Marin IJ Earns Top Statewide Journalism Award
The Independent Journal has won 19 awards in the California News Publishers Association’s annual journalism contest — including the award for general excellence, its top honor.
The general excellence award is the IJ’s second in four years in its circulation category. The award was for consecutive editions on Oct. 26 and 27, 2025.
Overall, IJ earned awards for work in reporting, photography, column and editorial writing, and illustration. The contest was for work published in 2025.
“We are honored to win CNPA’s highest award, general excellence, and the in-depth reporting and investigative categories in particular,” said Rob Devincenzi, president and publisher of the Independent Journal. “From photography to commentary to entertainment to hard news we were recognized. I am so thankful to our mission-driven news team and contributors, and for the growing number of subscribers who support our hyperlocal journalism.”
IJ reporter Steven Rosenfeld was honored with multiple awards for his reporting in a four-part series on the renewable energy agency MCE. The series earned first place in the category of enterprise news story or series, first place for in-depth reporting and second place in public service journalism.
Rosenfeld also placed second in social justice and civic engagement for coverage of a No Kings rally.
Richard Halstead earned second place in coverage of local government for reporting on a deadly fire in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood. He also won third place in health reporting for a look at the SNAP food assistance crisis in Marin.
Adrian Rodriguez won second place in housing and land use reporting for a roundup of San Rafael’s high-rise proposals.
Photographer Alan Dep earned fourth place in the photo story/essay category for coverage of a teen weightlifter who qualified for nationals.
In the Lifestyles section, music columnist Paul Liberatore earned first- and fourth-place awards for stories on the Marin pop star Miist and a look behind the curtain at the Mill Valley music venue Sweetwater.
The IJ’s Opinion section received numerous awards. Brad Breithaupt won third- and fourth-place honors for editorial writing, and columnist Dick Spotswood earned a fifth-place award for political writing. Editorial cartoonist George Russell swept the category, earning first- through fifth-place awards.
“I could not be prouder of the Independent Journal newsroom,” said Jennifer Upshaw Swartz, the managing editor. “IJ reporters, photographers, editors and contributors care deeply about what they do. They share their talent and bring their passion to the job every day. Nothing feels better than seeing them recognized by their peers across the state.”
LinkedIN also chimed in:
We’re grateful to California News Publishers Association judges for naming Marin Independent Journal the best daily newspaper in California in its circulation category. This is the second time in four years that the IJ won the top General Excellence designation. I am thankful to our dedicated team of hyperlocal editors, reporters, photographers and contributors who amassed 19 wins and honorable mentions in the California Journalism Awards, supported by our mission-driven advertising and production teams. Thank you to our dedicated subscriber base for the support that allows local journalism to thrive.
The team: Jen Upshaw Swartz, Dave Allen, Gary Klien, Joe Konte, Ian Ross, Alan Dep, Colleen Bidwill, Steven Rosenfeld, Cameron Macdonald, Callie Rhoades, Adrian Rodriguez, Richard Halstead, Keri Brenner, Sherry Lavars, Brad Breithaupt, Dick Spotswood, Paul Liberatore, George Russell, Daniel Bromfield, Derek Wilson, Jeff Burkhart, Lori Pearce, Theresa McGinnis, Shawn Langwell, Kara Romanik, Jennifer Bronson- Connell, Cindy Oldham, Sara Moseley, Matthew Snelling, Brian Jenkins, Rosa Rocha, Brittney Sawyer, Chelsea Tobener, Olivia Locke, Liz Alber