Latest news with #BetterNewspaperContest
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Dakota Monitor journalists recognized for investigative reporting
North Dakota Monitor reporters Mary Steurer, right, and Jacob Orledge display their A-Mark Prizes for Investigative Journalism on May 13, 2025, in Bismarck. The first- and third-place awards were part of the North Dakota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) FARGO – North Dakota Monitor journalists received top honors for investigative reporting at the North Dakota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest Friday in Fargo. Reporter Mary Steurer received a first place A-Mark Prize for a series of stories related to ethics and lawmaker conflicts of interest. Judges called the reporting 'powerful and well-researched.' Reporter Jacob Orledge received a third place A-Mark Prize for the story 'North Dakota's likely next governor would regulate his own industry, testing ethics guardrails.' The story was produced in collaboration with ProPublica. 'The story did a fantastic job of explaining the conflicts of interest, and also further exposing the weaknesses in North Dakota's disclosure requirements,' judges wrote. The A-Mark Prize recognizes excellence in investigative journalism. This year was the first the prize was awarded in North Dakota. It was also the first year the North Dakota Monitor was eligible to participate in the association's contest. The Monitor team also received three first place awards: Best online coverage of breaking news for election night coverage Best website Best special news section for the 2024 voter guide Jeff Beach, Monitor deputy editor, was recognized for his coverage of the Agridime Ponzi scheme with third place in agricultural reporting and honorable mention for agricultural photo. He also received third place in business news reporting for the story 'Corn price connection to carbon capture hard to pin down.' Steurer also received third place breaking news coverage for a story on the verdict in a lawmaker's trial for a misdemeanor conflict-of-interest crime. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Respected Capitol journalist joins Michigan Advance as senior reporter
Michigan Advance Senior Reporter Ben Solis LANSING — Award-winning writer and editor Ben Solis has been named as senior reporter for Michigan Advance. Solis, who has covered state and local government for nearly a decade as a former staff writer with Gongwer News Service and MLive, was a finalist for the Michigan Press Association Richard Milliman Journalist of the Year award in 2022 for his work covering Michigan's independent redistricting process. He was also named as best writer in the organization's 2016 Better Newspaper Contest. 'We are thrilled to have Ben join our team, and see his addition to our award-winning staff as the perfect enhancement of our Capitol coverage. Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen journalistic eye to our newsroom, and we look forward to the insights and depth he will bring to our coverage,' said Michigan Advance Editor-in-Chief Jon King. Solis replaces King as senior reporter, after King was named editor-in-chief in March. Michigan Advance was founded in 2018 and was recently named the Michigan Press Association's News Media Publication of the Year for 2024, its second straight win. The Advance is part of States Newsroom, the nation's largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. The network reports on politics and policy from every capital, with coverage provided free of charge – without pop-ups, paywalls or ads. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Manitowoc HTR wins Best in Division, 13 individual honors in statewide journalism contest
MANITOWOC – For the second time in three years, Manitowoc's daily newspaper, the Herald Times Reporter, was named Best in Division in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation's Better Newspaper Contest. The award recognizes the newspaper as one of two daily newspapers in the state as Best in Division for 2024, with the HTR winning in Division B for newspapers of daily circulation of less than 9,999 and the Wisconsin State Journal winning in Division A for newspapers of daily circulation of at least 10,000. Along with the Best in Division award, the newspaper's staff collected 13 individual honors. The awards were given March 7 during the WNA's awards ceremony in Madison. The HTR competes in Division B, which includes newspapers with daily print circulation of 9,999 or less. The WNA Foundation is a not-for-profit created in 1980 that works to improve Wisconsin's newspaper enterprises. The 2024 contest received 2,134 entries from 105 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024, and were judged by members of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Last year's awards: Manitowoc's newspaper the Herald Times Reporter wins 11 statewide journalism awards, including the top award for community engagement Here's a look at the honors earned by HTR staff. First-place awards included the following: Photographer Gary C. Klein won two firsts — for Best News Photo and Best Feature Photo. For the Best News Photo, the judge wrote: 'The photographer did a good job of bringing us close to the subjects and that helps the viewer feel the emotions the subjects are feeling.' And for the Best Feature Photo winner, the judges said, 'We loved the different kids' facial expressions.' Page designer John Evans won a first place for