Ah, you will just have to wait for that announcement until June 25. Unlike in previous years when the Journalist of the Year is revealed in advance, the 2025-26 SPJ San Diego board members have decided to do things a little bit different. We were happy to receive several worthy nominations and making a selection was no easy feat. So, we decided that instead of recognizing one area journalist, we would name three finalists with the winner being revealed during our annual awards ceremony. It will start at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at Novo Brazil in Mission Valley.

We are proud to announce that the 2026 Journalist of the Year finalists are Austin Grabish, an investigative reporter with ABC 10News since 2023; Katie Hyson, a racial justice and social equity reporter with KPBS since 2023; and Kate Morrissey, a journalist covering immigration issues in the San Diego-Tijuana border region since 2016 and co-founder of Daylight San Diego.

Early bird tickets are $50 through 6 p.m. Monday, June 8. Then regular tickets are $65, with sales closing at noon on June 24. If space permits, walk-up tickets will be $75 at the door.

Reserved tables for 8 can be purchased for $500 through June 19. Those purchasing a table also need to email the names of their table’s attendees to spjsandiego@gmail.com by June 23.

Discounts for college students are being offered. Student early bird tickets are $35 through 6 p.m. Monday, June 8. Regular student tickets are $40, with sales closing at noon on June 24. If space permits, walk-up student tickets will be $45 at the door.

Buy your tickets early to save money and before they sell out.Buy your ticket here: http://tinyurl.com/SPJ-SD26awards