Regional Magazines Shine at IRMA Awards
Sep 20, 2026
The annual event, hosted by the International Regional Media Association (IRMA), took place September 18.
Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit awards were presented in 45 categories, after rigorous judging of 354 entries undertaken by 38 volunteer judges.
"The IRMA Awards celebrate the very best in regional magazine journalism in North America. Our magazine members are vital chronicles of place, people, history and community, and these awards recognize excellence in writing, visual art, editing, art direction and brand marketing. IRMA is honoured to bring these publications and their teams together to celebrate regional storytelling," said Joyce Byrne, Executive Director of IRMA.
This year's Magazine of the Year category was presented to Adirondack Life in the circulation under 34,999 category, and to Texas Highways in the circulation over 35,000 category.
Of Adirondack Life, judges acknowledged the striking covers and beautifully but simply designed features that highlight the lush photography and draw the reader in, as well as thoughtful writing that is full of energy on important topics.
Judges praised Texas Highways, saying "Everything is bigger in Texas, and that's a point of pride for Texas Highways, but that also presents a unique journalistic challenge: to document a state so vast and so diverse culturally and topographically in a way that still feels personal and local. What comes across and ties the magazine and state together are the voices of the people that are featured."
Top Gold-winning publications:
- Texas Highways
- Arizona Highways
- Louisiana Life
- Adirondack Life
- New Mexico Magazine
Magazine of the Year, Circulation 34,999 or Less: Adirondack Life
Magazine of the Year, Circulation 35,000 or More: Texas Highways
Public Issues: (Tie) "Addition and Subtraction", Adirondack Life; "Home of the Clouds", Arizona Highways
Historic Feature, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Strike and Struggle", El Palacio
Historic Feature, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Staring Into Space", Arizona Highways
Nature and Environment, Circulation 34,999 or Less: (Tie) "The River Fixers", Adirondack Life; "Hiding in Plain Sight", Louisiana Life
Nature and Environment, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Gone in Seven Seconds", Texas Highways
Travel Feature: "Arizona Unplugged", Arizona Highways
Art and Culture Feature, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Mardi Gras Magic", Louisiana Life
Art and Culture Feature, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire", Texas Highways
Recreation Feature: "Show of Hands", Texas Highways
General Feature, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Northern Cousins in a World of Silos", The Yukon Magazine
General Feature, Circulation 35,000 or More: "A Tale of Two Crops", New Mexico Magazine
Profile, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Character Study", Adirondack Life
Profile, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Forces for Nature", Texas Highways
Reader Service Article: "Flight Of Fancy", New Mexico Magazine
Hed & Dek: (Tie) "Fork Yeah", Acadiana Profile; "Ducking and Weaving", Louisiana Life
Essay: "Amarillo by Morning", Texas Highways
Column: "Editor's Letter", Arizona Highways
Best New Magazine Writer of the Year: "Bobby Alemán: Where the Raindrop Ends", Texas Highways
Magazine Writer of the Year: "Kevin Rabalais", Louisiana Life
Single Photo: "Gone in Seven Seconds", Texas Highways
Photo Series, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Hoop Net Fishing", Acadiana Profile
Photo Series, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Big Skies", Texas Highways
Portrait Photo: "Bill Anton", Arizona Highways
Portrait Series: (Tie) "The Makers and the Music", Acadiana Profile; "The Young'Uns", Arizona Highways
Magazine Photographer of the Year: "Joel Hazelton", Arizona Highways
Illustration -- Feature or Series: (Tie) "The Cottager's Guide to Cloud Collecting", Cottage Life; "State Parks Field Guide", Oklahoma Today
Spot Illustration: "Open Road: Tied to a String", Texas Highways
Home and Garden: "Into the Woods", Texas Highways
Art Direction of a Single Story, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Surf and Turf", Louisiana Life
Art Direction of a Single Story, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Music Venues", Texas Highways
Overall Art Direction, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Sarah Majeste", Acadiana Profile
Overall Art Direction, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Mark Mahorsky, Sara D'Eugenio, Chris Linnen, Brandon Jakobeit", Texas Highways
Department: "Fuel", Texas Highways
Food Feature: "The Reel Deals", Texas Highways
Special Focus: "The Music Issue", Texas Highways
Editorial Package: "The Music Issue", Texas Highways
Cover, Circulation 34,999 or Less: "Hiding in Plain Sight", Louisiana Life
Cover, Circulation 35,000 or More: "Everything's Big Here", Texas Highways
Best Print Calendar: "Louisiana Culinary Calendar", Louisiana Life
Best Brand Innovation: (Tie) "Top 20 Under 20", Avenue; "Route 66 Centennial", New Mexico Magazine
Website of the Year: "arizonahighways.com", Arizona Highways
Newsletter: "New Mexico Magazine, Newsletter", New Mexico Magazine
Podcast: "Arizona Highways Podcast", Arizona Highways
The complete list of winners and finalists can be seen at https://www.irmamagazines.com/2026-irma-awards-winners/
The International Regional Media Association (IRMA) is a member-driven not-for-profit organization dedicated to connecting members through their passion for publishing and their communities. Since 1960, IRMA has been bringing members together to share business successes and celebrate regional stories.
