National Newspaper Association announces award winners

The National Newspaper Association announced 2020 Better Newspaper Contest and Better Advertising Contest winners who will be honored at an awards ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, during NNA’s 134th Virtual Convention & Trade Show.
There were 1,276 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and 193 entries in the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest for a total of 1,469 entries. A total of 523 awards were won by 92 member newspapers in 34 states.
The Wyoming Press Association was awarded the first annual “Best of NNA” Award for their 84 winning entries, beating out Iowa with 60 wins and California with 45 wins.
Judging was performed primarily by active community newspaper editors and publishers, as well as retired university journalism professors and retired or former newspaper professionals.
Texas newspapers and journalists earning honors in the national contest included:
• Andy Behlen of the Fayette County Record,  La Grange, first place, best breaking news photo, and Kara Koether, honorable mention for best feature photo.
• Russel Skiles of the Lamesa Press-Reporter, third place, best serious column ; second place, best breaking news photo; second place,  best feature photo; and  honorable mention, best breaking news story.
• Park Cities People, Dallas, won first place in general excellence and honorable mention for best special section; and William Legrone and Pat Martin, third place for best feature series.
• Zach Perkins of the Port Aransas South Jetty, first place and honorable mention for best breaking news photo; and Mary Henkel Judson, second place for best humorous column, and honorable mention for best serious column.
• Bianca R. Montes of Preston Hollow People, Dallas, first place for best education/literacy story.
• The Examiner, Beaumont, took third place for general excellence. Jennifer Johnson earned honorable mention for best breaking news story and for best investigative or in-depth story. Chad Cooper took third place for best sports feature.
Full results are available on the NNA website, www.nna.org.