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Charlotte Observer wins 34 honors in North Carolina Press Association awards

By Patrick Wilson
Members of The Charlotte Observer staff gathered on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Cary for the annual N.C. Press Association banquet.
Members of The Charlotte Observer staff gathered on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Cary for the annual N.C. Press Association banquet. DAVID WORONOFF

Journalists at The Charlotte Observer won more than 30 awards in the annual North Carolina Press Association competition, the association announced Thursday.

The Observer won 14 first place awards, 11 second place awards and nine third place awards in its division.

The Observer placed second in the General Excellence award; the winner was McClatchy-owned News & Observer in Raleigh. The Observer was judged for work published from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Among the work awarded was the Observer’s reporting and documentary “9/11/74,” about the untold story of a flight that crashed in a cornfield, killing 72 people, and coverage of the storm that was Hurricane Helene causing destruction in western North Carolina in 2024.

Ryan Oehrli, who covers public safety and criminal justice for the Observer, earned a special recognition award for Media and the Law Award of Excellence — best daily article. That award was for Oehrli’s coverage of a shortage of attorneys in Mecklenburg County willing to take on court-appointed work.

“As the world around us becomes more challenging and the journalism landscape more fractured, I’m heartened by The Charlotte Observer’s foundational principles that allow us to serve our communities with honesty, fairness and integrity. That is reflected in the wonderful recognition we’ve received from the North Carolina Press Association,” said Rana Cash, executive editor of the Observer. “We’ve held leaders accountable for their actions and words, interrogated assumptions, asked and answered hard questions and informed readers with urgency and transparency. I’m proud to say that this hasn’t meant sacrificing beautiful storytelling, insightful sports commentary and compelling arts content. It’s work we’re proud of, and it’s a joy to have it celebrated with distinction.”

A banquet honoring award winners was held Thursday evening at the Embassy Suites by Hilton (Raleigh Durham Research Triangle) in Cary.

1st Place Awards

Jeff Siner, Scott Fowler, Théoden Janes: Full Documentary: 9/11/74: The Untold Story of Charlotte’s Deadliest Plane Crash (Video)

Théoden Janes, Scott Fowler, Jeff Siner: 9/11/74: The Untold Story of Charlotte’s Deadliest Plane Crash

CharlotteFive staff: CharlotteFive social media

Alex Zietlow: Eddy Piñeiro slept in a car the day his life changed forever. He’s now paving a new way (sports feature writing)

Scott Fowler: Murder, miracles and Rae Carruth: 25 years later, an exclusive update on a shocking story (Sports enterprise reporting)

Scott Fowler: Commentary collection (Sports columns)

Briah Lumpkins: ‘Tag’ doesn’t cut it; Union County cracks down on a rash of fake license plates

Julia Coin, Jeff A. Chamer, Joe Marusak: Asha Degree disappearance

Théoden Janes: Collection of Tragic Helene Deaths

Catherine Muccigrosso, Chase Jordan: Why Charlotte Fortune 500 companies tempered DEI support

Kayleigh Ruller: An inside look from the kitchen: Beef ‘N Bottle isn’t just for a night — it’s for life.

Julia Coin: Courts and public safety coverage.

Théoden Janes: Collection of concert reviews (Arts and entertainment reporting)

2nd Place Awards

Mary Ramsey, Alex Zietlow: Divided Charlotte City Council OKs terms of $650M Bank of America Stadium renovations (Sports news reporting)

Théoden Janes: He rides a BMX bike all over Charlotte, every day, with a smile. Who is this mohawked man? (Profile feature)

Jeff Siner: Goodbye Daddy (General news photography)

Ames Alexander, Melissa Rodriguez, Diamond Vences: Finally a Cure for NC Medical Debt? (News enterprise reporting)

Scott Fowler, Jeff Siner: Sports Legends of the Carolinas (Multimedia project)

Julia Coin: Ledes (Ledes)

Julia Coin: Storm aftermath narrative (Feature writing)

Lisa Vernon-Sparks, Joe Marusak, Evan Moore: Lake Norman Observer newsletter (Email newsletter)

Mary Ramsey: Mecklenburg’s Black voters neglected in 2024 Democratic plans, some precinct chairs say (Election/political reporting)

Rebecca Noel: How a benches-clearing brawl spelled the end for a private Christian school in Charlotte (Education reporting)

Adam Bell: Enduring appeal of ‘The Lion King’ (Arts and entertainment reporting)

