The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business earned two gold awards and one silver award at the Alliance of Area Business Publishers’ 2026 Editorial Excellence Awards program on May 19 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Additionally, reporter Ty Beaver earned a Journalist of the Year award. 

The annual competition, coordinated and judged by faculty in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, recognizes editorial excellence and outstanding visual presentation in about 60 regional business publications throughout North America and Australia. 

The Journal of Business received the following journalism awards in the small publication size category: 

Ty Beaver

Journalist of the Year – Ty Beaver, reporter. 

Judge’s comments: “Ty Beaver takes his reporting up a notch by looking for the ways business and industry intersect with the lives of his readers. In “Residents bristle at new lines needed for growing energy needs,” for example, he chronicles how an invasion of new transmission lines marches across front yards with little concern for homeowners. In “Controversial wind farm plans fewer but taller turbines,” he underlines the potential environmental and aesthetic impact of wind turbines that will be taller than the Seattle Space Needle. Beaver’s work demonstrates how thoughtful observation can deliver first-rate reporting and writing.” 

Best Beat Reporting, Real Estate — gold: Ty Beaver, reporter. 

Judge’s comments: “Ty Beaver delivers a well-rounded and deeply local portrait of the Tri-Cities real estate market, combining sharp reporting with clear, accessible writing. His work captures the full spectrum of forces shaping the region—from a surge in luxury home sales to the uncertain ripple effects of federal lease cancellations on small communities and local economies. His reporting on government lease terminations stands out for elevating a policy decision into a human story, showing how abrupt federal actions can disrupt workers, tenants and entire towns. Beaver demonstrates a strong command of data, sourcing and regional context, delivering journalism that is both informative and immediately relevant.” 

This is the third year in a row a Journal reporter was recognized for real estate reporting by AABP. 

Best Beat Reporting, Economics/Finance — gold: Ty Beaver, reporter. 

Judge’s comments: “Whether it’s government layoffs, lease cancelations or the merits of a new hockey venue, these stories were written and reported with an eye for the humans at the center of them, bringing an important layer of community concern to timely business developments.” 

Best Ancillary Publication — silver: Focus: Agriculture + Viticulture in the Columbia Basin.  

Judge’s comments: “A focused and informative exploration of the agricultural landscape unfolds through a clear, crop-by-crop structure that brings both organization and variety to the content. Each section highlights key aspects of the region’s agricultural economy while maintaining a cohesive thematic thread. The coverage remains practical and accessible, offering insights that are especially valuable to those within the industry. A straightforward presentation keeps the material easy to follow, resulting in a cohesive and serviceable package.” 

This is the third year in a row the agriculture and viticulture-focused magazine received a silver award from AABP. 

Work submitted for the contest must have first appeared in 2025.