2026 Q2 Singles

Points for Q2 PPAGLA Quarterly Contest 2026

Ted Soqui 410 Points

Keith Birmingham 390 Points

Thomas Cordova 340 Points

Ringo Chiu 320 Points

Cristina Salvador Klenz 290 Points

Terry Pierson 250 Points

Ghawam Kouchaki 200 Points

Mindy Schauer 170 Points

Nancy Newman 140 Points

Jill Connelly 130 Points

Gina Ferazzi 120 Points

Jeff Gritchen 100 Points

Jennifer Maher 100 Points

Paul Rodriguez 80 Points

Chris Torres 80 Points

Mike Goulding 70 Points

Robert Hanashiro 60 Points

Scott Mitchell 60 Points

J.W. Hendricks 50 Points

Libby Cline Birmingham 40 Points

Brandon Richardson 40 Points

Cayo Seals 40 Points

Don Bartletti 30 Points

Scott Harrison 20 Points

Quarter 2 judges: Lacey Atkins, Robert Galbraith, Marcia Prouse

General News

1st_GENNews_Terry Pierson - The Press-Enterprise_1st.jpg

Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell, sits alone in chambers after council members moved to close the session to decide whether they will let him go in Riverside on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell resigned after the city council's closed-session meeting.

2nd_GENNews_Ringo Chiu - Freelance_2nd.jpg

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass dances as she acknowledges her supporters at an election night party in Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

3rd_GENNews_Ghawam Kouchaki - Freelance_3rd.jpg

A protester holds up makeshift severed head effigies, including one depicting an ICE agent, during a rally in front of Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Jan 10, 2026.

HM1_GENNews_Jill Connelly - Freelance_HM1.jpg

A protester who goes by Alexandra wipes her eyes outside Metropolitan Detention Center, where protesters were commemorating one year since the start of federal immigration raids and community protests against themSaturday, June 6, 2026, in Los Angeles.

HM2_GENNews_Paul Rodriguez - Freelance_HM2.jpg

A graduate celebrates following the Valencia High School graduation ceremony in Placentia, California, on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

HM3_GENNews_Ghawam Kouchaki - Freelance_HM3.jpg

A protester dressed as Uncle Sam holds the hand of another dressed as the Statue of Liberty in front of Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles, California, during a demonstration targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Jan 31, 2026

HM4_GENNews_Paul Rodriguez - Freelance_HM4.jpg

A graduate celebrates after receiving his diploma at the Troy High School graduation ceremony in Fullerton, California, on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

---

Feature

1st_FEAT_Ringo Chiu - Freelance_1st.jpg

A participant in the World Naked Bike Ride buys food from a food truck before the annual ride through downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

2nd_FEAT_Cristina Salvador Klenz - Freelance_2nd.jpg

Romani American grandfather, Nick “Fatty” Petro and his granddaughter, Heaven, 3, play with her new cap gun in their dining room at their home in Fullerton, California. It is common for Romani families to live in multigenerational homes. Nick, who spent his child and teenage years living in New York City, says “I lived with my great grandfather in the same house for ten years. Not many people got that chance. I’m 73 years old. I don’t have many friends who are alive. Today I have all my grandchildren, all my sons and daughters’ families.”The Roma, are an ethnic group who left India more than 1000 years ago, were enslaved in Romania for more than 500 years and have migrated throughout Europe and the Americas. Music runs in Petro’s blood. He used to play the drums. His son, who is a pastor in Orange County, sings and plays the guitar and piano. “Nobody taught them. They all learned by ear.” Petro’s ancestors on both side of his family were Romani from Russia. He says, “My great-grandfather and great-grandmother entertained the Czars of Russia. All the women were dancers and the men were entertainers. The czars were intrigued by the Gypsies.”