3rd Place Awards

Mike Kaye: The NFL ‘quit on him’ but Panthers TE Jordan Matthews refused to shut door on career (Sports feature writing)

Desiree Mathurin: Preserving Charlotte church cemeteries protects Black history too (Religion and faith reporting)

Observer staff: Galway Drive shooting — special section

Théoden Janes: After a heart attack and a dramatic rescue, a wake-up call: ‘You’re NOT doing this race’ (Profile feature)

Jeff Siner: Here I Am (Sports feature photography)

Melissa Oyler: They bought the town’s oldest restaurant and renovated it. Then Helene destroyed it. (News feature writing)

Jeff A. Chamer: Broken promises (Investigative reporting)

Adam Bell: Avett Brothers musical “Swept Away” road to Broadway (Arts and entertainment reporting)

Tamia Boyd, Emily Broyles: Morning and Afternoon Observer newsletters (Email newsletter)

Providence Day offensive lineman David Sanders is perhaps the best high school football player in America. He plans to announce his college decision on Saturday, August 17, 2024.
Providence Day offensive lineman David Sanders is perhaps the best high school football player in America. He plans to announce his college decision on Saturday, August 17, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Eastern Flight 212 passenger Richard Arnold, right, kisses his wife Catherine at their home in Camas, Washington, on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Arnold suffered severe burns all over his body and had his hands permanently disfigured in the crash of Eastern Flight 212.
Eastern Flight 212 passenger Richard Arnold, right, kisses his wife Catherine at their home in Camas, Washington, on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Arnold suffered severe burns all over his body and had his hands permanently disfigured in the crash of Eastern Flight 212. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers place kicker Eddy Pineiro, center, is hoisted by his teammates after making the winning field goal during the game against the Texans at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 29, 2023. The Panthers beat the Texans, 15-13.
Carolina Panthers place kicker Eddy Pineiro, center, is hoisted by his teammates after making the winning field goal during the game against the Texans at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 29, 2023. The Panthers beat the Texans, 15-13. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Former Olympic gold medalist swimmer Cullen Jones jumps into the Life Time outdoor pool on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Jones earned two Olympic gold and two Olympic silver medals and represented Team USA in the Olympics in 2008 and 2012.
Former Olympic gold medalist swimmer Cullen Jones jumps into the Life Time outdoor pool on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Jones earned two Olympic gold and two Olympic silver medals and represented Team USA in the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers tight end Jordan Matthews catches a pass prior to training camp practice on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Carolina Panthers tight end Jordan Matthews catches a pass prior to training camp practice on Thursday, July 25, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
(L-R) Val Kovalenko and Jennifer Carter, right, share a hug on Monday, January 6, 2025.Val Kovalenko suffered a major heart attack while swimming on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Life Time Fitness. Carter, a nurse and Chip Hulbert, a former military medic were able to use a defibrillator and perform CPR on Kovalenko to save his life. Kovalenko says, “Jennifer, Chip and Takemma, a gym manager were entrusted by God to deliver the ultimate gift of the season: my life. And they absolutely crushed their mission! I know call them my family.”
(L-R) Val Kovalenko and Jennifer Carter, right, share a hug on Monday, January 6, 2025.Val Kovalenko suffered a major heart attack while swimming on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Life Time Fitness. Carter, a nurse and Chip Hulbert, a former military medic were able to use a defibrillator and perform CPR on Kovalenko to save his life. Kovalenko says, “Jennifer, Chip and Takemma, a gym manager were entrusted by God to deliver the ultimate gift of the season: my life. And they absolutely crushed their mission! I know call them my family.” JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
"We used to swing on these [vines] when we were little," says Wayne Johnson, Vice President of the St. Lloyd Presbyterian Cemetery Foundation. "This is going to be part of the art in our cemetery," Johnson continues when talking about plans to keep vines in place during the renovation of one of St. Lloyd Presbyterian's cemeteries in the Grier Heights neighborhood in Charlotte on Monday, July 8, 2024.
"We used to swing on these [vines] when we were little," says Wayne Johnson, Vice President of the St. Lloyd Presbyterian Cemetery Foundation. "This is going to be part of the art in our cemetery," Johnson continues when talking about plans to keep vines in place during the renovation of one of St. Lloyd Presbyterian's cemeteries in the Grier Heights neighborhood in Charlotte on Monday, July 8, 2024. MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM.

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