News 12 Networks have won 21 Excellence in Journalism awards from the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Of the 21 honors, nine were first place, including for categories in covering COVID-19, local reporting, diversity, features, sports and religion.

Connecticut SPJ will host an outdoor event to celebrate the winners of the Excellence in Journalism contest in late June at Ansonia Nature Center.

​​Arts and Entertainment: 1st Place - Ballet is for Everyone - Annalisa Klebers, Christopher Wood

Breaking News: 3rd Place - Hurricane Ida cleanup - John Craven, Mark Sogofsky

Business: 2nd Place - The Porch - Mark Sudol, Mark Sogofsky

Courts/Crime: 2nd Place - Justice for Mari - Keith Sunthorn, Lauren Fabrizi

Covid Series: 1st Place - The New Normal - Elizabeth Hashagen, Kelly Drossel, Doug Geed, Erin Colton, Phil Dowling, Kevin Benjamin, Henry Salmaggi, Christine Amante, Sandrina Rodrigues, Christine McGrath, Shawn Brown, Chris Vaccaro

Covid Series: 2nd Place - The Next Normal CT - Mark Sudol, Mark Sogofsky

Data: 1st Place - Failing Foundations - News 12 Networks

Diversity: 1st Place - Justice for all - Shosh Bedrosian, John Dempsey, Frank Bruce

Feature Story: 1st Place - Girl Whisperer - Suzanne Goldklang, Frank Bruce

Feature Story: 3rd Place - One more chat with dad - Sean McCabe

Government: 2nd Place - Helping Firefighters with Cancer - Mark Sogofsky, John Craven

Health: 3rd Place - Bringing mommy home to die - Frank Recchia, Lori Golias

Investigative: 1st Place - Failing Foundations Crumbling conditions - Shosh Bedrosian, Christopher Wood, Frank Bruce

Leisure: 2nd Place - Road Trip Norfolk - Lori Golias

Leisure: 3rd Place - Lasagna of love - Suzanne Goldklang, Christina Alaio

Local Reporting: 1st Place - History is worth saving - Shosh Bedrosian, Christopher Wood, John Dempsey, Christina Alaio

Local Reporting: 3rd Place - Same spot at the table - Lauren Fabrizi, Frank Bruce

Religion: 1st Place - Exorcism in Stamford - Sean McCabe, John Dempsey

Sports Feature: 2nd Place - Grandma Marge - Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino

Sports News: 1st Place - Play like Danni - Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino

Video Storytelling: 2nd Place - In my heart - Mark Sogofsky