TribLive captured four Golden Quill Awards and was a finalist for 20 others at the 60th annual awards dinner Tuesday night at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.

The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania announced the winners of the Golden Quills, a competition that honors professional and student excellence in print, broadcast, photography, videography and digital journalism in Western Pennsylvania and nearby counties in Ohio and West Virginia.

In Division I, “ ‘I Shot Him’: Police Say Gunman Confessed to Killing Popular Mogie’s Irish Pub Owner in Lower Burrell” by TribLive writers Kellen Stepler and Joyce Hanz won an award for Excellence in Written Journalism, Spot/Breaking News.

A TribLive finalist in that category was “Brackenridge Police Chief Fatally Shot, Tarentum Officer Injured After Pursuit,” by Brian C. Rittmeyer and Maddie Aiken.

“Unsustainable Funding Model, Shrinking Workforce Leave Ambulance Services in Critical Condition” by Tawnya Panizzi won an award for Excellence in Written Journalism, Public Affairs/Politics/Government.

Among finalists in that category was “Rustic Ridge Home Explosion” by Rob Amen, Brian C. Rittmeyer and Michael DiVittorio.

Tim Benz’s “For North Hills Alum Margo Malone, Personal Loss Inspired ‘An Easy 26 Miles’ En Route to Pittsburgh Marathon Win” won for Excellence in Written Journalism, Profile.

TribLive finalists in that category were: “ ‘Near-death’ Experience as a Child Motivates Pitt Long Snapper Byron Floyd to Give Back,” by Jerry DiPaola; “5th-generation Brewer Gets ‘Memory for a Lifetime’ Making Iron City in East Deer” by Kellen Stepler.

“Violence” by Lori Falce won for Excellence in Written Journalism, Columns/Blogs.

Among the finalists in that category were TribLive columns by Mark Madden.

Also garnering finalist honors for TribLive:

· “Hatfield’s Ferry Power Plant Demolition Embodies End of a Bygone Era” by Julia Maruca — Excellence in Written Journalism, News Feature;

· “Tim Benz: From a ‘Dead Body’ to a ‘Lion,’ Duquesne’s Chabi Barre Describes His Return After Frightening Collapse” by Tim Benz, and “ ‘What We’ve Been Waiting for:’ Recalling Andrew McCutchen’s Pirates Debut 14 Years Ago Today” by Justin Guerriero — Excellence in Written Journalism, Traditional Feature;

· “Higher Education Beat” by Bill Schackner — Excellence in Written Journalism, Education;

· “Pittsburgh-Based Stroke Study Brings Improvements for Hempfield Man and Hope for a Better Future” by Julia Maruca — Excellence in Written Journalism, Medical/Health;

· “Staffing Shortages Leave Nursing Homes Overwhelmed, Patients Vulnerable, Experts Say” by Julia Maruca and Brian C. Rittmeyer — Excellence in Written Journalism, Enterprise/Investigative;

· “New Kensington’s Willie Thrower Cast the Mold for the Modern NFL Quarterback 70 Years Ago” by Chuck Curti and “ ‘Oppenheimer’ Hype Brings Lesser-Known Aspects of Atomic Age in Pittsburgh to Fore” by Jonathan D. Silver — Excellence in Written Journalism, History/Culture;

· “Death Penalty” by Lori Falce — Excellence in Written Journalism, Editorials;

· “TV Talk” by Rob Owen — Excellence in Written Journalism, Criticism;

· “ ‘No One Has a Better Answer’: PIAA Relying on Principals to Identify Transgender Athletes” by Chris Harlan — Excellence in Written Journalism, Sports;

· “Pro-Palestinian Rally in Pittsburgh” by Massoud Hossaini and “Rustic Ridge Aerial View” by Sean Stipp — Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Spot News Photo;

· “Cruz Injures Ankle” by Christopher Horner and “Williams Recovers Fumble” by Chaz Palla — Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Sports Photo.

Also during the awards ceremony, emceed by Sally Wiggin, the Press Club honored Jim Parsons, retired news director of WTAE-TV, with its President’s Award.

The club additionally recognized Chatham University sophomore Madison Stokes of Harrisburg, winner of the 2024 Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship.

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