BirminghamWatch Contributors Won National Journalism Awards
Olivia McMurrey and Solomon Crenshaw Jr. were recognized for their reporting at a national media convention in Maryland.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Civic
Two BirminghamWatch contributors received honors at the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest. The awards were presented for journalism produced throughout 2025.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the impact of local investigative reporting on issues ranging from infrastructure and public policy to sports and labor conditions. These honors underscore the commitment of Birmingham journalists to excellence in covering regional and civic affairs.
Olivia McMurrey secured seven total awards, including third place in Specialty Articles, while Solomon Crenshaw Jr. also earned third place in the same category for his work in The Birmingham Times.
The players
Olivia McMurrey
She is a journalist and contributor for BirminghamWatch who earned seven awards for her diverse reporting.
Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
He is a writer who secured a third-place award for his sports reporting featured in The Birmingham Times.
Lee Hedgepeth
He is a reporter who co-authored an award-winning article regarding heat conditions in football stadiums.
The details
The accolades were awarded during the National Federation of Press Women's national convention held in Ellicott City. McMurrey received honors for reporting on topics including water infrastructure, federal arts funding, and various radio segments, while also co-writing an award-winning feature on football stadium heat alongside Lee Hedgepeth.
Timeline
The journalism recognized by the committee was produced during 2025.
The awards ceremony took place on September 26, 2026, at the Turf Valley Resort.
Industry Dynamics
This recognition aligns with the annual cycle of the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest, which validates the competitive quality of local newsrooms. Such accolades help position Birmingham journalists within the broader professional landscape of national media standards.
Local readers can continue to access this award-winning reporting through the BirminghamWatch platform and The Birmingham Times. These publications provide the public with ongoing coverage of the civic and infrastructure issues highlighted by the award committee.
The takeaway
Journalism awards provide a benchmark for the quality and thoroughness of reporting within the local community. Residents can support high-quality media by engaging with and sharing investigative stories that address important regional challenges.
Further reading
For more news on local developments, visit the Civic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BirminghamWatch.
