The New Pine Plains Herald Wins National Journalism Award

The New Pine Plains Herald has won its first national journalism award — the Institute for Nonprofit News’ Community Champion Award — for reporting that led Dutchess County municipalities to secure millions in affordable housing funds.

Judges for the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) called the Herald’s coverage “inspired journalism with real and true impact, the amplitude of which will be felt for (truly) generations.” The honor was presented on Wednesday, Sept. 10, in New Orleans at the organization’s annual Nonprofit News Awards.

The Nonprofit News Awards, created to recognize excellence in nonprofit journalism, drew nearly 600 entries this year across 11 categories. A total of 30 awards were presented, judged by panels of 76 nationally recognized journalists. The Community Champion Award highlights newsrooms that make a significant contribution to their communities through journalism-centered projects or services. 

The Community Champion Award in the micro division (nonprofit newsrooms with budgets under $250,000) recognized reporting by editor-in-chief Patrick Grego and Herald co-founder Darrah Cloud that detailed how county leaders failed to apply to New York state’s Plus One ADU Program, an effort to expand affordable housing by funding accessory dwelling units for low and middle income households.

After an initial story ran in April 2024, the Herald continued to cover local government action around ADU funding. County and local officials organized and in February, 10 Dutchess County municipalities were awarded $6 million from the program.

“With three years behind us, the Herald has shown what a small local journalism project can accomplish,” said Dick Hermans, who co-founded the Herald and serves as vice president of its board of directors. “This award inspires us to continue expanding our coverage of the towns we call home.”

“This award shows that even the smallest newsroom can make a difference when it reports with persistence and care,” said Hank Hersch, president of the Herald’s board of directors. “While it’s great to get this recognition, we remain focused on producing stories week after week that serve our loyal readers in and around Pine Plains.” 

Though the Herald operates with just one full-time staff member — Grego — it has a growing team of volunteer contributors and freelance writers. In June 2025, the newsroom hosted two summer interns, expanding its capacity to cover community events and local government.

“This award is a recognition of what dedicated local reporting can achieve,” Grego said. “I’m proud that our coverage helped bring new housing resources into Dutchess County, and I’m grateful to Darrah, our board of directors, and the volunteers and freelancers who make the Herald stronger each week. This honor shows what we can accomplish together — and why investing in local journalism matters.”