, Arianna Pastrana<\/strong>
The Hornet, Fullerton College (CA)
Your Ticket to Heaven Is a Transaction<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruth Abramovitz, Aamir Jamil, Nora Toscano<\/strong>
The Hoya, Georgetown University (DC)
GU Professor on Leave Since 2023 for Sexual Harassment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ajani Stella<\/strong>
The Hoya, Georgetown University (DC)
Planned GU Policy Threatens GUTS Bus Drivers\u2019 University Benefits<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia Roeder, Somer Sodeman<\/strong>
The State News, Michigan State University
‘Fear-Based\u2019 Leadership Looms Over Fundraising Department<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roxy Ekberg, Isabelle Foland<\/strong>
The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Former ICE Detainee Recounts Experience in Muscatine County Jail<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reaghan Chen<\/strong>
KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion, University of Kentucky
The Rise of GLP-1s and the Fall of Body Positivity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justin Diep<\/strong>
The Daily Nebraskan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
UNL Used Bad Data to Make $27.5 Million Cuts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keya Mahajan<\/strong>
The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Internal Takeover and Exploitation of Rainbow Soccer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aedan Seaver<\/strong>
Flux, University of Oregon
Counting Sheep<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Feature Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kimber Draughon<\/strong>
Mustang News, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
How Biomedical Engineering Students Push the Needle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seyun Park<\/strong>
The Chronicle, Duke University (NC)
Stephen Miller, Through the Memories of His Duke Classmates<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alli Hausman<\/strong>
Daily Eastern News, Eastern Illinois University
Local Congregation Finds Its Voice Through Music<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nikki Yunker<\/strong>
Warrior Life, El Camino College (CA)
El Camino Alum Becomes Toy Maker for Barbie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ajani Stella, Nora Toscano<\/strong>
The Hoya, Georgetown University (DC)
Badar Khan Suri Still Believes in the American Promise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zoey Giltner<\/strong>
Beaver’s Digest, Oregon State University
You\u2019re Taking What Class?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lily Newman<\/strong>
The NewsHouse, Syracuse University (NY)
Understanding Food Insecurity at SU<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maya McLeroy<\/strong>
Ascend, University of Oregon
The Last Great Race<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dang Le, Taylor Sansom<\/strong>
The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
Community Members Reflect on 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sports Game Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jackson Posey<\/strong>
The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University (TX)
Houston Ends Baylor\u2019s Season<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harris Pemberton<\/strong>
The Daily Orange, Syracuse University (NY)
Syracuse Obliterated by No. 1 UConn in NCAA Tournament<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mathias Cubillan<\/strong>
The Battalion, Texas A&M University
Aggies\u2019 Season Ends With Whimper<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willa Campion<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Women\u2019s Basketball Dominates in NCAA Title Win<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lance Roth<\/strong>
Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Eli Stephenson\u2019s Jaw Dropping Shot Goes Viral<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian D’Aguanno<\/strong>
The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Men\u2019s Basketball\u2019s Half Court Offense Nonexistent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Krasnowski<\/strong>
The Daily Emerald, University of Oregon
Oregon Football Downs USC in Top-15 Shootout<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valeri Guevarra, Javier St. Remy<\/strong>
The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Men\u2019s Basketball Upsets Reigning Champion Yale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan Johnson<\/strong>
The Villanovan, Villanova University (PA)
Men\u2019s Basketball\u2019s Big East Tournament Loss<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Owen Prothro<\/strong>
The Sunflower, Wichita State University (KS)
How Wichita State\u2019s Smallest Guards Delivered One-Two Punch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sports Feature Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jackson Posey<\/strong>
The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University (TX)
Inside \u2018Hot Shot\u2019s\u2019 Journey to Basketball Stardom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan Allen, Ty Soria<\/strong>
Mustang News, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
The Engineering Behind Cal Poly\u2019s Global Roster<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan Allen<\/strong>
Mustang News, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
How Victor Glover\u2019s Dual-Sport Career Shaped His Path to Space<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payton Liggins<\/strong>
Daily Eastern News, Eastern Illinois University
Scrubs by Day; Hoops by Night<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dov Weinstein Elul<\/strong>
Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University (IL)
How Pat Spencer\u2019s Competitive Drive Took Him to the NBA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amanda Vogt<\/strong>
Penn State Student Media, Pennsylvania State University
Little League Town USA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfonso Juli\u00e1n Camacho<\/strong>
The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
College Loses Beloved, Eccentric Baseball Coach<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooper Andrews<\/strong>
The Daily Orange, Syracuse University (NY)
Oren Lyons\u2019 Endless Quest to Preserve Indigenous Values<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connor Dullinger<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA, USC Men\u2019s Volleyball Unite in Tribute to Braun Levi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miles Dwyer<\/strong>
Ascend, University of Oregon
Free Rein<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Editorial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn University (AL)
AU Alert Cries Wolf<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University (TX)
We Don\u2019t Agree With TPUSA Tour Coming to Campus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alli Hausman<\/strong>
Daily Eastern News, Eastern Illinois University
Alert System Failed Campus Community<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The State News, Michigan State University
Trustee Candidates Lack Concrete Ideas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Minor Goes Public With Alestle Criticism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The Daily Orange, Syracuse University (NY)
Haynie\u2019s Early Presence Isn\u2019t Tenure-Defining<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The University Star, Texas State University
Alter\u2019s Termination Sets a Dangerous Precedent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The Crimson White, University of Alabama
Grow a Spine. Reinstate Our Magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Agostini\u2019s Departure Punishes Transparency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board<\/strong>