3rd_FEAT_Don Bartletti - Retired_3rd.jpg

From her hilltop home in Valley Center, Calif, 97-yr-old Olive Rice gets her first-ever look at a SpaceX rocket streaking through the evening sky on April 26, 2026. She steadied herself with a walking stick and exclaimed, "My oh my, what is that?!" The Falcon 9 craft launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base a few minutes earlier with a load of Starlink commnication satellites destined for Earth orbit. In 1929 Olive's parents brought her to Southern California as an infant, when their rotary telephone was a luxury and rocket ships were only in comic books.

HM1_FEAT_Cristina Salvador Klenz - Freelance_HM1.jpg

John Quintana, 56, holds a small mirror so that he can shave outside a building that he thought was abandoned. While he was doing this, two cars rushed into the driveway, and a man exited one of the vehicles, saying it was his property and asking John to leave.John originally went to the City of Long Beach Multi-Service Center and was told the showers were closed for repairs.John is a graduate of Banning High School and a former driver. He was a driver for Hostess and a sales rep. and has been homeless for six months. He has organized his paperwork and is looking for a job.

HM2_FEAT_Mike Goulding - Freelance_HM2.jpg

The commemorative program in honor of Black April, a day of remembrance which marks the fall of Saigon in 1975 to North Vietnamese forces, which ended the Vietnam War, included remarks from the Mayor, City Council and other elected officials, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, and cultural performances on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

HM3_FEAT_Libby Cline Birmingham - Freelance_HM3.jpg

A Millikan graduate hows off her diploma during the 2026 Millikan High School Graduation ceremony at Long Beach Community College Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

HM4_FEAT_Libby Cline Birmingham - Freelance_HM4.jpg

Graduate Madelynn Finkbiner runs to pick up her diploma at the conclusion of the 2026 Glendora High School Graduation ceremony at Citrus College in Glendora on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

---

Portrait

1st_PORT_Cristina Salvador Klenz - Freelance_1st.jpg

Tara South, 64, was working as a respiratory therapist manager in Downey, California, when the hospital where she worked closed, and she was unable to find another job. She is currently living in a tent with other individuals and her dog, Yumiko, which means "beautiful child" in Japanese. Tara spent a lot of time letting me photograph her. I took quite a few photos from my car, but my favorite photo was taken when I was standing just outside her tent. The sore on her swollen hand was caused by a small scratch. Tara is a former resident of Rancho Palos Verdes. She has been homeless for three months and was previously a homeowner in Rancho Palos Verdes and lost her home in a divorce and then spent eight months living with a friend who eventually dropped her off in Long Beach at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center, so that she could get help in finding housing. Tara, however, learned that the waiting list is two years.

2nd_PORT_Paul Rodriguez - Freelance_2nd.jpg

Girls Athlete of the Year Jaslene Massey of Aliso Niguel High School with her many medals in Aliso Viejo, California, on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Massey set a state record in the discus and won the shot put at the CIF Track and Field Championships.

3rd_PORT_Thomas Cordova - Long Beach Post_3rd.jpg

Loren J. Blanchard, President of Cal State University Long Beach on Monday, May 11, 2026. In early May Blanchard assumed the presidency at Cal State Long Beach. HeÕs coming off a successful tenure as president of the University of Houston-Downtown and six years working as executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.

HM1_PORT_Terry Pierson - The Press-Enterprise_HM1.jpg

Religion is a huge part of Arlington senior forward Hugo Gomez’s life as he pays respects with a crucifix and rosary that he must remove before playing in a high school soccer match. Gomes, who scored 23 goals to lead the Lions this season, has been chosen as the IE Varsity Boys Soccer Player of the Year for the second year in a row in Riverside on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

HM2_PORT_Terry Pierson - The Press-Enterprise_HM2.jpg

Centennial's Philip Shirley has been chosen the IE Varsity Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Corona. Shirley will be playing college Lacrosse for Concordia in Irvine.

