FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Some well-deserved congratulations are in order for several friends and fellow travelers in Florida journalism following the announcement of the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2026 Sunshine State Awards.
The awards, announced Aug. 29 during a ceremony at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale, were selected from more than 1,000 entries submitted to what SPJ Florida describes as the state’s largest journalism competition.
A special shoutout goes to early Above the Fold adopter J.C. Bruce and his Tropic Press, which won first place for blog, newsletter and digital-first writing. The award recognized Hermina Hermelinda Obregon — better known as Miss Mingo — for her “Miss Mingo Columns.” She’s a recovering newspaper reporter living in a bungalow off Duval Street in Key West. At least that’s what her official biography.
I identify.
Tropic Press has long been one of Above the Fold’s most highly recommended Substacks, and “Ask Mrs. Mingo” remains one of my favorite standing features anywhere on the interwebs.
Congratulations are also due to the crew at Florida Politics. Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Drew Wilson and the publication’s staff won first place for best independent news website. Jacob Ogles was named a finalist for blog, newsletter and digital-first writing for “Delegation,” Andrew Meacham was a finalist for obituary reporting, and Mike Wright was recognized as a finalist for small-town and rural reporting. They frequently pick up political and news coverage for the Florida Keys and Key West from Above the Fold.
And another special salute goes to University of Florida classmate Jeffrey Schweers and the Orlando Sentinel editorial board, who won the Barbara A. Petersen Freedom of Information Award for their work, “The state told us to ‘cease and desist,” which helped bring the Sunshine to bare on Gov. Ron DeSantis, his wife, Casey and the MAGA Republican cabal involved in the Hope Florida scandal. Recognition for standing up to government intimidation and defending the public’s right to know is about as meaningful as journalism awards get.
The complete list of winners and finalists is available from SPJ Florida.
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