On June 5, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of the 2023 Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest. Writers from the Renton Reporter, Federal Way Mirror and Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber of Sound Publishing were among he winner circle.

Beachcomber editor Alex Bruell received two awards for his work with the Mirror. Bruell won first place in the “Feature- Soft News” category for his story “Corey Nettles brought Federal Way together – and inspired a new book for grieving youth” and he won second place in the “Arts and Culture Reporting” category for his story “Federal Way student goes viral on ‘American Idol.’”

Renton Reporter writer Bailey Jo Josie also received two SPJ awards. She won first place in the “Review” category for “‘Beyond this flesh:’ Prog-rock immortals Tool play the Tacoma Dome” and she received second place in the “Racial Equity Reporting” category for “Renton family seeks reparations from school district.”

South King County sports writer Ben Ray received a second place prize in the “Sports Feature” category for his story “Federal Way boxer wins first professional fight by TKO.”

Beachcomber writer Elizabeth Shepherd received a second place award in the “Editorial and Commentary” category for her article “Writing about orcas? Dive deeper.”

Articles that were published throughout 2023 were eligible for this year’s SPJ’s Region 10 awards. Media outlets out of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska are part of Region 10.