The Birmingham Times Wins 10 Awards in Alabama Press Association Contest

The Birmingham Times

The Birmingham Times Media Group captured five first-place prizes in the 2026 Alabama Press Association (APA) Media Awards competition, including Best Local Economic Coverage, Best Feature Story Coverage, and Best News Photo. The Times also won second-place awards in five other categories.

First-place awards in many categories and divisions were presented at the 2026 APA Summer Convention banquet awards program late last month at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. This year, 51 publications submitted 1,727 entries in the annual contest. The Pennsylvania News Media Association membership judged the entries.

“Another great year, and I am so proud of our news team,” said Samuel P. Martin, president and publisher of the Birmingham Times. “I have said in the past we should never write for awards, but it is nice when others let you know ‘job well done.’”

Former Birmingham Times Executive Editor Barnett Wright was recognized for Best Feature Story Coverage for Birmingham Royalty: Businessman Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. Turns 100. Wright also won second place in Best In-Depth News Coverage for Inside Jefferson County Commission’s $25M Pork Barrel Bonanza, along with AL.com’s Hannah Denham.

Freelance photojournalist Amarr Croskey captured Best News Photo for Building a legacy as Birmingham’s ‘Education Mayor.’

Here’s a closer look at the winning BT categories in the APA contests:

Best Local Economic Coverage

1^st – The Birmingham Times (Ameera Steward)

2^nd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

Best Use of Photographs/Editorial Content

1^{st —} The Birmingham Times

2^nd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

Best Layout and Design

1^st – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

2^nd – The Birmingham Times (Kathryn Sesser-Dorné)

3^rd – Hoover Sun

Best In-Depth News Coverage

1^st – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

2^nd – The Birmingham Times (Inside Jefferson County Commission’s $25M Pork Barrel Bonanza, Barnett Wright, Hannah Denham)

3^rd – Hoover Sun

Best Feature Story Coverage

1^st – The Birmingham Times (Birmingham Royalty: Businessman Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. Turns 100, Barnett Wright)

2^nd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

3^rd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

Best Sports Single Event Story

1^st – The Sand Mountain Leader (Albertville)

2^nd – The Birmingham Times (Once BCS teammates, now Magic City Classic rivals, Solomon Crenshaw)

3^rd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

Best Feature Photo

1^st – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

2^nd – The Birmingham Times (Rebirth of the Cool, Marika N. Johnson)

3^rd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

Best News Photo

1^st – The Birmingham Times (Building a legacy as Birmingham’s ‘Education Mayor,’ Amarr Croskey)

Best Use of Graphics or Illustrations

1^st – The Birmingham Times (A Rich Tradition, Staff)

2^nd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

3^rd – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

Best Special Section – Newsprint

1^st – The Redstone Rocket (Huntsville)

2^nd – The Birmingham Times (Black History Month – Youth Provide Hope for the Future)

3^rd – St. Clair Times (Pell City)