2026 Folio Award Winners

The Fair Media Council honored excellence across news and media at the 2026 Folio Awards, held Thursday, June 11 at the historic Garden City Hotel.

Now in its 45th year, the Folio Awards were created to ensure the public had a high-profile voice over the news and media landscape. Today, the program recognizes outstanding work across local, regional, and national platforms while reinforcing the importance of fairness, accountability, accuracy, and public trust in modern media.

The 2026 program also recognized three distinguished careers in journalism and public service with the Fair Media Council’s highest honor: Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Sam Champion, America’s Weather Anchor, WABC-TV and ABC; Jennifer McLogan, Reporter, CBS News New York; and David Winzelberg, Reporter, Long Island Business News.

This year’s program was dedicated to legendary broadcaster Ernie Anastos and longtime Fair Media Council leader Dr. Sean Fanelli for their lasting contributions to journalism, leadership, and public service.

“The quality of work recognized through the Folio Awards this year was extraordinary,” said Jaci Clement, CEO and Executive Director of the Fair Media Council. “From investigative reporting and public service journalism to innovation in storytelling, communications, podcasting, and audience engagement, the recipients reflect the depth, range, and importance of news and media today. At a time when public trust matters enormously, the Folio Awards continue to recognize work that informs communities, elevates standards, and strengthens public understanding.”

FourLeaf Federal Credit Union served as sponsor of the Folio Awards winner certificates.

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2026 FOLIO AWARD WINNERS

NEWS AWARDS

Best Reporter
D.Q. Sisters Change New York Law
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter, CBS New York

Best News Podcast
Unbiased Updates Podcast – Unrest hits Minneapolis after new federal shooting; Astronauts return in historic splashdown
Craig Nigrelli, Host; Shea Taylor, Producer; William Jackson, Director; Devan Markham, Senior Digital Producer; Julia Marshall, Digital Producer; Emma Stoltzfus, Editor; Jonah Applegarth, Production Specialist; Jason Morrell, Executive Producer/Managing Editor, Straight Arrow News

Government Accountability Reporting
Inside the Frantic Push to Change Online Maps to Say ‘Gulf of America,’
Dave Levinthal, Senior Editor, NOTUS

Watchdog Issues
Broken Practice: Altered Lives
Robert Cassidy, Executive Producer; Keith Herbert, Executive Producer; Arthur Mochi Jr., Executive Producer; Belisa Morillo, Producer/Writer; John Keating, Photo Editor; David Schwartz, Investigations; Paul LaRocco, Investigations; Valerie Robinson, Video Editor/Associate Producer; Macy Egeland, Host; David Olson, Reporter; Arielle Martinez, Reporter; Gregory M. Stevens, Art Director; Alejandra Villa Loarca, Photography; John Roca, Photography; Howard Schnapp, Photography; Rick Kopstein, Photography; Anthony Florio, Videographer; Kendall Rodriguez, Videographer; Frank Posillico, Photography; John Paraskevas, Videographer; Caroline Curtin, Research; Olivia Falcigno, Photo Editor; Tara Conry-Berghorn, Digital Presentation; Estelle Lander, Copy Editor, Newsday

Human Rights Reporting
“We Never Gave Up Hope” Bethpage Muslims Settle Mosque Lawsuit
Amen Galinato, Student Reporter, WSHU Public Radio

Best Interview
Meet the Stay-at-Home Mom Turned Content Creator Who’s an Expert on L.I. Fun!
Sabrina Garone, Reporter, WSHU Public Radio

Cultural & Youth Reporting
NY Islanders Girls Hockey Weekend
Jenny Dove and Parker Driscoll, WRHU FM – Hofstra University

Religion Reporting (Msgr. Hartman Award)
Finding Faith: A Synagogue’s Renaissance
Sharon Crowley, Reporter; Alexander Wallick, Executive Producer; Noreen Coles, Editor; Mauro Brattoli, Photographer, WNYW FOX5

Business News Coverage
State of the Mall
Alexander Wallick, Writer and Producer; Natasha Verma, Reporter; Brian Kartagener, Editor; Scott Salem, Photographer, WNYW FOX5

Government Accountability
Homeowner Fined for Native Plants
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter; Joe Garufi, Photographer and Editor, CBS New York

