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Connecticut Public Wins Top Honors at 2025 Digital Innovation Awards and Regional Emmy ® Awards

HARTFORD [June 9, 2025]— Connecticut Public is proud to announce two national honors in the 2025 Digital Innovation Awards from the Local Media Association (LMA), along with two regional Emmy® Awards, recognizing the organization’s excellence in digital journalism, storytelling, and innovation.

Connecticut Public won First Place in the “Best in Innovative Content” category for Unforgotten: Connecticut’s Hidden History of Slavery. This groundbreaking multi-platform initiative examines the legacy of slavery in Connecticut and amplifies the voices of those who have been historically marginalized. The series, produced by a cross-disciplinary team of journalists, artists, and historians, was recognized for its innovative storytelling, community engagement, and digital presentation.

Connecticut Public also earned Second Place in the “Best Local News Website” category for ctpublic.org, which was honored for its design, functionality, and service to Connecticut’s communities through trusted news, features, and multimedia storytelling.

“These national awards from the Local Media Association are a reflection of Connecticut Public’s commitment to telling stories that matter and making them accessible to the public in innovative ways,” said Vanessa de la Torre, Chief Content Officer at Connecticut Public.

“Unforgotten was a team effort that amplified community voices to share this history, and our website — available to all with no paywall — continues to raise the bar for local journalism and storytelling in Connecticut,” de la Torre said. “We’re grateful for our team, our supporters and community members who allow us to do this public service work that’s being recognized on a national stage.”

In addition to the national Digital Innovation Awards, Connecticut Public’s Visuals team was recently honored with two 2025 Boston-New England Regional Emmy® Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The team won in the Documentary – Historical category for Fighting for Home (Julianne Varacchi, Tyler Russell, Sabrina Buckwalter) and in the Lifestyle category for Trail of Terror (Julianne Varacchi, Mark Mirko, Dave Wurtzel). These regional Emmy wins highlight Connecticut Public’s continued excellence in cinematic storytelling and visual journalism.

The LMA’s Digital Innovation Awards celebrate excellence among local media organizations nationwide that are pushing boundaries in digital content and community service.

To see the full list of LMA award winners, visit:
2025 Best Local News Website Awards

About Connecticut Public
Connecticut Public is home to Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) and Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR). Together, Connecticut Public serves more than one million people each week through Connecticut Public Radio and Connecticut Public Television, as well as through our many digital and online platforms, including ctpublic.org. Through our mission to inform, educate and inspire the people of Connecticut, we connect people of all ages to high-quality journalism, storytelling, education and experiences, and amplify the voices of our diverse communities.  Connecticut Public’s main offices are located in Hartford, CT with studios at Gateway Community College in New Haven, CT as well as Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. Connecticut Public is also sole owner of the for-profit MediaVision Creative agency in Norwalk, CT. Connecticut Public is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with a $22 million annual budget, funded primarily through community support from individuals, foundations and corporate sponsors.