On the left, Joe Biden meetd Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022. On the right is the Photoshopped image former Town Council Member Daniel Sohn is sharing with the public. {Getty Images}
The Florida Press Club on Sunday selected Talk Media as a finalist in five categories for its Excellence in Journalism Competition, including in-depth reporting, public safety coverage, and general news.
Talk Media Editor Sharon Aron Baron was named a finalist for the Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting, Class C, along with journalist John Sotomayor. Baron and Sotomayor teamed up for a Coral Springs Talk exposé about a politician: Florida’s George Santos: The Dishonorable Daniel Sohn.
Talk Media, the parent company behind hyperlocal news sites Coral Springs Talk, Parkland Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, Tamarac Talk, and Margate Talk, also won in the Multimedia Presentation category for Baron’s online presentation of the Sohn exposé.
“Politicians like Daniel Sohn, who outright lie about their experience—even photoshopping themselves with the President and Vice President—deserve to be exposed,” said Baron, who thanked the contest judges and all the South Florida residents who read Talk Media publications.
Talk Media reporter Kevin Deutsch also received significant recognition as a finalist for the news company in two award categories: General News and Public Safety Writing.
Deutsch was also named a finalist in three other categories – Minority News, Environmental Writing, and Community News – for stories he wrote as a staff writer for The Miami Times in 2023.
The Florida Press Club also named Talk Media reporter Martin Lenkowsky a finalist in the Light Features category for his story about a Margate resident’s musical work with Billy Joel in the 1960s.
The competition’s judges reviewed entries for news coverage from around the state from June 2023 through May 2024. The first, second, and third-place award winners in each category will be revealed at the Club’s annual gala, scheduled for Feb. 1, 2025, at the Hilton Ocala.
The Florida Press Club is a volunteer, nonprofit organization of writers, editors, photographers, graphic artists, researchers, librarians, and support technicians who work at Florida’s numerous news organizations.
Florida Press Club in Daytona Beach in 2024.
Talk Media reporters won multiple accolades at the club’s previous awards gala in Clearwater in January 2024.
Talk Media sportswriter Matt Rothman took home first place honors in the Sports Writing category (Good Luck Charm: Marjory Stoneman Douglas Baseball Honors Team Manager).
Talk Media also received third-place awards for news stories by Jim Donnelly, Agrippina Fadel, and Sallie James.
2024 Florida Press Club Finalists
Illustrations
Artist Illustration (Class A-C):
- Jake Stevens, South Florida Business Journal
- Josh Clark, Embrace Magazine
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
Editorial Cartooning (Class A-C):
- Steve Borggren, Anna Maria Island Sun
- Larry Printz, Out South Florida
- Bryan Steel, Simon Steel, Embrace Magazine
Infographic (Class A-C):
- Jake Stevens, South Florida Business Journal
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
Layout
Front Page Design (Class A-B):
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
- Jameson Champion, The Villages Daily Sun
Front Page Design (Class C):
- Jake Stevens, South Florida Business Journal
- Shawnee Coppola, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- Jamie Mark, Rheya Tanner, Wendy Mak, Josh Clark, Embrace Magazine
Feature Page Design (Class A-B):
- Heather Weinsheimer, The Villages Daily Sun
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
Feature Page Design (Class C):
- Shawnee Coppola, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Sports Page Design (Class A-B):
- Kat Duncan, The Villages Daily Sun
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
Sports Page Design (Class C):
- Shawnee Coppola, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Online
Affiliated Website:
- Staff, South Florida Business Journal
Independent Website:
- Jimmy Tobias, Grace Tillyard, Bob Norman, The Trident
- Joel Engelhardt, Carolyn DiPaolo, Pat Beall, Stet News
- Tony Winton, John Pacenti, Key Biscayne Independent
Multimedia Presentation:
- John Sotomayor, Alexander Sotomayor, Sharon Aron Baron, Coral Springs Talk
Photography
Breaking News (Class A-C):
- Nadia Zomorodian, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Amy Beth Bennett, Sun Sentinel
Feature Photo Essay (Class A):
