Author and collaborator Charles Wohlforth

Book awards

Los Angeles Times Book Prize

  • Best book, science and technology, 2004.

Alaska Historical Society

  • Contributions to Alaska History Award, for Ethical Collaboration, shared with Victor Fischer, 2013.

Library Journal Best Books of the Year

  • Listed, 2004.

University of Alaska Anchorage/Alaska Pacific University

  • Selected as Book of the Year for campus-wide reading and study, 2009.

American Meteorological Society

  • Louis J. Battan Author’s Award for outstanding, newly published book on the atmospheric and related sciences, 2005.

Overseas Press Club of America

  • Whitman Bassow Award, citation, best reporting in any medium on international environment issues, 2004.

Alaska Library Association

  • Outstanding Alaskana of the Year (best Alaska book for 2004)

Kiriyama Prize

  • Finalist, nonfiction , 2004.

Print journalism and broadcasting awards

Best of the West

(the most prestigious journalism award for western U.S. newspapers)

  • First place, general interest column writing, 2019. “Charles has written columns that are well-reported, personal and fascinating. He has captured specifically local issues and people and presented these stories in a way that is universal. Exemplary writing.”

C.B. Blethen Award

  • Distinguished Deadline Reporting, 1989, second place 1990.

American Society of Newspaper Editors

  • Award for Distinguished Deadline Writing, first runner-up, 1989.

Society of Professional Journalists, US Northwest Region

  • Best business reporting, 1991.
  • Best reporting on criminal justice, honorable mention, 1991.

Society of Professional Journalists, Farthest North Chapter:

  • Best spot news reporting, third place, 1987.
  • Best series, third place, 1987

Alaska Press Club

(large print or all media)

  • Suzan Nightingale Award for Best Columnist, 2016, 2017, second place, 2018, third place 1993.
  • Public Service Award, honorable mention, 2018.
  • Best talk show, 2014, third place, 2015.
  • Best public affairs show, 2014, second place, 2015.
  • Best Reporting on Health or Science, 2001.
  • Best series, second place, 2017.
  • Best general news story, second place, 1995.
  • Best coverage of the Arts, 1994.
  • Best reporting on the environment, second place, 1994.
  • Best general reporting, first and third place, 1992.
  • Best breaking story, first place, 1992, 1991.
  • Best reporting on business and economics, 1992.
  • Best comprehensive coverage, 1991.
  • Best lifestyles or personality feature, third place, 1991.
  • Best reporting on a political subject, 1990.
  • Best reporting on health, science, consumer and the environment, 1990.
  • Best long news feature, 1990.

(Non-daily)

  • Best reporting, second place, 1989.
  • Best comprehensive coverage, third place, 1989.
  • Best breaking story, 1988.

Awards for public service

Anchorage School District

  • Award for Excellence for leadership as chairman for two years of School Bonds YES! campaign, which won voter approval of $264 million in bonds, 2003.

Anchorage Municipal Assembly

  • Resolution 99-136 “Recognizing the Leadership of Assemblymember Charles P. Wohlforth in the Orderly and Successful Disposal of the Anchorage Telephone Utility,” 1999.

Government Hill Community Council

  • Citation “For exceeding even his usual high standards as a public servant in the matter of Municipal Ordinance 96-209,” 1997.