Best Front Page. Reporter Patti Zarling placed first in the Environmental Reporting category for her article about Two Creeks Buried Forest. The judge wrote: 'The reporter took news of fragments from a buried forest and turned it into a history lesson for readers. Great context of what happened in Wisconsin and this region in particular.' Reporter Alisa Schafer and Editor Brandon Reid won first place for Breaking News Reporting for their ongoing coverage of the search for missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue. The judge wrote: 'This series of pieces followed a story of a missing 3-year-old boy, through to the latest coverage during the Better Newspapers Contest period. First, we should salute the reporter's ongoing coverage of what must have been a challenging and taxing reality as a human tasked with reporting on the events that took place. The reporter presented information clearly to readers while showing context and nuance. This coverage gave basic details at first on the search with info on how people can help look for the missing child. Later, readers get follow-up coverage that includes the picture of residents coming together to search and hold vigils. All of the coverage is presented in an easy to read/organized way, including the 'what we learned' from court documents section. It is also transparent with readers, guiding them and defining why the articles do/don't have certain information like when court documents are sealed, but criminal complaints were available and obtained. Readers are also privy to basic explanations that easily translate what could have been complex court jargon/legalese that most people aren't familiar with.' Sports Reporter Tom Dombeck took first for Local Sports Column for his column 'Appreciate Howards Grove volleyball's run no matter what happens at state tourney.' 'Personal and emotional — exactly what I want to read in great columns,' the judge wrote. Columnist Bob Fay won first place in the Local Column category for his contributions to the Preserving the Past history series. 'Highly readable and interesting,' the judge wrote. Klein took second for Sports Feature Photo for a Nov. 3, 2023, photo of Two Rivers' Derek Klinkner consoling teammate Zach Cortte following their 24-21 loss to Luxemburg-Casco. 'Another great moment, we liked the clean composition and felt like the negative space complimented the quiet moment between the two players well,' the judges wrote. Third-place honors went to the following: Klein for Best Feature Photo (he also placed first in the category); Schafer for Reporting on Local Government; Zarling for Localized National Story; and Schafer and Zarling for Local Column for the ongoing Savor Manitowoc series on local restaurants. 'Felt like I was in the restaurant with you,' the judge wrote. Zarling earned an honorable mention for Environmental Reporting after also placing first in the same category. 2022 awards: Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter one of two daily papers in state named Best in Division as it collects 14 individual Wisconsin journalism awards Dating to its first issue published Oct. 19, 1898, the HTR is one of Manitowoc County's oldest businesses. Today, the newspaper is part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, which also includes daily newsrooms in Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Marshfield, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is also part of the news group. Contact Brandon Reid at breid@ This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc newspaper Best in Division in Wisconsin journalism awards
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Post Bulletin named a top newspaper in Minnesota (and won 42 awards too!)
Jan. 31—BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — The Post Bulletin collected 42 awards from the Minnesota Newspaper Association's Better Newspaper Contest on Thursday, including the evening's most sought-after prize: the Vance Trophy. The Post Bulletin won 16 first-place awards, 15 second-place awards and 10 third-place awards. Each award carried different point values. The newspaper with the most points at the end of the evening wins the Vance Trophy. "The Vance Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards from one of the state's most prestigious news organizations. The entire team at the Post Bulletin works hard to tell the stories of the Rochester region — through editorial and advertising — and we're honored to be recognized for that effort," said General Manager Steve Lange. Newspapers ranging from small weeklies to large dailies from all over Minnesota submitted about 4,000 entries for the contest, according to the MNA. The Post Bulletin last won the Vance Trophy in 2022, 2019 and 2018. The trophy is awarded annually to the top multi-day newspaper in Minnesota, and was created in honor of the Vance family of Worthington. * Brian Todd — Human Interest Story — News Feature * Mark Wasson — Hard News — Coverage of Court/Crime * Jason Feldman — Sports Story * Jason Feldman — Sports Feature Story * Maya Giron — Press Photographer's Portfolio * Joe Ahlquist — Photography — Feature Photo * Maya Giron — Photography — Photo Story * Joe Ahlquist — Best Magazine Photography * Steve Lange — Best Magazine Article * Tessa Olive & Beth Krohn — Self-promotion or House Ad * Beth Krohn — Use of Color in Advertising * Special Section for all Multi-day * Advertising Excellence for Multi-day 10,001 and over * Use of Photography as a