- Thomas Cordy, The Palm Beach Post
- George Horsford, The Villages Daily Sun
- Rachel Govola, The Villages Daily Sun
Feature Photo Essay (Class B-C):
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Gazette
- Cindy Peterson, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- Magnus Hastings, Embrace Magazine
Features (Class A):
- Rachel Govola, The Villages Daily Sun
- Amy Beth Bennett, Sun Sentinel
Features (Class B-C):
- Cindy Peterson, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- Jock Fistick, South Florida Business Journal
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
General News (Class A):
- Amy Beth Bennett, Sun Sentinel
- Rachel Govola, The Villages Daily Sun
General News (Class B):
- Nadia Zomorodian, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Tiffany Tompkins, Bradenton Journal
General News (Class C):
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Gazette
- Ghost Edits, Embrace Magazine
Portrait/Personality (Class A):
- George Horsford, The Villages Daily Sun
- Rachel Govola, The Villages Daily Sun
Portrait/Personality (Class B-C):
- Magnus Hastings, Embrace Magazine
- Nadia Zomorodian, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Nicole Hamel, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Sports Action (Class A):
- George Horsford, The Villages Daily Sun
- Bill Mitchell, The Villages Daily Sun
- Amy Beth Bennett, Sun Sentinel
Sports Action (Class B):
- Mark Blumenthal, Palatka Daily News
- Tiffany Tompkins, Bradenton Herald
- Nadia Zomorodian, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Sports Action (Class C):
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Gazette
Sports Feature (Class A):
- Bill Mitchell, The Villages Daily Sun
- Rachel Govola, The Villages Daily Sun
- George Horsford, The Villages Daily Sun
Sports Feature (Class B-C):
- Nadia Zomorodian, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Nicole Hamel, Akers Media Group
Special Awards
Frances DeVore Award for Public Service (Class A-C):
- Nichole Manna, The Tributary
- Staff, The Villages Daily Sun
- Bob Norman, Michael Barfield, The Trident
Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting (Class A):
- Curt Hills, David R. Corder, Keith Pearlman, The Villages Daily Sun
- Cindy Krischer Goodman, Carline Jean, Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel
- Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel
Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting (Class B):
- Ryan Ballogg, Bradenton Herald
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting (Class C):
- John Sotomayor, Sharon Aron Baron, Coral Springs Talk
- Dan Christensen, Florida Bulldog
- Nichole Manna, The Tributary
- Bob Norman, Grace Tillyard, The Trident
Writing
Arts News (Class A-C):
- John Sotomayor, Embrace Magazine
Breaking News (Class A):
- Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel
- Breaking News Team, Sun Sentinel
Breaking News (Class B-C):
- John Pacenti, Tony Winton, Key Biscayne Independent
- Joe Hendricks, Anna Maria Island Sun
- Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Daily News
Business News (Class A):
- Curt Hills, The Villages Daily Sun
- Veronica Wernicke, The Villages Daily Sun
- Summer Jarro, The Villages Daily Sun
Business News (Class B):
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
- Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Daily News
Business News (Class C):
- Brian Bandell, South Florida Business Journal
- John Sotomayor, Jack Lemnus, Embrace Magazine
- Erik Bojnansky, South Florida Business Journal
Commentary (Class A-B):
- Frank Cerabino, The Palm Beach Post
- Mark Lane, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay Times
Commentary (Class C):
- Marc Masferrer, The Bradenton Journal
- Cindy Peterson, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- Roxanne Brown, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Community News (Class A):
- Joel Engelhardt, Stet News
- Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel
Community News (Class B):
- Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Daily News
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
Community News (Class C):
- Joe Pacenti, Key Biscayne Independent
- Joe Capozzi, ByJoeCapozzi.com
- Kevin Deutsch, The Miami Times
Education Writing (Class A-B):
- Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
- Katherine Kokal, The Palm Beach Post
Education Writing (Class C):
- Cindy Peterson, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- Kyle Coppola, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Environmental Writing (Class A):
- Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel
- Kimberly Miller, The Palm Beach Post
- Curt Hills, The Villages Daily Sun
Environmental Writing (Class B):
- Sarah Cavacini, Palatka Daily News
- Ryan Ballogg, Bradenton Herald
Environmental Writing (Class C):
- Kevin Deutsch, The Miami Times
- George Andreassi, St. Lucie Voice
- Jane Musgrave, The Coastal Star
General News (Class A):
- Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel
- Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel
- Curt Hills, The Villages Daily News
General News (Class B):
- Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Daily News
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
General News (Class C):
- Jane Musgrave, The Coastal Star
- Kevin Deutsch, Talk Media
- John Pacenti, Key Biscayne Independent
Government News (Class A):
- Mike Diamond, The Palm Beach Post
- Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel
- Leah Schwarting, The Villages Daily Sun
- Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel
Government News (Class B-C):
- Joe Capozzi, ByJoeCapozzi.com
- Mary Thurwachter, The Coastal Star
- Bob Norman, Michael Barfield, The Trident
Headline Writing (Class A-C):
- Staff, Out South Florida
- Cindy Peterson, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- John Sotomayor, Rheya Tanner, Embrace Magazine
Health News (Class A):
- Leah Schwarting, The Villages Daily Sun
- Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel
- Curt Hills, The Villages Daily Sun
Health News (Class B):
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
Health News (Class C):
- Kyle Coppola, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- Nichole Manna, The Tributary
- Brian Bandell, South Florida Business Journal
Light Features (Class A):
- Taylor Strickland, The Villages Daily Sun
- Veronica Wernicke, The Villages Daily Sun
- Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Light Features (Class B):
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
- Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Daily News
Light Features (Class C):
- Martin Lenkowsky, Talk Media
- Sharon Geltner, The Coastal Star/Palm Beach ArtsPaper
- Joe Capozzi, ByJoeCapozzi.com
Minority News (Class A):
- Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel
- Wayne Washington, The Palm Beach Post
Minority News (Class B-C):
- John Sotomayor, Jack Lemnus, Embrace Magazine
- Kevin Deutsch, The Miami Times
- Anne Geggis, The Coastal Star
Newsletter (Class A-C):
- Staff, Stet News
- Ashley Portero, South Florida Business Journal
Opinion Writing (Class A-C):
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
- John Sotomayor, Marcy Shortuse, Embrace Magazine
Public Safety Writing (Class A):
- Hannah Phillips, The Palm Beach Post
- Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel
- Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel
Public Safety Writing (Class B-C):
- John Pacenti, Tony Winton, Key Biscayne Independent
- Kevin Deutsch, Talk Media
- Jeff Hardison, HardisonInk.com
Religion Writing (Class A-C):
- Janis Fontaine, The Coastal Star
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
- James Dinan, The Villages Daily Sun
Serious Writing (Class A):
- Curt Hills, The Villages Daily Sun
- Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel
Serious Writing (Class B):
- Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
- M.M. Cloutier, Palm Beach Daily News
Serious Writing (Class C):
- Steve Rothaus, Out South Florida
- Cindy Peterson, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
- Joe Capozzi, ByJoeCapozzi.com
Sports Columns (Class A-C):
- Mark Blumenthal, Palatka Daily News
- Jeff Shain, The Villages Daily Sun
Sports Features (Class A):
- J.T. Wilcox, The Villages Daily Sun
- John Hughes, City & Shore Magazine, South Florida Sun Sentinel
- Jeff Shain, The Villages Daily Sun
Sports Features (Class B-C):
- Joe Capozzi, ByJoeCapozzi.com
- Kyle Coppola, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Sports Writing (Class A):
- Tom D’Angelo, The Palm Beach Post
- Steven Hieneman, The Villages Daily Sun
- Jeff Shain, The Villages Daily Sun
Sports Writing (Class B-C):
- Mark Blumenthal, Palatka Daily News
- Kyle Coppola, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Travel and Tourism Writing (Class A-C):
- Summer Jarro, The Villages Daily Sun
- John Sotomayor, Mark Chesnut, Embrace Magazine
- Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine, South Florida Sun Sentinel
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