TribLive earns 6 Golden Quill awards, 21 finalist nods

TribLive brought home six Golden Quill Awards and was a finalist for 21 others at the 61st annual awards dinner Wednesday night at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.

The Golden Quills, organized by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, honors professional and student excellence in print, broadcast, photo, video and digital journalism in Western Pennsylvania and nearby counties in Ohio and West Virginia.

In Division I, “From Apollo to Mt. Lebanon to Blawnox to Ligonier, bluegrass has a home in Western Pa.” by TribLive writer Patrick Varine won an award for Excellence in Written Journalism, Arts and Entertainment.

“Chemical hair straighteners and the impact on Black women’s health” by Shaylah Brown won an award for Excellence in Written Journalism, Medical/Health.

“Understanding the importance of sunscreen in the Black community,” also by Brown, was a finalist in that category.

“Trump survives assassination attempt in Butler” by TribLive photographer Shane Dunlap won Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Spot News Photo. “A turning point” by Sean Stipp was a finalist in that category.

“Black & Cold” by John Lehner won Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Print Page Design. “American dream” by Jeff Vella was a finalist.

TribLive sports writer Chris Harlan won an award for Excellence in Written Journalism, Sports for high school sports coverage.

Finalists included “Frankie’s Fairy Tale: 80 years later, the story of Pittsburgh’s forgotten All-Star game and the Pirates’ anonymous All-Star player” by Tim Benz and “Once a pariah in NFL circles, legalized betting has become as much a part of Super Bowl as the game itself” by Joe Rutter.

“Westmoreland government” by TribLive opinion columnist Lori Falce won an award for Excellence in Written Journalism, Editorials. “Law and government,” also by Falce, was a finalist in that category.

TribLive writer Justin Vellucci also won an award for a story published in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. “A daughter’s promise: 85 days quarantining in a nursing home” won Excellence in Written Journalism, Lifestyle.

Other TribLive finalists include:

• “Father, 4 children killed in Jeannette house fire” by Renatta Signorini and Rich Cholodofsky — Excellence in Written Journalism, Spot/Breaking News
• “Search and rescue teams seek Unity woman who fell down sinkhole” by TribLive staff — Excellence in Written Journalism, Spot/Breaking News
• “Family of Upper St. Clair man killed by police alleges ‘excessive force’ ” by Justin Vellucci — Excellence in Written Journalism, News Feature
• “Bishop Zubik visits Allegheny County Jail inmates” by Shane Dunlap — Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Photo Essay
• “Norwin girls wrestlers relish special moments” by Kristina Serafini — Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Photo Essay
• “Strict Pa. law would curb any payout by Pittsburgh to Fern Hollow victims even if city is liable” by Paula Reed Ward — Excellence in Written Journalism, Public Affairs/Politics/Government
• “Despite rising salaries, there’s a shortage of qualified superintendents. Politicized school boards and covid fallout have contributed” by Megan Swift — Excellence in Written Journalism, Education
• “It seems everything is more expensive than 5 years ago. Here’s why” by Jack Troy and Patrick Varine — Excellence in Written Journalism, Business/Technology/Consumer
• “Pittsburgh addresses environmental challenges” by Julia Burdelski — Excellence in Written Journalism, Science/Environment
• “TV Talk” by Rob Owen — Excellence in Written Journalism, Criticism
• “Grandma’s cookie jars: Nostalgic trend making a sweet comeback” by JoAnne Klimovich Harrop — Excellence in Written Journalism, Lifestyle
• “Reaching for the catch” by Shane Dunlap — Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Sports Photo
• “Puck slips past Jarry” by Chaz Palla — Excellence in Journalistic Craft Achievement, Sports Photo
• “Political perspective” by Lori Falce — Excellence in Written Journalism, Columns/Blogs
• “Experts point to slew of errors by Pittsburgh police seen in Jim Rogers Taser video” by Paula Reed Ward — Excellence in Written Journalism, Enterprise/Investigative

Also during the awards ceremony, the Press Club honored David Newell, who portrayed Mr. McFeely on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” with its President’s Award.

Duquesne University journalism professor Maggie Jones Patterson received the Service to Journalism Award.

Point Park University student Gavin Petrone received the 2025 Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship, and Duquesne University student Naomi Girson received the 2025 Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship.