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
For Scarborough Bus Riders, a Long Wait Gets Longer
The TTC is implementing a new round of cuts to bus services on March 26. Many of the biggest wait time increases are in Scarborough.
The Private Deals Remaking Long-Term Care
In a province with the highest percentage of for-profit LTC homes in the country, new deals are further consolidating the industry into the hands of a few companies with some of the worst COVID death rates in the country.
Post-Tory Toronto: What Happens Next?
A by-election, an interim mayor, uncertainty around the budget, and the first real race of the “strong mayor” era—what John Tory’s resignation means for Toronto politics.
Understanding John Tory’s Proposed Budget
The first budget of the “strong mayor” era doesn’t do enough to address the city’s long-standing problems.
See the Results of Our Annual Diversity Survey
Every year The Local conducts a diversity survey among staff and contributors. See how we did in 2022.
The Local Journalism Fellowship 2023
Now in its fourth year, the program provides training and mentorship to aspiring and emerging journalists from communities underrepresented in Canadian media. Applications are now open.
A Local Year in Review
Favourite reporting moments, overlooked stories, heaviest furniture to carry up four flights of stairs—a Local staff 2022 roundtable.
How York Memorial Students Got Blamed for the TDSB’s Mistakes
Sensational reports about violence have dominated the narrative around York Memo, ignoring the reality of how, despite warnings, the Board’s decisions have devastated students' access to education.
Gearing Up for October’s Election
Help us reach our $25,000 goal!
We’re Hiring an Editorial Assistant
Join us for a 20-week newsroom internship, supported by Journalists for Human Rights’ Enhanced Access to Opportunity for BIPOC Youth in Canadian Media program.