Energy Reporting
Offshore Winds of Change
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter; Joe Garufi, Photographer; Tiffany Duncan, Editor, CBS New York

Infrastructure & Development Reporting
A Dam Debate
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter; Joe Garufi, Photographer and Editor, CBS New York

Employment & Work Issues
D.Q. Sisters Change New York Law
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter; Carlos Vasquez, Photographer; John Applegate, Editor, CBS New York

Environmental & Sustainability Reporting
Pine Barrens Under Attack
Carolyn Gusoff, Reporter; Joe Garufi, Photographer & Editor, CBS New York

Continuing News Coverage
The Cost of Caregiving Series
Jennifer Bisram, Reporter; Carlos Vasquez, Photographer; Scott Newton, Editor; Phil Karstetter, Editor, CBS New York

Historical Reporting
92-year-old holocaust survivor
Rosalie Simon, Jennifer McLogan, Reporter/Producer, CBS New York

Global-to-Local Reporting
Bird Flu: Duck Farm Collapse
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter/Producer; Frank Maestre, Photographer/Editor, CBS New York

Cultural & Youth Reporting
Historic Silent Film Discovery
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter/Producer; Frank Maestre, Photographer, Editor; CBS New York

Health Innovations Reporting
Student Calorie App
Jennifer McLogan, Reporter/Producer; Frank Maestre, Photographer/Editor, CBS New York

Best Local Reporting on National Issues
Student’s Deportation Fight
Stacey Sager, Reporter; Joseph Tesauro, Photojournalist, WABC-TV

Best Feature
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Chantee Lans, Reporter, WABC-TV

Best News Special Report
A Tribute to Jennifer McLogan’s Career
Elle McLogan, Multimedia Journalist, CBS New York

Student & Campus Life Coverage
Snack Bag Dad
Joelle Garguilo, Reporter/Producer; Meagan Todaro, Producer; Christina Georgiou, Editor, WABC-TV

Health Innovations Reporting
The Evolution of Tommy John Surgery
Sam Ryan, Reporter; Roger Anderson, Photographer; Andrew Wichman, Producer, WABC-TV

Lifestyle & Entertainment Coverage
Joy Mangano: From Struggling Mom to Business Mogul To Broadway
Joelle Garguilo, Reporter/Producer; Meagan Todaro, Producer; Christina Georgiou, Editor, WABC-TV

Positive News Coverage
NY Metro Blind Hockey
Sam Ryan, Reporter, Writer; Gabriel Rosa, Photographer; Andrew Wichman, Producer; Cheryl Meaney, Executive Producer, WABC-TV

Best Local Reporting on National Issues (Student)
Hofstra’s Student Voices for Palestine march in ‘Arrest Netanyahu’ protest
Kumba Jagne, The Hofstra Chronicle, Hofstra University

Best Newspaper (Student)
The Hofstra Chronicle
Madeline Sisk, Ryan Monke, and The Hofstra Chronicle Staff, Hofstra University

Positive News Coverage
Eternal Trailblazer
Keith Lopez, Photojournalist, PIX11

Best Visual & Multimedia Storytelling
Nassau Police Training Village
Keith Lopez, Photojournalist, PIX11

Community & Service Reporting
LI St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal’s Death ‘Almost Epic Irish Novel Tragedy,’
Peggy Spellman Hoey, Editor, Patch.com

Breaking News
Team coverage of the eastern Long Island brush fires
Robert Brodsky, Reporter; Peter Gill, Reporter; Maureen Mullarkey, Reporter; Grant Parpan, Reporter; Tracy Tullis, Reporter; Joe Werkmeister, Reporter; Joseph Ostapiuk, Reporter; Janon Fisher, Reporter; Tara Smith, Reporter; Mark Harrington, Reporter; Sam Kmack, Reporter, Newsday

Public Spending & Government Finance
Top 3 earners’ pay slips, obtained by Newsday, illustrate lucrative LIRR contract provisions
Alfonso A. Castillo, Transportation Reporter, Newsday

Ethics Reporting
Former Top NUMC Executives Spent Thousands On Expenses Amid Financial Woes, Reports Show
Candice Ferrette, Reporter, Newsday

Elections Coverage
“Blakeman and Koslow vie for Nassau County Executive seat, where crime and immigration emerge as core themes,”
Bahar Ostadan, Reporter, Newsday