---

Pictoral

1st_PICT_Ted Soqui - Freelance_1st.jpg

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, seen over the Sixth Street Bridge in Los Angeles during early evening. The rocket’s exhaust creates a bright, jellyfish-like contrail as it ascends to space. The mission carries Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit.4/6/2026 Los Angeles, CA.USA

2nd_PICT_Thomas Cordova - Long Beach Post_2nd.jpg

A worker gets a tank ready for the Jelly Dreamscapes opening at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The spineless, brainless, heartless sea creatures — which can be torn apart by a tide current — have lasted more than 500 million years, appearing well before dinosaurs. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is set to open more than 7,700 gallons of saltwater habitats housing hundreds of jellyfish sourced from around the world.

3rd_PICT_Ringo Chiu - Freelance_3rd.jpg

A young grasshopper rests atop a rose in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

HM1_PICT_Terry Pierson - The Press-Enterprise_HM1.jpg

Yucaipa and Redlands softball teams stand for the national anthem before in the Citrus Belt League softball game in Yucaipa on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

HM2_PICT_Ringo Chiu - Freelance_HM2.jpg

A helicopter flies past the full moon, known as the Blue Moon, in the sky over Los Angeles on May 31, 2026.

HM3_PICT_Scott Mitchell - Freelance_HM3.jpg

A lone photographer standing at the edge of the 18th hole at the LPGA JM Eagle LA Championship, presented by PLASTPRO, El Caballero Country Club, Tarzana, CA, USA, April 19, 2026. . Photo by Q2_PICT_8188025995_1

HM4_PICT_Scott Harrison - Retired_HM4.jpg

June 15, 2026: Remains of a wharf at the former bustling harbor of Eureka, California. Several former wharfs in Eureka were abandoned after the decline of the redwood lumber industry and a 13-year ownership lawsuit in the 1960-70s.

---

Spot News

1st_SPOTNews_Thomas Cordova - Long Beach Post_1st.jpg

Arturo Fernandez, 44, of Torrance, is handcuffed and searched by Long Beach police officers after he stabbed a police officer during a confrontation in Long Beach on Friday, April 17, 2026. The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment. There was a visible cut to his forehead, according to multiple witnesses at the scene. Police said he was hospitalized briefly on Friday but has since been released.

2nd_SPOTNews_Ted Soqui - Freelance_2nd.jpg

A protester taunts LAPD officersLos Angeles police and federal officers arrest and detain demonstrators during a May Day protest in downtown Los Angeles.5/1/2026 Los Angeles, CA., USA

3rd_SPOTNews_Ghawam Kouchaki - Freelance_3rd.jpg

An injured protester receives aid from DHS agents after being struck by a car on a street near the Downtown Los Angeles Detention Center in Los Angeles, California, during an Anti-ICE protest. Feb 7, 2026.

HM1_SPOTNews_Terry Pierson - The Press-Enterprise_HM1.jpg

Ramon Cabarera, left, and Cristian Alvarado help pull a neighbors cow to a waiting trailer to evacuate it from the wind driven Yearling fire, which burned to out buildings as animals residents had to be evacuated on 58th Street south of Fagan Road in Jurupa Valley on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

HM2_SPOTNews_Thomas Cordova - Long Beach Post_HM2.jpg

Two women comfort each other after a car cashed intro their neighbors home In Long Beach Tuesday June 23, 2026. Police say a 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence this afternoon after crashing his SUV into a North Long Beach home, injuring two women inside.

HM3_SPOTNews_Thomas Cordova - Long Beach Post_HM3.jpg

A man sits by a fence as police questions him after a car accident in North Long Beach on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Investigators determined that the man driving an SUV crashed into a home, injuring two women inside when they were struck by debris. After being medically cleared, the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was identified as 32-year-old Matthew Gomez, of Long Beach. Gomez was booked into jail on suspicion of felony DUI causing bodily injury and one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license, according to jail records. He was being held on $500 bail. The two women inside the home were taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

HM4_SPOTNews_Ted Soqui - Freelance_HM4.jpg

A life-size statue of Cesar Chavez was removed by City of San Fernando workers from Cesar Chavez Memorial Park. Murals throughout the park are also set to be covered as the city determines the site’s future.3/19/2026 San Fernando, CA., USA

---

Entertainment

1st_ENT_Jennifer Maher - Freelance_1st.jpg

Festival goers walk by the “Starry Eyes” art installation, by Kyriakos Chatziparaskevas, during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 10, 2026.

