The tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, which occurred in October 2023, resulted in 18 deaths and 13 injuries, prompting an extensive journalistic response.

The commission revealed that law enforcement had sufficient information to take the shooter, Robert Card, into protective custody prior to the incident, indicating failures in the police response.

In recognition of their relentless pursuit of public records related to the shooting, several newspapers were honored for their investigative efforts.

Judges from the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA) commended the newspapers for initiating public access requests just hours after the incident and for their tenacity in obtaining police records, aided by Yale Law School's Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic.

The Maine Trust for Local News received a Publick Occurrences Award for their comprehensive six-month coverage of the shooting and its aftermath, which included survivor stories and police actions.

The Maine Trust was also awarded the New England First Amendment Award by NENPA, highlighting their commitment to upholding the First Amendment.

In response to the shooting, the governor of Maine acknowledged the necessity for timely information, leading to the establishment of a commission to investigate the events surrounding the tragedy.

Marla Hoffman, managing editor at Sun Journal, accepted the awards on behalf of the Maine Trust, emphasizing the public's right to know about the events of this tragic incident.

The awards were presented on September 21, 2024, in Providence, Rhode Island, recognizing the collaborative efforts of the Portland Press Herald, Sun Journal, Morning Sentinel, and Kennebec Journal.