Employment & Work Issues
AI is speeding up work at tech firms but also reducing need for staff
Victor Ocasio, Reporter, Newsday

Business News Coverage
Accountant shortage forcing Long Island firms to boost pay
Tory N. Parrish, Reporter, Newsday

Positive News Coverage
Bedrooms of the Fallen
Virginia Huie, Reporter; Randee Daddona, Photographer; Susan Yale, Editor, Newsday

Historical Reporting
Picture This: That Time Hell Rained Down on Cove Neck
Macy Egeland, Reporter; John Paraskevas, Reporter; Howard Schnapp, Videographer; Alejandra Villa Loarca, Videographer; Susan Yale, Video Editor; Eric Minkoff, Graphic Designer; Dorothy Guadagno, Research; Laura Mann, Research; Caroline Curtin, Research, Newsday

Data Journalism
COVID-19 fraud approaches $100M on LI
James T. Madore, Reporter, Newsday

Housing Reporting
$242G: The salary you need to buy a house on Long Island
Brianne Ledda, Reporter, Newsday

Best Visual & Multimedia Storytelling (Student)
Social Media & Campaigning
Andrew Cooper, Producer; Luciana Martinez, Producer, Montclair State University

Best Talk Show/Magazine (Student)
San Francisco On Edge
Izzy Conklin, Senior Producer; Andrew Cooper, Senior Producer; Victoria Smith, Senior Producer; Sean Thrunk, Senior Producer; Adam Acoff, Writer; Emily Chavarria, Writer; Shannon Daly, Producer; Nino DeNino, Producer; Peter Guziejewski, Producer; Bryan Jaimes, Producer; Brandon Lang, Producer; Sophia Lazaridis, Producer; Dani Mazariegos, Producer; Ivana Ragusa, Producer; Jennifer Sanchez, Producer; Julia Slevin, Producer, Montclair State University

Mental Health Coverage
Blunted Before They Can Bloom: SSRIs and Sexual Side Effects in Adolescents
Peg Rosen, Contributor; Jessica DiGiacinto, Head of Content; Diane Salvatore, Executive Director, MedShadow Foundation

Religion Reporting (Msgr. Hartman Award)
“All God’s Children” Documentary Bridging Interfaith Divide
Dave Gil de Rubio, Contributor, Long Island Press

Technology & Innovation Reporting
AI and the workforce: What Long Island employers should know
Adina Genn, Reporter, Long Island Business News

Health Innovations Reporting
Recovery @ Work
Tammy Worth, Healthcare Editor, Leader’s Edge Magazine

Best Commentary
The Voices Column
Jeffrey Reynolds, Contributor; Terry Lynam, Contributor; David Chauvin, Contributor; Gregory Zeller, Editor, Innovate Long Island

Breaking News
Woman Recalls Harrowing Experience Of Watching Her Husband Pulled Into An MRI Machine
Cecilia Dowd, Reporter and Editor; Karina Robledo, Videographer, News 12 Long Island

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MEDIA AWARDS

Visionary Leadership Award
Ernie Canadeo, Chairman, Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame

Nonprofit Podcast of the Year
Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast
Tom Needham, Podcast Host/Vice Chairman, Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame

Best Short-Form Video
EGC Group x Jovia Financial Social Media Marketing
EGC Group

Media Innovator of the Year
How newsroom personalities and video strategy helped Newsday’s Facebook following increase by 194%
Gabriella Vukelic, Director of Social Media; Priscila Korb-Kane, Social Media Producer; Vincent Matula, Social Media Producer, and Newsday Staff, Newsday

Media Newsletter of the Year
Dangerous Roads
Alfonso A. Castillo, transportation reporter, Newsday

Nonprofit Media Innovator of the Year
Catalyst – Sarah Klaum, Community and Digital Media Relations Manager, ACLD

Community Impact Award
Lifesaving Training That Transformed a Community
Mount Sinai South Nassau: Abby Fromm, RN, Director, Community Education; Dana Sanneman, Vice President, Public Relations & Development; Joe Calderone, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Development; Ashley Sapraicone, Manager, Social Media; Donna Nahas, Director, Publications & Corporate Communications, Mount Sinai South Nassau