Whole for Multi-day 10,001 and over * Magazine General Reporting for Multi-day 10,001 and over * Category X — Coverage of annual community events on various platforms for all Multi-day * Matthew Stolle — Human Interest Story * Alex VandenHouten — Sports Feature Story * Jeff Kiger — Business Profile * John Molseed — Arts & Entertainment * Brian Todd — Business Story * Joe Ahlquist — Photography Feature Photo * Joe Ahlquist — Best Magazine Photography * Joe Ahlquist — Photography — Portrait and Personality * Joe Ahlquist — Photography — Photo Story * Lily Dozier — Photography — Sports Photo * Best Magazine for Multi-day 10,001 and over * General Excellence for Multi-day 10,001 and over * Typography and Design for Multi-day 10,001 and over * General Reporting for Multi-day 10,001 and over * Editorial Portfolio for Multi-day 10,001 and over * Pat Ruff — Sports Feature Story * John Molseed — Human Interest Story * Brian Todd — Human Interest Story — Personality Feature/Profile * Rebecca Mitchell — Human Interest Story — News Feature * Maya Giron — Best Magazine Photography * Maya Giron — Photography — Photo Story * Joe Ahlquist — Press Photographer's Portfolio * Becca Larson — Use of Information Graphics/Graphic Illustrations * Editorial Page as a Whole for Multi-day 10,001 and over * Best Magazine Cover for Multi-day 10,001 and over
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Albert Lea Tribune wins 14 awards in annual newspaper contest
Jan. 31—By Albert Lea Tribune The Albert Lea Tribune took home 14 awards Thursday in the Better Newspaper Contest banquet as part of the 158th annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention in Brooklyn Park. Among the awards were first place for website and Editorial Page as a Whole, as well as first place for Magazine Use of Photography as a Whole. "The cartoons, especially, were engaging and timely," the judge wrote about the editorial page entry. "Clean flow and compelling combination of local and regional/national topics." The magazine that won the photography category was the July/August 2024 issue, which included features on the Pelican Breeze, the Itasca Rock Garden and a local AirBNB. The newspaper also won third place in typography and design. "Solid design, good use of headlines and photos," the judge wrote. "Could use some more pictures inside played larger. Good effort, solid work." Managing Editor Sarah Stultz won four awards for stories she wrote and two awards for photography: —First place: Human Interest Story-News Feature, for a story about Albert Lean Victoria Lopez, who participated in the Healthy Start program, which allows the Commissioner of Corrections in Minnesota the authority to conditionally release incarcerated mothers who are pregnant or within eight months post-delivery from prison to the community. The goal is for the mothers to engage in work, vocational training, substance abuse or mental health treatment, education or parenting education and help get their child's life off to a healthy start. The program may last the duration of the pregnancy and up to 1 year of the newborn child's life. "Story kicks off with a heartbreaking lede, explains a complex issue and lends much humanity to a human source. Well done," the judge wrote. —First place: Photography News Photo, for a photo taken at the scene of a double-fatal crash at the intersection of Minnesota Highway 13 and West Main Street in August. "A strong breaking-news picture that captures the intensity, drama and seriousness of rescuers in action at the accident scene," the judge wrote. —First place: Photography Photo Story, for photos taken at the funeral of World War II veteran Mickey Nelson in Clarks Grove in June. —Second place: Human Interest Story, for a story about Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Deborah Mitchell. "The writer did a great job with the intro on this profile story," the judge wrote. "You learn so much in such a short period of time that explains why this person has such a passion for affordable housing. Showcasing the personal experience helps readers understand the subject's character and motivation." —Second place: Local Breaking News Coverage, for coverage of a confirmed EF1 tornado near Twin Lakes. —Third place: Business Profile, for a story on Century Partners when they were recognized as Citizens of the Year in the Tribune's 2024 Progress edition. "Most readers don't know how vital the partnerships are to redevelop large downtown buildings," the judge wrote. "Nice job." Reporter Ayanna Eckblad won two awards: —Second place: Human Interest News Feature, for a story about Jodie Hofkamp, who works as a psychologist at Albert Lea High School. "Thoughtful quotes. Good review of the subject's background and motivations," the judge wrote. —Second place: Social Issues Story, for a story about artist Rachel Coyne, whose work titled "Missing and Disappeared" was featured at the Albert Lea Art Center. "This was an engaging feature about a tragic recurring problem affecting Black and Indigenous communities, including helpful information about the DNA identification procedure," the judge wrote. The Tribune also won a first and second place for Best Advertisement for advertisements for Produce State Bank and Holly Miller Design, respectively. Most of the awards were for multi-day newspapers up to 5,000 circulation. The website and magazine awards were for all multi-day newspapers. The awards were for work completed from Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2024.
