Three Anna Maria Island Sun staffers were honored with five awards at the 2023-24 Florida Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Competition awards banquet in Ocala on Feb. 1.
Editor Cindy Lane won first place for the editorial, “Public Comment Fiasco Avoided – Somewhat,” about a Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning commissioner’s battle to keep a public hearing open to the public.
Lane won second place for the editorial, “Strange Changes,” mourning the loss of beloved island landmarks and encouraging appreciation of AMI in the face of inevitable change. The editorial was published six months before the island was decimated by two hurricanes.
Political cartoonist Steve Borggren took home second place for his editorial cartoon, “Stay away from the light,” depicting fish disoriented by illuminated kayak tourist tours.
Correspondent Joe Hendricks won third place in the breaking news category for his Hurricane Idalia coverage, “Idalia swamps island.”
Lane won third place for her feature on swimmer Diana Nyad’s Anna Maria Island Sun connection in “Nyad film celebrates historic swim.”
