VTDigger earned Distinguished News Site honors and two top investigative journalism awards at the 2026 New England Newspaper Press Association Leadership Summit. Photos by Glenn Russell/VTDigger VTDigger was recognized as a Distinguished News Site for online publications in the region by the Ne w England Newspaper Press Association at its 2026 Leadership Summit held in Sturbridge, Mass., on Friday.  In addition, VTDigger reporters received two of the three top A-Mark prizes, “recognizing and celebrating outstanding investigative journalism that uncovers hidden truths, holds power to account, and drives meaningful public awareness or reform,” according to NENPA. “These most recent awards build upon a long track record of excellence and impact at VTDigger,” said Brendan Kinney, the organization’s CEO. “There are many people responsible for our continued success, in particular our more than 9,100 members, local businesses and foundations who provide us with the financial resources necessary to do this work.” For the Distinguished News Site honor, NENPA recognized the in-depth reporting of Kevin O’Connor for his look back at devastating flooding in Vermont on July 10, 2023 and 2024, which incorporated photos by VTDigger photographer Glenn Russell, as well as audio and video from the floods.  The second piece honored by the award was a profile by Shaun Robinson of Ugandan minister Steven Tendo, who moved to Vermont after facing brutal torture abroad and continues to face the threat of deportation. Russell was the photographer on that piece, as well. VTDigger’s Greta Solsaa, Government Accountability and Southern Vermont reporter, won the top A-Mark prize for her months-long examination, using public records, of a pattern of care problems at some of Vermont’s most troubled nursing homes under new ownership. Her reporting traced the issues in part to a temporary state approval process that lacked transparency and failed to prevent problems.  READ MORE Ethan Weinstein, now a senior editor at VTDigger, placed third in the A-Mark category for his in-depth reporting, using internal communications from state prison officials, to illuminate how ICE uses the state’s prisons and why that arrangement has created challenges for Vermont.  Glenn Russell was the photographer on both stories.  “VTDigger continues the in-depth reporting, quality writing and singular photography recognized by NENPA,” said Interim Editor-in-Chief Susan Allen. “Our committed readers expect to find that level of scrutiny and story-telling when they turn to our website and newsletters each day.” Former CEO Sky Barsch and Editor-in-Chief Geeta Anand led the organization during the reporting period. Founded in 2009, VTDigger is a nonprofit, nonpartisan digital news organization covering issues of statewide importance in Vermont. It is a project of the Vermont Journalism Trust, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  Visit vtdigger.org for the latest news, special projects, opinion pieces and more. Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger named Distinguished News Site, earns top investigative reporting honors. ...read more read less