2026 IRMA Members: Acadiana Profile, Adirondack Life, Arizona Wildlife Views, Arizona Highways, Avenue, Bucks County, Cape Cod and the Islands, Cottage Life, Down East, El Palacio, Kansas!, Louisiana Life, Maine Home + Design, Mountain Home, New Mexico, Oklahoma Today, Saltscapes, Texas Highways, The Bermudian, Wyoming Wildlife, The Yukon Magazine.
For inquiries or more information please contact
Joyce Byrne
Executive Director
[email protected]
416-886-8114
Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)
Source: International Regional Magazines Association Inc.
Read Full Story - Regional Magazines Shine at IRMA Awards | More news from this source
Press release distribution by PRLog
More News
Which Disney Princess Movie Is The Best?
My favorite is "Snow White"! View Entire Post ›
Celebrity Traitors comes to a climax in nail-biting final
The second series of the hit show reached its climax on Friday after attracting 15 million viewers.
'The Batman Part II' faces another setback after cast member hit by Batmobile
'The Batman Part II' faces another setback after cast member hit by BatmobileThe Batman, fans might be disappointed as the filming of The Batman part II has been reportedly paused once again after an onset accident.As per a report by The Sun, the shooting was stopped after a cast member was...
Dubai-Based Director Faisal Hashmi Launches Spine Drop Pictures & Inaugural Horror Slate
EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a nicely timed company announcement for Halloween. Dubai-based indie director and writer Faisal Hashmi has officially launched genre-focused production company Spine Drop Pictures and unveiled its inaugural slate of three horror features. Hashmi has won fans over his 15-year career with a collection of 10 contained, high-concept genre shorts with chilling twists, including […]
Billy Corgan breaks silence over Smashing Pumpkins' 'final' concert release
Billy Corgan breaks silence over Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘final’ concert release Billy Corgan is unsure if he'll ever release the video of the Smashing Pumpkins' "final" show in 2000.During a recent interview for The New York Times' Popcast podcast, the front man was asked whether he would ever...
Black Doves actress says she loved playing 'a very Welsh assassin'
Gabrielle Creevy says she auditioned for the role using her Welsh accent "and they loved it".
Chris Pratt spills gross details of filming in a remote area with 'no bathroom'
Chris Pratt reveals he once went 4 days without food or water on set: 'No bathroom'Chris Pratt revealed how a serious stomach infection made filming The Terminal List more challenging while shooting on a small boat in a remote part of Africa.The Jurassic Park star, who returns as Navy SEAL...
‘The Celebrity Traitors’ Finale Draws Record Audience To BBC
The Celebrity Traitors bowed out with record ratings on Friday. The Claudia Winkleman-fronted BBC series drew an average overnight audience of 11.23 million viewers, topping the previous high of 11 million for last year’s finale. The 80-minute-long episode peaked with 11.6 million viewers as a winner was crowned, though Deadline is choosing not to publish […]
We Know Exactly How Old You Are Based On The 10 Disney Characters You Pick In This Quiz
Trust us on this one. View Entire Post ›
Fate of Ozzy Osbourne's unreleased music laid bare
Fate of Ozzy Osbourne's unreleased music laid bareOzzy Osbourne's two unreleased songs are expected to be released posthumously in his upcoming biopic.According to a report by The Sun, the Black Sabbath alum, who died in July 2025, secretly recorded several tracks while working on his 2022 album...
These Stars’ Supernatural Experiences Will Give You the Chills
Telling ghost stories is one thing. But starring in your own? That’s another. Over the years, several celebrities have shared their supernatural experiences. Take Jessica Chastain, for instance,...
Bill Burr fires back at critics slamming Tom Cruise's new film 'Digger'
Bill Burr fires back at critics slamming Tom Cruise's new film 'Digger'Bill Burr lashed out at film critics for hating Digger.The 58-year-old comedian expressed his admiration for Tom Cruise's new film during the latest episode of his podcast.“I went out and I saw that movie Digger, and I gotta...
Recommended
A Century-Old Queens Costumer Says Goodbye
Spooky Secrets About Casper Revealed
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.