2nd_ENT_Jill Connelly - Freelance_2nd.jpg

Jones poses for photographers during the red carpet premiere event for Season two of Netflix’s Beef at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, USA, 8 April 2026. Season two of Beef premieres on 16 April 2026.

3rd_ENT_Jennifer Maher - Freelance_3rd.jpg

Ben Weinman with Suicidal Tendencies performs while surfing the crowd at the Mojave Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

HM1_ENT_Brandon Richardson - Long Beach Watchdog_HM1.jpg

Kim Indelicato, a member of Cheer LA, does a backflip during the 43rd annual Long Beach Pride parade Sunday, May 17, 2026.

HM2_ENT_Jennifer Maher - Freelance_HM2.jpg

Festval goers walk through the Spectra art installation during the Stagecoach Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 24, 2026.

HM3_ENT_Scott Mitchell - Freelance_HM3.jpg

Musicians - AVIVA SCOTT, lead vocals, and MICHAEL MCBAY, bass player for the alternative rock band Circle The Earth, on stage at the Whisky A Go Go, West Hollywood, CA, USA, May 6, 2026PHOTO BY Q2_ENT_8188025995_8

HM4_ENT_Brandon Richardson - Long Beach Watchdog_HM4.jpg

Snoop Dogg stands on the hood of a prop lowrider during the inaugural show at F&M Bank Amphitheatr in Long Beach June 6, 2026.

---

Sports Features

1st_SPORTFeat_Keith Birmingham - Pasadena Star-News_1st.jpg

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers with his pre-game ritual of tossing the baby powder prior to game 2 of a Western Conference first-round NBA playoff basketball game against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

2nd_SPORTFeat_Gina Ferazzi - Los Angeles Times_2nd.jpg

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 13, 2026: Young Dodgers fans raise their gloves in unison to try and catch a ball from batting practice in the left field seats before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on May 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.

3rd_SPORTFeat_Keith Birmingham - Pasadena Star-News_3rd.jpg

United States midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) reacts after a goal against Paraguay in the first half of a FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer match at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on Friday, June 12, 2026.

HM1_SPORTFeat_Ringo Chiu - Freelance_HM1.jpg

Fans of Japan react while watching a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Japan and Brazil at a watch party in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, on Monday, June 29, 2026.

HM2_SPORTFeat_Gina Ferazzi - Los Angeles Times_HM2.jpg

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 24, 2026: Fans react, reach out and duck as a foul ball comes their way as the Dodgers play the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on April 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.

HM3_SPORTFeat_Terry Pierson - The Press-Enterprise_HM3.jpg

Adam Matteson from San Diego reacts to missing a putt by inches on the 0th hole during final round of the California State Open golf tournament at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

HM4_SPORTFeat_Gina Ferazzi - Los Angeles Times_HM4.jpg

WESTWOOD, CA - MAY 15, 2026: UCLA Bruins pinch runner Rylee Slimp (29) reacts with UCLA Bruins Bri Alejandre (22) after scoring the winning run on a walk-off sacrifice fly by UCLA Bruins infielder Aleena Garcia (21) against the California Baptist Lancers at Easton Stadium on May 15, 2026 in Westwood, CA.

---

Sports Action

1st_SPORTAction_Keith Birmingham - Pasadena Star-News_1st.jpg

Forward Draymond Green, right, of the Golden State Warriors reaches for the ball against forward John Collins #20 of the LA Clippers in the second half of a NBA play-in tournament basketball game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

2nd_SPORTAction_Keith Birmingham - Pasadena Star-News_2nd.jpg

United States forward Folarin Balogun (20), center, scores past Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill (12) in the first half of a FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer match at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

3rd_SPORTAction_Ringo Chiu - Freelance_3rd.jpg

South Africa's Mbekezeli Mbokazi (14) challenges Canada's Luc de Fougerolles (4) for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, June 28, 2026.

