Latest news with #BestofCNHI
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Herald-Banner takes top top honors at annual Best of CNHI awards
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Citing its 'robust local news coverage, strong editorials and coverage of local topics,' judges this week honored the Herald-Banner as the top award-winner in the annual Best of CNHI journalism awards for 2024. The Herald-Banner was named Division II Newspaper of the Year. CNHI manages more than 70 newspapers – from weekly to daily – in 25 states crisscrossing the country. Finalists were the Crossville (Tennessee) Chronicle and the Lebanon (Indiana) Reporter. Judges applauded the Herald-Banner for overcoming challenges encountered by newsrooms across the country – 'placing its focus on its own community for the answers and it shows through concentration on being a hyper-local newspaper emphasizing comprehensive coverage.' Kent Miller, who came aboard as editor of Herald-Banner Publications in August of 2023, pointed to the 'C' in community journalism as his driving philosophy for the newspaper. 'Newspapers like the Herald-Banner need to aspire to be the storytellers and record keepers for their community,' he said. 'Community newspapers do what other news outlets can't or won't do – cover a community.' Miller continued, noting the state of the newspaper industry that has seen countless communities and small towns across the country left without local representation. 'It creates a desert instead of a snapshot when a local newspaper goes under and it leaves the people of those smaller towns without a voice,' he said. 'People don't realize what they've lost [when a paper closes its doors] until it's too late.' Judges also singled out the Herald-Banner for 'making great use of the available news hole by making sure almost every column inch is filled with relevant local content.' And unlike many smaller newspapers, judges lauded the Herald-Banner for 'producing hard-hitting, top-flight local editorials in every edition [and] publishing an editorial page that stimulates community conversations and serves as a marketplace of ideas.' Herald-Banner publisher Lisa Chappell credited the staff for working tirelessly for the community. 'We do this because we believe in true journalism and that our community deserves to have a local newspaper. To be recognized and celebrated by our peers is just icing on the cake,' Chappell said. "This newsroom is small but mighty. They do an excellent job and I am proud of each one of them. They publish three newspapers and a quarterly magazine as a four-person team and they do it with heart. They have earned their recognition as Newspaper of the Year. Along with the Newspaper of the Year Award, individual staffers also were recognized for outstanding work done in 2024. Miller was recognized as Editorial Writer of the Year, Warren Morrison was named Designer of the Year for the second year in a row and David Claybourn was awarded Photographer of the Year with judges particularly taking notice of his front page solar eclipse photo that ran last spring. The four honors earned by the Herald-Banner set a high-water mark for CNHI as the most captured in a single year by one newspaper. Additionally, Claybourn was a finalist for Sportswriter of the Year and regular freelancer Laurie White King was a finalist for Photographer of the Year.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown Magazine earn first-place honors in 'Best of CNHI' contest
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Tribune-Democrat and Johnstown Magazine were honored with four awards in parent company CNHI's 'Best of CNHI' competition for content published in 2024. Publisher Chip Minemyer was recognized as best columnist, alongside Thomas Slusser as best photographer and reporter David Hurst for best breaking news story. Johnstown Magazine was selected as Magazine of the Year, with judges noting the 'exceptional photography,' the 'clean' design and the 'engaging and relatable' content found in every issue. Each was honored in CNHI's Division I category for the company's largest publications. 'To be recognized among your peers with a top award is an awesome, well-deserved honor for our publisher and a seasoned reporter and photographer,' The Tribune-Democrat Editor Renée Carthew said. 'It recognizes their dedication and hard work for delivering quality journalism on a daily basis, and it's also recognition for our entire newsroom staff.' The Johnstown newspaper and magazine's awards were among honors for CNHI publications across 19 states that submitted contest entries. In total, 20 awards were announced in Division I and II, recognizing public service journalism and honoring the reporters, editorial writers, designers, and sports reporters of the year. Runners-up will be announced in the coming weeks. • Hurst's breaking news award was for coverage of the December arrest in Altoona of Luigi Mangione, charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York. Swift action praised in capture of UnitedHealthcare CEO's alleged killer; Mangione moved to SCI-Huntingdon Over the five days after a prominent health insurance executive was shot dead in New York City, Luigi Mangione crisscrossed Pennsylvania, investigators said. • Slusser's winning photography entry included images from Sept. 11 activities at the Flight 93 National Memorial; the post-game celebration after Cambria Heights won the District 6-2A football title in November; and a dog pulling a child on an inflatable sled across the snow at Roxbury Park in Johnstown in January 2024. FLIGHT 93 REMEMBERED | Bells rung, children educated in memorial's solemn salute As the names of the heroes of Flight 93 were read aloud Wednesday morning, Donna Gibson and Fred Lukachinsky tolled bells that rang across an otherwise quiet field near Shanksville. Minemyer, who also was named columnist of the year in 2017, described the CNHI announcement as 'exciting news for our Tribune-Democrat family.' In regard to his own recognition, he called the award 'very humbling.' He is also publisher of two other CNHI newspapers, The Daily Item in Sunbury, Northumberland County, and The Times-News in Cumberland, Maryland, and magazines in those regions. 'There are many deserving individuals across CNHI who tackle important issues and topics through the platform of column writing,' Minemyer said. 'I've judged this contest before, and I know the depth of the entries that come through each year, and I understand the competitive nature of this contest. Congratulations to all of the winners across the company.' He also commended the contributions of 'talented' team members Hurst and Slusser, saying the pair 'bring a lot of experience and passion to their work.' 'It's gratifying to see them recognized by CNHI for their efforts,' Minemyer said. Vaughn Burnheimer, The Tribune-Democrat general manager, framed the awards as recognition for 'the tireless work and professionalism' that staffers at the paper exhibit. 'Their work helps our readers and communities be more engaged with accurate, thought-provoking and visually stunning updates on the world around them,' he said. 'I am continually amazed by the quality of writing and visuals that come from our newsroom. These awards are well-deserved for such a talented group.' Johnstown Magazine Editor Shane Riggs said taking the top prize for a third time – the magazine also won in 2022 and 2007 – is a testament to those who pick up each issue and engage with it. 'This award is for our readers because they are the ones who steer Johnstown Magazine and have helped it evolve into what it is – and we really do listen to them,' Riggs said. 'I love how involved all our readers are now. When we ask for something here at the magazine, the readers deliver.' He said that the publication is ingrained in the area and culture, and being honored by CNHI 'reflects (Johnstown Magazine's) commitment to the community and also the community's investment in us.' Riggs said when he accepted his position as editor three years ago, he knew he had 'big shoes to fill' from those who served in the position before him, but he was prepared to rise to the challenge because he could tell Johnstown was changing and he wanted to be part of that. 'I use this expression all the time: 'You can't put your hands in cement unless you get them dirty first,' ' he said. 'And Johnstown Magazine loves featuring the folks in our community who are getting their hands dirty to make this area a great place to live, work and play.' The magazine taking the top prize again is 'very gratifying,' Minemyer said. 'Johnstown Magazine has grown and, I believe, truly reflects the best of what our community is all about – the people, the culture, the history,' he said. Burnheimer, who oversees the magazine's design, shared a similar response. 'Johnstown Magazine has always been a community-focused publication, and in the past year we have featured even more of the best stories from our area,' he said. 'Johnstown is undergoing a positive transformation, and this magazine truly does represent the best our region has to offer through that transition.' He continued: 'I am especially proud of Johnstown Magazine for receiving this honor as we head into our 20th year of publication. Thank you to our readers – new and old – for being the reason we give our all in each edition.'
