Area photographers among winners in Governor's Photo Contest
Candace Berg of Devils Lake and Grant Lannoye of Cando were among 136 photographers who submitted entries celebrating the beauty and the unique experiences. Their photos, along with other winning photos, will be used in the state's tourism and marketing efforts.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Sara Otte Coleman, tourism and marketing director in the North Dakota Commerce Department, presented the winning entries during the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference on Wednesday, April 30, in Minot.
The 2025 contest was expanded with the introduction of new categories based on seasons, giving photographers more opportunity to submit entries. Winners were chosen for images of stunning scenery that can be seen through all the seasons, as well as activities and events that draw people year-round.
In the fall activities category, Lannoye received an Honorable Mention for his photo, "Eye on Irvine," a picture taken at Lake Irvine in Ramsey County.
In the summer scenery category, Berg received an Honorable Mention for her photo, "Double the Sunshine." Berg was present at the awards event; Lannoye was not.
The winning entries, selected from 732 photos that were submitted for this year's contest, portray "the beauty of North Dakota's four seasons" and the special experiences visitors and residents can enjoy here, according to an announcement from the commerce department.
The Best of Show Award was presented to Marshall Lipp of Mandan for his photo, "Storm Passing in a July Morning Sunrise," which was taken at Sweet Briar Lake in rural Morton County when the sun broke through the clouds after a summer storm.
"This year's Governor's Photo Contest brilliantly captures North Dakota's year-round beauty and vibrant experiences," Armstrong said in the news release. "The exceptional talent displayed in these submissions will be invaluable in showcasing our state as a premier travel destination."
For a description of the winners and honorable mention award recipients, along with the complete gallery, visit
https://belegendary.link/GovernorsPhotoContest
.
The photos will be displayed at the North Dakota State Capitol, 18th floor, through May 31.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) partners with the state Department of Commerce in organizing and executing the Governor's Photo Contest.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
an hour ago
Expert Labor Day travel-booking tips, how to score last-minute deals
As Americans prepare to soak up the final holiday weekend of summer before shoulder season, there are plenty of strategies to help make planning and travel during this peak time more manageable. Plus, there's still time to score last-minute deals from flights to stays in a variety of popular destinations. Whether you have an itinerary ready or are looking to enjoy a spontaneous getaway from Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, experts across the industry from flight tracking sites to hotel booking platforms are sharing insights to assist travelers ready to make the most of the holiday weekend. Labor Day travel numbers: Gas prices, cheapest flights, best times to travel and more AAA released new insights on Friday showing the top domestic and international cities for Labor Day travel. Whether it's an Alaskan cruise, European adventure, or -- for many -- staying close to home and hitting the road for a beach weekend, the travel association found prices have dropped compared to the same time last year for both flights and hotel stays. Domestic roundtrip flights are down 6% from last year, AAA said, averaging $720 per ticket. While European cities make up most of AAA's top international destinations, Vancouver takes the No. 1 spot this season, falling in line with AAA's projection earlier this year for a strong Alaska cruise season. The agency said hotel rates are 11% lower compared to last Labor Day, with car rental costs down 3%. For those driving to their destination or trying to plan when to head to the airport to beat traffic, the best times to drive are before lunchtime, according to transportation data from analytics company INRIX. Check out the full breakdown below with the worst times to travel by car over the holiday weekend with Saturday predicted to be the busiest. Thursday, Aug. 28: Before 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29: Before 12 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30: Hit the road before 6 a.m., with the busiest hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31: Head out before 11 a.m. and avoid the peak times of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1: Leave before 12 p.m., and wait out the roads from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. With gas prices holding relatively low this summer, matching the 2021 average, AAA reported that steady crude oil prices means you can fill your tank for less this Labor Day. Labor Day travel tips and deals Last year over Labor Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration screened upward of 17 million people, so for anyone taking to the skies -- or eyeing a last-minute flight -- check out these helpful expert tips for all things airport travel and tickets. First and foremost, Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert at Skyscanner, told ABC News that people should avoid travel on Friday because "it's expected to be the busiest and most expensive day to travel. For fewer crowds and better prices, consider flying on Tuesday, Sept. 2." "Holidays like Labor Day often create hectic airport experiences, and that increased demand typically means higher prices. Travelers who shop around and compare will still find good deals, even when demand is high," she continued. Experts from Expedia Group, which includes the online travel agency platform Expedia, as well