Advocacy Media Award
The Medicaid Domino/Paradox Campaign
Suburban Hospital Alliance of NYS: Janine Logan, Vice President, Communications and Population Health; Brooke Oliveri, Associate Director, Communications, Marketing, and Public Health Initiatives, Suburban Hospital Alliance of NYS 

Podcast of the Year
Secrets of Powerful Women Podcast
Jill Conway, Host, Creator, Writer, Producer and Editor 

Best Podcast Host
Jill Conway, Secrets of Powerful Women Podcast

Lifestyle Podcast of the Year
Long Island Tea Podcast
Discover Long Island: Sharon Wyman, DLI COO; Stacy Black, DLI VP of Strategy; Michael Magaraci, Director of Social Media and Podcast Production; Chris Daneau, DLI Director of Creative Content & Video; Discover Long Island Staff; Kristen Reynolds, Former DLI CEO 

Healthcare Podcast of the Year
Northwell’s 20-Minute Health Talk
Northwell Health: Sandra Lindsay, DHSc, RN, MA, vice-president of Public Health Advocacy; Chethan Sathya, MD, MPH, pediatric surgeon and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives; Brian Donnelly, Producer; John Hastings, Director of Public Relations, Northwell Health

Visual Storytelling Award
RCPD: What it’s like to live with no-burp syndrome
Northwell Health: Maya Devereaux, Multimedia Project Manager, Public Relations; John Hastings, Director of Public Relations, Northwell Health

Newsletter of the Year
Northwell Connections
Northwell Health: John Hastings, Director, Public Relations; Lisa Davis, Senior Advisor, Public Relations; Anne Krueger, Editor, Public Relations, Northwell Health

Magazine of the Year
Hofstra Magazine
Hofstra University: Terry Conigilio, VP Marketing & Communications; Michael Wilke, AVP Communications; Andrew Sheldon, Director Hofstra Magazine; Kelvin Fonville, Creative Director: Linda Merklin, Editorial Director; Matteo Bracco, University Photographer, Hofstra University

Digital Magazine of the Year
SJNY Magazine
St. Joseph’s University: Jessica McAleer Decatur, vice president for marketing and communications; Valerie Esposito-Saadat, director of public relations and marketing; Stephanie Kearney, art director; Malik Gay, editorial director; Robert Gregson, production coordinator; Dina Vigorito, senior graphic designer; Kerri Ball, senior graphic designer; Michelle Heath; web designer; Justin Hansen, director of web technology; Brian Wasson, executive director of social media, St. Joseph’s University

Visual Storytelling Award
SJNY: Celebrating the Sisters of St. Joseph’s 375th Anniversary
St. Joseph’s University: Jessica McAleer Decatur, vice president for marketing and communications; Valerie Esposito-Saadat, director of public relations and marketing; Stephen Keating, president of Keating Associates; H Whitwell Wales III, principal of Endeavor Films

Media Video Series of the Year
Treasures of New York
WLIW: Diane Masciale, Executive Producer; Meredith Coleman, Producer; Yeliz Alakas, Associate Producer 

Video Campaign Series of the Year
Henry Schein Medical EMS: National EMS Week 2025
Henry Schein: Dan O’Connell, General Manager, Henry Schein Medical EMS; Crystal Cradeur, Field Sales Consultant, Henry Schein Medical EMS; Jacob Williams, Field Sales Consultant, Henry Schein Medical EMS; Chris Luczywo, Field Sales Consultant, Henry Schein Medical EMS; Lauren Delguidice, Associate Communications Manager, Henry Schein, Inc.; Sara McGee, Associate Social Media Manager, Henry Schein, Inc.; Derek Sabety, Video Production Specialist II, Henry Schein, Inc. 

 

ABOUT THE FOLIO AWARDS

The Fair Media Council’s Folio Awards recognize excellence across journalism, media, communications, public engagement, podcasting, visual storytelling, and digital innovation at the local, regional, and national levels.

All are eligible to enter. The call for entries begins Oct. 1, with a final deadline of Feb. 1.  Please refer to the About page for more information.

ABOUT FAIR MEDIA COUNCIL

The Fair Media Council is one of the oldest media watchdog organizations in the United States. Founded in 1979 on Long Island, New York, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization works to create a more informed public through media accountability and applied media literacy initiatives, public programs, education, and advocacy.