Yesterday was a big day at the Digital Publishing Awards for The Local. Our publication took home four awards, including the grand prize: General Excellence in Digital Publishing (small publications).
The awards recognized some of the pieces we’re most proud of in 2020, as part of our ongoing coverage of the pandemic in Toronto. Kat Eschner received a silver medal in the Best Feature Article (short) category for her humane story about the criminalization of public space early in the pandemic, “Tuesday in Allen Gardens, Where the Police Guard the Benches.” Aparita Bhandari won a silver in Best News Coverage for “Where the Pandemic Hit Hardest,” her in-depth feature on the entrenched systemic issues in the northwest of the city. And Simon Lewsen won gold for Best Feature Writing (long) for his masterful longform piece on this province’s long-term care system, “A Long-Term Tragedy.”
The Local was the third-most awarded publication at this year’s Digital Publishing Awards, behind only The Globe and Mail (10 awards) and Radio-Canada (5 awards), and won in all four categories in which it was nominated. Not bad for a small publication with a modest budget.
We want to congratulate the winners, and thank all of the brilliant contributors who make The Local what it is.
More from this issue
What the Unfinished Saga of a Still-Not-Built Subway Exit Taught Me About Public Consultation
One community volunteer traces 20 years of botched communication, unanswered questions, and delays—and asks what public consultation is actually worth.
Fewer Candidates for Peel School Trustee Following Changes by the Ford Government
This municipal election there’s a steep decline in candidates for trustee at the Peel District School Board and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.
Who Wants to Be a Toronto School Trustee?
The Ford government has cut their pay, disempowered them, and taken over the board. But some candidates say vying to represent their community’s education concerns is more important than ever.
Introducing the 2026 Local Fellows
We’re excited to welcome Victoria Hincapie Gomez, Nic Hotchkiss, Jessica Kim, and Gabrielle McMann.
The Biggest Incinerator in Canada
As the Emerald Energy from Waste incinerator moves towards a major expansion, locals are worried about their health, and asking if their working-class, immigrant community is seen as a “sacrifice zone.”
For Kids With Special Needs, Summer Camp Is Out of Reach
Few camps in the GTA serve children with developmental disorders or disabilities, forcing parents to take time off work to stay home and depriving kids of the chance to explore, play, and interact with their peers.
Gearing Up for October’s Municipal Elections
We are building a civic newsroom unlike any other, with an expanded scope to serve residents of not just Toronto, but also Mississauga and Brampton.
The New Chill Facing Trans Health Care
As anti-trans rhetoric intensifies at home and abroad, the organizations providing training in trans-inclusive healthcare say they’re seeing less uptake from physicians across Ontario.
The Local Wins Six National Awards
Our journalism took home top prizes at the National Magazine Awards and Canadian Association of Journalists Awards.
An Ancient Past Unearthed by Urban Construction
In 2024, an Indigenous burial site was found during construction on Withrow Avenue, near Riverdale Park East. Where others see a “hole” in the ground awaiting investigation, journalist Gabrielle McMann sees a window into Toronto’s complex pre-colonial history—and a deeper sense of belonging.