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A woman sweeping up confetti in a convention hall.
Alexandra, an immigrant from Nicaragua, was part of a crew assigned to clean the Fiserv Forum nightly following the Republican National Convention events in Milwaukee in July. Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror

The Connecticut Mirror took home eight awards, including three first-places prizes, at the 2026 New England Newspaper & Press Association awards, an annual celebration of the region’s best journalism.

CT Mirror was awarded in several reporting categories — environmental, health, human interest, government, immigration, and science/technology — as well as in general news photo.

“We are honored to be recognized, alongside our many peers in New England, for our journalism,” said Executive Editor Elizabeth Hamilton. “The stories celebrated in these awards represent our commitment to excellence across a range of topics.”

CT Mirror’s staff took home first place in health reporting for A Buried Threat, an investigation into century-old water lines containing lead that could still be supplying drinking water to thousands of properties. Judges described it as “impressive shoe-leather and data reporting” that “provides a clear picture of an under-investigated public health problem.”

Federal Policy Reporter Lisa Hagen was awarded a first place prize for her reporting on a Connecticut farmer who went to Washington, D.C. to advocate for funding for small farmers. And Energy & Environment Reporter John Moritz won first place for his story about a Connecticut student’s project that lost federal support because of President Donald Trump’s purge of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

CT Mirror Justice Reporter Emilia Otte also won first place in education reporting for a four-part series on special education that she reported last year for The Connecticut Examiner.

Here’s a full list of CT Mirror’s awards:

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

As manager of audience engagement, Gabby is responsible for CT Mirror’s digital growth. She manages our website, newsletters, search engine optimization, CT Mirror Explains product, on-site marketing, social media channels and internal data analysis. Gabby previously worked as a reporter on Patch.com’s Connecticut team and as an associate editor at The Woonsocket Call in Rhode Island. She is a Connecticut native who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UConn and is pursuing a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.