July 10, 2025
The Daily Post has received many regional awards in the past, but yesterday the Palo Alto-based newspaper won 17 awards in a national competition.
The Post received awards from the National Newspaper Association for its coverage of the controversy surrounding San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, the opioid crisis and the slow release of a report on the response of a local government to the Covid outbreak.
The Post also cleaned up in the advertising competition, with ads for Willows Market, Wilbur Properties, Care Indeed, Elia and Palo Alto Blueprint all capturing major awards. The National Newspaper Association, which represents community newspapers, received 1,743 entries from publications in 33 states.
The Post won the following awards:
• Best Investigative or In-Depth Story or Series, second-place, for the controversy surrounding San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus. Those named on the award trophy are Post staffers Braden Cartwright, Dave Price, Elaine Goodman and Amelia Biscardi.
• Best Reporting on Local Government, second-place, for Managing Editor Emily Mibach’s story about Menlo Park’s decision to hire a high-ranking Oakland police officer who left that agency amid a controversy.
• Best Reporting on Local Government, third-place, for Correspondent Elaine Goodman’s story on San Mateo County’s foot-dragging in releasing a state-required report evaluating its response to the Covid outbreak.
• Best Breaking News Story, third-place, for Reporter Braden Cartwright’s coverage of a massive fire that destroyed an affordable housing development in North Fair Oaks. The contest judges said, “This story presents a different kind of tragedy, the loss of future critical housing inventory. The incident itself is shocking, but the greater implication is heartbreaking.”
• Best Serious News Column, fourth-place, for Editor Dave Price’s piece about how a deal with Google to fund newsrooms around the state won’t save journalism.
• Best Story about the Opioid Crisis in Your Community, fourth-place, for Managing Editor Emily Mibach’s story headlined, “Tragedy strikes local family.” The judges commented, “This sad story shows no one is immune from the drug problem.”
• Best Front Page Design, fourth-place, for the May 31, 2024 front page with the headline “Trump guilty” designed by Emily Mibach.
The Post won several first-place awards for ads that were designed by the paper’s staff.
• Best Advertising Idea, first place, for an ad about the anniversary of Willows Market, 60 Middlefield Road. The contest judges commented, “Love this. Ad rep and art department clearly go the extra mile for this client. Great idea and well executed.”
• Best Public Notice Section, first place — The judges said it was “very easy to read.”
• Best Real Estate Ad, first place, Wilbur Properties. The ad was designed by the Post’s Marvin Ancheta. “Nicely built, professional,” the judges said.
• Best Restaurant Ad, first place, Mike’s Diner Bar, designed by General Manager Brandon Heinrichs. It “bursts with energy and urgency,” the judges said. “The layout delivers excellent visual hierarchy, from the headline to the food images. The copy is concise but effective ‘Go Niners’ says it all. Creative composition and punchy design invite immediate action. A textbook example of successful event-driven restaurant advertising.”
The judges also said, “The strategic use of orange and yellow echoes brunch tones, while the copy delivers variety and clarity. It feels both indulgent and accessible. Elegantly simple and visually delicious — strong work.”
• Best Series Ad Idea using Color, first place — The Care Indeed ads designed by Heinrichs of the Post staff. The judges’ comments: “Clean, consistent design. Simple message. Photos of people jump out, relatable to the reader. Very eye-catching.”
• Best Small-Page Ad, first place — Quinto Sol, 2201 Broadway, Redwood City, designed by the Post’s Marvin Ancheta. The judges said the ad is “very visually appealing. Who wouldn’t want to give Quinto Sol a try?”
• Best Use of Ad Color, first place — Palo Alto Blueprint won this category. The judges said Brandon Heinrichs’ ad “wins for its conceptual brilliance and color control. The integration of blueprint aesthetics with a real-world kitchen is imaginative and brand-reinforcing. The cool blue tones communicate professionalism and precision, while warm accents add approachability. The visual metaphor is clear, and the layout supports both function and creativity flawlessly.”
The Post won a second-place award for Best Use of Ad Color for the opening of Elia at 727 Laurel St. in San Carlos, a second-place award for a Willows Market ad featuring tri-tip, and a third-place award for a Best Multiple Advertiser Section.
National Newspaper Association (NNA), which has been around since 1885, announced the awards yesterday. They will be presented at the organization’s convention in Minneapolis Oct. 9-10.
Awards won by the Post in 2024.
Awards won by the Post in 2023.
Awards won by the Post in 2022.
Awards won by the Post in 2021.
Awards won by the Post in 2020.