‘Rhode Island Monthly’ Earns 26 Finalist Nods for Rhode Island Press Association Awards

The official placements will be named at an awards banquet on June 26.

9 hours ago

Kaitlyn Murray,

Each year, the Rhode Island Press Association (RIPA) — a nonprofit organization that promotes the interests of newspapers, magazines and other publications, and advances journalism standards and educational opportunities — receives more than 400 submissions for their annual Editorial Awards competition. The entries are submitted by numerous local organizations across a variety of journalism-related categories, including writing, photography, design and distinction.

This year, Rhode Island Monthly is honored to have received twenty-six finalist designations from distinguished journalist of the year to best cover to best food newsletter. While we won’t know the official placements until awards banquet on Friday, June 26, you can find which of our articles, designs, staff members, photographers and freelancers are in the running below.

Distinction: DISTINGUISHED JOURNALIST

Finalist: Lauren Clem, Senior Editor

Finalist: Ellen Liberman, freelance writer and ‘Reporter‘ columnist

Distinction: PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Finalist: Chad Weeden, freelance photographer

Finalist: Wolf Matthewson, freelance photographer

Design: SPECIAL SECTION

Finalist: Best of Rhode Island, compiled by Rhode Island Monthly staff

Design: BEST COVER

July 2025 cover

Finalist: July Rocky Point Issue designed by Emily Rietzel, Art Director

March 2025 cover

Finalist: March Crime issue designed by Doreen Chisnell, Creative Director

Photography: FEATURE PHOTO

Bill Bartholomew in his home studio where he conducts his podcast and hosts live music shows. Photography by Wolf Matthewson

Finalist: “Local News Revolution” by Wolf Mathewson, freelance photographer

Photography: PERSONALITY PHOTO/PORTRAIT

Dr. Nadia Mujahid. Photo by Alex Gagne

Finalist: Top Doctor of Geriatric Medicine Physician Nadia Mujahid by Alex Gagne, freelance photographer

Zoë Barbano Grinder mends a sweater in her sunny Providence studio. She can be found mending most Friday nights at the Pawtucket Farmers Market at Jordan’s Jungle and every other Saturday at the Farm Fresh RI Winter Farmers Market in Providence. Photography by Chad Weeden

Finalist: Seamstress Zoe Barbano Grinder by Chad Weeden, freelance photographer

Photography: PHOTO SERIES/PICTURE STORY

Finalist: “Cruisin’ Through the Ages” by Wolf Matthewson, freelance photographer

Finalist: “In Good Hands” by Chad Weeden, freelance photographer

Photography: FOOD PHOTO

Photography by Angel Tucker

Finalist: Holiday Cookies by Angel Tucker, freelance photographer

Photography: WEATHER AND CLIMATE PHOTO

Photograph by James Jones

Finalist: Flying Fish by James Jones, freelance photographer

Writing: REPORTING ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Finalist: “The Gleaning Mission” by Annie Sherman, freelance writer

Writing: SCIENCE

Finalist: “On the Wing” by Lauren Clem, Senior Editor

Writing: FEATURE STORY – SHORT

Finalist: “Old Dogs Stick Together” by John Palumbo, Publisher

Writing: FEATURE STORY – IN-DEPTH

Finalist: “South County Succession” by Tom Mooney, freelance writer

Writing: ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT STORY

Finalist: “Get Inked! The Ultimate Guide to Tattoos in Rhode Island” by Kaitlyn Murray, Senior Editor – Digital, with assistance by Tess Lyons, Editorial Assistant

Finalist: “The Opportunity of a Lifetime” by John Taraborelli, freelance writer

Writing: FOOD/DINING STORY

Finalist: “On the Right Track” by Jamie Coelho, Editor-in-Chief

Writing: SPORTS FEATURE STORY

Finalist: “The Rising Tide” by Lauren Clem, Senior Editor

Writing: NEWS/FEATURES COLUMNIST

Finalist: Dining Reviews by Karen Deutsch, freelance writer and ‘Dining Review‘ columnist

Writing: COMMUNITY JOURNALISM

Finalist: 2025 Bannister Awards by Lauren Clem, Senior Editor, with contributions by Jamie Coelho, Editor-in-Chief

Writing: LOCAL TOURISM STORY

Finalist: “A Flurry of Fun” by Kaitlyn Murray, with contributions by Alicia Maria Ortiz Alba, freelance writer

Writing: HISTORY JOURNALISM

Finalist: “Remembering Rocky Point” by Dana Laverty, Managing Editor, with assistance from Lauren Clem, Senior Editor, and Kaitlyn Murray, Senior Digital Editor