Schneps Media dominates New York state with record-setting win at New York Press Association Better Newspaper Contest
Schneps Media, which owns more than 100 publications and websites across New York City and Long Island, had a record-setting showing in the 2025 New York Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.
The reporters, editors, designers, photographers and sales reps of Schneps Media earned a record 945 points overall and more than 80 first-, second- and third-place prizes combined in reporting, photography, design, digital, video, newsletter and advertising. The company was recognized as the top news group in New York state, and beat its closest rival by more than 400 points in this year’s contest.
It is the second time Schneps Media has been recognized as the Empire State’s top news group; it previously earned the honor in 2023.
“These honors from the New York Press Association reflect the passion, creativity, and commitment of our entire team,” said Joshua Schneps, CEO of Schneps Media. “Being recognized at the highest level in New York State reinforces our mission to deliver trusted local journalism that informs and connects the communities we serve. I couldn’t be prouder of what our team continues to accomplish.”
“I am over the moon with joy and pride and appreciation for the spectacular staff that has created our award-winning media,” said Victoria Schneps, founder and president of Schneps Media. “As the founder, I believed that my community newspapers should provide quality journalism in an attractive environment, and that has come true. How grateful I am!”
The biggest awards — which NYPA announced during its Spring Conference in Saratoga Springs on April 23-24 — went to amNewYork, the Big Apple’s only free daily newspaper, which was recognized as the 2025 daily Newspaper of the Year by the New York Press Association (NYPA) and winner of the Stuart Dorman Award for overall editorial excellence.
Dean Moses, police bureau chief, was honored by NYPA as Photographer of the Year for the second time in his career. Previously awarded the top pictorial prize in 2023, Moses earned the honors this year for his on-the-spot reporting from covering breaking events to documenting the seizure of immigrants at 26 Federal Plaza.
Moses’ efforts in telling the story of immigrants detained by ICE agents and the impact on their families also earned him the Michelle Rea Freedom of Information Award, presented to reporters who put themselves at risk to tell essential stories.
The Brooklyn Paper, Schneps Media’s publication focused on Kings County, took home first place in the Past Presidents’ Award for General Excellence.
Kirstyn Brendlen, Brooklyn Paper’s digital editor and a previous winner of the NYPA Writer of the Year Award, won first place in the Crime/Police/Court Story Division 1 for her coverage of an program aiming to restore trust between the NYPD and the community it serves.
Dan’s Papers, the magazine devoted to the Hamptons, won first-place awards for Best Overall Digital News Platform and Best Sales Promotional Materials.
Emma Grimes, a writer for Dan’s Papers, also secured a first-place plaque in the Local Government Story Division 2 for a story on a local government program assisting Long Islanders during the housing crisis.
Long Island Press took home two first-place prizes, with Nicole Formisano winning for News Story Division 4 for a story about the fallout over the prosecution of former Congress Member George Santos; and Isabella Reilly winning Feature Story-News, Division 6 for the aftermath of a deadly fire at a cat sanctuary.
Isabella Gallo won two first-place awards for her work with Schneps Media’s Nassau County newspapers, taking home the award for Education Story Division 1 for the New Hyde Park-Floral Park Herald Courier regarding a teen detained by ICE agents; and News Story Division 2 for the Port Washington News about a Mineola school’s video program.
The Ridgewood Times/Times Newsweekly, the historic weekly newspaper based in western Queens, won first place for Historical Story, Division 2, for its coverage of the dismantled St. Saviour’s Church in Maspeth.
For more information, visit schnepsmedia.com.
