The Albert Lea Tribune won several awards from the Minnesota Associated Press Association for its photography in 2006.

The Tribune competed against newspapers statewide with less than 20,000 circulation.

The Tribune took first and second place in the spot news category.

Former news photographer Adam Hammer won first place for spot news for his picture of the Reule family house fire, which took place in March 2006.

Managing Editor Tim Engstrom won second place for spot news with his photo of downtown Albert Lea as seen from one of the Red Baron Pizza Squadron biplanes. He rode in the biplane in June 2006.

Under the category of pictorals, Hammer won first place for an image of a baby in a brandy glass he created for a Tribune series on the effects of alcoholism. The series took place in April 2006.

Hammer won second place in the category of multiple images for photographs he shot of pet blessing hosted by St. Theodore Catholic Church in October 2006.