The Paper earned 45 state and national journalism awards in 2026, including first-place General Excellence from the North Carolina Press Association, with honors spanning reporting, editorials, columns, design and advertising and every reporter individually recognized.

The Paper won 36 North Carolina Press Association awards for 2025-2026, including 13 first-place honors and four category sweeps, recognizing excellence across local reporting, sports, commentary, design, advertising and special publications in Burke County journalism.

The Paper won 36 North Carolina Press Association awards for 2025-2026, including 13 first-place honors and four category sweeps, recognizing excellence across local reporting, sports, commentary, design, advertising and special publications in Burke County journalism.