Columbian photo editor takes 2nd place in feature slideshow category in 2026 Best of the West journalism contest

The Columbian's photo editor, Amanda Cowan, won second place in the feature slideshow category in the 2026 Best of the West journalism contest, a prestigious competition among journalists in the 14 states from the Rockies west to Alaska and Hawaii. The contest announced the winners last week.

Cowan was honored for "Turning grief into purpose," about a woman who lost her partner to a drug overdose but used her grief to build a healthy new life for their two young boys.

"So uncommon to see stories like these now where a photojournalist embeds themselves into someone's life to tell a great story," a judge wrote.

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