Islands' Sounder Won General Excellence Award
The Washington Newspaper Publishers Association recognized two San Juan County newspapers for their journalism.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in National Parks
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The Islands' Sounder took first place for General Excellence in the 2026 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association contest. The Journal of the San Juan Islands secured third place in the same category.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the quality of local journalism in San Juan County among peer publications across the state. The honors were presented during the association's annual convention held in Everett.
The newspapers combined for 24 total awards during the annual competition. The Islands' Sounder claimed the top spot in General Excellence, while the Journal of the San Juan Islands finished third.
The players
Islands' Sounder
This is a newspaper serving communities in San Juan County that earned first place for General Excellence.
Journal of the San Juan Islands
This is a San Juan County publication that received third place for General Excellence in the association contest.
Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
This organization hosts the annual convention and contest recognizing journalistic achievement in Washington state.
The details
The competition evaluated entries across diverse journalistic disciplines such as business, education, and crime. Entries were categorized based on circulation size, allowing for standardized comparison between regional outlets.
Timeline
Oct. 2-3, 2026: The Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Annual Convention was held in Everett.
Travel Outlook
The awards were determined at the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Annual Convention. This annual cycle serves as the definitive benchmark for journalistic excellence within the state.
Readers in San Juan County can continue to expect high-quality local reporting from these recognized news organizations. Residents should keep an eye on these publications for ongoing coverage of business and education developments.
The takeaway
Supporting local news outlets helps maintain strong community reporting standards. These awards reflect the tangible value high-quality journalism brings to residents of San Juan County.
Further reading
Learn more about the region in the National Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal of the San Juan Islands.
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