The Mississippi Free Press and Mississippi Youth Media Project are celebrating 18 first-place and finalist honors in three 2026 journalism competitions, with MFP Environmental Reporter Illan Ireland earning one of the top honors at this year’s Diamond Journalism Awards in Little Rock.
Ireland was named Emerging Journalist of the Year in the Society of Professional Journalists Diamond Journalism Awards, a regional competition recognizing journalists across Arkansas and six neighboring states. His portfolio included reporting on industrial pollution in Pascagoula, flooding and the Yazoo Pumps, Hurricane Katrina’s lasting impact on Waveland, environmental policy and Mississippi communities recovering after devastating tornadoes. Ireland also earned finalist recognition with Liam Pittman for environmental and science reporting and as part of MFP’s continuing coverage of the Tylertown tornadoes and the long wait for federal disaster assistance.
“Illan represents exactly why we believe so strongly in investing in journalists who are committed to Mississippi and its communities,” Mississippi Free Press CEO and Executive Editor Donna Ladd said. “He asks the questions, does the research and, most importantly, shows up. We are incredibly proud to see his work recognized, but we are even more proud of the journalism he is producing for Mississippians every day.”
“These honors remind us that when you give journalists the time and support to dig deeper and stay with important stories, the work can make a real difference,” Ladd added.
Other Mississippi Free Press journalists also received top Diamond honors. Nick Judin, Ashton Pittman, Heather Harrison and Liam Pittman won first place for politics and elections coverage. Donna Ladd earned first place for commentary for the second year in a row, and Roger Amos won the sports category for his reporting on the Battle of Nations football game between the Mississippi Choctaw and Eastern Cherokee. MFP journalists were also recognized as finalists in several other categories, including education, breaking news, arts and entertainment, graphics and editing. These honors reflect the work our journalists do every day to stay in Mississippi communities, ask difficult questions and tell stories that matter to the people who live here.
MFP also earned national recognition in the National Association of Black Journalists’ 2026 Salute to Excellence Awards. Nick Judin and Kevin Edwards were named finalists in the News Series category for their reporting on the death of Delta State University student Trey Reed and his family’s calls for an independent autopsy.
The Diamond Awards and NABJ recognition follow another strong showing earlier this year from young journalists with the Mississippi Youth Media Project, who earned six winner and finalist honors in the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association’s Best of Mississippi News Publication Awards. Together, MFP and YMP earned 18 honors in the three competitions this year.
“We are honored,” Ladd said. “I am so proud of every journalist recognized, but even more proud of the reporting, storytelling and commitment to Mississippi behind each award. These stories are about and for the people of Mississippi.”
See the full list of Mississippi Free Press and Youth Media Project honors since 2020 on our awards page.
Mississippi Free Press stories are always free because we believe everyone should have access to quality journalism. Donations from readers like you make that possible. Please click here to give to help sustain and grow vital, people-over-power journalism for Mississippians.
Readers can sign up for our free newsletters here.