HM1_SPORTAction_Chris Torres - EPA Images_HM1.jpg

Tommy Fleetwood of England celebrates with his group after hitting a hole-in-one a the fourth hole during the Par 3 Contest during the 2026 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 8 April 2026. The Masters golf tournament begins 09 April 2026.

HM2_SPORTAction_Chris Torres - EPA Images_HM2.jpg

Tommy Fleetwood of England celebrates with his group after hitting a hole-in-one a the fourth hole during the Par 3 Contest during the 2026 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 8 April 2026. The Masters golf tournament begins 09 April 2026.

HM3_SPORTAction_Scott Mitchell - Freelance_HM3.jpg

LPGA _ JM Eagle LA Championship, presented by PLASTPRO, El Caballero Country Club, Tarzana, CA, USA, April 16, 2026. This unidentified professional golfer watches the ball after hitting it out of the sand trap and toward the hole.Photo by Q2_SPORTAction_8188025995_1

HM4_SPORTAction_Ringo Chiu - Freelance_HM4.jpg

Canada's Richie Laryea (22) and South Africa's Thalente Mbatha (5) challenge for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, June 28, 2026.

---

Fire

1st_FIRE_Ted Soqui - Freelance_1st.jpg

Aerial view of smoke in the Boyle Heights neighborhood from the Lineage warehouse fire.Firefighters battle a blaze at a cold storage facility in the Boyle Heights neighborhood Smoke continues to billowed into the sky as crews worked to contain the fire, which raised concerns about hazardous air quality in the surrounding community. Authorities declared a state of emergency as the fire intensified.6/22/2026 Los Ángeles, CA.

2nd_FIRE_Ted Soqui - Freelance_2nd.jpg

Firefighters battle a blaze at a cold storage facility in the Boyle Heights neighborhood Smoke continues to billowed into the sky as crews worked to contain the fire, which raised concerns about hazardous air quality in the surrounding community. Authorities declared a state of emergency as the fire intensified.6/22/2026 Los Ángeles, CA.

3rd_FIRE_Terry Pierson - The Press-Enterprise_3rd.jpg

Resident Leo Marino carries belongings while evacuating from his home on Furyk Way as Cal Fire fighters provide structure protection during the Verona fire near Homeland on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

HM1_FIRE_Ted Soqui - Freelance_HM1.jpg

A firefighting helicopter in flight is dwarfed by a giant smoke cloud billowing from the Sandy Fire. 5/19/2026 Simi Valley, CA

HM2_FIRE_Ted Soqui - Freelance_HM2.jpg

Firefighters battle a blaze at a cold storage facility in the Boyle Heights neighborhood Smoke continues to billowed into the sky as crews worked to contain the fire, which raised concerns about hazardous air quality in the surrounding community. Authorities declared a state of emergency as the fire intensified.6/22/2026 Los Ángeles, CA.

---

Meet our judgeS

Lacey Atkins

Marcia Prouse

Lacy is a Pulitzer Prize winner and a two time finalist with over 30 years of experience as a visual storyteller. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and contracts with non-profits such as the Innocence Project and Teach For America. She has been on staff at the San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times and part of the USA TODAY Network, the Tennessean.

Robert Galbraith

Marcia Prouse believes passionately that powerful images can change the world.

She has held photo leadership roles in three newsrooms known for photojournalism excellence — the Detroit Free Press, the Orange County Register and the Tennessean in Nashville — and has edited key national and international visual reporting over several decades. She was part of photo editing teams that edited two Pulitzer Prizes and five finalists; and also won the prestigious Pictures of the Year Angus McDougall editing award. 

Marcia holds a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and produced a photo documentary book, “Arrow Rock: 20th-Century Frontier Town” in lieu of a thesis. She graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in journalism education..

Marcia is "mostly" retired, but currently freelance photo and story edits at Chalkbeat.org; volunteers throughout the Columbus, Ohio, area, and loves spending time with her family, especially her two granddaughters.