as and Vrbo, said all three sites have offers available for travelers in search of a good last-minute deal. Travelers can use the Expedia Flight Deal feature to see last-minute flights -- departing from their home airport to anywhere -- that are at least 20% lower than the typical price. For short term rental stays, Vrbo recently launched "last minute booking" feature to filter and find rentals timed to the holiday weekend. The average airline ticket price is around $260 for Labor Day weekend, according to Expedia historical data. Popular travel destinations for Labor Day 2025 Booking data from AAA shows that Seattle, Orlando, and New York are the three most popular cities over Labor Day weekend. According to Expedia data, the most popular domestic destinations include Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, Orlando, and Miami. Additionally, college football season is ramping up, with many schools opening their season over Labor Day weekend, sending fans flocking to those cities for game-day getaways. Expedia found increased booking interest in State College, Pennsylvania (+360%); Tallahassee, Florida (+230%); Columbus, Ohio (+90%); and Atlanta, Georgia (+70%). When it comes to mid-sized cities, both Oklahoma City and Greenville, South Carolina, are seeing a spike on Expedia platforms for their affordability and walkable downtown areas. Looking for a family-friendly escape? Midwest and countryside retreats including in Sandusky, Ohio; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; and Allegan County, Michigan, have all seen an uptick in interest among groups with children. Some international hotspots are also trending. According to Expedia, travelers are increasingly heading abroad to sunny destinations like Nadi, Fiji (+150%), and Taormina, Sicily (+65%). Closer-to-home destinations like San José del Cabo, Mexico City (+55%) and St. Lucia (+45%) are also trending up. Expert tips for easier Labor Day travel For the best booking experience, keep the tips below in mind. Activate price alerts Activating price alerts -- whether with Skyscanner, Google Flights or another platform -- can be a game-changer for getting a great deal. In some cases, if you've already booked a ticket, the notification could help you rebook or get a refund for the fare difference from the airline, depending on the ticket type and policy. Travel opposite of the crowd, compare domestic and international flights With most Americans inclined to stay in the states for these holiday weekends, Lindsay said "you may also find cheaper flights to Europe compared to popular domestic destinations." "When domestic travel demand is high, like it is during Labor Day weekend in the U.S., international destinations may be a better deal," Lindsay said. "When you search for flights on Skyscanner, you can filter flights by price, duration, number of layovers and more. Plus, get detailed information on baggage policies, amenities and user reviews for informed choices." Be flexible with location or opt for alternative destinations Flexibility with your travel destination is key, as it lets you capitalize on discounts and explore unique, crowd-free experiences. You can use Skyscanner's "Search Everywhere" feature, Lindsay said, to find lesser-known gems and savings. For example, instead of Paris, try Lyon or Marseille for an affordable taste of French culture. Opt for Eindhoven or Rotterdam in the Netherlands instead of Amsterdam, or explore Fukuoka or Sapporo in Japan instead of Tokyo. Mix and match flights "Round-trip flights aren't always the cheapest. Sometimes you save more by booking two one-way tickets, allowing you to mix and match airlines," Lindsay said. "Search for both round-trip and one-way itineraries to see which flights price out the best." Consider nearby airports Much like being flexible with a destination, check out options for flying into or out of nearby airports to find a better deal and potentially save on airfare. "It offers travelers more flexibility and the opportunity to explore different airport options, especially if you live in an area with multiple airports nearby or are flying to a destination with more than one option," Lindsay said. "For example, if you want to fly to Miami, you can choose that airport or fly into Ft. Lauderdale, which is just 26 miles north. And if you're heading to Manhattan, there are three New York City area airports." New Avis option to save time, skip the counter Just in time for the holiday weekend, Avis announced a new premium service that allows customers to skip the shuttle and rental counter and get concierge service to a luxury vehicle instead. For those using the new option, travelers will receive a welcome message through the Avis app and be greeted by a personal concierge who will take them to their rental vehicle. The return is equally frictionless, allowing Avis First customers to pull up to departures, hand off the keys, and head straight to their gate. The new class of rental is rolling out at select airports -- Denver, Honolulu, and Palm Beach -- as well as major cities including Manhattan, Hoboken, Jersey City, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Orlando, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Labor Day marks start of shoulder season, savings in paradise The period between peak summer and winter holiday travel seasons is typically slower for tourism both domestic and abroad. According to Vrbo, Hawaii is the top shoulder season destination of 2025. September and October bring lower airfare, fewer tourists and crowds, and a significant drop in the price of rentals, according to Vrbo, with the average daily rates for vacation rentals 30% lower compared to December. This story was originally published on August 13, 2025.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Pinballing Florida gas prices up 10 cents in last week. Here's what you'll pay at the pump.