The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Penn Has an AI Problem<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Column<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Montana Burack<\/strong>
Beaver’s Digest, Oregon State University
Why I\u2019m Not Planning My Future on a Partner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfonso Juli\u00e1n Camacho<\/strong>
The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
How Mass Media Portray Disabled Can Elevate or Damage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cara Coco<\/strong>
The Collegian, Tarrant County College (TX)
Conversion Therapy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nick Levie<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA Must Address Tramo-Epstein Connection With Accountability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muskan Mehta<\/strong>
The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Returning to Normal Isn\u2019t Recovery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Meglio<\/strong>
The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
No Better Story to Tell Than My Own<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isabella Lindsey<\/strong>
Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Gold Medals Are Nice, but Respecting Women Is Cooler<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madelyn Rowley<\/strong>
The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Where the Hell Is Lee Roberts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diya Choksey<\/strong>
The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Deflating Grades Will Not Inflate Curiosity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audrey Miller<\/strong>
Garnet & Black, University of South Carolina
Political Journalism for Dummies<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
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Diversity- Equity & Inclusion Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bridget Galibois, Opal Kendall, Saroja Ramchandren<\/strong>
The Hoya, Georgetown University (DC)
GU Students Confront Barriers to Reproductive Advocacy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essence Quigley, Clare Seymour<\/strong>
SCAD Connector, Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta (GA)
The Untold Tale of Queer Willpower<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfonso Juli\u00e1n Camacho<\/strong>
The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
LGBTQ Refugees Find Safety in Tijuana Sanctuary<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian Arce, Raul Ramirez<\/strong>
The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
An Outbreak of Peace<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karla Cardenas-Felipe<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Gloria Molina Grand Park Celebrates D\u00eda de los Muertos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leydi Cris Cobo Cordon, Chenrui Zhang<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Black Extravaganza Honors Black Culture<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicholas Merl<\/strong>
KVCU Radio 1190, University of Colorado Boulder
Campus Controversy Follows Students for Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riley Dunn, Muskan Mehta<\/strong>
The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Studio 13 Celebrates 25th Anniversary<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isobel Perez<\/strong>
The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Remembering Iowa City\u2019s First Barrio<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taylor Motley<\/strong>
The Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Love and Legacy of Orange County\u2019s First Interracial Marriage<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Local Climate Change Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Colin Wishneski<\/strong>
The Appalachian, Appalachian State University (NC)
Analyzing Helene\u2019s Impacts on Boone<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amanda Machamer<\/strong>
The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn University (AL)
The Rain\u2019s Got to Come<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauren Jones, Max McCullough, Jonathan Sze, Lauren Yoon<\/strong>
Mustang News, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
How Cal Poly Is Exploring Wildfires and Their Prevention<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myra Saeed<\/strong>
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter, John Hopkins University (MD)
Residents Call for Attention Toward Detrimental Environmental Effects<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyra Case, Jenna Fiscus<\/strong>
The Kansas State Collegian, Kansas State University
Upcycling Drought: From Waste to Water<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erin Wunderlich<\/strong>
The Battalion, Texas A&M University
Global Warming Accelerates Multi-System Change<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arabella DiChristina<\/strong>
The University Star, Texas State University
River Otters\u2019 Presence Indicates Healthy Ecosystem<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Michel<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
The Expansion, Evolution of Zero-Emission Vehicle Policies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gigi Roddick<\/strong>
Ascend, University of Oregon
In Search of Hope<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liam Hamilton<\/strong>
Flux, University of Oregon
Miles of Trail, Years of Care<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
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Ernie Pyle Human-Interest Profile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nathan Feller<\/strong>
Ponder, Black Hills State University (SD)
True Americanism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Austin Graft<\/strong>
Ponder, Black Hills State University (SD)
The Knifemakers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacqueline Lekachman<\/strong>
NYCity News Service, City University of New York
Honor Moore on Living for Herself, Writing and Other Women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angelina An<\/strong>
The Express, Las Positas College (CA)
Maahee Joshi Reclaims Stage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfonso Juli\u00e1n Camacho<\/strong>
The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
Survivor Says Death Penalty Is Lynching<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauren Jones<\/strong>
The NewsHouse, Syracuse University (NY)
Bulgarian Coach Was \u2018En Garde\u2019 for a New Beginning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caitlin Brockenbrow<\/strong>
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Liberation Left Untold<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erin Morrison<\/strong>
Ascend, University of Oregon
Queen of Sea and Air<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ellie Clark, Kaia Feichtinger-Erhart<\/strong>
The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
The Story of Men\u2019s Hockey at Penn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Davis<\/strong>
The Daily Gamecock, University of South Carolina
Gabriel\u2019s Dream Weekend With Gamecock Athletics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

August 21, 2026 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The Associated Collegiate Press announces finalists in its 2026 Story of the Year competition. The winners will be announced at the ACP Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the National College Media Convention in Kansas City, Mo. After the winners are announced on Nov. 7, a gallery of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28989"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28989"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29108,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28989\/revisions\/29108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}