Tri City Record Wins Multiple State Press Association Awards

The Tri City Record was celebrated at the New Mexico Press Association awards banquet on November 8, 2025, taking home several distinctions that recognize the paper's reporting across a range of local concerns. Among the honors was the Sunshine Award presented to reporter Debra Mayeux, along with top prizes in Weekly Class II sports writing and feature photography. Education reporter Alx Lee earned second place in education writing, underscoring the newsroom's work on local schools and classroom issues.

The awards highlight the Record's presence in a statewide competition, where judges evaluated entries from newspapers across New Mexico. The accolades acknowledge journalism that has focused on education, government and community topics in San Juan County, areas that shape daily life for families, workers and civic leaders. For readers who rely on the Record for local information, the recognition confirms that the paper's reporting meets rigorous standards of coverage and craft.

Local journalism serves a civic function beyond informing readers about events. Reporting on school budgets, school board decisions and education policy helps parents and taxpayers understand the choices that affect classroom resources and student outcomes. Coverage of local government reveals how officials allocate funds and make decisions that influence public services, infrastructure and community health. Strong feature photography and sports writing preserve the social life of the county, document achievements and make community connections visible.

There are also public health and social equity implications when local outlets sustain robust coverage. Timely, reliable reporting can clarify health guidance, shine a light on disparities in access to care and create pressure for policy responses that address community needs. When reporters hold institutions to account and elevate the voices of underserved residents, public officials and health systems face greater incentive to prioritize equity and transparency.

The Record's success at the Press Association awards can strengthen trust between the newsroom and the community it serves. Recognition at the state level can support efforts to attract talent, justify investment in reporting resources and reinforce the newsroom's role as a watchdog and storyteller. For San Juan County residents, the awards signal that their local stories are being told with skill and care, and that issues affecting daily life are receiving attention beyond local borders.

As the Tri City Record moves forward, the honors provide both validation and renewed responsibility. Maintaining coverage of education, government and community concerns will remain essential for informing public debate, supporting accountable policymaking and helping the county navigate public health and social equity challenges.