Florida drivers continue to see up and down prices at the pump. On Monday, drivers were paying an average of $3.04 a gallon for regular unleaded, up 10 cents from a week earlier, according to the AAA auto club. "Florida gas prices have fluctuated within the same 26-cent range for almost a year now," AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a statement. "Prices at the pump will continue to move in that range until there's a significant change in oil prices or a major disruption — like a hurricane — impacts the supply chain." Over the past two weeks, pump prices have pinballed within that range. The state average dropped 20 cents in 10 days, then rebounded 19 cents early last week. Pump prices are now on the way back down, falling 7 cents through the weekend. The last time the state average was above $3.20 per gallon was September 6, 2024. Since then, Florida gas prices bounced between $2.92 per gallon and $3.18 per gallon. "The national average price of gasoline has held within about 10c/gal of $3.10/gal for virtually all of 2025 and will remain above $2/gal for just about every American (a lucky few perhaps) for the rest of year and likely into next year," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, posted on Bluesky. In Miami-Dade on Monday, the average price for regular unleaded was $2.99 a gallon, up 4 cents from the week before. A month ago, the average was $2.99 and a year ago drivers were paying $3.34 a gallon. In Broward, the average was also $3.03 a gallon, up 8 cents from last week. A month ago, the average was $2.99 and a year ago it was $3.37 a gallon. AAA encourages drivers to combine errands, drive conservatively, remove excess vehicle weight, shop around using the AAA mobile app, and consider paying with cash to avoid credit card surcharges. AAA members can also save by enrolling in gas rewards programs, such as Shell's Fuel Rewards or discounts at Love's Travel Stops. Travelers can find updated gas prices and plan routes using AAA's tools at
The Hill
5 days ago
- The Hill
What is ‘shoulder season' and why do some travelers swear by it?
(NEXSTAR) – Summer is winding down but there's still plenty of time to take advantage of the so-called 'shoulder season,' a vacation strategy that comes with major perks, travel experts say. If you've never heard the term before, it refers to the period before and after a destination's peak travel season that are like the 'shoulders' on either side, according to AAA. Prices tend to be a little lower and the crowds more sparse, but the weather is still comfortable. U.S. national parks, for instance, have shoulder seasons in the spring and fall when children are in school and demand dips, offering 'less crowds, but also cooler weather and fewer services,' the Park Service notes. 'Shoulder season differs for destinations but for the most part, for most of the popular places you are trying to visit, shoulder season is between April and early June and again in September and October,' Sonia Bhagwan, owner of Dreaming of Sun-Dream Vacations, said in a TikTok. 'Destinations that see savings in shoulder season are as follows: Western Europe, the Caribbean, parts of Mexico, Southeast Asia and all of the coastal cities of the United States.' Tennessee theme park named best in US – above Disney, Universal: Tripadvisor awards When it comes to late-August and September travel, experts with booking site Expedia recommend the following five shoulder season destinations: Asheville, North Carolina Sedona, Arizona Vancouver, British Columbia Lisbon, Portugal Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada A poll by travel search engine Skyscanner for its 2025 Smarter Summer Summer Report found that one third of Americans were looking to travel during the off-peak season this year to save money and dodge the crowds. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, that number was 42%. Some of the cheapest destinations for travel in late August and September were, according to the report: Domestic Buffalo, New York Portland, Oregon Orlando, Florida Chicago, Illinois Las Vegas, Nevada Miami, Florida Denver, Colorado San Francisco, California Boston, Massachusetts Fort Lauderdale, Florida International Tokyo, Japan London, England Rome, Italy Buffalo, New York Tirana, Albania Along with cheaper flights, shoulder season also means discounted trips to theme parks. September had the cheapest average admission to Disney parks, according to a Nerdwallet analysis that ran through October 2026. Peak seasons vary by destination, so it's always good to do a little research before booking. As for when to book, Bhagwan advises against procrastinating. 'Just because you're going to be saving money because you're traveling during the shoulder season does not mean that you should be planning these trips at the last minute,' Bhagwan said, adding that booking four to six months in advance is ideal.
