From across North Dakota, editors, reporters, advertising directors, page designers and alike convened via Zoom video conferencing Friday, May 7, in anticipation to hear the grand revealing of the 2021 North Dakota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest Winners. The Press placed first in the category of small multi-day newspaper, receiving the most awards overall and taking second place in the arena of general excellence — extending the streak of excellence in community reporting stretching back to 1883.
Leading the editorial side, senior reporter Jackie Jahfetson received six awards including first place in the business news reporting category for the story titled, “ Eat better beef: Belfield Rancher Opens Retail Meat Business .” Senior sports reporter Josiah Cuellar received five honorary awards as well as another two awards for Editor James Miller.
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Advertising Director Jenn Binstock led The Press’ advertising department with 17 advertising awards, followed by multimedia sales consultant Cindi Wallner who claimed nine awards.
General Manager Joy Schoch won five awards.
“Honestly it's been a difficult year for everyone. Our community has rallied behind us and continues to show us support and as a result we, The Press, are so happy that we are able to say that we are the best newspaper in North Dakota in our category as voted upon by the leading editors and publishers in our industry,” Schoch said. “I am thankful for the team here at The Press. I am extremely proud of their hard work, dedication and excellence.
“We thank the North Dakota Newspaper Association for being an advocate for the First Amendment, for helping keep The Press free of overreaching arms of government and for being a voice for newspapers in our great state. But more importantly, we thank our readers for continuing to stand by what we've known all along, which is that we provide a product to our readers that keeps our community informed and is worthy of their time, support and money. Thank you.”
To view the list of winners from the 2021 NDNA Better Newspaper Contest Winners, visit ndna.com/contest-winners-2021 . Editorial and advertising teams from newspapers across North and South Dakotas will convene for a joint convention in October in Deadwood, S.D.