Voice of OC’s consistent coverage of local issues was recognized at the state level with six first place awards from the California News Publishers Association and four second place awards from the LA Press Club last month. 

From our coverage of Angels Stadium to E-bike crackdowns, Voice of OC was recognized for its coverage of local government, homelessness, labor and transportation reporting and more. 

For the third consecutive year, Hosam Elattar was recognized for his coverage of religion with a first and second place finish for his stories, Orange County Welcomes a Season of Renewal and Orange County Gears up to Celebrate Winter Holidays.

Our photography took center stage with Voice of OC winning first through fifth place in the Photojournalism category. Photography Director Julie Leopo’s work was honored with first, third, fourth and fifth place, with second place going to student journalist Maximo Santana.

In the photo essay category, four of Leopo’s essays won second through fifth place. Her work included coverage of the impact of the ICE raids in Orange County, a thoughtful look at the Cambodian community in Santa Ana and Orange County Welcomes a Season of Renewal.

At the Southern California Journalism Awards from the LA Press Club, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Norberto Santana, Jr., won second place in Political Commentary for his column, Santana: Anaheim Can’t Afford to Play With the Angels. 

Leopo won second place for New Photo for Orange Backs Off Trying to Unmask ICE. She was also recognized for Business Reporting, along with Hosam Elattar and former interns Gigi Gradillas and Hugo Rios for their story, Will ICE Raids be the Death of Local Swap Meets in Orange County? And student journalist, Maximo Santana received a second place award in News Feature for Orange County’s Biggest Fossil Can Only Be Seen in LA.

See the complete list of winners below:

CNPA Awards

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

4th Place

5th Place

Southern California Journalism Awards

2nd Place

3rd Place